BYU Football: The blueprint for knocking off Utah

Establish the Passing Game

While BYU is 25th in the nation in rush defense, Utah is 5th. The Utes only allow 95.5 yards on the ground per game, making opposing offenses one-dimensional.

Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes has tried to create his own version of Utah’s offensive viewpoint: dominate with the run and create passing opportunities as a result.

That’s worked against bad defense, but failed miserably against good ones.

It looks like Grimes has learned his lesson, though. Against Boise State, anther Top 30 rush defense, the Cougars established the passing game early and relied on it heavily, opening the field for the rush attack.

If Grimes falls back into his old plan of trying to force the run game the Cougars will start slowly and likely have to play from behind the entire game.

But if BYU comes out looking to pass effectively early on and can do it successfully, their offense will be able to drive early and open up rushing opportunities as the game progresses.

In order for that to happen, though, Zach Wilson will have to be sharp, as will the receivers, and the offensive line has to play their best. Utah’s front seven is exceptional, so BYU’s offensive front five will have to be equally exceptional in this game.

When you look at Boise State and Utah, the defensive similarities are striking. Both have strong defenses, especially against the run, and eerily similar stats.

Utah’s defense is slightly better all around, but BYU’s best chance to succeed on offense is to use the same blueprint they did against Boise State but finish drives.