How bad is BYU's pass offense?

[MarkGrace]

I hoped for more from BYU offensively this past week, but I didn't think they would light up the scoreboard. They scored 13 points and I expected about 20-24. They didn't miss my expectations all that much. The overall outcome was better than I was expecting.

Heaps biggest problem in this game, and from what we've seen out of him so far, is conversion in the redzone. We really made it into the redzone enough times to meet your expected score there, we just didn't come away with enough points. I know everyone has mentioned that we miss Unga's power game and a go-to TE, and I think this becomes especially apparent in redzone situations when the field is more compact.

Heaps has led us on some nice drives, and I started to feel pretty comfortable in the Nevada game that we were going to be able to move the ball. However, we never quite ended up with that desired end result. I'm guessing that redzone conversion is probably one of the areas where any rookie QB is going to struggle, and as mentioned above I'm sure it's not any easier without those offensive weapons. I'm guessing his passer rating would look pretty different if more of those redzone opportunities ended in TD passes. Hopefully those will come.

[Indy Coug]

Heaps biggest problem in this game, and from what we've seen out of him so far, is conversion in the redzone. We really made it into the redzone enough times to meet your expected score there, we just didn't come away with enough points. I know everyone has mentioned that we miss Unga's power game and a go-to TE, and I think this becomes especially apparent in redzone situations when the field is more compact.

This is why I expected back in August we would see Nelson being our red zone QB.

[MarkGrace]

Are you kidding? He has improved 75 points in the last two games. By the SDSU game he will have a rating of 170.

For a numbers guy, you don't seem to know how to read a trend-line.

Numbers aside, I thought he looked much better this week than he had in the previous. He just looked a little more comfortable in the pocket, a little more confident and put together more good drives than any other game so far (which unfortunately didn't result in enough points). If you ask me I think we're seeing improvements, and that's all I'm really hoping for. Heck, I think we saw an improvement just from the first half of the game to the second.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Heaps biggest problem in this game, and from what we've seen out of him so far, is conversion in the redzone. We really made it into the redzone enough times to meet your expected score there, we just didn't come away with enough points. I know everyone has mentioned that we miss Unga's power game and a go-to TE, and I think this becomes especially apparent in redzone situations when the field is more compact.

Heaps has led us on some nice drives, and I started to feel pretty comfortable in the Nevada game that we were going to be able to move the ball. However, we never quite ended up with that desired end result. I'm guessing that redzone conversion is probably one of the areas where any rookie QB is going to struggle, and as mentioned above I'm sure it's not any easier without those offensive weapons. I'm guessing his passer rating would look pretty different if more of those redzone opportunities ended in TD passes. Hopefully those will come.

Sound like Utah with Cain(and to a lesser extent with Wynn) last year. Plenty of movement between the 20's but too many stalled drives resulting in field goals.

My ADR6300 is enjoying the bye week.

[WashingtonCoug]

It seems to me that once they get into the red zone, the play calling goes from conservative to ultra conservative. I've wonder if Andy Ludwig doesn't take over the play calling at that point and start ordering three runs up the middle from the 5 yard line. It's either a run up the middle or fade to the smallest receiver on our team.

[MarkGrace]

It seems to me that once they get into the red zone, the play calling goes from conservative to ultra conservative. I've wonder if Andy Ludwig doesn't take over the play calling at that point and start ordering three runs up the middle from the 5 yard line. It's either a run up the middle or fade to the smallest receiver on our team.

That's a problem as well. My guess is that they don't want the young QB to make mistakes in those situations and turn the ball over, so they go ultra-conservative.

[Moliere]

The biggest problem I see is timing within the offense. The whole offense is out of synch from the line to the QB to the WRs. The only thing that is remotely working is the run game.

Having 2 QBs that were so different seems to be the sole cause of the lack of timing. It wouldn't be as bad if the 2 QBs weren't so vastly different in their skills and arm strength but given that the gameplan was so different between the two QBs it screwed up the timing. I'd wager that the offense would be much farther along if Heaps would have been the started in fall camp and had been given the first team reps all throughout camp. He'd have a better knowledge of the offense and his timing with the WRs would have been much better. Losing Hall, Pitta, George, and Unga was huge because they had been together for so long and knew each other and practiced together for almos t3 years.

That being said, the offense finally looked a bit better this past game and I think giving Heaps the majority of the reps and letting him grow with the team will bring the timing back. We need to give him time. He's got the skill set and took the offense on some nice drives on Saturday. Unfortunately those drives stalled in the redzone but at least we got there.

Also, what's with the fade routes? I think I saw half a dozen fade routes thrown and none resulted in anything except for JJs almost touchdown. We need to bring back the bootleg/TE drag that worked so well for the past 4 or 5 years.

[Indy Coug]

Here is a grid of the winning percentages of teams by completion percentage and yards per completion. This is based on over 11,000 D-1A games covering 2000 to 2008.

[Indy Coug]

Here is a grid of the winning percentages of teams by completion percentage and yards per completion. This is based on over 11,000 D-1A games covering 2000 to 2008.

Out of curiosity, do posts like these interest anyone?

[MarkGrace]

Out of curiosity, do posts like these interest anyone?

Dick Harmon.

[YOhio]

Out of curiosity, do posts like these interest anyone?

I think it's interesting to read, but I don't go drool all over it like pelagius or jay santos would.

[DU Ute]

It seems to me that once they get into the red zone, the play calling goes from conservative to ultra conservative.

It's as if the 20 yard line is the point of the mountain.

[Indy Coug]

I think it's interesting to read, but I don't go drool all over it like pelagius or jay santos would.

It just seems like the more time I put into something, the less discussion it generates, so I wonder if stuff like this is worth my time or not.

[jay santos]

It just seems like the more time I put into something, the less discussion it generates, so I wonder if stuff like this is worth my time or not.

When I do stats stuff I only do it if I'm interested in knowing for myself. Which is less and less over the years.

[KillerDog]

Out of curiosity, do posts like these interest anyone?

Enormously. I'm not sure I like you but I love your information.