...Baylor did a great job connecting on some big throws to Puka and Gunner early on and got us out to a really fast start. Boy did we need that. Once USF adjusted and started to protect McClain better they got into a nice rhythm putting together some really long sustained drives and frequently used 4th down to move the chains (4/5 on 4th down) we didn't touch the ball very much after that (2 more drives in the 2Q and 2 in the 3rdQ).

What really hurts our defense in these types of games is when our offense has a short series, either a quick score or a 3 and out and punt kind of deal. Our D spent way too much time on the field in the 2nd half. Offense needs to maximize their opportunities to help them out even if that means upping their game to do it.

For example in the 2Q (12:36) we had a 6 play drive end with a punt after Romney had a 3rd and 9 but checked down and threw a 4yd pass to Allgeier in the flat who was tackled quickly. As a result the drive stalled. This is a case where Baylor's strength (going through progressions quickly and checking down) became a weakness and hurt the team.

On 3rd down distances the QB has to make plays and get the ball out to players at or beyond the 1st down marker. This year Jaren has been really good at extending plays and throwing to guys at or beyond the yard to gain mark to get the 1st down (or use his judgement to run for it when everyone is covered and there's room to run). I've actually be quite impressed at his awareness on where we need to get to for the 1st down.

Baylor has a well-developed ability to go through progressions quickly and check down to the open guy. Its great on 1st and 2nd down or on 3rd and short (or 3rd and med/long when you're in 4 down territory) but it's not a tool to be used on every play in every situation. He needs to have more tools in his tool bag including using his feet more to extend plays and give his receivers a chance to get open further downfield at the yard marker rather than take the easy play and throw 4 yds when we need 9.

As a result of that our D was back on the field after a 2 min break and had to defend another long drive. Do this repeatedly quarter after quarter and our D can get gassed. Another BYU drive that stalled where I think things would've been different with Jaren at QB was late in the 3Q and it ended in 2 incomplete passes (to Puka and Rex) and a blocked FG. The pass to Rex was one Jaren has done a couple of times already this year. USF then went on a 9 min 19 play drive to get within 1 score.

In games like the USF game (UTSA or CCU last year) we need to maximize our scoring opportunities because we don't get as many possessions. Thank heavens the offense got out to a fast start. Kudo's to Baylor and the team for the early lead. We needed every bit of it. This game illustrated to me how important it is to have Jaren back as QB1 though. His ability to use his feet to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield was missed in the game.