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Among the remarkable things BYU is doing on offense these days, nothing is more impressive than the Cougars' 3rd down conversion percentage--#1 nationally at 78%.
This number blows me away:
BYU is 25 for 26 on 3rd down and 6 or less.
Let that sink in for a moment.
On 3rd and 2 or less, BYU hasn't missed this season, going 15 for 15.
Until Saturday v. UCLA, BYU hadn't faced a 3rd and 10 all season. BYU was 2 of 3 on 3rd and 10 against the Bruins.
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When it comes to coaching defense, Bronco Mendenhall is all about points allowed. While ranking 37th in rush defense, 69th in pass efficiency defense, 72nd in pass yardage defense and 49th in total defense, BYU is ranked 26th in scoring defense.
Among MWC teams, BYU has the biggest "positive disparity" between its total defense and scoring defense ranking (e.g. BYU is 49th in total defense, 26th in scoring defense, so +23 in "positive disparity"):
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Here's how that stat shapes up:
BYU: +23
Air Force: +17
SDSU: +13
UNLV: -4
TCU: -8
Wyoming: -10
CSU: -24
Utah: -36
New Mexico: -37
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Another way of expressing this disparity is in "yards per point."
BYU allows a point for every 21 yards allowed, while Utah and New Mexico allow a point for every 11 yards they give up. In general terms, BYU's opponents have to work harder for the points they score.
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Don't look now, but TCU is 2nd nationally in total defense, 3rd in rush defense, 2nd in pass efficiency defense, 11th in pass yardage defense, 12th in sacks, and 10th in scoring defense. For good measure, the Frogs are 1st in turnover margin and 3rd in opponent 3rd down conversion percentage. They're also top 20 in rushing and scoring offense. October 16th looms large.
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