Obviously the rushing record is incredible. 550 rushing yards against anybody is incredible, even when the triple option teams play bad FCS schools, but this was a ranked BCS team (that may not be any good at all, but still). Three separate BYU players set career highs in rushing yards (Taysom Hill, Jamaal Williams, and Paul Lasike), along with setting BYU and Texas records too.
Completion % Is On Anae Now
To me the biggest stat is 9-26, 36% completion percentage, for Taysom Hill. To me, this isn't an issue of Taysom Hill at this point. This is on Anae. These throws are all intermediate or deep throws. Anae isn't calling slants, quick outs, screens or swing passes. Most of Hill's throws are up the field where he just isn't comfortable yet. Let the man build some confidence and then let him get the ball up the field. BYU will not be able to run at will against Utah. The passing game has to be there. Barring another 350+ yard rushing game, anything sub-50% will be 4 years in a row of losses to a team that was maybe marginally better on average (on paper). Anae has to get Hill in better situations throwing the football!
Avoiding Three and Out
I thought the fact that BYU only had 3 three and outs was another important stat for the offense. Last week, nearly half the possessions were three and out. The difference between Virginia and Texas: 3rd and short to avoid a third straight three and out against Texas, Taysom keeps and runs for a 68-yard TD. Taysom wasn't comfortable enough doing that against Virginia. Credit Anae for making adjustments in the running game to get Taysom ready. He needs to copy that in the passing game!
Limit Texas' Big Plays
In Week One, Texas burned New Mexico State for 10 plays over 20 yards. Going into the game, I had hoped BYU would keep this number under 7, and if they could keep it to 5 or fewer, I figured BYU would have a legitimate chance to win. BYU gave up 4 meaningful plays over 20 yards and a 5th in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Mo Thoughts
If all I knew going into the game was that BYU would be -2 in turnover margin, Taysom would be under 40% again, and Texas would gain 445 yards (including 313 in the air), I'd have said BYU was dead in the water. The OL was flying around out there. They just beat Texas into submission with their physicality from start of play to the whistle (and a couple hits maybe slightly after the whistle).
Several of you have asked me what I thought of the game. It was probably about the same as you. My first initial thought was: how did BYU do something like this against Texas? Followed immediately by: how did the Cougars lose to Virginia? If BYU managed a 10-2 finish (I am not making that prediction, FYI, sticking with my 8-4), how much would it hurt to know that the one thing b/w BYU and a BCS game was Virginia...
Heading into Utah, BYU gets a bye to regroup and refocus. I would like to see the Cougars play with passion for once. This year's Utah game cannot be "just another game" as BYU has played it so many times under Bronco. BYU has to want it more than Utah this year b/c the teams are so evenly matched. Play with some fire, hatred if it must be: that has been the Utes secret weapon for so many years in the rivalry. BYU has been too "classy" on the field and it's led to complete mental, followed by physical, annihilation. Stoop to their level this year: be a little classless, Cougars!
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