Notes on BYU's Offense: Bowl Preparations, NFL Prospects, and Next Year's Team

I don’t want to kick a dead horse, but since the final game didn’t end the way anyone wanted it to—except the Utes—I still need to address some things.

(Some of these points have been talked about in comments, but I don’t know if everyone goes back and reads the comments or clicks the box to receive a threaded comment email.)

The first thing that made me optimistic for the bowl game—and possibly next year—were the “new” plays designed to get the ball into Austin’s hands. I think most recognized the significance of Coach Anae’s small deviation from his normal play calling and its pleasing results.

Whatever team we play in a bowl game is now going to allocate some time during the week in order to figure out solutions to those additional plays.

Sure, some teams will have solutions in place, but it still presents problems that a defense has to address in their week of preparation, and each minute not spent defending our normal game day package is time gained by BYU’s coaching staff and players. It doesn’t seem like much, but every bit helps when preparing a defense to defend a good offense.

One of the most disappointing aspects of the offense was the decline of BYU’s offensive consistency. In recent years the BYU offense has been effective because of their ability to sustain offensive possession, forcing opponents to alter their own play calling and defensive strategy.

During the beginning of the year BYU’s offense established its dominance with 8-12 play drives that resulted in TDs. Those drives are demoralizing to a defense and affect every aspect of an opponent's game play.

This year's offense began to rely on the long ball more and more as the season progressed, which eventually resulted in our offense being somewhat one-dimensional toward the end of the year. Yet this predictability produced a great year from almost every “player” involved.  (Max, Austin, Pitta, and Unga...do you see what I mean?)

I really can’t complain, but I would again enjoy seeing an offense that could methodically shove the ball down opponents' throats without an Austin Collie bomb.

As always, offensive firepower begins up front with the 300+ers. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had four offensive linemen on the All-Conference teams. I don’t really want to single players out, because there’s only one player that wouldn’t make the cut...so I’ll let you decide who I am thinking of.

Feinga, D. Reynolds, and Travis Bright all have legitimate shots at having solid careers in the NFL. I think the only team that outplayed our O-line was the Horned Frogs, and they’ll probably have three or four All-Conference defensive players themselves. From guard to guard, I don’t think there is a more intimidating threesome.

Plus, you only need to observe their quarterback’s season statistics to understand they provided Max with great time, passing lanes, and pockets so he could find his targets downfield. They also paved a thousand yards of green real estate for Harvey so he could achieve another 1,000-yard season.

F-UUUUUUU-IIIIIIII—I am excited to see what professional team will give him a shot at fullback. Fui could play a long time in the league because of his size, strength, and speed. Couple those measurable with Fui’s lust for contact, and you have a player that can block and play every special team. I hope he gets his shot, and I wish him the best of luck.

With the kind of year Austin Collie had, I would expect him to jump to the NFL. I see too many reasons for him to go. He doesn’t have anything else to prove in college, and if he waits another year, there are too many things that could go wrong.

There would be two knocks on Austin if he came out after this year: his age and his 40-yard dash. He can’t change his age, and his 40 can improve with the proper training. One good thing that Austin has is a great family that can counsel with him and help him make the best decision for himself and his family. 

I say go chase the dream and make that paper, and please don’t get injured during the bowl game. If you are near the sideline and two guys have you in their sights, step out of bounds...it’s the smart thing to do.

If I know Max, I would expect him to flip a 180 during the next couple of week, and he’ll be more than ready for the bowl game. Max’s fall from grace has been well documented the past few days, and I think a break from the norm will be just what he needs to forget about his Utah performance and instead prepare himself for his senior campaign.

Expectations will be sky-high for next year's team, and it will all start with the quarterback position. With two starting years under his belt, and a combined four years in the system, Max should be a more mature and capable leader, teammate, and quarterback.

I just hope he stops getting those penalties. Hopefully he’ll learn how to focus and concentrate that competitive fire, which could only help in positioning BYU as a BCS hopeful.

I will say this about Max: He has developed some running skillz as of late. He has shown me a new dimension to his game with the ability to scramble and make defenders miss. Just don’t go thinking you're Mike Vick and end up face down in a USC linebacker's lap.

J.K., John...I just remembered when he used to joke about being like Mike Vick, and then his subsequent concussion when those dreams didn’t come true. The days on the plaid couches were great.

BYU fans have been spoiled with the offense's success in the past four years. Next year BYU will be breaking in some new skill players and a couple of offensive linemen. The talent level is on par with this year's team, but there is always that stinking experience factor, which can be elevated with guys sticking around during the summer.

Next year's offense has potential, but it will take time to develop.

Thanks goodness for the additional practices due to the bowl game, and spring football. I think Cougar fans will either be very excited or very apprehensive about next year's offense.

Which one are you?