ND/BYU Total (Repost)
RightAngle
Admin
Notre Dame at BYU (Over 44) - 6:15pm Pacific (Saturday)
BYU head coach Gary Crowton is considered to be an excellent offensive
coach. He was the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears four years
ago, and three years ago his first BYU team averaged a whopping 44.1
points per game. You can imagine how disappointed and embarrassed he must
be with the Cougars offensive output the last two seasons. In particular
last year when BYU only averaged 16.3 points per game and in their season
finale were shut out for the first time in 28 years. The offensive
struggles can be attributed to a merry go round at QB and several other
injuries and suspensions to key personnel. The Cougars returned just 3
offensive starters in 2002 and 5 in 2003. Four different QB's saw
significant time in 2002 and 3 different in 2003 due to injuries and
erratic play. The 2004 BYU offense looks to be much improved.
In the offseason Crowton promised to take responsibility for play calling
this year. Not only do I expect a big offensive improvement, but you can
be assured that the Cougars will be taking to the air more often and this
years team is built just for that. BYU lost its top two RB's to
graduation and honor code violation but they are loaded with talented
receivers. Sophomore QB John Beck has been named the opening game
starter. Even as a freshman last year he was the teams most consistent
QB. He is also said to have made great strides in the offseason. Junior
WR Chris Hale was probably the best receiver on the team last year but was
limited by injury. Senior WR Rod Wilkerson has 22 career starts under his
belt. Sophomore TE Daniel Coats was unstoppable in many games last year.
He earned freshman all-American honors and this year is on the Mackey
Award watch list for the nations top tight end. The big news at receiver
is the addition of JC all-American Todd Watkins. He is 6-3 and is a speed
burner. There has been a lot of hype surrounding him and early reports
indicate he is even better than the hype. Insiders are already calling
him the best WR in the conference! The offensive line got a new coach in
Jeff Grimes (formerly at Arizona State) and he has talent to work with.
Last year three QB's combined for only 12 touchdowns, threw 21
interceptions, and were sacked 35 times. Expect a drastic improvement.
Defensively, BYU only returns 3 starters and they have been dealt a rash
of injuries on this side of the ball. Their top two defensive tackles
Manaia Brown and Daniel Marquardt both were sidelined for the majority of
fall camp. Both are now expected to start but I do not believe they will
be at their best. Meanwhile, LB's Paul Walkenhorst and Bryant Atkinson,
two potential starters will miss the season with injuries. Another LB,
touted JC transfer Lawrence Cowan is also out. Starting "catback",
sophomore K.C. Bills, recently suffered a shoulder injury and will miss
the season. BYU gave up 25.8 points per game last season and it is
unlikely the defense will be any better this year, especially early on.
Notre Dame returns 8 starters on offense and should do much better than
the 20.3ppg they averaged last season. They received poor play from
starter Carlyle Holiday at QB and true freshman Brady Quinn came on to
start the final 9 games. Quinn got a fast education facing the likes of
Purdue, Pitt, USC, Boston College, and Florida State last year. He did
very well for a true freshman and should have a nice sophomore year as he
is surrounded by very talented teammates at every position. UND returns
its top two receivers and 8 of the their top 10 offensive lineman. They
must replace top RB Jones but they have plenty of talented backs. Almost
every starter in this unit came in highly recruited out of high school.
This will be the third year in Willingham's offense and this should be by
far the most efficient passing game they have had since his arrival.
Defensively, ND returns 6 starters but lost star leading tackler Courtney
Watson to the NFL. LB Brandon Hoye (practiced for the first time in pads
on Wednesday) who was 2nd to Watson in tackles last year has missed
significant practice time leading up to this game but now is expected to
give it a go. The defensive line lost two starters and the secondary is a
big question mark with three losses to graduation, two of which were
drafted. Starting CB was just decided a few days ago and starting strong
safety was just announced on Wednesday. When CB Preston Jackson was named
the starter, there were a lot of moans and groans on the Irish message
boards as he is not a well regarded player. Newly named starting SS
Lionel Bolen has just one career start and has been used sparingly in his
first three seasons. Additionally, last years sack leader DE Justin Tuck
(13.5 sacks) had knee surgery in the offseason and coaches indicate they
will use a four man rotation at defensive end.
UND won last years meeting 33-14 (47 points) and I expect both offenses to
be significantly improved while the two defenses will be similar at best.
Both teams do not have a big name running back to feature and will be
looking to pass to very talented receivers against suspect secondaries.
BYU in particular will be looking to spread the field and put the ball in
the air which makes for a longer game and more opportunities for points.
BYU has averaged 45.3 points per game in season openers in the Crowton
era. Take the over.
Over 44 1 UNIT
Good luck,
Edward
Right Angle Sports
http://www.handicapper.net
BYU head coach Gary Crowton is considered to be an excellent offensive
coach. He was the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears four years
ago, and three years ago his first BYU team averaged a whopping 44.1
points per game. You can imagine how disappointed and embarrassed he must
be with the Cougars offensive output the last two seasons. In particular
last year when BYU only averaged 16.3 points per game and in their season
finale were shut out for the first time in 28 years. The offensive
struggles can be attributed to a merry go round at QB and several other
injuries and suspensions to key personnel. The Cougars returned just 3
offensive starters in 2002 and 5 in 2003. Four different QB's saw
significant time in 2002 and 3 different in 2003 due to injuries and
erratic play. The 2004 BYU offense looks to be much improved.
In the offseason Crowton promised to take responsibility for play calling
this year. Not only do I expect a big offensive improvement, but you can
be assured that the Cougars will be taking to the air more often and this
years team is built just for that. BYU lost its top two RB's to
graduation and honor code violation but they are loaded with talented
receivers. Sophomore QB John Beck has been named the opening game
starter. Even as a freshman last year he was the teams most consistent
QB. He is also said to have made great strides in the offseason. Junior
WR Chris Hale was probably the best receiver on the team last year but was
limited by injury. Senior WR Rod Wilkerson has 22 career starts under his
belt. Sophomore TE Daniel Coats was unstoppable in many games last year.
He earned freshman all-American honors and this year is on the Mackey
Award watch list for the nations top tight end. The big news at receiver
is the addition of JC all-American Todd Watkins. He is 6-3 and is a speed
burner. There has been a lot of hype surrounding him and early reports
indicate he is even better than the hype. Insiders are already calling
him the best WR in the conference! The offensive line got a new coach in
Jeff Grimes (formerly at Arizona State) and he has talent to work with.
Last year three QB's combined for only 12 touchdowns, threw 21
interceptions, and were sacked 35 times. Expect a drastic improvement.
Defensively, BYU only returns 3 starters and they have been dealt a rash
of injuries on this side of the ball. Their top two defensive tackles
Manaia Brown and Daniel Marquardt both were sidelined for the majority of
fall camp. Both are now expected to start but I do not believe they will
be at their best. Meanwhile, LB's Paul Walkenhorst and Bryant Atkinson,
two potential starters will miss the season with injuries. Another LB,
touted JC transfer Lawrence Cowan is also out. Starting "catback",
sophomore K.C. Bills, recently suffered a shoulder injury and will miss
the season. BYU gave up 25.8 points per game last season and it is
unlikely the defense will be any better this year, especially early on.
Notre Dame returns 8 starters on offense and should do much better than
the 20.3ppg they averaged last season. They received poor play from
starter Carlyle Holiday at QB and true freshman Brady Quinn came on to
start the final 9 games. Quinn got a fast education facing the likes of
Purdue, Pitt, USC, Boston College, and Florida State last year. He did
very well for a true freshman and should have a nice sophomore year as he
is surrounded by very talented teammates at every position. UND returns
its top two receivers and 8 of the their top 10 offensive lineman. They
must replace top RB Jones but they have plenty of talented backs. Almost
every starter in this unit came in highly recruited out of high school.
This will be the third year in Willingham's offense and this should be by
far the most efficient passing game they have had since his arrival.
Defensively, ND returns 6 starters but lost star leading tackler Courtney
Watson to the NFL. LB Brandon Hoye (practiced for the first time in pads
on Wednesday) who was 2nd to Watson in tackles last year has missed
significant practice time leading up to this game but now is expected to
give it a go. The defensive line lost two starters and the secondary is a
big question mark with three losses to graduation, two of which were
drafted. Starting CB was just decided a few days ago and starting strong
safety was just announced on Wednesday. When CB Preston Jackson was named
the starter, there were a lot of moans and groans on the Irish message
boards as he is not a well regarded player. Newly named starting SS
Lionel Bolen has just one career start and has been used sparingly in his
first three seasons. Additionally, last years sack leader DE Justin Tuck
(13.5 sacks) had knee surgery in the offseason and coaches indicate they
will use a four man rotation at defensive end.
UND won last years meeting 33-14 (47 points) and I expect both offenses to
be significantly improved while the two defenses will be similar at best.
Both teams do not have a big name running back to feature and will be
looking to pass to very talented receivers against suspect secondaries.
BYU in particular will be looking to spread the field and put the ball in
the air which makes for a longer game and more opportunities for points.
BYU has averaged 45.3 points per game in season openers in the Crowton
era. Take the over.
Over 44 1 UNIT
Good luck,
Edward
Right Angle Sports
http://www.handicapper.net
Comments
respect.
You go boy! Good luck!
sitting at 45. Again, I recommend playing this one soon.
Edward