We are looking at advanced metrics here. The D is #53 in the county out of 129 teams. Sitting slightly above average.

The D is vanilla, I agree but there is a reason for it.

1) When the offense can't score more than 7-10 points a game (on average) the D cannot play aggressive. If you're selling out with blitzes and get beat for scores, the O can't cover for those mistakes. So, you play a vanilla/zone defense to keep everything in front of you.

2) From Greg Wrubell:

"Average starting field position [ASFP] is another key: last season BYU averaged +7.3 yds/game in ASFP; this season, the average is -8.3 yds/game."

"In BYU's 5 FBS games only, Cougs are -13.6 yds/gm in ASFP. @SBN_BillC research showed teams with 10-15 yd edge in ASFP had an 87% win rate."

We have been negative in every game buy our opener. This shows the D has been on their heels all year long. Even with that, the D is #47 in Red Zone defense, again pretty impressive given the circumstances.

While I agree with you that the D isn't playing lights out (we should expect total defense of between 20-30 yearly, IMO), they are playing well considering what the O is giving them.