So, I decided to dive into the world of BYU football predictions a while back. Figured, hey, I watch the games, I know the players, how hard could it be, right? Famous last words, let me tell ya.
My Grand Plan (or so I thought)
First off, I thought I’d be all scientific about it. Got myself a brand new notebook – one of those fancy ones – and a pack of pens. My idea was to track everything. And I mean everything. Who was starting, who was on the injury report, what the weather was gonna be like in Provo. I even started looking at what the so-called “experts” were saying, thinking I could find a pattern or something they were missing.
I spent a good few weekends just digging through stats. Passing yards, rushing yards, defensive stops, turnover margins. You name it, I was trying to chart it. I even tried to give different things “weights.” Like, a star quarterback being out was a huge deal, obviously. A windy day? Maybe that affects the passing game, so I’d tweak my numbers.
Where it Got Messy
Well, let me tell you, college football, especially BYU, it’s just a different beast. One week they look like world-beaters, the next, they can’t seem to get out of their own way. All my spreadsheets and meticulous notes started to feel a bit… useless.
- The Human Factor: These are young guys, remember. They have good days, bad days. Sometimes a player just has a breakout game you never saw coming. Or a key player has an off day. You can’t put that in a spreadsheet.
- Opponent Roulette: Then there’s the other team. You think you know them, but they can come out with a whole new game plan. Strengths and weaknesses don’t always play out like they do on paper.
- Sheer Luck: And honestly? Sometimes it just comes down to a lucky bounce of the ball. A tipped pass, a weird penalty. Stuff happens.
I remember one game, I was so sure. Had all my ducks in a row. BYU was favored, my numbers looked good. And then, bam! Upset city. My “foolproof” system went right out the window. It was humbling, to say the least. My friends, who I’d been bragging to about my “system,” they had a good laugh, that’s for sure.
What I Learned (The Hard Way)
So, what did I actually achieve? Well, I didn’t become a millionaire betting on BYU games, that’s for sure. My grand prediction model is now gathering dust in that fancy notebook.
But here’s the thing: I learned a heck of a lot more about the team. I started noticing smaller things, the kind of stuff that doesn’t show up in a box score. The way certain players communicate, or how the sideline energy shifts. It made watching the games even more interesting, even if my predictions were often way off.
My takeaway? Predicting BYU football, or any college football really, is tough. There are so many variables. It’s not like a math problem where there’s always a right answer. Maybe the pros have some secret sauce, I don’t know. For me, it turned into less about being right and more about just enjoying the whole process of trying to figure it out. And honestly, it’s probably more fun that way. Less stress when your “perfect” prediction goes sideways because a kicker misses a chip shot.
Now, I just watch the games, cheer for the Cougs, and mostly keep my predictions to myself. Or, you know, just make them for fun with no spreadsheets involved. It’s better for my sanity.
