It seems very clear that the factor most to blame for this loss was our preparation to handle the high level of emotion and subsequent high-speed execution on the TCU side. We were on our heels almost from the get-go due to 2 early turnovers and an inability of our defense to match them offensively until later in the game.
If you look at the quarter by quarter matchup, TCU had 14 points in the first quarter, then 9, 9, and 0 in the next 3 quarters. Our offensive output can't be seen as clearly in points, but we clearly moved the ball better and better as the game progressed. We were halted again by turnovers which can in part be blamed on the pressure to have to come back against a very good team.
Looked at that way, it was that early emotional high-energy onslaught that won TCU the game, and our inability to handle it that lost it for us.
So, how will Bronco change so that the next time they face one of these extra-crucial, extra-high-energy games and teams, they can match it and work it to our advantage. I expect the next such game is likely to come in 5 weeks against Utah in Salt Lake. The 3 BYU-Utah games Bronco has coached so far have been similar in nature to this TCU loss: a very amped-up opponent getting us on our heels early. True, Bronco won the last two of those three, in part due to lessons learned from that first loss. But both those wins were by the skin of our teeth on last-second-come-from-behind wins.
Let's hope that Bronco and the coaches and players can identify and plan an effectively different approach to this problem soon. This team can still accomplish a lot this year, including setting up for next year, when both Hall and Collie and others will be seniors.
Next up: UNLV comes to Provo next Saturday. We better prepare to put it together strong in that game.
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