Loyal Cougars

Cougar Brain Trust: 2014 Season Preview

Defense/Special Teams

Which of the following will have more tackles: all of the LBs combined or everyone else combined? In 2013, BYU’s Linebackers combined to record 458 tackles. Every other player combined for 578 tackles. Interestingly, the majority of the Brain Trust sees the Linebackers playing an even bigger role in 2014. 73% answered that the Linebackers would have more. 27% said that everyone else would have more.

Higher total: Fumbles recovered by BYU defense or Defensive 4th Down stops? For comparison, the 2013 BYU defense recovered 10 fumbles and had 15 4th Down stops. Apparently, the fans feel that statistic will shift the other direction in 2014.  57% answered that the defense would recover more fumbles. 43% said that 4th down stops would be greater or equal.

In how many games will BYU’s defense allow 24 points or more (excluding opponent’s defensive/special teams scores)? In the 2013 regular season, the BYU defense allowed only two opponents to score 24 or more points: Houston (30) and Wisconsin (27). 48% said 4-6 games. 45% said 0-3 games. 7% said 7-12 games.

How many opponents will rush for 200 yards or more against BYU? The 2013 Cougar defense allowed four teams to run for 200 or more yards: Georgia Tech (242), Boise State (214), Wisconsin (229), and Notre Dame (235). A hefty majority of the Cougar Brain Trust expect to see a stronger performance against the run in 2014. 72% said 2 or fewer. 28% answered 3 or more.

What will be the total number of safeties, defensive touchdowns, special teams touchdowns, and blocked kicks recorded by the Cougars? In 2013, the defense recorded one safety and three defensive TDs. There were no special teams TDs and BYU blocked 4 kicks. 95% of the Brain Trust expect a similar or lower result in 2014 than last year’s total of 8. 55% responded 6-8. 40% said 0-5. Only 5% said 9 or more.

What will be the total of punts inside the 20 minus touchbacks? For reference, in 2013, BYU had 28 punts inside the 20 and 10 touchbacks. The total for 2013 would be 28-10=18. With the graduation of master punt-downer Daniel Sorensen, only 3% of the respondents believe that the 2014 total will equal or surpass that number. 47% said the number would be between 10-16. 47% said the total would be between 0 and 10. 3% said the total would be negative and 3% said the total would be 17 or more.

Random Comparisons

Higher total: BYU KR yardage or BYU offensive plays? For reference, in 2013, BYU had 1,088 kick return yards and ran 1,111 offensive plays. 52% said the KR yardage will be higher. 48% said the total offensive plays would be higher.

Higher total: BYU sacks of opponent or BYU passing TDs? The BYU defense accounted for 24 sacks in 2013. The offense passed for 19 touchdowns. Overwhelmingly, the Brain Trust believes that the passing touchdowns will increase enough to surpass the defense’s sack total in 2014. 85% said that BYU would register more passing TDs. 15% answered that BYU would record more sacks.

Will BYU score or allow more Defensive/Special Teams TDs? In 2013, BYU scored 3 defensive touchdowns and allowed 1 on defense and 1 on special teams during the regular season. The fans seem to believe that the 2014 team will not perform as well, though many may be “hedging their bets” with the equal option. 83% said BYU will allow an equal or greater number of D/ST touchdowns than it scores. 17% said BYU will score more than it allows.

Who will convert a better percentage on 4th Downs: BYU or their opponents? In 2013, BYU converted 52% of their 4th Down attempts, while allowing its opponents to convert just 35% of their attempts. BYU’s opponents have only outperformed the Cougars in this category for three seasons during Bronco Mendenhall’s tenure, during a three-year span from 2009-2011. Two-thirds of the voters believe the trend of the past two seasons will continue into 2014. 65% said that BYU would convert more. 35% replied that BYU would allow a better conversion rate.

How will BYU’s pass efficiency compare to BYU’s opponents (Pass Efficiency Differential)? During the 2013 regular season, the Cougar offense had a Pass Efficiency of 118.7, while the defense allowed BYU’s opponents an efficiency rating of 113.2, for a difference of 5.5. Most members of the Cougar Brain Trust see 2014 bearing out in a similar fashion. 62% said that BYU would be 0-10 points higher. 22% believe that BYU would be more than 10 points higher. 17% said that BYU would be 0-10 points lower than its opponents.

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