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Cincinnati • A month ago, they were facing a Big Ten defense on the road in East Lansing, Mich. Three weeks ago, they were up against a fast, athletic SEC defense at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Two weeks ago, they learned five minutes before kickoff that they would be without star running back Jamaal Williams on the blue turf at Boise State.
The BYU Cougars could come up with several excuses, if they wanted to, for being mediocre — or worse — on offense in the month of October. Barring more injuries, none of those will explanations will apply in November. The Cougars begin the so-called easiest portion of their schedule on Saturday at Nippert Stadium, taking on the Cincinnati Bearcats.
From the BYU perspective, the focus is clearly on first-year coordinator Ty Detmer's offense and senior quarterback Taysom Hill as they face a Cincinnati team that ranks 93rd in the country in total defense, allowing 436.3 yards per game against a lesser group of offenses, collectively, than BYU has played to date.
The Bearcats are also 94th in passing defense (256.9), good news for a BYU offense that ranks 126th out of 128 teams in the country in yards per completion. It's probably now or never for Hill to dominate a game like he did in 2014; Detmer acknowledged Wednesday that he would like to get sophomore Tanner Mangum some playing time this month to prepare him for next September, when the Cougars open against LSU, Utah and Wisconsin.
Should Hill falter, Detmer might be more prone to hook the veteran than in the previous eight games, four of which were lost by a total of eight points.
"We are playing much stiffer competition than I ever did, and the game has changed," Detmer said, slightly defending a stagnant offense. "I know our fans want to see it in the air, and [see us] throw the deep ball all the time. But realistically in a game, you are trying to stay out of third-and-long. So you are constantly chasing the sticks. When do you take your shots? When do you get four [yards] and put yourself in third-and-6 or third-and-2. That's the battle you fight as a play caller."
Is Hill feeling the heat?
He said he wasn't on Wednesday, noting that "it is a one-game season, week in and week out," and neither he nor the offense is taking a different approach this week.
"Cincinnati is a good team, and we are going to prepare the best that we can just like every other game this season," Hill said.
Cougar fans hope they can move the ball more efficiently and effectively, especially after the defense forces turnovers. With Hill going 21 of 41 for 187 yards, BYU put up just 13 points and 322 yards offensively against Boise State. With less time to prepare, the Broncos put up 571 yards.
Against Mississippi State, the Cougars had 261 yards at the end of regulation.
"You look at the passing game, it comes down to timing and timing with me and the receivers," Hill said. "So that is something we can continue to work on, and we have. But I know where those guys are going to be. I trust them. We will just keep plugging along."
It would help if those receivers were a bit more sure-handed. Detmer said he counted six dropped passes in the Boise State game, and there were at least that many against MSU on Oct. 14.
"They just have to catch the ball," Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake said. "I don't know any other way to say it than that. … The receivers, that is their job. We expect them to block downfield for our running back, and we expect them to catch the ball."
Defensively, the Cougars will be tested by UC senior quarterback Gunner Kiel, who is 1-1 as a starter this season after watching a couple of underclassmen get all the reps the first six games. The Cougars sacked Hayden Moore eight times last year, but haven't been able to generate a consistent pass rush in 2016.
"The focus this week has really been having the defensive line change the game for us," said defensive coordinator Ilaisa Tuiaki.
Twitter: @drewjay —
BYU at Cincinnati
P Saturday, 1:30 p.m. MDT
TV • CBS Sports Network
Online
O Gordon Monson's reaction to BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe reaffirming the program's faith in football independence. > http://www.sltrib.com/sports —
BYU at Cincinnati
P At Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kickoff • Saturday, 1:30 p.m. MDT
TV • CBSSN
Radio • 1160 AM, 102.7 FM, Sirius XM 143
Records • BYU 4-4, Cincinnati 4-4
Series history • BYU leads, 1-0
Last meeting • BYU 38, Cincinnati 24 (Oct. 16, 2015)
About the Bearcats • They have won 30 straight non conference games at home, dating to 2003. … Their defense has forced 19 turnovers, including 14 interceptions. … LB Eric Wilson averages 11.0 tackles per game, sixth in the country. … WR Nate Cole has 43 receptions for 424 yards.
About the Cougars • They will be playing their first-ever game in the state of Ohio, but third this season in the Eastern Time Zone. … They are 31-6 in November the past 10 seasons. … Safety Kai Nacua is tied for second nationally in interceptions, with five. … WR Nick Kurtz had 119 receiving yards and two touchdowns in last year's come-from-behind win over the Bearcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium.