Rays of Hope

These last two games have been disheartening in really pointed ways. The game against Air Force initially felt like it was going to be a good, entertaining game, with potent offenses putting up points at both ends.

But after the first quarter, it's difficult to describe the pall that rested on the collective shoulders of Cougar Nation...

Against Florida State, when the decision appeared to have been made to make Jake Heaps the quarterback with some consistency, and he led two scoring drives to finish the second quarter, and the game was so close, it felt like we were witnessing a good ol' fashioned BYU comeback game. The momentum belonged to the Cougars coming into half number two, and we all watched with anticipation as the second half began, only to see the Cougars go three and out.

And we watched Heaps get sacked. Over. And over. And over again.

Part of me wants to believe that this is similar to what happened at the beginning of the 2007 season, when Max Hall was beginning his tenure as BYU's quarterback, and he got sacked a number of times against UCLA. That season didn't turn out so bad.

But this time it feels different.

Things feel disjointed, and there's a sense of anxiety around the program.

This coming Saturday will say a lot about this football team. Nevada's got such a prolific offense.

I'm just hoping for something exciting.

I'll be watching it from section 126, and screaming as loud as I can.

Through thick and thin, boys. That's me. I'll stick with you through thick and thin.

Beware of Wolf

I drink blue Kool Aid. I have to. Earlier this week, on 1320 KFAN, Alema Harrington insisted that the Cougars could still pull off another ten win season this year. I believe that too. and until the Cougars have lost four games, I will still believe it.

And they won't lose four games this season.

Right?

Never mind tomorrow's game against FSU. I'm hoping for a miracle tomorrow, and honestly, I think they can pull it off, if the defense plays with energy, and the offense makes those two or three big plays that change the course of the game.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think we have seen a really big pass play yet this year. There was Riley's pass to J.J. in the Washington game, but that was a relatively short dump pass to a very open DiLuigi who ran it in for a touchdown. But there hasn't been one of those long down-field passes that make the BYU passing game the legendary system that it is.

There have been attempts. Jake Heaps has launched three or four of these passes in the series that he has been on the field, but they have yet to convert one of them.

But let me shift gears for just a second here.

Next week BYU plays their second home game of the season, this time against an opponent from the WAC. The Nevada Wolf Pack.

I'm watching the Wolf Pack take on the California right now. Nevada just scored their fifty-first and fifty-second points of the game. I am really nervous for next week's game.

At least it should be exciting.

It better be anyway

Disheartened Cougar Fan

What does a discouraged and saddened Cougar fan do after a game like today's? Very few of us drown our sorrows in, um, beer and stuff like that. If we did, the bar(s?) of Utah County would be swarmed with long faces tonight. Instead, we prepare our lessons and talks and get ready for Sunday.

This was one Saturday that was not very special.

What was the worst part? Of the game? That is was on stupid VERSUS? The last three losses BYU has suffered have all been on that network. Last year, Florida State and TCU were the only two games BYU played on the network-that-shall-no-longer-be-given-the-satisfaction-of-being-named. Now this year? I will be honest, I had legitimate worries about this game primarily because it was going to be on the n-t-s-n-l-b-g-t-s-o-b-n. Is this irrational? Of course, but that's what fans do, we base things on completely irrational premises. At least I do. I'm not ashamed of being superstitious.

Turn overs? J.J.'s fumble, then Jake's interception and Riley's fumble? Miserable punting into the wind? Why not just go for in on fourth when the last time you punted it went ONE YARD?? I'm not one to believe in something so superstitious and silly like Karma, but was this an answer for last year's Vegas Bowl and the jokes that went for punts from Oregon State?

So what happens next week? Just Jake not play at all? Is one interception and a horrible loss enough to shake up this two-quarterback thing?

I can't breathe. I've got to go, um, something.