including kicks. He may want to focus on returning production but there is more to the production of a play than just the one guy(s) who gets credit for the gain or loss on the play. I bet if you count total plays our returning OLine will look very good. Every play is valuable experience and not reproducible in any way outside an actual game against another team. BYU had far more total plays and if they were to break down how much real experience is coming back it would make huge difference in the so called predictions. We got a whole half season or more on all our P5 opponents.
Also, two other things to consider, we have players coming back with more than just last season from an experience and production point of view. Finau will be in there this year with Katoa and TA. We will be punishing teams especially AZ, ASU, and WASt.
To me it will come down to the O-line and the QB. How those 6 positions do will either lead to a very very good season or a not special season. I have no worry about the D. We have tons of experience coming back and there is a lot of reason to feel good about those coming back. Ah You will be a monster. our LBs will be incredible and probably better as a group than every other team we play including USC, Utah, and Baylor. Our DBs will be very good, probably better than last year or at least as good. Our D-line will be just as productive as last year with Mahe, Batty, Uriah, Sommers, Tofa, Mariner... Also bear in mind on the defensive side those 7 of the top 10 players leaving only accounted for 309 total tackles out of 804 tackles. Almost 500 tackles among the ones coming back.
I'm very optimistic about this team. Again QB and O-line although we do get back 6/10 from the 2-deep at OL. So there are just four spots open in that 2-deep at OL.