August 2018 - Cougarsportsline - mailman.xmission.com

CS Lite, Vol. 38, Issue 1-A, August 6, 2018
by HB Arnett 06 Aug '18

06 Aug '18

HB Arnetts Lite hbarnett(a)fiber.net <mailto:hbarnett@fiber.net> 801 372 0819 Vol. 38, Issue 1- A, August 6, 2018 Size over Sense Just read a nice piece in the Deseret News about Britain Covey, <https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900027029/utah-football-an-underdog-no- more-britain-coveys-challenge-now-will-be-living-up-to-the-hype.html> the returned missionary from Chile Rancagua, (been there done that) who will be back on the Utah roster this fall. I followed this kid when he was at Timpview HS in Provo. He had it all, except size. He was quick, smart and slippery. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrdrJDvUV2Q> He also was a sure-fire legacy recruit for BYU. Legacy lost in this recruiting battle. As you know, Covey became a Ute. In hindsight, Utahs sense overcame Coveys lack of size. Size does matter when you are looking for a durable running back or a QB who can heave it down field, but athleticism is athleticism and works well on the field if that athleticism is utilized wisely by coaches. Utah was wise, BYU wasnt. No sour grapes from me. I will cheer for this kid because we are both former Chilean missionaries. Huasos and Abrazos are in our blood. Heads up, however. There may be another size versus sense saga coming down the BYU recruiting stream again. Write this one down: Braedon Wissler <https://www.hudl.com/profile/6202073/Braedon-Wissler> . The kid is utilized currently as a running back at Bingham HS. He wont play there in college. He opened some eyes in Las Vegas this summer and apparently BYUs eyes were also opened. They at least are now interested. We will see how this size vs. sense saga plays out. Better Late Than Never I had a thing a few weeks back that detailed the current salaries of former BYU Cougars in the NFL. I forgot to include the current highest paid Cougar. Here it is in $s and ¢s. Ziggy Ansah <https://herosports.com/nfl/ezekiel-ansah-net-worth-2018-detroit-lions-cgcg> . I was still in Michigan doing the mission thing when former Cougar and current NE Patriot, Harvey Langi and his wife were involved in a car crash. Here is a more recent update <https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1005171329677398017> . Not late. This happened to Tejan Koroma <https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2018/8/5/17654076/chiefs-claim-center-follow ing-injury-to-tejan-koroma> yesterday. My Take on First Two Days of Post Practice Questions for Kalani Sitake No question that Kalani is a people person and easy going with the media. What if he wasnt? What if he went Dennis Green <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDAq5tyfk9E> on the media? I tracked some of the actual media questions for the first two sessions with Sitake this fall. Below are selected questions and my take on how a more volatile and vociferous coach might answer. How do you like Beau at running back? You saw our run game last year. We couldnt get the juco running back we wanted. What would you do? What were other reasons to precipitate that change? We didnt have Bo Jackson available, so we went with the Beau we had. Howd the quarterbacks look today? Let me quote Allen Iverson <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tknXRyUEJtU> , that should give you my answer. What type of objectives do you have for these early first couple of days as you kind of get back into the swing of things? Do you have a mortgage? Me too. Im just trying to save my job so I can pay it. How would you assess your readiness level this year as opposed to the first two years? I fired Ty Detmer. What do you think my readiness level is? Next question. Are you happy with the conditioning level? Youre fatter than me. Are you happy with your conditioning level? You talked before about how the first year you had some player leaders that really kept things in line. Have you seen the same leadership that you want to see from the boys as far as making sure that things are done at the level you want them done? What I want to see again is Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams. Leaders are nice, but NFL talent is better. How would you describe your teams practice tempo through 2 days? This isnt dance class. Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick. Tempo my behind. Give me talent and I can dance all day long. What kind of progress do you expect from the kicking and punting game this season? What is this? The World Cup. If you want a lesson in kicking, watch the Wisconsin replay from last season and see what they did to our posteriors in Provo. This question wasnt asked, but I wish it was. Kalani, what does the slogan The World is our Campus mean to the football program? Not much. There are billions of bodies, but we can only find one Ziggy Ansah? Reno Revisited Early last year, BYU had a verbal commitment from Ale Kaho <https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/report-ale-kaho-asks-washin gton-for-release/> , an ultra-talented LDS linebacker from Reno HS in Nevada. He changed his mind and signed with the Washington Huskies. Last week he announced that he is leaving UW and not going to play for Chris Peterson. Several personal and family reasons were given for his change of heart. BYU football fans immediately began hoping that he would somehow end up in Provo. Some cited the new NCAA rule that doesnt allows schools that signed a player to block that player from transferring to another school. Here is a quick outline of how that new rule reads. <https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/ncaa-approves-rule-that-e nds-coaches-ability-to-block-transfers/> Its a moot point for now. The new rule doesnt go into effect until October 15. Proof that BYU Basketball Recruits outside of Utah County I took a potshot at BYU basketball recruiting last week by saying they only recruit in Utah County. It was supposed to be semi-humorous. Some didnt think it was funny. To show my open-mindedness and give visual proof that BYU recruits nationwide, I offer the following photo from last week in Las Vegas. That is Dave Rose, bottom row, second from the right watching a game in the Las Vegas Fab 48 Tournament last week. It was PSA Cardinals of NYC vs. City Rocks of Albany, NY. City Rocks has Joseph Girard III playing. He broke Jimmer Fedettes records at Glens Fall HS. BYU made a push, but he announced that his top six schools that have offered are Duke, Michigan, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Penn State and Boston College. Whats a Good Clue that a Polynesian Football Prospect is LDS? The fact that BYU is recruiting is your first clue. Need more confirmation? If Utah and Virginia are also recruiting, then its 99.89% sure that he is LDS. Here are two prospects that bear that out. Aidan Keanaaina is a 6-2, 295-pound defensive tackle from Mullen HS in Denver. He recently made a visit to Ohio State. Others in the mix include CU, Nebraska, ND, Oregon, Wisconsin and of course BYU, Utah and Virginia. Another prospect that has the LDS mark of the big three is Simote Pepa, another defensive tackle coming in at 6-2, 295. He is out of Bingham HS in South Jordan, Utah. Heres a name that BYU is pushing hard and has a legit chance to land. Logan Sagapolu <https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900027080/high-school-football-skyridge -falcons-2018-preview.html> . While Bronco Mendenhalls recruiting net is much more diverse these days at Virginia, he still looks for LDS recruits, especially Polynesian recruits because he has a boatload of LDS Polynesian coaches and staff that get the door open for the Cavaliers. Here <https://virginiasports.com/coaches.aspx?path=football> s the latest UVA coaching staff. Free Was Fun, But Not for Me! The guy who said, "If wishes were fishes we'd all swim in riches never published: Lite Turns out there werent enough golfers in my data base to make the marketing plan of A Putt Partner in hand is worth two in the bush and bucks in the bank. Which brings back the old tried and true marketing strategy I have used before. I write the letter, you write the check Enough Chit Chat. The details are here: oldmancougar.com <http://oldmancougar.com/> All those who bought Putt Partners or had credit from their old subscriptions will be taken care of. The rest of you I will be hoping to reel in. Thanks, HB Arnett

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CS Lite, Vol. 38, Issue 1, August 4, 2018
by HB Arnett 05 Aug '18

05 Aug '18

HB Arnett's "Lite" hbarnett(a)fiber.net <mailto:hbarnett@fiber.net> 801 372 0819 Vol. 38, Issue 1, August 4, 2018 Walmart Weighs in on Every State <https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/walmart-reveals-the-most-bizarre- top-selling-items-in-every-state/ss-BBHSNWQ#image=1> 's top Seller (Click to see yours) This is important for BYU fans from Utah planning on traveling and attending away games. I Weigh in on BYU's Top Players for Every Position *These are not Walmart's opinions, but mine based on three days of fall practice without pads or pressure on player's performance. I will have an updated opinion after the Arizona game when BYU will play against another team with real talent, real coaches and real intent to bash in the head of BYU. **Top Player may not necessarily mean that player will start or see action this season, but just my opinion. My opinion could be devalued somewhat because I'm hearing that I might be currently under consideration to become a new cabinet member that will soon be announced: Secretary of Prostate. For those not familiar with the location of this male gland, it is located just in front of the rectum. Politically and anatomically, I should fit right in. Quarterback: Zach Wilson. This guy is the real deal. Size, mobility, big arm and confidence. His real test will be when he faces a real team intent on bashing in his head. On paper and in practice, this guy can play. Still don't think he will start the season for the Cougars. Running Back: Multiple Choice. A. Squally Canada B. Beau Hoge C. Zach Katoa D. All the above. Not much to choose from here. This part of offensive production will be very pedestrian again. If I'm wrong I will give this group a chance to get even with me. I will walk across University avenue (not in the crosswalk) and they can take their shots at me. Receiver: The Collie brothers. That would be Dylan Collie and, if healthy, Gunner Romney, an Austin Collie clone. One more WR who has taken three years to get there but I still like, is Talon Shumway. Offensive Lineman: Jacob Martinez isn't a household name, but he will hold down the house of the offensive line. Will be the starter at center and be major surprise for those who haven't been paying attention. Tight End: A Matt Bushman in hand is worth three in the bush. Fortunately for BYU, there are others in the bush waiting to play. They will have to be good to unseat Bushman from this spot. Put these names in your burning bush and smoke for future reference. Moroni Pututau, Dallin Holker and Hank Tuipulotu. Defensive Line: Uriah Leiataua. If he as hard to block as his name is to pronounce he should be good. Otherwise, I'm staying politically correct with Corbin Kaufusi. Speaking of politics in Provo, his mother is the current mayor of the city. Linebacker: Hands down: Sione Takitaki. A playmaker with an NFL future. Defensive Back: Anybody that could make the two-deep at Utah. Best guess would be Jenaro Gilford, in his prime. I need a name here, so I will go with Troy Warner. Special Teams: It's been a while since anybody has stood out, but I give the nod to this guy for this play last season. Brayden El-Bakri <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mthcQ3iBOE> Coach: Kalani Sitake. He has had more shake up on his staff and roster than Trump, but he still smiles and is still personable. Now we will see if the roster and staff changes can put a smile on BYU fan's faces. That answer should come in September. BYU MVP: Still to be determined, but my early vote goes to Jack Tuttle, the freshman QB at Utah. If he hadn't committed early to the Utes, Zach Wilson would be practicing in Salt Lake and not Provo this past week. Christian McCaffrey Lite? Remember the 5-11, 205 all-purpose running back from Stanford? He was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft by Carolina. He was a phenomenal player in college and a go-the-distance-type threat every time he touched the ball. Beau Hoge is a very long way from being a McCaffrey clone, but he is the closest thing to it BYU has. He also is currently listed on the Cougar roster at 6-1, 220. He is also listed as an RB/QB. BYU coaches are hoping Hoge can put some much-needed juice in the BYU running game this season. He may be the answer to an anemic running game projection, despite a much improved and productive offensive line. We shall see how this goes. If you want to see video of McCaffrey in college and Hoge in high school watch here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KATM8Vw1bl8> and watch here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFtbJloTdkQ> . Ok, I'd settle for McCaffrey Extra, Extra Lite for Hoge. Top 5 High Schools in Basketball Success Nationally for the last 5 years as rated by MaxPrep.com <http://www.maxpreps.com/news/VwZaBeX-Mk2nUFxrx6FNaA/top-high-school-basketb all-programs-of-the-last-five-years.htm> Academies.1. Monteverde Academy, FL; 2. Oak Hill Academy, VA; 3. Findlay Prep, NV; 4. La Lumiere, IN; 5. St. Benedict's Prep, NJ Public Schools.1. Garfied, WA; 2. Apple Valley, MN; 3. Shadow Mountain, AZ; 4. Memphis East, TN; 5. Simeon, IL Private Schools.1. Bishop Montgomery, CA; 2. Mater Dei, CA; 3. DeMatha, MD; 4. Neumann-Goretti, PA; T5. Greensboro Day, NC; T5. Bishop Gorman, NV Top 5 High Schools where BYU has recruited and signed players for the current roster of 2018-2019 as reported in byucougars.com <https://byucougars.com/> . Public Schools.T1. Timpview, Utah County; T1. Lone Peak, Utah County; 3. Provo, Utah County; 4. American Fork, Utah County; T5. Bountiful, UT, T5 Bingham, UT, T5 Shelly, ID, T5 Orem, UT, T5 Highland, ID, T5 Rocky Mountain, ID, T5 Borah, ID Top 5 College Coach Frequent Flier Miles used for Recruiting as speculated by oldmancougar.com <http://oldmancougar.com/> and documented by frequent runs in NCAA post season tournaments 1.Kentucky, John Calipari, 2. Arizona, Sean Miller, 3. Kansas, Bill Self, 4. Duke, Mike Krzyzewski, 5. Gonzaga, Mark Few. T107. Jeff Neubauer, Fordham, T107. Dave Rose, BYU. Cost per Mile If I was the sarcastic and curmudgeonly type, I might write the following: According to Google Maps, the distance between the Marriott Center and Timpview HS in Provo is 2.1 miles. Assuming the cars donated to BYU coaches by local dealerships average about 18-20 miles per gallon and assuming Cougar coaches make at least 15 trips to the school while recruiting prospects. That works out to be about 32 miles. Based on those numbers and the current $2.92 per gallon cost of gas locally, BYU spent $3.50 per recruit for the 3 Timpview players that will be on the roster together in 2021. Waste not, want not and (maybe, win not). But, being the soft-hearted observer of BYU sports that I am, I will say emphatically, that BYU basketball coaches appear to be good stewards of their recruiting budgets. When you remember that Rose and staff went 2500 miles to get Jimmer Fredette, then the cost per recruit rises to $11.53 per player. In case you forgot about him, he resurfaced last month in The Basketball Tournament. If that doesn't ring a bell, maybe this video of Jimmer ringing Gonzaga <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6mqFMdhDe4> 's bell might help. Speaking of Timpview, Nate Hansen, a 6-3 guard from THS committed to BYU and will sign with them later this year. He joins Hunter Erickson, another 6-3 guard from Timpview who signed last year with the Cougars. He will serve an LDS mission first. I assume the same for Hansen. The cream of the Timpview crop is recently returned missionary Gavin Baxter. The 6-9 athletic forward has a future not only at BYU but beyond. Think a taller and more athletic Yoeli Childs. No sarcasm here. He is the real deal. Not a Killer Schedule.A Mueller-Mauler Schedule If Robert Mueller is a special prosecutor, then so is Tom Holmoe. The BYU football schedule for September is prosecutorial, persecutorial and just plain painful if you are Kalani Sitake and his staff. Two top ten teams within three weeks on the road, is brutal. Two Pac 12 teams to open the season will set the tone for how this year plays out. One is at home, the other on the road. Here's hoping BYU is not the Washington Generals to this Harlem Globetrotters schedule where wins will be very, very hard to come by. The Generals generate hope for BYU this season. I still call the Cougars to get a minimum of 7 wins this year and to appear in a bowl game. Read this for a Generals update <https://nypost.com/2017/12/23/the-new-washington-generals-dont-want-to-be-y our-punching-bag/> and hope for BYU against its Mueller and Mauling schedule. Never Too Early to Talk Arizona and Season Opener.Let Kevin Sumlin do the Talking It was interesting and entertaining to hear Arizona first year coach Kevin Sumlin address the Tucson media Friday after the Wildcats first practice. A lot of what he said applies to all coaches preparing for a season opener and that includes Kalani Sitake and BYU. He sounds like Sitake, just wearing a different shirt and hat. Here <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdnyHf4VbyI&t=33s> 's what Sumlin said on first day. Here is what Sitake said on first day <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRmqxOychcU> . His second day. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehg9lpoKJYY> Arizona opened as a -15 point favorite, but the line is now down to -13.5. I don't gamble, but my best friend in high school was the head oddsmaker at the Stardust for a couple of years before he started publishing his own tout sheet. Before he died a few years back from brain cancer, he used to call me to get my take on BYU and the spreads. If he was alive today and called, I would tell him to take the Cougars and the points. If he was alive and called today wanting to know my opinion about the LDS Church versus the world, he'd get the same answer. Take the Church and the points as an underdog.

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CS Lite, Vol. 37, Issue 7 - A, August 2, 2018
by HB Arnett 02 Aug '18

02 Aug '18

HB Arnett's "Lite" hbarnett(a)fiber.net <mailto:hbarnett@fiber.net> 801 372 0819 Vol. 37, Issue 7 - A, August 2, 2018 Please Don't Quote Me and Off the Record I always look forward to Athlon <https://athlonsports.com/college-football/acc-coaches-talk-anonymously-abou t-conference-foes-2018> 's yearly anonymous evaluations of college football coaches by other coaches. It's that time of year so here are the anonymous evaluations of coaches you and I might be interested in. Except for Bronco, they are all on BYU's schedule this season Kalani Sitake "Kalani Sitake is a beloved former player at BYU, but that's not going to help him erase the bad feelings from 4-9 last year. He's even (13-13) after two years, and those 13 losses weigh a lot more than the 13 wins at that place." "I know Kalani wants to make them tougher, have them playing more physical. That's how he played there, how he was taught to play." "The defensive line could be pretty good. (Corbin) Kaufusi is a really good player. Long arms and a strong, big body. He's a problem off the edge because he's so difficult to block with those long arms." "I really believe this season will revolve around the offensive line. Those guys couldn't get a consistent push last year, and there was too much uncertainty in the run game because of it. Not to mention the lack of consistent pass protection." "Depth has been a real problem there and has prevented them from having valuable competition. If you don't have guys pushing starters, things get stale when those starters know their jobs aren't on the line every snap." "Want to know why QB Tanner Mangum hasn't played as well as he did in his first season? Not too hard to connect the dots. When you can't protect, your QB gets hit and starts to make quick decisions - and more damaging, he starts to make bad decisions." "That tight end (Matt) Bushman was one of the best I saw last year in any conference. Big guy, soft hands, plays hard." "They have some pieces around the quarterback no matter who plays." "They've got to find a reliable, dependable run game. Squally Canada can be that guy, and he showed some ability last year. He's not elite, but he can play a lot better with some help from that offensive line." "At this point with Kalani, he has to find the quarterback that gives him the best chance to move forward and not endure another non-bowl, ugly season. I thought Joe Critchlow did some good things last year, but he never really got into the flow of games. It always seemed like he was a stop-gap guy, a bridge guy to someone else." Kevin Sumlin - Arizona "There's a lot of similarities between Texas A&M and Arizona. Kevin Sumlin was a great hire. You assume from Day 1 he's been able to build a relationship with Khalil Tate, who really is a special talent, where Tate can believe in Sumlin's track record of maximizing dual-threat quarterbacks." "I don't think Arizona will look like a team with a new coaching staff this fall. Most of their offensive talent is back; Sumlin can work with a lot of the concepts Rich (Rodriguez) used. Tate looked more aware of the offense as the year went on. I think he might run less with Sumlin and Noel Mazzone, at least by design, but he'll be able to freelance. The running back (J.J. Taylor) is really explosive. This is a staff unafraid of creating a superstar and building around him." "Keeping (defensive coordinator) Marcel Yates was interesting. It could be a short-term play to keep the roster and this year's recruiting intact." "I thought Kylan Wilborn was one of the best defensive players in our league last year. He kind of came out of nowhere. Those are the best kind of recruits. You see the potential, and then it develops into something completely out of the ordinary. He's not the biggest guy. But he's got such a quick first step, he's hard to block. They better get some help for him, because they couldn't tackle anyone last year. It was YAC (yards after catch/contact) for days last year against them." "At Arizona, you can either go to L.A. or Texas to fill out recruiting, and obviously they can sell in Texas. Sumlin will be able to go as far east as Dallas and compete for talent. Can't remember a time when Arizona could do that." "Considering all that program was going through, to be able to hire a guy with a proven track record of recruiting and winning is huge. If you're Kevin Sumlin, you can just as easily sit out and sit on your money from Texas A&M and not jump into the mess someone else created. But I also think Kevin looked at the roster and looked at Khalil Tate, and said, yeah, I can work with this." "Khalil Tate is as close to what Rich had with Pat White at West Virginia as you can get. At this point in their careers, Pat was a more comfortable thrower. But Khalil is such a threat in the run game; if he gets to the second level, strike up the band. The more he improves in the passing game - where I can see Kevin making a significant impact on him, like he did with Johnny Manziel, who was raw when he got him - the more dangerous Arizona can be." "Offense will not be a problem there. They're going to make a lot of us in this league look bad. But measure that against their one-man defense, and you see why Tate can only do so much." Justin Wilcox - California "Justin Wilcox was a breath of fresh air there at Cal. They went from throwing the ball all over the yard and trying to win games by outscoring teams, to a nice balance on offense and a defense that kind of turned the corner in November. By the end of the year, you could tell they knew what the hell was going on - and that's the first big step. The next is getting players, and then it all comes together." "Justin is this even guy on the sidelines, very cerebral. He's nothing like that in person. He's very engaging, and will recruit well there." "Cal is becoming a tough job as that division keeps getting better, but bringing in Justin Wilcox was good for the athletic department and their base. He's a local guy who wants to be there long enough to build something consistent. That doesn't mean Sonny Dykes didn't have some legit complaints about the school, but you have to want to be at a place like Cal or it won't work." "It's a strong staff. Beau Baldwin and Tim DeRuyter are veteran guys who know the West Coast. They looked young on offense, especially in conference. You can tell they're starting over from scratch, but it doesn't look like they really know who they want to be on that side of the ball." "They looked better in every phase on defense last season; they just didn't have the depth against the better teams in the conference. Schematically they're making sense in the 3-4. Now it's the issue of recruiting to fill those positions and keeping some consistency year over year. You can see what the staff is trying to do - create an identity that's meaner and tougher than what Cal is known for and try to take that out in recruiting and change the perception of the program." "Patrick Laird did some nice things in the run game that allowed them to slowly move toward a balanced, ball-control offense. Justin wants to run a system similar to what they had a Boise State when he was defensive coordinator there. Despite all the hoopla about the trick plays, that's a run-first, dominate on the ground offense. They're Year 1 into that change, and it's going to take some time. But there was effort last year. Those guys played hard, and wanted it." "Quarterback Ross Bowers did some nice things for them. He certainly had his issues with ball security, but he also managed that completely revamped offense and they kept improving week after week, albeit sometimes very slowly. They'll get there on offense. (offensive coordinator) Beau Baldwin is too good a coach for them to take a step back." Paul Chryst - Wisconsin "If they were a little better at quarterback, if Alex Hornibrook were a little more refined, they would've been in the playoff last year. They could have beaten Ohio State in our championship game, and probably should have." "You can say, 'How many quarterbacks played well against Ohio State?' and that's a fair argument. Then watch the tape, and watch (Hornibrook) miss open receivers on throws he just has to make. They are so good everywhere else. You just can't have a quarterback who throws 15 interceptions. You just can't do that." "I thought Hornibrook was hurt last year by the loss of WR (Quintez) Cephus. He was just beginning to become a dangerous threat on the outside when they lost him to an injury." "I think TE Zander Neuville is going to be a great player this season. I don't even think he had but a handful of catches last year, but he's a punishing blocker and he has talent." "If I were to tell you, hey, Wisconsin had a freshman tailback that had 2,000 yards, you'd probably say, yeah, that sounds about right. I don't want to make light of what Jonathan Taylor did because he's a special player, but it's death, taxes and Wisconsin with an elite tailback. Oh by the way, three of those stud offensive linemen who could've left for the NFL, stayed in Madison." "I loved watching these guys play last year. A team that looked like it was having fun every time they stepped on the field. It was so cool to watch week after week. That's a reflection on Paul Chryst." "There aren't many better guys than Paul, and he and that team are clearing connecting." "The defense that everyone overlooked last year will be great again. LB T.J. Edwards returning to school and skipping the NFL was icing on the cake." Chris Peterson - Washington "One of the most well-coached teams in the country. They're tougher than you think, too. The perception of this entire league could have been different last season if they'd hit those field goals at Arizona State, because on tape they looked better than the '16 team that went to the Playoff. If the jury is still out on USC, this is the most complete program in the conference right now." "Chris Petersen has this program on the same track as the monster he built at Boise State. By that I mean when they lose, it's usually not by more than a score and it's usually a game they could've or should've won. Last year was no different. They're going to be really good again." "The whole Jake Browning junior season thing is a head-scratcher. I've heard the shoulder injury, but there's more to it than that. He completed passes at a much higher rate, but threw significantly less touchdown passes. You don't go from 43 to 19 without something going on. His decrease in pass attempts wasn't significant, but when we watched tape, you could tell the protection wasn't the same and they weren't winning on the outside and getting open. His yards per attempt were almost a full yard below 2016, so he was dinking and dunking more." "Offensively they're actually a very simple team, it's just that they're really good at what they do and they do it multiple ways. That's great coaching. It jumps out on film. Adding (Jacob) Eason to follow Browning means they can recruit on offense with certainty." "They'll miss Vita Vea; he's a game changer, true NFL talent there, but they could be an even better defense this season. Their other impact guys are back. They can play with aggression and still maintain their discipline in coverages. It's the best secondary in the league from what we've seen." "Chris Petersen doesn't get enough credit for how he recruits. They recruit talented kids to their scheme, and they do a fantastic job recruiting to their culture. The staff evaluates West Coast talent better than most." "They return a lot from that defense, and they've played as well as anyone in the country on that side of the ball the last two years. This will be their best defense, and that's saying something." "(Jaylen) Johnson and (Greg) Gaines up front are just beasts, and they're deep all over the front seven. They'll rotate as many as eight or nine in the front three, and a bevy of linebackers. They lost a lot from that terrific secondary of 2016, and then guys like Taylor Rapp get their opportunity and there's no drop off." Kyle Whittingham "Stanford gets the attention for being physical, but Utah can be just as aggressive. They're a team with an obvious mentality. It took adjusting, but Kyle Whittingham has done a great job building them back up and developing players since they joined the league." "They seemed better than their record, at least on tape. Some of that is probably because of their injuries. The QB (Tyler Huntley) didn't look the same after he was injured last season. Changed their offensive identity." "QB Tyler Huntley was so hit and miss for them. He's really dangerous in the run game, but he throws way too much into coverage. They're like a lot of teams that haven't found a difference-maker at quarterback: they're just trying to get by in the passing game. That's why they lost six games last year. At some point, they have to develop a quarterback." "Getting Gary Andersen is a big pickup for that staff - he can really push that defense, and he knows the league extremely well coming from OSU." "They will play you very aggressively on defense, but not always with discipline. It shows on film, and it's something that you can exploit, but they're also dangerous, really dangerous when they're at home. Salt Lake is a tougher place to play than people outside the conference probably think." "There's some debate if they've got it together enough to be better than good and compete for a conference championship. They have talent and stability right now, and outside of USC, no one else in their division can claim that." "They don't truly appreciate what they have in (Kyle) Whittingham at Utah. He has been so consistent over the years, and all anyone can complain about is they're the only team in the South that hasn't won the division. There's a lot of work to do outside the lines at that place to get to that point. That's not an easy recruiting sell, yet they continue to get impact players." "If you could put Utah's toughness and desire inside the USC or UCLA players, you'd have a team. That's engrained in them, and it comes from the top. Every year you're in a battle with those guys. They're there, and they want you to know they're not leaving. They may not be as talented, but they sure as heck bring it - especially on the interior lines. They're just tough SOB's." "They're going to line up on offense and get physical with you. They've always focused on running the ball and setting the tone on the ground, but it has become more of a factor in the last three or so years because of their problems in the passing game. So they're lining up and playing defense and trying to set the tone of the game by running between the tackles." Bronco Mendenhall "It just feels like forever since Virginia has been relevant, doesn't it? Bronco Mendenhall was such an important hire for them, but it's got to be for the long haul there. This can't be a thing where if it doesn't work in a couple of years, you fire him. He has proven he can win under difficult circumstances. He's a coach who does it the right way, and I'm telling you right now, they will become relevant again under him." "They just lost their way as a program, and a lot of that was the lack of physicality. They made a big move from Year 1 under Bronco to Year 2 because of the way they played on the lines of scrimmage. But now that offensive line will be new again. This will be the true test of how they're developing guys there, and if they've bought in." "They've got some good young players on the defense, and Bronco has been a defensive guy all of his coaching career." "They play smart, and they're aggressive. They've got some good young guys on that defense like LB (Jordan) Mack, but those guys better make big strides quickly." "They got better last year because they found a legitimate FBS quarterback for the first time in years. But Kurt Benkert is gone, and now what happens? They have a JC guy (Bryce Perkins) that a lot of big Power 5 programs were on." "Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae was part of those BYU staffs for so long, and knows how to develop quarterbacks."

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CS Lite, Vol. 37, Issue 7, August 1, 2018
by HB Arnett 01 Aug '18

01 Aug '18

HB Arnett's "Lite" hbarnett(a)fiber.net <mailto:hbarnett@fiber.net> 801 372 0819 Vol. 37, Issue 7 - August 1, 2018 Shoes and Dues is Encouraging for BYU Football Like everyone else, when BYU opens football practice this week, my eyes will be on the quarterbacks and receivers. Like everyone else, we will be looking at the wrong thing. If BYU hopes to revive its football program, it will start with the offensive and defensive lines. Just my opinion, but of all the new coaches hired, they key guy will be Ryan Pugh, the new offensive line mentor. BYU will go as he and his group go. >From what I can see, Pugh is a guy that knows what he wants and gets it. Check out this video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_zA2PhXAWs> for an illustration of his intensity. Now check out this photo to see a couple of offensive line names that may be unfamiliar. Names you should recognize are Lapuaho, Shoaf, Hoge and Hoyt. Names that you may not be familiar are Atagi and Smith. If they are getting shoes, they are in camp. Here's the BYU bio on Atagi <https://byucougars.com/athlete/football/1284028/Ethan-Atagi> . Here's some scoop on Smith <https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900022127/byu-football-breaking-down-in coming-freshman-offensive-lineman-jacob-smith.html> . This guy is not in camp, but he will be on campus September 8 for the game against Cal. His name is Darrin Smith <https://247sports.com/college/memphis/Article/Three-star-running-Darrin-Smi th-back-to-take-official-visit-to-Memphis--120211732/> . Saints Can't Tailor for Taysom..Yet! Interesting read on Taysom Hill <https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/sports/saints/article_b23263fa-9448 -11e8-9f61-3f9b7c9006a6.html> and his development at New Orleans and how it is a coaching conundrum. If Mangum wins the starting QB job and plays well, do BYU coaches have the same problem getting the next guy ready for next season? In Recruiting International Basketball Players at BYU, is There a Gender Bias? There was a time when BYU men's basketball recruited foreign basketball players. There might be some hope that it may resume. We will see. Some while back, I read an interesting take on BYU basketball and foreign recruiting. You might also find it interesting <https://shawnrdotmiller.wordpress.com/2018/02/21/byu-basketball-coaches-ins ist-they-recruit-international-players-but-landing-them-is-difficult-and-com plicated/> . Meanwhile, men's volleyball, and this year, women's basketball, has a boatload of foreigners. Here's the roster for the BYU women <https://byucougars.com/roster/w-basketball/> this year. The real kicker for foreign recruits at BYU is the language proficiency deal. Am I the only Mormon that finds extreme irony in the fact that a block away from the Marriott Center is one of the finest, if not the finest, language training facilities in the world, but BYU basketball or any other campus sport can't be involved in any language training? It might be time for the Ah Choo compromise <http://housebrokenhusband.blogspot.com/2010/04/can-you-sneeze-in-foreign-la nguage.html> . If you can sneeze in English and can make a three-point shot, BYU admission administrators should show some leniency. As a basketball recruiting postscript, they speak English in American Fork <https://www.slipperstillfits.com/2018/7/30/17630770/2019-recruiting-isaac-j ohnson-gonzaga-byu-utah> . I'm no longer marketing the Putt Partner on CS Lite. I'm still selling on Amazon. I appreciate all those who were supportive of the product. The bottom line of this announcement is that I'm going to sell subscriptions to the letter. I will honor all those whose previous subscriptions were in place before the mission and make good on all those putt partners that were bought. Not sure what the price platform will be, but it will be reasonable, if not downright cheap. I should have the website up and running sometime later this week, but will advise and advertise when subscriptions kick in. hb

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