Scouting BYU: The Offense

by ccmachine on Aug 31, 2009 10:19 PM CDT in Football

Max Hall, QB for the BYU Cougars (via Hazboy) 2957011136_5339a089cd_medium

Quarterback: Max Hall enters his senior campaign Saturday night against an Oklahoma secondary that was tested often and at times failed miserably in 2008. Hall had is not so great moments as well in `08, particularly at the end of the season when as the Cougars finished with consecutive losses to Utah and Arizona, but the overall product on the field was very good. He completed 330 of 477 passes for 3,957 (11.9 yards per catch) with 35 touchdowns to 14 interceptions.

Running Backs: BYU’s running back duo of Unga/Tonga sounds like some sort of toy manufacturer but they aren’t a group of backs to be taken lightly. The Cougar’s offense became a lot more potent last week when Manase Tonga was cleared by the NCAA to play this season. In 2007 Tonga rushed for an average of 3.5 yards per carry and 8 touchdowns. He doesn’t have breakaway speed so he’s not going to kill you on a long run but he’s a bruiser who can plow his way forward in short-yardage situations. With Tonga not eligible to play in `08 Harvey Unga at to strap up without is `07 backfield mate. The result was a slight decrease in production as he rushed for 95 fewer yards and two less touchdowns than the previous year. Probably not enough to get excited over but the point is that these guys function better when on the field together.

Tight End: The Cougars have a legitimate All-American candidate (He’s have to edge out Jermaine Gresham) in tight end Dennis Pitta. After spending four years together he’s almost sure to be one of Max Hall’s go-to guys. Last season, as a junior, he hauled in 83 catches for 1,083 yards and 6 scores. At 6-5/247, Pitta could prove to be a bit of a match-up problem.

Receivers: Austin Collie caught 106 passes for 1,538 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He’s gone in 2008 and while the young Cougar receivers may have talent they aren’t very experienced. The 2009 corps of McKay Jacobson, O’Neill Chambers, Luke Ashworth and Spencer Hafoka had a combined 7 receptions in `08. This unit could turn out to be fine (actually BYU needs them to) but for now they have to be labeled as a question mark because of their inexperience.

Line: The average size of BYU’s offensive line is 6-4/325 which is a good sized line. However, the unit features four new starters and has already decimated by injury before the season has even started. Matt Reynolds, the lone returning starter from `08, suffered a broken hand but will most likely be ready to play Saturday in the season opener. Reynolds younger brother, Houston, suffered a season-ending knee injury and Jason Speredon suffered a season-ending torn rotator cuff.

Houston Reynolds wouldn’t have been a starter but Speredon would have. Now BYU’s offensive line has gone from lacking experience to lacking experience and depth. Much like Oklahoma’s offense, the Cougars have playmakers at the skill positions but ultimately the success of the offense rises and falls on the performance of the offensive line.

Poll

Which aspect of BYU's offense concerns you the most?

Quarterback

68 votes

Running Back

15 votes

Recievers/Tight End

18 votes

Offensive Line

14 votes

115 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Only

ten votes so far but none for RB. Interesting because many, if not most BYU fans would consider the Unga-Tonga-DiLuigi combo to be the most dangerous part of the offense. These WR’s are young and mostly unproven. Pitta is a phenomenal receiver at TE but not much of a blocker. Hall hasn’t played to his potential in the Cougars’ latest big games at TCU, Utah and against Arizona. The offensive line won’t be as good as it was a year ago, but it should challenge for the best in the MWC.

Maybe it’s because the D-Line is the strongest part of OU’s defense – but when healthy, Harvey Unga is a force to be reckoned with and a bonafide NFL prospect. I think all the hype over Hall and Pitta has overshadowed him. Not saying he’s going to have an easy day or even a good day against McCoy and co., but I would consider him BYU’s best offensive weapon when healthy (which he wasn’t for much of 2009.

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by sroufe on Sep 1, 2009 1:57 AM CDT reply actions

From an OU perspective

BYU’s running backs are a good duo. They should move the ball some, but the real threat is a veteran QB that knows what to do, won’t panic, and won’t quit if behind.

I think OU would love any team to try and run the ball, and control the clock. They simply won’t be able to keep up the scoring pace, unless they have an amazing defense. OU will put points on the board, and lots of them usually.

OU (and most of the Big 12 South) play Arena League Football. They score points, on most possessions, try to get as many plays in as they can, and count “stops” on Defense.

by Redhawk on Sep 1, 2009 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

I agree with all your points. But possibly the biggest reason why Unga has been so effective the past two seasons is his ability to take short passes and turn them into long yardage. Going into 2009 Unga is not only BYU’s best RB but also its leading receiver in terms of career yardage (over 600 yards receiving last season).

Here’s a recent article regarding BYU’s running backs as the team’s MVP’s…

Vanquish the Foe, a BYU Cougars blog at SB Nation

by sroufe on Sep 2, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Nothing about BYU's offense gives me reason for concern

OU’s defense will be very strong this year. Can BYU score points on us? Yes indeed, but can they score 35+, No. That is the least of what it will take for BYU to defeat OU.

by scarab on Sep 1, 2009 11:22 AM CDT reply actions