BYU has a ‘different type of urgency’ as it prepares to host its first Big 12 matchup

Provo • For Kalani Sitake and company, there is a lot to like about Friday’s matchup against Cincinnati.

A home game on a short week against a fellow Big 12 newcomer ... it doesn’t set up much better than that for BYU to get its first conference win.

But first, the Cougars have to address two major issues: One, BYU has to clean up its run game and offensive line after four weeks of underperforming.

And two, it has to address the injury situation as BYU deals with the potential loss of its leading tackler, one of its best offensive linemen and several more playmakers that were injured against Kansas.

So while a game against Cincinnati is winnable, the short week might be as big of a challenge for BYU as it is for the program traveling two time zones away.

“Tons of urgency,” linebacker Harrison Taggart said of BYU’s chance to get its first Big 12 win. “You can feel it from the way people are hitting in scout team and running to the ball. ... There is a different type of urgency.”

How to watch

Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. MT

TV: ESPN

Radio: BYU radio SiriusXM 143/ BYURadio.org / BYU Radio App/ KSL 1160 AM,102.7 FM

Weather: High 60s and clear

Keys to the game

1. Harder than you think

On paper, this is a gettable game for the Cougars. BYU is playing at home on a Friday against a team with a comparable roster.

Cincinnati is making the move to the Power Five just like BYU. And you can look around at quarterback and a few other spots and make a good case that BYU has the talent advantage.

But don’t let that fool you. This will be difficult — mainly because of two deficiencies BYU has right now.

First, BYU’s offensive line has been suspect. It hasn’t been able to run the ball well and quarterback Kedon Slovis has been hit and hurried more than most people like to admit. The Bearcats roll into town with perhaps the best defensive line BYU has seen all year — anchored by a man aptly named “The Godfather.”

BYU knows it needs to run the ball better for the offense to be more successful. It won’t get any easier on Friday night.

Plus, Cincinnati’s cornerbacks are physical and play quite a bit of man coverage. BYU’s wide receivers have struggled to get open consistently in those circumstances(mainly against Arkansas). So if BYU isn’t running it well and its receivers can’t get open quickly, it might be a difficult matchup.

BYU managed to win with that formula at Arkansas. We’ll see what it can do against Cincinnati.

2. A similar threat

Transfer quarterback Emory Jones anchors the Bearcats’ attack this year. He is a dual-threat quarterback who is actually quite similar to Kansas QB Jalon Daniels.

BYU struggled, particularly in the second half, to contain Daniels and the run game. It didn’t do a good job in its empty coverages, by coordinator Jay Hill’s own admission.

Expect to see some similar things from Cincinnati as it tests a defense that is playing undermanned on Saturday.

3. Injuries ... just how bad is it?

BYU left Kansas with a loss last Saturday. Honestly, that was the least of the issues given how busy the injury tent was.

Linebacker Ben Bywater, offensive linemen Weylin Lapuaho and several more went down throughout the day. And this week the coaching staff has been less than forthcoming on who is going to be fine and who will miss time.

When the first series comes out, it will be interesting to see who is available for BYU. Expect backup linebacker Harrison Taggart to play quite a bit on Friday. Other backups might be called upon, too, including in the secondary.

Headlines

• Dontay Corleone is coming to town. Is BYU prepared to see “The Godfather”?

• Scott Satterfield isn’t happy with a short week in Provo. But the one thing his team isn’t worried about is the crowd.

• Big 12 Power Rankings: Where does BYU stand after its first loss?

• BYU left Lawrence last week with more issues than just a loss

• Kedon Slovis threw it 51 times on Saturday. Can that happen against this week?

Quotable:

“Slovis is a very experienced player. Very poised. Throws a very good ball, a very catchable ball. You aren’t going to rattle him with anything you are going to do defensively. Very solid player and has really helped them get off to the start they are on right now.” — Bearcats coach Scott Satterfield