Provo • It is the start of a homestand for BYU. It is also the first real soft spot in the schedule for the No. 19 Cougars as they host Wyoming.
After three up-and-down performances to start the year, Wyoming should be a better indicator of the real identity of this Cougars team. And, more specifically, this Wyoming game will provide answers to some of BYU’s most pressing questions after a quarter of the season.
Will BYU be able to run the ball for more than 2.5 yards per carry, as it has done the last two weeks?
Will Jake Oldroyd be the starting kicker after missing three straight field goals?
Is the real identity of this defense closer to what we saw against Baylor, or what we saw last week against Oregon?
The path to getting those answers starts tonight.
Game Information
Game time: 8:15 p.m. MT
Television: ESPN 2
Broadcast team: Brian Custer (play-by-play), Dustin Fox (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
Radio: BYUradio SiriusXM 143/BYURadio.org, BYU Radio App/KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM
Radio team: Greg Wrubell (play-by-play), Riley Nelson (analyst), Mitchell Juergens (sideline)
Pregame storyline and reading
• One would think the biggest headline to come out of BYU this week would have something to do with Oregon. Coming off a 41-20 head-scratching loss, even the coaching staff admitted that everything needed to be evaluated.
Well, Dallin Holker’s surprise departure actually topped it. The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Tuesday night that the co-captain would leave the program. According to team sources, the tight end was upset with his lack of involvement in the passing game.
• On Wednesday, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick gave his perspective on Holker’s exit. He said he was “very” surprised by the move when asked by The Tribune. He also said it was not his job to make individual players happy.
• As for the football side, it has also been a messy week for BYU. After Jake Oldroyd missed three straight field goals, special teams coordinator Ed Lamb reopened the place kicking competition. Oldroyd is a long-time starter for BYU and by far the most experienced kicker on the roster. In 2020, he was thought to be one of the better kickers in college football.
• The defense believes this is the week to get back on track. After Oregon gashed BYU, the talk this week has been about what can be corrected. The Cougars missed tackles, couldn’t get off blocks and looked slow.
• And what about the running game? BYU was supposed to have one of the best offensive lines in the country. For pass blocking, they have given Hall time. For the running game, though, it has been a struggle. We took a look at the numbers to see if the offensive line or the running backs are more to blame.
• Chase Roberts has been one of the few bright spots for the team this week. We talked to Roberts and his high school coach to see how he went from an overnight sensation to BYU’s top target.
• Some history will also be revisited tonight. Two members of the Black 14 from Wyoming will be in attendance tonight.