JR is looking better and has had a full off-season to learn from his mistakes in last years four games. Last year Slovis played hurt at least at Texas (but I think he was hurt earlier), so he ended up 5-3; despite a fairly terrible defense and non-existent running game. Then JR had to come in w/o the benefit of an off-season of starter attention and reps and we lost all four of his starts.

It seems to me he has improved a bit in making better decisions this year than last year. But he comes in and in our last 4 games with him, we give up 37, 45, 31, and 40 points. I think only one of those touchdowns was a pick-6 (oklahoma), and I don't know how many short fields the offense gave the defense, but we all know the run game was no help at all and the defense was put in some tough spots. This years defense doesn't look like it's going to allow that many points nearly as often; although it looks like the offense isn't consistent enough to help the defense out a lot by staying on the field...

WVU and ISU were total blitzes, like TCU. But JR did lead the team to being in positions to beat both Oklahoma teams; of course he also sort of gift wrapped the Oklahoma game to them when BYU had all rights to win it. But an offense that scored 26 total points in texas, west virginia, and iowa state scored 24 and 34 points in the final two games. That seems like improvement, and I think the run game started to open up a little bit as well those last 3 or 4 games.

The defense this year is obviously much better and if nothing else will get the ball back to the offense faster than they have the last several years. We'll see how they do against improved competition, but every team is subject to some mistakes and let downs and none of the teams on the remaining schedule have yet shown they make every play. I'm tentatively optimistic for an 8 win season; although obviously that means some upset wins and not letting any close ones get away.

Improved defense, healthy offense, a little qb seasoning (and better backup situation), receiver room. If the run game can improve and be at least serviceable then I think there's a fighters chance of being 6-0; I do think there's a decent chance we get either KSU or Arizona and end up 5-1 going into OSU.