This is obviously a big measuring stick for us, too.
I realize the doubts about BYU have to do with a soft OOC schedule, some come-from-behind wins to middling programs, we aren't blowing teams out, and we have a freshman QB. Here's a few thoughts on that. We needed a soft early schedule and ramp up for our freshman QB who showed up after spring ball and has had to adjust to college, learn the playbook, etc. Every week he gets better, looks better, utilizes more of the playbooks, etc. He has become a very capable quarterback and passed every test so far, including not panicking and forcing stuff when we have gotten behind. He has been protecting the football very well so far (*knocks on wood*). He has become a very good QB in the meantime. I did hear something interesting from someone that might know, but I haven't heard this anywhere else. Bear might be slightly on the spectrum and he does not experience stress, nerves, or fear like other people do. Not sure if it's true, but the kid is one cool customer.
Tech dominated Utah and BYU only won by 3, but that's a super-heated rivalry game. Weird stuff happens. BYU was pretty much in control most of the game and Utah got a very late TD when BYU was running a prevent defense. Also, Kalani's style is not to run up the score, but to slowly choke you out and just win with clock management and defense down the stretch. But Tech did look better against a common opponent.
The close game with Colorado can partially be explained by: Bear's first road game, Colorado having that game circled after we punked them in the bowl game. They did stuff that we had not seen before. Once we adjusted, we came back and put Colorado away. We jumped out to a 14 point lead vs Arizona, but then we had a long lightning delay and the field was wet. Game dynamic changed after the delay. Iowa State had a bye week before our game and were desperate to win that one, so they threw everything at us. We took the shot and then clamped down on them going 31-3 in the second half. Our coaches have been very good with adjustments, so we seem to perform better in the second half.
If we win, I will know we have a very good team that is capable of making a post-season run. Tech is the class of the conference until proven otherwise. I do think BYU is very capable of beating Tech tho. I can't wait for the game.