OK, so this is how we got here: Bronco was hired at the start of 2005. That first fall, Bronco's team went 6-6 but were competitive all season, with 2 of those losses in overtime (one after a missed fumble call by refs to TCU, and one to Utah - the last time the Cougars have lost at home). That team faced a good Cal team in the Vegas Bowl, and fell just short of the victory.
The 2006 and 2007 Cougars made huge steps forward, and both followed nearly identical paths: 1-2 to start with 2 close road losses (I believe all 4 losses BYU had more offensive yards than their opponent), then not losing after that: 11-2 records for both teams including back-to-back wins in the Vegas Bowl, with senior John Beck's 2006 team roasting Oregon, and sophomore Max Hall's 2007 team edging the UCLA Bruins by one. Both of these teams were ranked in the top 15 in the final poll of the seasons.
Coming into this 2008 season, hopes have been very high. Although the defense had significant personnel losses, Bronco's teams have seemed adept at plugging in new talent in without significant loss of strength. And the offense had most all the key components back from the very talented and accomplished 2007 team: Max Hall at QB with a talented/big/strong/senior-heavy offensive line, Harvey Unga running back along with Fui Vakapuna, Austin Collie and Michael Reed leading the receiving corps, and Dennis Pitta leading the tight end crew.
And...a top twenty ranking to start the season. Critical.
So, game one was in Provo at LaVell Edwards Stadium against the University of Northern Iowa...one of the best FCS division teams in the country. There were a few rough edges but BYU was too much for NIU. 41-17 got us off to a good start at home.
Game 2 took us to Seattle, Washington to face the Huskies in a stadium where we had never won before. What stood out to me was how few possessions there were in this game. That helped limit BYU's points offensively along with an interception and a fumble. And defensively we seemed to struggle with the running option of their talented quarterback, Locker. BYU led and controlled the game fairly solidly but could never break it open, allowing a long late drive to close the score to 28-27. A nationally debated celebration penalty was called on Locker, moving their PAT back, where it was blocked easily by BYU, preserving the win.
Back home we came to face UCLA yet again (3rd time in a year), and it turned into a signature win as it was so resounding. 59-0 was the worst loss handed to the Bruins since before the Great Depression. It certainly got attention nationally. On the heels of this win, BYU closed in on the Top Ten in the rankings, at #11.
Our fourth opponent was a Wyoming Cowboys team who's 2-1 record came against less well known teams at home. They game planned well to start, but by the second quarter, the thumping was in progress, and the 44-0 win was the second straight shutout by a solid Y defense.
This past week was our bye week, but due to numerous upsets nationally, BYU moved definitively into the Top Ten at #7 and #8 in the two most quoted polls. Big time move for this early in the season.
Next up, the Aggies of Utah State in Logan, Utah this Saturday. Utah State has improved since last year's awful team, but BYU is still heavily favored.
Let's see how this all plays out, but the potential is huge.
