Why its ok to be optimisitc and to hang one's hat on the fact that BYU is much better this year than last.

1st the defense. This is the main reason. It is clear that this defense is legit and will keep BYU in every game this year. Why you ask? Because They are doing things that translate into victories every week.
1. No passing touchdowns allowed and a very stingy secondary. This is huge. I doubt that the no touchdowns thing will last but it is difficult ot score thorugh the air on this team.

Next. The BYU defense are getting plays from their defense that they can count on: mainly TFLs and sacks. One cannot count on turnvers every game. There is a luck factor in turnovers. But sacks and TFLs are drive killing plays. Also the BYU dffense has forced oppoents into several holding penalties in the first 4 games that were a direct result of a good pass rush, and these are de facto sacks. So long as this trend continues the defense will do its job.

One more thing about BYU's defense is how good they are in redzone defense. BYU has defended in the red zone 11 times and only allowed 3 TDs. Holding teams to FGs is big and is an obvious reason why BYU won both it's P4 games this year.

Offensively BYU still needs some improvement and consistency but they are better than last year as is Jake Retzlaff. In the red zone BYU is 14-15 in redzone scoring and has 10 toucdowns (3 rusing and 7 passing) and 4 FGs. This means they are not squandering their red zone opportuities.

Retzlaff has also improved quite a bit in his passing. His completion percentage is now over 60%. Last year it was 50. He is now averaging more than 8 yards per attempt. Last year he averaged 5.18 YPA. I have read somewhere that if a QB is better than 7 YPA its considred good. Jake's QB NCAA qb efficiency is over 155 for the year so far. Althoguh I can't find it right now I think his PE was somethign like 130 last yer which is not good. Once again over 150 is considred good and will win you games.

I am not guaranteeing a win Satuday, but as I dive into the stats I can see improvement everywhere. This team is better. I like our chances this week and every week going forward.