BYU, Utah offensive analysis

Utah:

What has worked: the running game has been difficult for opponents to stop. Negative yardage plays have been kept to a minimum, which is rare for any team that runs the spread option attack. The short passing game (wide receiver screens and short passing routes) has netted a lot of yards after the catch. The O-line has done a great job opening up lanes for the RBs and protecting the QB in passing situations.

What the Asiata injury means: they lack a tough inside runner. He was dynamic in that he could bruise you up the middle AND beat you to the corner. Eddie Wide is more of an outside runner. I'm sure the wideout (Shaky Something-or-other) is probably going to be the same way. Utah will not abandon the zone read, but they will certainly do more sweeps, fly sweeps, wildcat, etc. Eddie Wide did pretty well in the wildcat last week in Asiata's absence, though he didn't put any DBs and LBs on their back like Asiata did.

What wasn't working anyway: the 5-step drop passing game. Usually it involves deeper routes from the WRs, reading the defense from the WRs and QB, and a cannon from the QB. The WRs are great in space, but they aren't great route-runners. They have the speed to get open deep, particularly against MWC secondaries, but their hands have been a little suspect. The biggest problem I see is with the decision-making and arm of the QB. After watching several games and parts of others, it seems clear that he isn't proficient on the deep ball: not that he can't complete it, but he lacks the familiarity with his receivers to put it on the money every time. I have only seen him complete 4 or 5 passes all season that were in the air more than 10 yards down the field.

How I would defend them: well, they got easier to defend with the injury to Asiata. What makes Utah so tough to defend is all of the things they can do. They could run up the middle, they could run outside, they could wildcat you, they could throw screens, they could hit short routes, they could roll the QB and give him run/throw options. Typically with a defense, you want to eliminate at least one of the things they can do: with Asiata out, one of their options is all but eliminated without the D having to take it away. They will still run up the middle some, but Eddie Wide and Sausan Shakerin aren't going to be able to handle the beating that comes with that as well. K, so how I defend them...
Put your DBs within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage to take away the short passing game. Have them shade the inside, as Utah's big plays have been almost exclusively on slant routes where the wideout jukes the safety and goes for 50 yards. Funnel everything outside: make Terrence Cain throw outs, corners, and fades. I would also bring in an extra DB to play outside linebacker, kind of a nickel package/4-2-5 defense. Utah is going to be more of a finesse team now, so you need the speed to counter that.
I would also stack the box: get 8 guys in it. The 8 in the box need to play outside-in, as in, DEs and LBs need to keep all running plays inside. The DBs play inside-out and force the WRs to stay outside. I would also play zone instead of man (most people assume man D is the way to go against the spread, but I say the opposite is true), as Utah's passing game is focused on guys catching the ball in motion: make that a dangerous proposition by having players waiting. I would have the MLB spy the QB and key on the play-action pass, but I wouldn't bring a lot of pressure, maybe 4 or 5, possibly 6 on occasion just to mix it up. I would probably be vulnerable to the big play, particularly if running plays get outside, but I'd take my chances.
On the other hand, Utah's O always thrives on big plays, so maybe you just rush 4, drop 7 in coverage and keep everything in front of you. They haven't been able to sustain LONG drives.
The other key to defending Utah is to not turn the ball over on offense and be sound in the kicking game: they block punts, have a good return unit, etc. You have to be good in all facets to beat Utah. Not great (not this season for sure), but good/sound/solid. Utah does a great job of hanging around until you screw up.

Problem stopping Utah: their O-line is just plain good. They are big, strong, agile, block well, etc. They push you around. Every play! Also, even if you know what's coming, it doesn't mean you are going to be able to stop it. Even if you stop it or have it perfectly defended, you miss one tackle and they can take it to the house on you in a hurry.

BYU:

What has worked: running from under center. The play-action pass. Screens. The QB draw (when not overused). O'Neill Chambers catching the ball. The TEs 10-15 yards down the field. Depth at RB. Spreading the ball around. The deep ball the first time or two in a game.

What hasn't worked: running from the shotgun. Short inside routes, particularly slants by outside receivers or quick outs/option routes by inside receivers. O'Neill Chambers carrying the ball after the catch. Turnovers: INTs as frequently as fumbles, which is quite frequently. The reverse, fake reverse, and reverse pass (nice wrinkle but it won't work again: try the double reverse or double-fake: fake handoff, fake reverse, play-action fade to Jacobsen, post to Pitta, or corner route to Name-Your-Slow-BYU-WR-With-Good-Hands). The deep ball the third and fourth time a game.

How I would defend: bump 'n' run defense, move the corners up to the line. BYU's O revolves around precise routes: so knock them off their routes.
Don't worry about the deep middle: when BYU attacks deep, it's usually outside. When they attack the middle, it's usually no further than 15-20 yards downfield.
Bring pressure: the O-Line does a pretty good job handling blitzes, but Max Hall doesn't. Even if the pressure doesn't quite get there, if Max knows it's coming, he's likely to make a poor decision: like tucking and running or throwing pick 6's.

Problem stopping BYU: they have no problem taking what you give them. You gear up to stop their passing game and they will run it all the way down the field. Take away the run game and they'll throw it from end zone to end zone. Blitz all the time, and they'll mix in draws and screens. There is a great improvement in play-calling this year, although the execution has declined a bit from what BYU is used to. You can't stop everything and whatever you try to stop, they'll just do the opposite.