lack of tactical adjustments within games for specific plays. Tuiaki’s defense performs well from an analytics standpoint. But there are blindspots in analytics.

BSU frequently adjusted (in real time) to our defensive line-up based upon down and distance. Many plays were already won before the snap. You can’t let BSU overload to one side—and have a 3-man advantage—on a short distance down. You can’t let BSU stack 3 receivers against zone coverage on a short distance down.

If you’re playing the metrics game, you must realize the limitations of the metrics and adjust. It’s like playing your same base defense in basketball when you need to press for a turnover … sometime you have to have your best player play ball denial for a few possessions when a jump shooter gets hot. Far, far, far too often, BYU is playing the same base defense when the situation calls for a different alignment.

We’re getting out-coached on critical downs. Go re-watch the CC game from last year. The adaptability of the system has clearly improved somewhat since then, but we regressed today. We’re losing far too many plays before the snap. Everyone can see it. The players see it. The commentators see it. I’m sure that Tuiaki sees it. It’s just frustrating that the “system” is so resistant to situations.

It’s unfair to say that we don’t have the players. That’s just not good enough. We have the athletes but the “system” is too rigid. I don’t know if that’s because of communication, planning, timing, or a misunderstanding of metrics, but it has to improve.