Just a five day turnaround for the Cougars as they travel to a land where dreams go to die, Boise, Idaho. My 9-Line prediction about what to expect in tonight's contest with a slew of made-up/real Vegas style lines.
1. Clips of BYU wearing jerseys with tan trim: LINE: 1.5 - The Cougars have not played the Broncos since 2004. A lot has changed since then. Head coach, personnel (obviously), and most importantly, the tan trim and horrendously awkward Y on the BYU helmet. There are few tender mercies as important to the human race as the re-implementation of the classic BYU uniform. Sadly, we will all be reminded of what used to be... OVER
2. Boise State punts: LINE: 6.5 - OVER
3. BYU pass plays over 30 yards: Line 1.5 - Remember this? http://youtu.be/ZBFUv91xk5M?t=1m49s Perhaps the greatest big-play WR combination in BYU history had a field day in Boise in 2004. It was basically BYU's entire offense plan in the latter stages of the contest. Seeing that Riley Nelson can only throw the ball ˜40 yards, I am not sure that is going to happen. UNDER
4. An appearance from This Thing: Line: 1 - Maybe whatever this thing is can meet up with whatever that thing --->
is and do whatever huge headed stallions do when they get together. PLEASE NO
5. DJ Harper Rushing Yards - Line: 78.5 The BYU front seven is nasty. The Cougars held Utah to under 50 yards rushing. Sure, John White IV was not dressed, but the ability to hold any BCS team to that kind of number is impressive. DJ Harper is a good back and BYU's ability to stop him will go a long way in proving whether Boise wins the contest. UNDER
6. False start penalties for BYU OLine - Line: 2.5 - Seven. 7. VII. The BYU offensive line had SEVEN false start penalties against Utah on Saturday night. During the post-game, Braden Hansen mentioned that the Cougars had to switch mid-game to a silent count to placate the problem. Why BYU was not in the silent count from the opening offensive snap is one of the great mysteries of our time. Boise's crowd is going to bring it. Has BYU's front five learned anything? OVER
7. Taysom Hill snaps: Line 3.5 - It. Better. Be. OVER [if not, it was nice knowing you guys]
8. Total Points Scored: Line 49 - Just like last week, both defenses are terrific. The key will be who can limit red zone touchdowns and can turn over the opponent. BYU's defense has proven terrific at the former and not so good at the latter. The Cougar offense will help out the Bronco D in the red zone. Points will be at a premium for much of the game. UNDER
9. Line: Boise State (-6.5) - The Broncos are nearly perfect on the Blue Turf in the last decade plus. Y'all know the stats. Y'all also know that BYU was a missed FG away from winning in Boise back in 2004 with one of the worst BYU teams of the past two decades. That being said, Bronco Mendenhall is 1-6 all-time on the road against ranked opponents. The only win was way back in 2006. So, what gives? COVER
Why?
Many thought, myself included, that the Utah game was going to be the turning point in BYU's upward mobility since the disappointing 2010 and hollow 2011 campaigns. It wasn't. The Cougars could not play a clean enough game to win against a quality opponent on the road. It's been just five days. Boise State is not the same Boise State. Is BYU the same BYU? My guess is that BYU's defense keeps the Cougars in the game for much of the night. In the end, the Cougars inability to score inside the red zone will prove the final nail in the coffin. A late Boise field goal will put it out of reach. BOISE STATE 26 BYU 17
/drinks all the Dr. Pepper