Since SUU isn't covered by S&P+ and this is basically a bye week, I think that it's worth seeing where BYU stands in terms of advanced stats. I added a few more things this week.
BYU according to the five factors
Explosiveness
Offense: #125 (down from #122)
Defense #59 (up from #62)
Efficiency
Offense #42 (down from #39)
Defense #76 (up from #82)
Field Position
Offense: #36 (down from #24)
Defense: #3 (up from #4)
Finishing Drives
Offense: #86 (down from #85)
Defense: #35 (up from #72)
Turnover Margin: #4 (down from 3)
Rush Offense/Defense
On offense, BYU is good at running the ball overall (#20) and at staying ahead of the down (#31), but average at generating big plays (#59). They're bad in short yardage situations (#88). BYU's offensive line is good at creating opportunities (43% of runs go for at least 5 yards, #28). BYU's running backs (and Taysom) have done a great job getting yards beyond what the OL produces (#24).
On defense, BYU is really good at stopping the run (#19), good at staying ahead of the down (#34), and really good at limiting big plays (#12). They're really good in short yardage situations (#15). BYU's defensive line is above average at stopping the opposing OL from creating opportunities (36.1% of runs go for at least 5 yards, #41). BYU is good at stopping runners from getting additional yards beyond what's been created by the opposing OL (#32).
Pass Offense/Defense
On offense, BYU is below average at passing the ball (#83) and average staying ahead of the down (#61). The team is terrible at generating big plays in the passing game (#125). The team does a below average job of protecting Taysom (#74). On passing downs, the team is average (#53).
On defense, BYU is average overall (#68), terrible at staying ahead of the down (#117), and bad at preventing big plays (#85). The team is above average at getting to the QB (#48). On passing downs, BYU's defense is terrible (#114).
By Quarter
On offense, BYU is average in the 1st (#62), terrible in the 2nd (#102), good in the third (#40), and average in the fourth (#64).
On defense, BYU is below average in the 1st (#82), great in the 2nd (#25), great in the third (#24), and average in the fourth (#59).
By Down
On offense, BYU is below average on 1st (#70), average on 2nd (#68), and good on 3rd (#38).
On defense, BYU is great on 1st (#21), average on 2nd (#72), and average on 3rd (#72).
Offensive footprint
BYU runs 59% of the time on a standard down (e.g., 1st down, 2nd and 7 or fewer, 3rd and 4 or fewer) (#71) and runs 35.9% on passing downs (e.g., 2nd and 8, 3rd and 5) (#47). BYU's pace is above average (43). BYU is below average at breaking tackles (71.2 of tackles are solo, #91).
Defensive footprint
Teams run 56.8% of the time on standard downs (#88) and run 31.5% of the time on passing downs (#89).
Havoc (% of plays in which the defense recorded a TFL, forced a fumble, or defended a pass)
On defense, BYU's linebackers are elite in causing havoc (#3), however the DL (#118) and secondary (#111) have been terrible. Overall havoc is above average (16.5% of plays or #51). BYU's secondary is very aggressive because 40.4% of passes were intercepted or defended (#10).
Summary
This is obvious, but BYU is is not good at passing the ball. However, the team is very good at running the ball and staying ahead of the down. It's going to be interesting to see how the OL and passing game continue to develop. This should improve next year with another year in the system and Tanner behind the center. Hopefully the offense can replace Jamaal and Taysom's rushing production. Squally has shown that he's capable, but he's not Jamaal. Maybe having a stronger OL and a better passing game will compensate?
This year, BYU's offense complements a defense that is really good against the run and is average against the pass. We've seen some improvement in how BYU's defense gets teams off the field on third and long. Most encouraging has been how BYU has improved in terms of getting to the QB, defending the pass, and forcing turnovers. The linebackers are elite...and they're all coming back. The DL has improved, but needs a lot more work. The secondary has improved significantly (especially with Warner and Lake on the field--they're both very aggressive...which sometimes leads to mistakes and big plays, but they're improving).