WKU Football: BYU Q&A with Vanquish The Foe
WKU finally got back in the win column last week against Chattanooga. Now we’re three days away from WKU’s next game at #11 BYU. The game proves to be a tall task for the underachieving Hilltoppers but an opportunity to rewrite the narrative on the season. With that in mind, we thought that we’d get a BYU perspective on the game. Luckily for us, we got Nate Slack from BYU blog Vanquish The Foe to give us his thoughts on the BYU program, the game, and his predictions. Without further adieu, here is our conversation with Nate.
BYU, sitting at 6–0 and #11 in the AP poll, is off to its best start since 2008 and has won by an average margin of 45–13.5. How excited is everyone in Provo by the dominating start?
Everyone is jumping on the hype train! There are some fans who are waiting for BYU to fulfill the annual tradition of losing a game or two that they shouldn’t, but if BYU can win this week and escape Boise with a win on Nov. 6, things might get a little (more) weird in Provo.
Head Coach Kalani Sitake entered the season just two games over .500 in his 4 seasons as head coach. Why has he finally broken out in year 5?
I think it all comes down to experience. When Kalani was hired, both coordinators and a number of position coaches were promoted to new roles and there have been some growing pains. A switch was made at offensive coordinator following a 4–9 season in 2017, and things have really been building since then. Most of the contributors on this year’s team played as freshmen and sophomores in 2018 and BYU had some tough, close losses as a result. Now that we’re in year three of players and coaches developing in the same system, the payout has been huge. The chemistry is there and so is the confidence and depth.
The Cougars have a shot at finishing undefeated for the first time since their national championship run in 1984. How likely are the Cougars to get there and what do they have a shot of sneaking into the College Football Playoff during this weird season?
I think it’s extremely likely BYU finishes the year undefeated. This isn’t any secret, but the biggest test left on the schedule is the game next Friday at Boise State. BYU hasn’t ever won in Boise, despite having close games that came down to the final minute in 2004, 2012, 2016, and 2018. If BYU can get over the hump and win in Boise, it’s hard to see BYU dropping any of the remaining games on the schedule. As far as the CFP goes, that’s a tough one. Every BYU fan loves being in the conversation, but I think an NY6 would probably be the reward for an undefeated season. However, that could change if the second-place SEC and Big Ten team have a couple of losses. It’ll be interesting to see how the committee views an Independent BYU when the first CFP Rankings come out next month.
Now onto the game…
Quarterback Zach Wilson is playing like an All-American candidate (1928 Yards and a 16–1 TD/INT ratio). What makes him so special as a player?
Ever since Zach stepped on campus, his coaches and teammates have raved about him being a “film junkie.” He’s a true student of the game and is constantly looking for areas to improve. If you’ve watched a BYU game this year, I’m sure you’ve heard the commentators talk about Zach’s 10-hour drive to California every weekend during the summer to train with former BYU and NFL QB John Beck. He’s made it a point of emphasis to work on throwing at different arm angles and in awkward positions, and it’s really paid off. He’s extremely smart and his ability to apply what he’s learned has put him in the Heisman conversation.
Receiver Dax Milne has been Wilson’s primary target averaging over 100 yards per game. Has anyone neutralized the speedy slot receiver?
It doesn’t seem like anyone has found an effective way to slow him down. Dax came to BYU as a walk-on but has become the best route runner on the team and does a great job at creating space. He’s not going to burn past guys, but he’ll create enough separation to make a tough catch. He had a touchdown grab last year in the USC game where he beat a 4-star DB off the line in press coverage and managed to pull in the ball with the defender draped all over him. When WR Gunner Romney is healthy (questionable for Saturday with a hamstring injury), they make up what is probably the best wide receiver duo BYU has had since Austin Collie and Todd Watkins in 2004.
Who are some other skill position players that WKU should worry about on Saturday?
If Gunner can play, he’s definitely someone to watch. He has 456 receiving yards and 2 scores on 21 receptions in 5 games this year. Tight end Isaac Rex had a big game last week with a pair of touchdowns and 66 yards on 5 catches against Texas State and is a big target. His dad, Byron Rex, was an All-American tight end at BYU in the ’90s, but Isaac is bigger at 6’6 250 lbs. and the sky is the limit for him. Honorable mention goes to fullback Mason Wake. Mason is 6’1 250 lbs. and has become a fan favorite with his hurdles. He’s a load to bring down and I expect we see him take to the air at least once this week.
Defensively BYU has been dominant for most of the season (#25 in SP+). What makes the unit so disruptive thus far?
The defensive line is big and has done a great job this year at stopping the run and getting to the quarterback. BYU already has four more sacks now (16) than they did in the 2019 regular season. The secondary is experienced (with the exception of freshman DB Micah Harper) and showed in the Houston game they can stick with fast receivers — something that BYU has struggled doing in the past. The defense does seem to give up at least one big play and/or drive per game, so that wouldn’t be a surprise to see on Saturday.
How do you see the game playing out? What is your prediction?
BYU won a close game against UTSA a week before playing at Houston and I think there was a lesson learned that you can’t overlook anyone. WKU has struggled to this point of the season and unless they can keep BYU under 24 points, I think it’ll be a game where WKU just hopes to get back to Bowling Green healthy so they can make a strong finish in conference play. I see BYU winning 52–10.
I want to thank Nate for taking the time to do this q&a with us. You can watch his work on Vanquish The Foe and follow his Twitter account @nateslack5 for analysis and reaction to Saturday’s matchup.
