RE: "Luck, talent, the breaks, critical calls, turnovers, mental focus, injuries." Eh.. the thing on that list I'm
What I'm most worried about is injuries and mental focus but from what I heard rumors of pre-season is that BYU's strength and conditioning has been better than years past.
A key area where injuries have weaken us is our RBs have been banged up but hopefully they are working through their injuries and are available when we need them.
"Luck and breaks" is basically talent and mental focus.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity."
From the all B12 football I've watched thus far our 2024 BYU Football Cougars seem to have almost as much talent as other teams and they've been just as mentally focused as any of the other B12 teams I've watched. The only team I'd maybe give equal credit to is Texas Tech and ASU.
I've been SUPER impressed with recently is Texas Tech. They had TONS of energy and animosity when they took down Arizona last week.
Thankfully we don't have to worry about Texas Tech anytime soon because if they continue to play like they did against Arizona I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them in the B12 Championship.
I haven't watched ISU so IDK how good they actually are but I wouldn't be surprised if they are about as good as the rest of the B12 because B12 parity definitely seems to totally be a real thing. Most of the B12 teams could beat each other on any given week as longer as there's not too many injuries.
Here's the rest of Texas Tech schedule. IMO the only question mark on their schedule is ISU.