Changes on O: Return of the Anae
By all accounts, Robert Anae is back as BYU's OC. While his red zone playcalling was suspect, his O-lines played better than any of the groups BYU has had the past two years. His teams turned the ball over less, excluding Max Hall's (repeated) mental blowups against TCU and Utah.
With that said, I don't think Doman got a fair shake. Bronco basically forced him to start Riley Nelson this season, hamstringing Doman and essentially forcing poor offense. Then Doman gets axed because his offense doesn't produce (because of the poor QB play). I think he did the best he could, in only his second year as offensive coordinator, given the QB he was forced to use.
Kyle Van Noy
Game-changer Kyle Van Noy heard back from the NFL Draft Board and heard good news, yet he came back anyways. Knowing that he has a future career in the NFL regardless (barring injury), it would be tough to turn down an opportunity to play that 2013 BYU schedule, if he is a true BYU guy and understands the situation, which clearly he does. If he wants a challenge, that would be a real challenge. I am obviously stoked he's back, as it gives BYU a much better chance to win games. His ability to force turnovers, pressure QBs, and play in space could be the difference in what should be close games against Texas, Utah, and Boise State. I've obviously never been in his position, but I think he made the choice I would make, but the choice that dozens of other young men mess up on every single year. He would leave BYU a hero after his career through 2012. If he can help BYU get to 10 wins in 2013, he would leave BYU a legend.
Don't Hassle the Hoff
Cody Hoffman made the same choice. He would have been drafted, though not as high as KVN. But, again, an opportunity to play the best schedule in BYU history would be awesome. In addition, he can rewrite the BYU record books. Receptions, receiving yards, receiving TDs, etc. All those that Collie and Pitta set in three years, Hoffman is just behind with one year to go. In addition, he should have a QB more capable of getting him the ball, with a much more balanced and dynamic offensive approach. He should be able to avoid double coverage too. Anae runs more draws, throws more screens, and uses the tight ends more than Doman did. That means defenses can't just key on Hoffman (though that didn't seem to help SDSU). Plus, he's freaking good even if the defenses do key on him. He should break every major career record and set the new bar so high it'll be tough for anyone to reach it. And he can help BYU win some close games, just like Van Noy.
Greg Wrubell Drinking the Koolaid
After the announcements of KVN and Hoff, Greg Wrubell said that now BYU is even more stacked and should make a push for a BCS game now. I have to chuckle at that. Yes, that is the guy BYU fans should want as the voice of BYU. I'm not that guy. I think BYU now has a much better chance to get to 10 wins. I still don't think they'll reach it, but they COULD reach it. Without Hoff and KVN, without improved offensive line play and ball security brought about by Anae, BYU would have to scratch and claw to get to bowl eligibility.
I applaud Wrubell for his optimism. But BYU is far from stacked. They have to rebuild their DL, they need to figure who can actually play on the O-Line, and they need to take care of the ball. If all three of those happen against the good opponents, not just the mediocre ones, then there's a chance they win 10 games. They won't win at Wisconsin. They'll probably lose at least one home game. 10 wins is extremely optimistic. BCS game would be miraculous. But thanks, Wrubell, I needed a good chuckle to start the new year!
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