Loyal Cougars

Opponent Notebook: Week 2 Results

Here’s your weekly roundup of how BYU’s once-and-future opponents fared in Week 2 of the college football season.

VIRGINIA (1-1)
LOST vs #2 Oregon 59-10
After getting the watered down version of a speed spread offense, the Cavaliers were taken to the woodshed by Oregon. Marcus Mariota and DeAnthony Thomas showed why they are the considered the best offensive duo in all the land as the Ducks rushed for 350 yards (pssh that’s it?).
Next week: vs Virginia Military Academy (1-1)

TEXAS (1-1)
LOST 40-21 at BYU
R.I.P. Manny Diaz. 550 rushing yards.
And It Came to Run | Bronco’s Kitchen Sink | Texas Reacts
Next week: vs #25 Ole Miss (2-0)

UTAH (2-0)
WON 70-7 over Weber State
POINT: Just about any team in the FBS could put up 50+ points against the Wildcats. COUNTERPOINT: The Utes offense looked methodical and did what was expected of them. Does this mean that Utah should be feared/respected for their potent offense? Not yet, but Travis Wilson and company are figuring things out. Look for this week’s game against Oregon State to be a good primer for the Holy War. They showed that their offense can be efficient and effective against a JV team. Now the question is, can the Utes do it against a Pac-12 foe?
Next week: at Oregon State (1-1)

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (1-1)
LOST 40-20 at North Carolina
Jordan Parker had another nice game (109 yards on 22 carries) for MTSU, but it wasn’t enough as North Carolina came away with the victory. The Blue Raiders showed some fight after they went down 23-0, and the came within 13 in the final quarter but it wasn’t enough in the end as UNC went on to score two more touchdowns through the air.
Next week: vs. Memphis (0-1)

UTAH STATE (1-1)
WON 52-20 at Air Force
Remember that one time a wise man predicted that Utah State would go undefeated in conference play? Well, that sage of a man is right for this week. Chuckie Keeton dominated the Falcons through the air, throwing five TD passes. It’s interesting to see how Chuckie has developed from an “athlete” quarterback to a pocket passer that can run if necessary. Just goes to show how a QB can develop certain skills over time. The Aggies square off with Weber State this week in the battle for bragging rights to northern Utah.
Next week: at Weber State (1-1)

GEORGIA TECH (1-0)
BYE
Georgia Tech will face an undefeated Duke team this weekend. There are very few instances in which I can say Duke, football, and undefeated in the same sentence so I take advantage when they arise.
Next week: vs. Duke (2-0)

HOUSTON (2-0)
WON 
22-13 over Temple
The Cougar offense was slowed, relative to last weeks 62 point output, to 22 points against the Owls but still managed enough for a victory. Richie Leone’s five field goals were result of a shaky red zone offense that went 1-8 without scoring a touchdown. Next up, they face crosstown rival Rice in what should be a competitive ball game.
Next week: at Rice (0-1)

BOISE STATE (1-1)
WON 63-14 vs. Tennessee-Martin (1-1)
THE BOISE STATE OFFENSE IS BACK! Nothing quite like facing a school with a ridiculous long name to get your offensive mojo going again. Joe Southwick threw five touchdown passes which should give him some confidence going into next week’s game against Air Force, who just gave up yards through the air in bunches to Utah State. Both of these teams could be battling it out for a bowl berth come December so this is a key game in the MWC.
Next week: vs Air Force (1-1)

#20 WISCONSIN (2-0)
WON 48-0 over Tennessee Tech
The fighting Gary Andersens cruised to another victory this week, shutting out their opponent for the second week in a row. Their defense will tested this week as they travel to the desert to face sophomore QB Taylor Kelley, who behind Brett Hundley could be the best QB in the Pac-12 South.
Next week: at Arizona State (1-0)

IDAHO STATE (1-0)
WON 40-14 over Dixie State
Justin Arias led the Bengals to passing attach with 439 yards through the air, including two touchdowns.
Next week: at Western State (0-1)

#21 NOTRE DAME (1-1)
LOST 41-30 at Michigan
Brian Kelly really just should have kept his mouth shut. Devin Gardner had his way with the Notre Dame defense and Tommy Rees had his typical “kind of good but not really” performance. Besides, the Irish sold their soul to the devil last year in exachange to get the snot kicked out of them by Alabama, so don’t expect good fortune to be on their side in 2013.
Next week: at Purdue (1-1)

NEVADA (1-1)
WON 36-7 vs UC Davis
After getting drubbed by the University of California Los Angeles, the mighty Wolf Pack hosted the University of California Davis. Its offense was able to show a good amount of balance, rushing and passing for over 250 yards each. They will need the same kind of balance next week as they travel to Tallahassee to face Florida State.
Next week: at #9 Florida State (1-0)

This Week: 7-4

Overall: 15-7 (.682)
FBS Only: 8-7 (.533)
W/O BYU game: 14-6 (.700)