How BYU should prepare for TCU: Student perspectives

Oct 6, 2023, 2:00 PM | Updated: 3:37 pm

Image of Brigham Young University Cougars running back LJ Martin running with the ball against the ...

Brigham Young University Cougars running back LJ Martin (27) runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the second half of a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. BYU won 35-27. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

(Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

BY ALLESSANDRA HARRIS GURR

Anchor/Reporter

PROVO— The Brigham Young University football team has its first Big 12 bye this weekend. How should they spend that time? Students weigh in and give their preview for the team’s matchup against the TCU Horned Frogs.

“Rest and recover”

After five straight weeks of games, the timing of this break couldn’t be better said BYU accounting student Gibson Bailey.

“I think this week was probably the best week for them to kinda chill and relax and try to get healthy,” Bailey told KSL.

“That way we can get players back like Kody Epps and Ben Bywater and Talan Alfrey who are injured.”

The Cougar’s record is 4-1, with their only loss coming from a close game against Kansas University.

BYU business management student David Wright told us he thinks the team’s success can be attributed to “a healthy mindset.”

Wright thinks the team needs to continue its mental practice during this week off.

“When push comes to shove, I think they just need to keep a level head, and mentally prepare more than anything,” says Wright.

Along with mental preparation, students say the team still needs to maintain their physicality. “I think they just need to get ready to play a brutal game of football. Like a very physical, very hard-fought game,” said Bailey. “TCU has a lot of height, so just get ready for that.”

“Our defense needs to get ready for a high-powered offense”

With the game against TCU only a week away, BYU students give their opinions on how the Cougars can win.

“I think definitely our defense needs to get ready for a really high-powered offense,” says Bailey. “TCU has a really high-powered offense, so I think if we can stop them, then our offense will be able to produce enough points. It just depends on how our defense does.”

The Horned Frogs are currently number 14 in the nation for total yards per game. However, the BYU defense has stopped 38 drives this season with their opponents scoring on only 8 of those drives; allowing their opponents only 1.26 points per drive.

One thing most BYU students agree on is that the Cougars will have to fight to win.

“I think it will be a close game,” said Wright. “But I expect that we will come out on top.”

The BYU vs. TCU game will be in Texas, with kickoff starting at 1:30 p.m. Full game coverage can be found on KSL NewsRadio, 102.7 FM, your home of the Cougars.