The Bearcats have taken the long flight out to Provo, Utah to attempt to take down a very strong BYU Cougars team. Here are five keys for Cincinnati to come away with a dub.
1) Win The Pace Game
Cincinnati has gobbled up yards and points in bunches this year by being one of the fastest teams in the country. They’re currently ranked 4th in college football currently averaging 87.2 plays per game. That’s more than the likes of Washington State and Oregon. The Cougars themselves aren’t too shabby in this area, averaging 79 plays per game (25th). So expect both teams to get up field in a hurry tonight. For the Bearcats if they don’t play faster than BYU, they’ll likely come out on the wrong side of the scoreboard at the end of this.
2) Own The Line Of Scrimmage
This goes for both sides. BYU is the 21st best team in college football at sacking the quarterback, piling up 16 so far this season. Their multiple 3/4-4/3 defense that sends several blitzers from a variety of angles confuses and overwhelms opposing offensive lines. UC’s hog mollies up front have only allowed six sacks in 2015, continuing a solid trend of protecting the quarterback from the OL. They’ll need to be on their toes and at the top of their game Friday night.
Simultaneously, BYU’s rushing attack, while not statistically impressive averaging just 126 yards on the ground per game, boast two huge running backs who are fighting for the starting role. Senior Adam Hine measures in at 6’1″, 216 lbs and averages 5.8 yards per carry. His counterpart Algernon Brown is 6’1″, 235 lbs and leads the team with three touchdowns this season. So they’re big, they’re highly motivated, they’re playing in front of a home crowd, and Cincinnati’s defensive tackles will need to win at the point of attack to ensure they don’t get loose at the second level.
3) Defensive Mind Games
It’s anyone’s guess who will start at quarterback for BYU, be he Tanner Mangum or fellow freshman Beau Hoge. Either way, the best way to rattle them and force mistakes are pressure and most importantly disguised pressure. That means faking sending Bryce Jenkinson right down broadway or Mike Tyson off the edge. Sure I hope like hell Steve Clinkscale actually sends them but even if he doesn’t, playing these mind games will disrupt Mangum or Hoge’s focus. Maybe it leads to interceptions? Maybe it just throws of his timing with his receivers? Who knows. Either way, it improves Cincinnati’s chances of slowing down or stopping this potent offensive attack.
4) Balanced Attack
The key for Cincinnati to operate their offense so efficiently is getting solid production from their running game and staying on schedule in the passing game. Mike Boone, Hosey Williams, and Tion Green need to average at least four or five yards per carry to give the Bearcats more options during later downs, or avoid them all together ideally. The same goes in the passing game. Gunner Kiel/Hayden Moore can’t miss open receivers and those receivers need to catch the ball. It’s all about balance, consistency, and Cincinnati’s ability to march down the field methodically that will help UC’s chances tonight.
5) Red Zone Dominance
Cincinnati beat the Hurricanes in their last game and, surprise surprise they were perfect in the red zone. That’s been UC’s Achilles heel this season. They can move the ball fluidly between the 20’s and score on 50-yard bombs but when the field condenses near the opponent’s goal line, the ol’ brain farts start coming, usually by way of interceptions. Not so against the Canes when the Bearcats were a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone with three touchdowns. But it doesn’t get much better than BYU when is comes to converting red zone trips into points. The Cougars have turned 95% into either touchdowns or field goals, which 12th best in the country. The player to keep an eye on is 6’6″ receiver Mitch Mathews. Four of his team leading six touchdowns have come in this area. If Cincinnati has a tall defensive back that can stop him, and UC’s been stockpiling those over the last couple of years, now’s the time to get him on the field.