One thing that BYU’s first six games of the 2024 season have in common is the great weather. The weather conditions were great from Provo to Dallas, Wyoming to Waco, and back to Provo.
Yes, even in Laramie.
In fact, it was too hot, especially last Saturday when BYU conquered Arizona, 41-19.
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Well, if local meteorologists’ predictions are correct, the 13th-ranked Cougars (6-0) host unranked Oklahoma State (3-3, 0-3) on Friday night at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Things will change completely in the match (Loss, 3 wins, 0 losses). Late night special.
Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN.
Rain is possible in the valleys and snow is possible in Utah’s highlands. And it will be colder, about 30 to 40 degrees colder than BYU has been through en route to its first 6-0 start since 2020 and No. 6 overall.
After perfect weather last week and early this week, October 18th will be similar to last year when the Pokes defeated the Cougars 40-34 in late November in miserable weather in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The weather could be downright miserable. Rain and sleet at Boone Pickens Stadium.
How will BYU deal with this weather?
Defensive coordinator Jay Hill said Tuesday it shouldn’t affect the Cougars in any way.
“Well, it shouldn’t be a (factor) for us. We’re a cold weather team. We’re used to living at high altitude. We’re used to cold weather,” Hill said. said. “We’re used to spring ball practices in the rain and sleet, so I think we should have an advantage no matter what happens.”
Coaches said the common perception among fans that wet weather and unstable conditions favor running teams and defense is not accurate. Offensive players know where they are going, while defensive players usually have to react to it and are less sure of their footing.
How will BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff from Southern California play in the rain and cold? Last year, he was a little shaky in 40-degree temperatures in the Thorner State, completing just 14 of 30 passes for 161 yards, including a long pass of 50 yards in front of 53,855 shivering fans. Ta.
The loss, which denied the 5-7 Cougars a bowl berth, wasn’t used as a rallying cry for coach Kalani Sitake’s team this week, but it’s clear it hurt deeply — with BYU at the half They had a 24-6 lead on the clock — and they haven’t been forgotten. This time, a somewhat disappointing OSU is playing to save the season, not the Cougars.
“This is a game where we know they’re going to get everything they have,” Retzlaff said. “At the same time, this is also a game that we remember from last year (this year) in late November. We remember that. So we know that we owe it to them, so I will prepare and leave this week.”
Sitake downplayed the “revenge element” all week, saying BYU is humble and hungry amid national attention and some predicting a 12-team college football playoff appearance. He said he is focusing on the need to hold on. It’s going to be an air battle, dude. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We saw some really great things at Arizona (game) and got a lot out of our players. So we’re also looking forward to the Oklahoma State challenge. ”
That big challenge is expected to come from OSU’s defense and its rushing attack, primarily because the Cowboys will likely start a relatively new starting QB, redshirt sophomore Garrett Rangel. . Sixth-year senior Alan Bowman, who threw for 321 yards against BYU 11 months ago, was benched twice this season due to ineffectiveness.
“So you have to cover everything,” Sitake said. “They have a really good coaching staff. It wasn’t just luck that we played in the conference championship last year. We have to be ready for all of that.”
It also means being ready for junior Ollie Gordon II, one of the best running backs in the country. Gordon rushed for 167 yards and five touchdowns against BYU last year and won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back.
“Yeah, he’s a dangerous player,” Sitake said. “It’s hard to contain a player this talented. And eventually, he’s going to find a way to poke holes in your defense. We did our job well and made it difficult for him and his offense. I have to.”
Hill said Gordon is a “phenomenal player” who ran for more than 1,700 yards last year. The Fort Worth native and preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year has yet to play a big game this year.
“He’s a player you have to strategize about. We have to prepare him to have his best game. We have to assume that’s going to happen,” Hill said. “Offensive line, they’re great. They all played last year as well. We’ve got to be ready to bring our ‘A’ game.” ”
