Mitch Harper of Lawless Republic talks Texas vs BYU

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Thanks to Mitch Harper of Lawless Republic for taking the time to do a question and answer session ahead of #15 Texas @ BYU this Saturday. Lawless Republic hosts a tailgate and invites any travelling Texas fans to come out.

 

 

 

Whisenant: The Virginia game was a tough loss, with many saying Robert Anae blew it late with his play calling. I’ve read chatter that some fans were not thrilled with Mendenhall hiring him back. What is your assessment of him as a coach and his handing of the Virginia game?

 

 

 

Harper: When Anae was re-hired as Offensive Coordinator, it caught everyone off guard. No one was expecting him back. He was ran out of town in 2010, and the fact that he was hired again was puzzling. Anae sold everyone on a fast paced, up tempo offense that would get BYU back to being a prolific offense. After the Virginia game, it is leaving many folks wondering if the same issues that caused Anae to get canned in 2010, were going to resurface in his second stint.

 

 

 

At this point, people are hoping the offense gets better week-by-week. In Anae’s debut for his first stint as OC back in 2005, BYU scored only three points against Boston College. Each week after that game, the team got better and better offensively. So time will tell.

 

 

 

Whisenant: There had been talk of BYU joining the Big 12, something the door is closed on for now. Would the fanbase have been open to being in this conference? Do you think independence will work long term?

 

 

 

Harper: The majority of BYU fans would love to be in the Big 12. They would drop Independence today for a chance to be in the same conference as the likes of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas Basketball. It’s the one league that I could realistically see BYU leaving Independence for.

 

 

 

Personally, I’m a huge supporter of independence and I think it is something that will continue to grow for BYU. Many felt when BYU announced their independence in 2010 it was a short-term fix to get in one of the BCS conferences. Now in year three of independence BYU is scheduling teams from around the country, and locking up agreements with some of the best programs in the sport. It’s working out nicely, and of course the ESPN contract for home games helps the cause as well.

 

 

 

Unlike many institutions when it comes to realignment, BYU is not swayed by money. They’ve always wanted to showcase their program in front of a national audience, and give unprecedented access to Cougar fans around the nation.

 

 

 

Whisenant: Your thoughts on the Desmond Harrison, BYU situation.

 

 

 

Harper: BYU online study has an infamous history. It’s always been notorious for helping other schools get athletes eligible, who otherwise wouldn’t without BYU’s online classes. The rules started to change after The Blind Side story highlighted that Michael Oher became eligible at Ole Miss after passing classes through BYU’s online classes. Now you can’t be a student-athlete at another program and take these classes.

 

 

 

I think it’s fine that Texas was practicing Harrison. To me it’s just another chink in the chain that is the NCAA. I’d let him play and move on with it. The NCAA needs to get rid of waivers altogether in my opinion.

 

 

 

Whisenant: We don’t see much of BYU here, so I’m curious, how important is this game to the team and fan base?

 

 

 

Harper: This is a huge game for BYU, and is by far the biggest home game BYU has hosted since becoming a football independent.

 

Despite Texas’ recent struggles the past few seasons, it’s still Texas. BYU sold out their season ticket allotment for the first time in four years in large part due to getting tickets for this game. The fans, the players, and also coaches are all excited for a chance to host the Horns and possibly get revenge from the 2011 loss.

 

 

 

Whisenant: Give us your thoughts on QB Taysom Hill.

 

 

 

Harper: Whenever I talk with people from other parts of the country about BYU Football, folks always associate BYU with legendary quarterbacks, and rightfully so. The tradition of quarterback play here at BYU is incredible to say the least. Jim McMahon, Steve Young, Robbie Bosco, Steve Sarkisian, Gifford Nielsen, John Beck, Max Hall, and many others. BYU has always had great quarterback play. The past few seasons however have been far from stellar QB play. Hill looks to buck the trend of inconsistent play.

 

 

 

He’s a mobile kid. One of the best athletes BYU has had under center since Steve Young. Needs to work on his accuracy and confidence throwing the ball. Gets antsy too quick when he drops back into the pocket.

 

 

 

If Hill can avoid making mistakes, and for the most part in Week 1 against Virginia he made very few, BYU can have very good seasons with the young sophomore under center. Right now though, nothing with Hill tells me he can’t be an elite quarterback life the names I mentioned above.

 

 

 

Whisenant: Beside Kyle Van Noy, who are a few players Texas fans need to know about headed into the game?

 

 

 

Harper: His status is up in the air right now due to a hamstring injury, but definitely senior WR Cody Hoffman. Entering this season Hoffman was on pace to shatter all the receiving records at BYU. He’s a future NFL player. Also senior safety, Daniel Sorensen (#9). Sorensen, a captain of the team, is a hard-hitting defensive back who is one of the better safeties BYU has had in recent memory.

 

 

 

Whisenant: What does BYU need to do on Saturday in order to upset the Longhorns?

 

 

 

Harper: Fast start offensively and win the turnover battle.

 

 

 

BYU’s confidence offensively is very low right now. If the Cougars can get a few touchdowns early, they might have a chance to pull off the upset. And it’s always a key in every game, but turnovers are huge. In the past three seasons, BYU is -14 in games against ranked opponents.

 

 

 

Whisenant: Since everyone talks about it all the time around here, give me your opinion of Mack Brown, both in general and what he has done since the disastrous season of 2010.

 

 

 

Harper: Personally, I’m surprised Mack still has a job at Texas. Never thought I’d see the day where Texas A&M was the talk of Texas and not the Horns. Also feel like the talent, particularly at the skill positions has regressed under Brown’s watch. A place like Texas should never have question marks at RB, and the WRs haven’t been anything inspiring either. To make matters worse, this down stretch is coming in an era where the Big XII has no elite, national title contenders. If Brown doesn’t win, and win big this year, I can only think he’s gone. Am I right?

 

 

 

Whisenant: The first real game action for David Ash was against BYU. Give us your thoughts on the Texas QB.

 

 

 

Harper: Really like David Ash. Ranked BYU’s opposing QB’s for the 2013 season in a feature over at our website during the summer, and I ranked Ash as the 2nd best QB BYU will face all season. Only QB I had in front of him was Nevada’s Cody Fajardo. Had Garrett Gilbert stayed in that game in 2011, there’s no question in my mind that BYU wins that game. This BYU D is excited for another shot at facing Ash.

 

 

 

Whisenant: How will the Cougars defend the Texas up tempo spread attack?

 

 

 

Harper: BYU plays a very physical 3-4 base defense. Anchored around the linebackers BYU has been one of the best defenses in College Football the past few seasons. BYU’s LBs are very talented pass rushers.

 

 

 

Whisenant: Where can the BYU offense have success against the Texas defense?

 

 

 

Harper: It has to come in the running game. That’s the only part of the offense that has some positive momentum heading into week 2. Sophomore Jamaal Williams who is only 18 years old ran for 144 yards last week in the loss to Virginia. That did come on 33 carries however. Expect the touches to go down, but Williams is the key cog of the offense right now. The only questions is can BYU’s revamped offensive line give the protection needed to allow Williams to get out in the open field?

 

 

 

Whisenant: Looking at the roster, which offensive and defensive players from Texas give you the most concern headed into the game

 

 

 

Harper: Jackson Jeffcoat at DE has to be the player that concerns me the most. BYU’s offensive line has been downright putrid the past few years. Jeffcoat could have a field day on this line. Trey Hopkins on the offensive line pops off the page. He’s a future NFL linemen. Can BYU’s defensive line get enough of a push at the line of scrimmage to let the Cougar linebackers flourish?

 

 

 

Whisenant: Give us a score prediction.

 

 

 

Harper: Texas 31, BYU 16

 

 

 

You can follow Mitch on Twitter @Mitch_Harper, follow his site @LawlessRepublic for inside BYU information.