BYU quarterback Taysom Hill is about as close to a perfect role model as you’ll find in college football. A family man devoted to his faith, his family and his team. According to everyone around him, no one works harder, plays with more passion or drive, or wants to win more than him.
Boise State vs. BYU is a battle for No. 1 in the Underdogs Poll, but let’s honor Taysom Hill
Each week, the Underdogs Poll ranks college football’s top 15 non-power programs, with votes from our blogs that cover these teams.
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Which is why Hill’s latest season-ending injury — his third in four seasons — is so heartbreaking.
In the second quarter of BYU’s season-opener against Nebraska, Hill suffered a Lisfranc injury on a touchdown scamper into the end zone. This time around, Hill’s season didn’t even last a game.
No one doubts Hill can come back from this injury. Hell, he came back in and played on that busted foot for a bit more in the second half, throwing for a touchdown in the process. But, he shouldn’t. There’s a reason BYU fans are already memorializing his career in Provo.
| RANK | TEAM | POINTS | PREVIOUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise State (21) | 244 | 1 |
| 2 | BYU (3) | 201 | 3 |
| 3 | Cincinnati (1) | 168 | 2 |
| 4 | Marshall | 123 | 5 |
| 5 | Temple | 111 | 17 |
| 6 | WKU | 102 | 8 |
| 7 | Memphis | 80 | 9 |
| 8 | Navy | 47 | 7 |
| 9 | Louisiana Tech | 40 | 11 |
| 10 | WMU | 34 | T-18 |
| 11 | Colorado State | 32 | 14 |
| 12 | Utah State | 30 | 3 |
| 13 | NIU | 25 | 13 |
| 14 | Georgia Southern | 21 | 6 |
| 15 | Houston | 18 | 16 |
| Dropped out: UCF, Air Force, Toledo | Others receiving votes: UCF (16), Air Force (13), SDSU (13), Toledo (12), Hawaii (11), SMU (9), ECU (5), UL Lafayette (4) Tulsa (4), Rice (3), New Mexico (3), Appalachian State (2), Arkansas State (2), CMU (1), USF (1) | |||
Hill is one of the best college football players out there. Period. He is electrifying. He’s a pure joy to watch. But the same thing that makes him so good — his lack of fear on the field — is what keeps leading to him going under the knife.
Unless he changes his style of play, which seems unlikely at this point, it’s highly probable he could wind up hurt again; maybe, next time, with an injury far worse than a busted foot or blown-out knee.
In a profile of Hill by USA Today’s Dan Wolken, Hill acknowledged that very possibility.
“There’s life after football and I do worry. I don’t want to put myself in jeopardy,” he said.
Which is why he should take this latest injury as a sign to hang up his cleats. Hill, who spent the summer interning with a venture capital firm in Salt Lake City, has a bright future ahead of him no matter what road he takes.
HELMET STICKERS
Each week we’ll award the top performers from around the Underdogs. Let’s get started.
The Temple Owls' defense: Temple beat Penn State Saturday for the first time in 39 matchups. The Owls, who may just have the best defense in the Group of 5, held PSU under 200 yards of total offense and terrorized Christian Hackenberg with 10 sacks.
The Colorado-Hawaii game referees: For doing their part to further the non-power cause.
Tanner Mangum: The freshman BYU quarterback stepped in when Hill went down and led the Cougars to a thrilling win. His Hail Mary pass to win the game is the stuff of legend.
Tiquan Lang: The Marshall junior defensive back had himself a feast on Sunday, returning a pair of Purdue interceptions to the house. His second pick-six went for 55 yards to seal the Thundering Herd's first win in life A.C. (after Cato).
Nick Stevens: Yes, it was against Savannah State, but no matter how you slice it, the Colorado State sophomore had a fantastic first career start. Five touchdowns on just 28 attempts. Eleven different players caught a Stevens pass. CSU's offense should be fun this year.
THREE TO WATCH
Western Michigan at Georgia Southern: Saturday, Sept. 12, 6 p.m. ET
Temple at Cincinnati: Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. ET
Boise State at BYU: Saturday, Sept. 12, 10:15 p.m. ET
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Now it’s your turn. Let’s hear your thoughts on this week’s ranking. Should Boise State still be the unanimous No. 1? Is there a team we’re sleeping on?
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