We have injuries, too. We’ve played the last three games (basically) without two of our best offensive linemen. This was our first game with a fully healthy running back since the Southern Illinois game. We beat SMU on the road with Nawahine as our featured running back. Our most-proven linebacker retired before the season due to injury.

Every team has injuries.

The good teams recruit and develop depth to deal with injuries—or to avoid injuries. BYU rotates 20-plus guys on defense. Not only has it built depth and experience, but it’s helped guys avoid injury.

In other words, BYU has coached and played themselves into having good “injury luck”. If you want to only play the “best 11”, then you’re playing with fire. Those guys get fatigued and banged up and then you’re bringing in guys on an emergency basis that have no experience.

The Portal can change everything in one offseason, of course, but BYU is building continuity and sustainability for the future. Players are more likely to stay because they’re getting playing time and feeling more invested in the success of the program. And they’re not having as many aches and pains frustrating their progress.

Major props to our coaching staff, strength & conditioning team, etc. They’re building something special.

And if you’re a fan of a team that stinks because of injuries….sure, sometimes there is extremely bad luck. But maybe there’s something to be said for more trust and development in the young guys. Every year, every coaching staff says how awesome their recruits are. Put your money where your mouth is. If they’re really good and if you really believe it, put the kids in a position to develop and succeed.