My point is that the option should give the offense flexibility to exploit the defense's vulnerabilities on each play. The purpose of the option is to adapt on the fly and maximize yardage on every (something that is impossible with static run plays).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that in the pistol read-option, the QB makes a read at the line of scrimmage (to see if the defense is stacking the box), then reads the DE/OLB during the mesh sequence to determine whether to give or keep the ball. This is a quick but simple read, a read that a QB should be able to make in his sleep.

If the fans see a read-option that is consistently resulting in minimal gains up the middle, it means one of three things:
1) The QB is not making the correct read. With additional training, this is usually correctable.
2) The offense is losing the battle on an individual level. Man-to-man, the other team is simply playing better (ie: The DE/OLB is getting penetration, and the DTs and MLBs are stuffing the run). While this might be a factor on occasion, it "should" be happening against teams like Texas, not against teams like Nevada, Houston, Virginia, and Utah State.
3) The play is not a true read-option. It is a designed HB dive, with a scripted QB sprint-out to give the appearance of the read-option. In this case, it's just a poor playcall for the situation.

I think that a fair number of these rushes up the middle are designed HB dives. I also think that there are a number of times when Taysom makes the wrong read (and we've all seen games where BYU has lost the battle in the trenches). But I feel like all of those issues ultimately come back to coaching.

- The QB should be able to make a simple read! If (after proper coaching) the QB still can't make the read, he's pretty much handicapped and should be replaced. I don't think Taysom is handicapped... but I don't think he's been adequately trained, either
- Inferior teams should not consistently beat BYU on the outside AND the inside. When more talented players consistently lose to less talented players, it's either because they don't care as much or because their training has been inferior. Either way, BYU needs to get players with heart and give them superior coaching/training
- Consistently running plays that go for a minimal gain is just dumb. If it isn't working, it isn't working - find something else that does work