This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
All of a sudden, this is looking like a tough one. BYU crushed Texas and a week later, was tested up and down the field by Houston before clinching a 33-25 victory. Then comes Virginia, fresh off a confidence boosting 23-21 victory against 21st ranked Louisville. In one swift motion, Virginia had ended an 11-game losing streak against FBS opponents, a 10-game losing streak against ACC foes and looked to be contender with a tough defense. Still, BYU quarterback Taysom Hill has looked fantastic and should lead the Cougars offense to prosperity again. With that in mind, here's a position-by-position look at this week's matchup and which team will have the edge heading into Saturday's game:
Quarterback
If not for guys like Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, Hill could very well be at the top of the quarterback Heisman shortlist so far this season. Through only three games, he has 10 total touchdowns, leads the team in rushing with 356 yards on the ground and has accounted for 1.045 yards of total offense. However, he also had his share of mistakes against Houston that looked similar to when he struggled last season, tossing two interceptions. Hill will have to protect the ball against an enterprising Virginia defense.
Sophomore Greyson Lambert isn't stellar in any one respect, but is a solid signal caller for Virginia. So far this season, he has 376 yards passing and two touchdowns along with three interceptions. Lambert wasn't spectacular against Louisville, but managed the game well with 162 yards through the air, one touchdown and one interception, along with a 10-yard rushing touchdown. Still, Hill has a distinct advantage in this one and will force Lambert to keep up with his arm and his legs.
Edge: BYU
Running Back Jamaal Williams was the anchor against Houston, burning clock when he needed to and racking up 139 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. However, he'll face a much tougher test against Virginia. The Cavaliers held Louisville to a paltry 2.9 yards per carry, 79 total rushing yards and one touchdown. So far, Virginia has held opponents to only 85 yards on the ground per game. Hill and Williams will have to combine for a total similar to last week against Houston to keep the Cougars ahead.
For Virginia, senior Kevin Parks is the bellcow and will likely be the foundation of the Cavaliers' attack on Saturday. Parks has 173 yards and a touchdown this season, far behind Williams, but still a threat. For a change of pace, Taquan Mizzell and Khalek Shepherd will get carries, but the Cougars defensive line likely won't be tested too heavily after allowing only 10 total yards against Houston on the ground.
Edge: BYU
Pass Catchers
Jordan Leslie has come on quickly for BYU and now looks to be Hill's favorite target. The UTEP product already has 15 receptions for 186 yards this season and racked up six catches for 79 yards against Houston. Virginia is good at producing turnovers against opposing passers, but still surrenders 269 yards per game and nearly 12 yards per catch to opposing receivers. Leslie and Mitch Mathews should continue to be the primary targets for Hill and will need to have big games against Virginia.
Senior Darius Jennings is the guy to watch for the Cavaliers. He's averaging almost 19 yards per catch this season with eight catches for 149 yards and a touchdown. Next up are senior Miles Gooch and junior Canaan Severin, who have combined for 215 yards receiving and three touchdowns in 2014. Gooch had a 15-yard touchdown reception against Louisville and all three could be headed for monster days if BYU's secondary plays like it did last week against Houston.
Edge: Even
Offensive Line
The Cougars' offensive line is still a concern after giving up 11 sacks so far this season. Hill looked to be rushed and forced some throws due to defensive pressure against Houston and will need better protection against Virginia. The Cavaliers harrassed Louisville's Will Gardner for three sacks and forced him into two interceptions. BYU's offensive line can't afford to give up four sacks like it did last week against Houston.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, Virginia's offensive line has held up really well this season. Lambert has been sacked only four times, though three came against Louisville. BYU also failed to sack Houston quarterback John O'Korn at all last week, a stat the bodes well for the guys up front for the Cavaliers.
Edge: Virginia
Defensive Line and Linebackers
BYU's defensive front was spectacular against the Houston running game last week. Although the red Cougars are known more for passing than running, BYU still held the team to only 10 yards on 13 rushing attempts, an impressive 0.8 yards per rush. Alani Fua had a big game with seven tackles and a tackle for loss, while Zac Stout added four tackles and a tackle for loss himself. Stout and Fua will need to lead the unit and put pressure on Lambert to force him into mistakes. If the Cougars can rack up a few sacks, the team will be in good shape.
Virginia's front is fearsome and could cause some serious issues for BYU's offensive line. The Cavaliers have three different players with at least three sacks each, including defensive leader Henry Coley, who leads the team with 29 tackles, six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. Rounding out the linebacker group are Max Valles and Daquan Romero, who have a combined four sacks and eight tackles for loss, not to mention defensive lineman Eli Harold, who has five tackles for loss and three sacks of his own. The Cavaliers head into this game with an advantage in both trenches and could spell trouble for Hill.
Edge: Virginia
Secondary
BYU's secondary was by far and away the team's weak link last week. The Cougars were routinely beaten through the air and gave up 315 yards passing and three touchdowns to O'Korn, including a Hail Mary at the end of the first half. Safety Craig Bills continues to be the leader of the defense, but was victimized a few times and needs to step up in coverage. Lambert isn't a gunslinger like O'Korn, but he could have a nice day if the Cougars can't shore up the secondary.
As was mentioned earlier, Virginia struggles in giving up yardage against opposing passers, but no team in the country is better at forcing turnovers in the secondary. The Cavaliers have five interceptions and have forced eight fumbles on defense so far this season, with five different players nabbing picks. Leading the way are safeties Anthony Harris and Quin Blanding, who each have an interception and have combined for five pass break ups. Hill will have to be careful not to test this defensive backfield too often or he may get burned.
Edge: Virginia
Prediction: The Cougars were seriously tested last week against Houston and suddenly, Virginia is looking like a legitimate ACC threat. After losing close to UCLA and upsetting Louisville, the Cavaliers will give BYU everything it can handle on Saturday. Virginia's defense could seriously stifle Hill, but there's still enough offensive firepower for the Cougars to escape with a close 21-17 win.