Hook 'Em! BYU @ Texas Longhorns

[USUC]

The more I think about yesterday's game the more I think the lack of a running game is really what cost BYU the game. There were definitely some missed opportunities in that first half (settling for field goals, poor end of the half game management, interception). There was one play where heaps over threw a wide open reciever (can't remember if it was Apo or not) that would have been a sure touchdown. But the inability to get any sort of run game going made BYU way too one-dimensional. Manny Diaz said as much in post-game interviews.

The halftime defensive adjustments by Texas (zone and man) took away the opportunities the passing game had in the first half. I imagine Utah does the same thing and dares BYU's running game to make yards.

[jay santos]

The more I think about yesterday's game the more I think the lack of a running game is really what cost BYU the game. There were definitely some missed opportunities in that first half (settling for field goals, poor end of the half game management, interception). There was one play where heaps over threw a wide open reciever (can't remember if it was Apo or not) that would have been a sure touchdown. But the inability to get any sort of run game going made BYU way too one-dimensional. Manny Diaz said as much in post-game interviews.

The halftime defensive adjustments by Texas (zone and man) took away the opportunities the passing game had in the first half. I imagine Utah does the same thing and dares BYU's running game to make yards.

An above average passing game (ie not great but better than average) combined with a poor running game will produce exactly what we've seen the last two games. Moving the ball between the 20's but inability to put up a lot of points against good defenses.

When BYU has great offenses we either have a great passing game or an above average passing game combined with a good running game.

[Shaka]

One thing I know after these two games. I'm not willing to sell this team down the river. Our defense is too tough and the offense will start to put itself together. I'm excited to see how things unfold going forward.

GN is right, this team's a year out. However I have a hunch we will start to see a preview of what they are capable of in the next week or two.

[jay santos]

One thing I know after these two games. I'm not willing to sell this team down the river. Our defense is too tough and the offense will start to put itself together. I'm excited to see how things unfold going forward.

GN is right, this team's a year out. However I have a hunch we will start to see a preview of what they are capable of in the next week or two.

Mostly agree. I think Heaps is learning fast. Apo and the young TE's have a lot of growth. That's where our immediate upside is. But I think we're capped a little until our running game comes along and Heaps has his sophomore year under his belt.

[Flystripper]

So far CUFFERS have said on one end Anae loses this game handily and Anae wins this game. I don't understand how reasonable people can see this so differently.

I think some of the people that didn't think Anae was the source of the problems BYU had offensively last year are feeling Anae would have had more than 3 points in the second half. Is it true? Nobody knows, but we had some very productive offenses with Anae and some of those offenses had inexperienced and mentally fragile QBs.

[Surfah]

I agree with the comments about the running game. However, Texas did what we did to Ole Miss last week. They pretty much sold out most of the game to stuff the run. This is why I am frustrated with Doman's playcalling. The first half we took advantage of it by being able to hit Holt, Wilson and Matthews in space. But for whatever reason the intermediate game that helped BYU move the ball in the first half was gone in the second. We didn't have any deep balls on the day except for two IIRC. One was the overthrow on the PA rollout by Heaps to MJ (who had 5 yards on his man) and the other the pick to Apo (which was better than any punt Stephenson had all day). Everything was underneath and at the LOS. In fact Heaps lost yards on at least 4 plays with passes behind the LOS that resulted in a loss. Some more sources of frustration with Doman is his use of Nelson. Time to shelve the mildcat as someone called it. Our personnel has been mixed up every time we have tried to run it. I think we have 0 total yards running it. And it has cost us two time outs. Speaking of personnel, we run one pitch to the corner and Alisa is the recipient? WTF? Additionally, the pace and tempo of this game was terrible again. The one time we picked it up we march 97 yards for a TD. And the end of the first half play calling was downright stupid. I can't believe that we don't take a shot with Sorenson's big leg there. Doman talked a lot about the play packages, the old school offense, tempo and none of it has happened yet. That is frustrating.

Now besides the offense, the special teams outside of Sorenson nailing all three of his FGs, were terrible. Stephenson is good for 35 yards and that is it. He did have the one nice boot inside the 5 but again, I think that was about a 35 yard punt. I also would like to see more touchbacks. We did a good job initially of neutralizing Goodwin, but his big return when our guys (particularly Hadley) all were out of their lanes gave them a great opportunity. Also, Jordan Johnson needs a football in his hands all week. We were lucky to recover the ball both times he put it on the ground. But really our inability to flip field position in the second half hurt us the most.

[jay santos]

I think some of the people that didn't think Anae was the source of the problems BYU had offensively last year are feeling Anae would have had more than 3 points in the second half. Is it true? Nobody knows, but we had some very productive offenses with Anae and some of those offenses had inexperienced and mentally fragile QBs.

I think with Anae we would have been the same or slightly better against Texas. I can see a reasonable argument for a little better or worse than this. The three TD comment by Bluehair is what's blowing my mind. I have a feeling some of the other Anae haters might buy into that also.

[Hsaru]

I severely doubt we have 13 pts in the 1st half with Anae and the offensive skill players we have atm.

[Coach McGuirk]

We don't have Anae, we have Doman. Please people. From what I have seen, the outcome would have been the same, we would just be bitching about different shit.

[KillerDog]

Anae's teams executed better and this game was apparently lost to lack of execution. I wonder if Doman has too many plays in or isn't focusing enough on execution. Regardless, I think it took Anae half a season to get going and it will take Doman about the same. Getting the win at Ole Miss. helps this team a ton and the close loss at Texas is a boon as well. We could truly run the table this year once Doman figures out how to be an OC. The first change I would make for him is I would either put him in the booth or I would let Reynolds call the plays. I don't think he was able to make adequate play calling adjustments in the second half.

[KillerDog]

Some more sources of frustration with Doman is his use of Nelson. Time to shelve the mildcat as someone called it. Our personnel has been mixed up every time we have tried to run it. I think we have 0 total yards running it. And it has cost us two time outs.

Now besides the offense, the special teams outside of Sorenson nailing all three of his FGs, were terrible. Stephenson is good for 35 yards and that is it. He did have the one nice boot inside the 5 but again, I think that was about a 35 yard punt. I also would like to see more touchbacks. We did a good job initially of neutralizing Goodwin, but his big return when our guys (particularly Hadley) all were out of their lanes gave them a great opportunity. Also, Jordan Johnson needs a football in his hands all week. We were lucky to recover the ball both times he put it on the ground. But really our inability to flip field position in the second half hurt us the most.

I agree on the mildcat being a mistake. This is Doman's pet project (like Anae with the singleback spread) where he ignores the players in his program and the results on the field because he wants to put his signature on the offense.

I disagree on the special teams. We had excellent special teams all day except for a single big return by a guy with world class sprinter speed. That dude is truly the fastest person on the field and he broke one. Other than that special teams were excellent and, along with the defense, made the game a good loss (if there is such a thing).

Generally, I'm satisfied with the game I just feel we let one get away because our OC is young and hasn't yet learned what level of execution is required by his players for the team to be successful. Once he dials that in we should be in great shape.

[USUC]

Anae's teams executed better and this game was apparently lost to lack of execution. I wonder if Doman has too many plays in or isn't focusing enough on execution. Regardless, I think it took Anae half a season to get going and it will take Doman about the same. Getting the win at Ole Miss. helps this team a ton and the close loss at Texas is a boon as well. We could truly run the table this year once Doman figures out how to be an OC. The first change I would make for him is I would either put him in the booth or I would let Reynolds call the plays. I don't think he was able to make adequate play calling adjustments in the second half.

I wonder how many OCs are on the sidelines in major CFB. I think there are a couple of head coaches who run the offenses as well but still probably have eyes in a booth as well. I'm sure Reynolds and Cahoon are in the booth to help. I thought Bronco was initially hesitant to have him on the sidelines but gave him the benefit of the doubt (kind find a link though). I wonder how long before Bronco puts him up there.

[Flystripper]

We don't have Anae, we have Doman.

yes we do. Talking about what Anae would have done is purely hypothetical and can never be proven either way. There was a ton of talk during last season about how whenever something good happened it was Doman and whenever something bad happened it was Anae. Well so far there has been plenty bad this year and it is all on Doman. He is only 2 games in but he needs to get better. Much better. I think he will . I don't hate on the guy. In time I think he will be fine. This is just a reminder to those that were pining for Doman last year because of his awesome alleged play calling...sometimes you get what you ask for and when you get it, you realize that it isn't what you thought it was...at least not yet.

[KillerDog]

One more thing. Anae had to learn this and Doman has to learn this. BYU fans don't like conventional running plays but you have to be dedicated to the run if you want to pass well. I believe over 60% of our plays yesterday were passes. Texas remained dedicated to the run and we didn't. Our offense, which was better initially, got worse as the game went on and we became increasingly one dimensional. Texas offense stayed dedicated to running the football and it got better as the game went on. Doman is dedicated to throwing the football. It would be better if he was dedicated to running the football because running the football wins games. One way we could run better is to have fewer single back sets. We've rarely run well out of single back sets. We usually need the extra blocker because our backs have traditionally lacked the ability to get into a hole and make yards on their own.

I predict that Doman's breakout game will occur when he becomes dedicated to running the football. Throwing it >60% of the time in a game you were winning is too much. Drives ending in field goals instead of touchdowns further demonstrate our lack of running game.

[pellegrino]

One more thing. Anae had to learn this and Doman has to learn this. BYU fans don't like conventional running plays but you have to be dedicated to the run if you want to pass well. I believe over 60% of our plays yesterday were passes. Texas remained dedicated to the run and we didn't. Our offense, which was better initially, got worse as the game went on and we became increasingly one dimensional. Texas offense stayed dedicated to running the football and it got better as the game went on. Doman is dedicated to throwing the football. It would be better if he was dedicated to running the football because running the football wins games. One way we could run better is to have fewer single back sets. We've rarely run well out of single back sets. We usually need the extra blocker because our backs have traditionally lacked the ability to get into a hole and make yards on their own.

I predict that Doman's breakout game will occur when he becomes dedicated to running the football. Throwing it >60% of the time in a game you were winning is too much. Drives ending in field goals instead of touchdowns further demonstrate our lack of running game.

this is probably the best post game analysis I've seen thus far. Every BYU fan remembers losing to SDSU while Curtis Brown averaged 5+ ypc. Let's hope Doman learns this sooner rather than later.