Five Keys to a BYU Las Vegas Bowl Victory Tonight.

Although the Las Vegas Bowl is not the game BYU had hoped to be in this year, it is once again, for the fifth straight year in fact, their Bowl to win.

After starting the season with BCS hopes and with a stunning win over #3 Oklahoma, the Cougars expectations for themselves were defiantly much higher than a repeat trip to the strip.

But after an embarrassing loss to Florida St. and a good butt kicking by BCS bound TCU, BYU finds themselves back in Sin City where they will face off against #18 Oregon St. of the Pac 10.

After watching BYU play all season long I present to you their five keys to victory in tonight's match-up.

1. Time possession.

If one thing was evident in the two BYU losses this year it was their inability to handle the speed of FSU and TCU.

With the speed of the Oregon St. offense and the Rodgers brothers playmaking ability, it is safe to assume that Oregon St. is going to put up some points tonight. That being said it is imperative that Max Hall keep his offense on the field.

If BYU can control time possession and keep that OSU speed on the sideline it will go a long way toward a Cougar victory.

2. No turnovers.

If there was one thing that saved the Cougs' in their final regular season win over rival Utah, it was that they committed zero turnovers.

BYU can't afford to give the Beavers freebies, especially in their half of the field. 

3. Establish Harvey Unga early.

If the Beavers can't contain Unga, they can't beat BYU. That is of course if BYU doesn't turn the ball over.

If the Cougars have the luxury of establishing Unga, the tight ends and receivers will begin to have a lot of open space.

4. Don't be afraid to blitz.

The Oregon St. running game is excellent, but BYU needs to be willing to come at Sean Canfield just as they did Sam Bradford. Keep the Beavers guessing.

5. Don't play passive.

If there was one criticism I had of BYU Coach Bronco Mendenhall after the Utah game, it was his passiveness in the 4th quarter. BYU is at their best when they open it up, throwing over the middle.

BYU cannot play conservative tonight as the did the second half against Utah. The only time they didn't play conservative in that second half is when Max Hall found Andrew George over the middle for the game winning TD in overtime.

If BYU can do just three out of these five keys they should win tonight's game.

Now it's time to quit talking, sit back, and start watching.