The Biggest Follow-Up Game

BYU's thrilling win over then-ranked No. 3 Oklahoma has been called one of, if not the most important win in Cougar history. If that is the case, Saturday's match up against a down-but-not-out Florida State team could well be the most important follow-up game in Cougar history.

As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Dallas, and a triumphant Cougar squad vacated the field, a slew of reasons and excuses bombarded the online message boards.

"Bradford was out half the game."

"Oklahoma's stud tight end didn't play."

"It was a fluke."

"Fluke." Probably the most hated word for any underdog after an important upset victory. Utah fans heard it last year after the Utes toppled perennial SEC power Alabama. Boise State heard it before them after a thrilling last-play OT win over Oklahoma. It haunts the victor and makes the loser feel a little vindication. And there's only one way to quiet the doubters:

Win again.

That's just what BYU has to do in its home opener against FSU.

BYU is coming off a lopsided victory over a weak Tulane team. FSU is coming off a nail-biter against an FCS team. Each team has something to prove: one that they belong, the other that they're back. Luckily for BYU, the proving grounds are sweetly familiar to them: Provo. The land of the Cougars. Mormon-town, USA. And with 65,000+ on their side, the advantage goes to the Cougars.

Pre-game reviews have pointed out that the speed of FSU could play a factor against the size of BYU. And that's probably true. But BYU will take the field Saturday confident that the game is theirs to win. It's also theirs to lose. FSU will take the field unsure of what to expect. Was the too-close-for-comfort win over Jacksonville State just a let-down, or are there major flaws to be exploited in FSU's game? Were the preseason expectations for the Seminoles accurate, or is Florida State just another inflated BCS team that can't live up to the hype? Only time will tell.

Keys to a BYU victory - BYU must play four complete quarters of dominant football. A slow start like the one against Tulane may prove disastrous for the BCS-bowl hopeful Cougs. Max Hall will need to play at the top of his game by completing short passes and avoiding his major pitfall: INTs. Big games from Pitta and Unga will be essential as well, along with a solid effort from the defense. If the Cougars hit the field running on all cylinders, it could be a very long night for the visiting 'Noles.

Keys to an FSU victory - FSU must slow down BYU's air attack, which could be difficult for a team that has struggled so far this season to defend against the pass. FSU will need to make some big plays for long yardage to wear down an aggressive BYU defense, and they will need to take advantage of BYU mistakes--turnovers and penalties--if they're gonna want to be hanging around when the fourth quarter is winding down.

Like I said, I think this game is BYU's to win, or lose, depending on which team takes the field.

Prediction: BYU 31 - FSU 17