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SpiffCougIt was the best of times. It was the worst of times. The regular season is now complete. It started with a euphoric beginning and 4-0 start and the great âWhat Ifâ started to stir amongst the Cougar faithful and even the national media.
And then Taysom Hill broke his ankle and the talk of Heisman finalist and college football playoff or New Yearâs Day Six bowl game came to a startling halt. BYU tried to figure out who they were as well. And it took them four games to recover from the shock of losing their leader.
When Christian Stewart and the offense figured out how to cover for a relatively porous defense again, the team finished strongly with another four-game winning streak
So letâs see how BYU is doing compared to opponent season averages . As always, I'm comparing the BYU game to the opponents' season averages (with the BYU game removed from those calculations).
UConn
Held UConn 5.6 points (10) below their scoring average (15.6)
Held UConn 25.3 yards (71) below their rushing average (96.3)
Allowed UConn 115.9 yards (284) above their passing average (168.1)
Allowed UConn 90.6 yards (355) above their total offense average (264.4)
Held UConn 16.0 PER points (97.62) below their PER average (113.60)
BYU scored 5.4 points (35) more than their scoring defense average (29.6)
BYU gained 49.4 more yards (205) than their rushing defense average (155.6)
BYU gained 102.8 more yards (308) than their passing defense average (205.2)
BYU gained 152.2 more yards (513) than their total defense average (360.8 )
BYU was 51.0 PER points (177.14) above their PER defense average (126.18 )
Texas
Held Texas 17.0 points (7) below their scoring average (24.0)
Held Texas 72.7 yards (82) below their rushing average (154.7)
Held Texas 39.1 yards (176) below their passing average (215.1)
Held Texas 111.8 yards (258 ) below their total offense average (369.8 )
Held Texas 3.4 PER points (116.40) below their PER average (119.79)
BYU scored 19.4 points (41) more than their scoring defense average (21.6)
BYU gained 93.7 more yards (248 ) than their rushing defense average (154.3)
BYU gained 5.7 fewer yards (181) than their passing defense average (186.7)
BYU gained 88.0 more yards (429) than their total defense average (341.0)
BYU was 7.8 PER points (115.57) above their PER defense average (107.81)
Houston
Held Houston 4.6 points (25) below their scoring average (29.6)
Held Houston 183.4 yards (10) below their rushing average (193.4)
Allowed Houston 110.6 yards (315) above their passing average (204.4)
Held Houston 72.8 yards (325) below their total offense average (397.8 )
Allowed Houston 12.2 PER (127.09) points above their PER average (114.89)
BYU scored 16.7 points (33) more than their scoring defense average (16.3)
BYU gained 206.9 more (323) yards than their rushing defense average (116.1)
BYU gained 16.9 more yards (200) than their passing defense average (183.1)
BYU gained 223.8 more yards (523) than their total defense average (299.2)
BYU was 3.2 PER points (109.12) above their PER defense average (105.96)
Virginia
Allowed Virginia 7.8 points (33) above their scoring average (25.2)
Allowed Virginia 59.2 yards (192) above their rushing average (132.8 )
Allowed Virginia 98.8 yards (327) above their passing average (228.2)
Allowed Virginia 158.0 yards (519) above their total offense average (361.0)
Held Virginia 10.4 PER points (109.94) below their PER average (120.30)
BYU scored 18.5 points (41) more than their scoring defense average (22.5)
BYU gained 26.5 more yards (145) than their rushing defense average (118.5)
BYU gained 49.6 fewer yards (187) than their passing defense average (236.6)
BYU gained 23.1 fewer yards (332) than their total defense average (355.1)
BYU was 32.3 PER points (153.51) above their PER defense average (121.23)
Utah State
Allowed USU 8.3 points (35) above their scoring average (26.8 )
Held USU 29.0 yards (136) below their rushing average (165.0)
Allowed USU 117.9 yards (321) above their passing average (203.1)
Allowed USU 121.6 yards (457) above their total offense average (199.4)
Allowed USU 93.9 PER points (222.46) above their PER average (129.58 )
BYU scored 0.8 points (20) fewer than their scoring defense average (20.8 )
BYU gained 26.8 more yards (154) than their rushing defense average (127.3)
BYU gained 41.2 more yards (271) than their passing defense average (229.8 )
BYU gained 67.9 more yards (425) than their total defense average (357.1)
BYU was 19.8 PER points (95.16) below their PER defense average (114.97)
UCF
Allowed UCF 3.5 points (31) above their scoring average (27.5)
Held UCF 74.5 yards (63) below their rushing average (137.5)
Allowed UCF 109.2 yards (326) above their passing average (216.8 )
Allowed UCF 34.7 yards (389) above their total offense average (354.3)
Held UCF 19.3 PER points (115.35) below their PER average (134.61)
BYU scored 7.9 points (24) more than their scoring defense average (16.1)
BYU gained 92.4 more yards (189) than their rushing defense average (96.6)
BYU gained 14.5 fewer yards (187) than their passing defense average (167.5)
BYU gained 77.9 more yards (342) than their total defense average (264.1)
BYU was 21.2 PER points (115.55) above their PER defense average (94.31)
Nevada
Allowed UNR 11.6 points (42) above their scoring average (30.4)
Held UNR 94.7 yards (126) below their rushing average (220.7)
Allowed UNR 95.5 yards (285) above their passing average (189.5)
Allowed UNR 0.8 yards (411) above their total offense average (410.2)
Allowed UNR 12.0 PER points (133.10) more than their PER average (121.05)
BYU scored 7.5 points (35) more than their scoring defense average (27.5)
BYU gained 17.7 more yards (193) than their rushing defense average (175.3)
BYU gained 149.9 more yards (408) than their passing defense average (258.1)
BYU gained 167.6 more yards (601) than their total defense average (433.4)
BYU was 3.0 PER points (137.26) below their PER defense average (134.26)
Boise
Allowed Boise 15.5 points (55) above their scoring average (39.5)
Allowed Boise 3.7 yards (227) above than their rushing average (223.3)
Allowed Boise 132.5 yards (410) above their passing average (277.5)
Allowed Boise 136.3 yards (637) above their total offense average (500.7)
Allowed Boise 74.0 PER points (224.65) more than their PER average (150.67)
BYU scored 2.6 points (30) more than their scoring defense average (27.4)
BYU gained 92.1 fewer yards (63) than their rushing defense average (155.1)
BYU gained 46.8 more yards (259) than their passing defense average (212.2)
BYU gained 45.3 fewer yards (322) than their total defense average (367.3)
BYU was 4.7 PER points (121.20) above their PER defense average (116.54)
Middle Tenn
Held Middle Tenn 26.8 points (7) below their scoring average (33.8 )
Held Middle Tenn 114.4 yards (109) below than their rushing average (223.4)
Held Middle Tenn 107.5 yards (119) below their passing average (226.5)
Held Middle Tenn 221.8 yards (228 ) below their total offense average (449.8 )
Held Middle Tenn 64.4 PER points (79.05) below than their PER average (143.42)
BYU scored 4.9 points (27) fewer than their scoring defense average (31.9)
BYU gained 59.5 fewer yards (128 ) than their rushing defense average (187.5)
BYU gained 50.5 more yards (316) than their passing defense average (265.5)
BYU gained 9.0 fewer yards (444) than their total defense average (453.0)
BYU was 4.6 PER points (135.88) below their PER defense average (140.45)
UNLV
Allowed UNLV 1.2 points (23) above their scoring average (21.8 )
Allowed UNLV 75.7 yards (199) above than their rushing average (123.3)
Held UNLV 58.8 yards (204) below their passing average (262.8 )
Allowed UNLV 16.9 yards (403) above their total offense average (386.1)
Held UNLV 29.5 PER points (85.41) below than their PER average (114.87)
BYU scored 3.8 points (42) more than their scoring defense average (38.2)
BYU gained 29.1 fewer yards (267) than their rushing defense average (296.1)
BYU gained 114.2 more yards (325) than their passing defense average (210.8 )
BYU gained 85.1 fewer yards (592) than their total defense average (506.9)
BYU was 25.9 PER points (172.50) above their PER defense average (146.60)
Savannah St
Held Savannah St 12.5 points (0) below their scoring average (12.5)
Held Savannah St 58.7 yards (23) below than their rushing average (81.7)
Held Savannah St 128 yards (40) below their passing average (168.0)
Held Savannah St 186.7 yards (403) below their total offense average (249.7)
Held Savannah St 48.0 PER points (85.41) below than their PER average (88.58 )
BYU scored 19.2 points (64) more than their scoring defense average (44.8 )
BYU gained 31.1 more yards (264) than their rushing defense average (232.9)
BYU gained 10.5 more yards (223) than their passing defense average (212.5)
BYU gained 41.5 more yards (487) than their total defense average (445.5)
BYU was 87.8 PER points (241.75) above their PER defense average (153.98 )
Cal
Held Cal 3.5 points (35) below their scoring average (38.5)
Allowed Cal 26.0 yards (173) above than their rushing average (147.0)
Allowed Cal 51.3 yards (393) above their passing average (341.7)
Allowed Cal 77.3 yards (566) above their total offense average (488.7)
Held Cal 9.9 PER points (137.02) below than their PER average (146.87)
BYU scored 2.5 points (42) more than their scoring defense average (39.5)
BYU gained 41.0 fewer yards (107) than their rushing defense average (148.0)
BYU gained 71.8 more yards (433) than their passing defense average (361.2)
BYU gained 30.8 more yards (540) than their total defense average (509.2)
BYU was 42.9 PER points (194.40) above their PER defense average (151.55)
Season Totals:
BYU has held six of 12 opponents below their scoring averages.
BYU has held nine of 12 opponents below their rushing averages.
BYU has held four of 12 opponents below their passing averages.
BYU has held four of 12 opponents below their total offense averages.
BYU has held eight of 12 opponents below the PER averages.
BYU has score more points against ten of 12 opponents scoring defenses.
BYU has gained more rushing yards against eight of 12 opponents rushing defenses.
BYU has gained more passing yards against nine of 12 opponents passing defenses.
BYU has gained more total yards against nine of 12 opponents total defenses.
BYU has been above ten of 12 opposing PER defenses.
BYU Averages vs Opponent Averages: (strictly comparing BYU averages vs Combined Opponent averages)
BYUâs Scoring Defense average is holding opponents 2.5 points (25.3) below their combined scoring average (22.8 ).
BYUâs Rushing Defense average is holding teams37.4 yards (117.6) below their combined rushing average (155.0)
BYUâs Passing Defense average is allowing teams 37.7 yards (266.7) above their combined passing average (229.0)
BYUâs Total Defense average is allowing teams 0.3 (384.3) above their combined total offense average (384.0)
BYUâs Defensive PER is holding teams 3.3 points (121.29) below their combined PER average (124.57)
BYUâs Scoring Offense average is 7.3 points (36.2) above their opponents combined scoring defense (28.9)
BYUâs Rushing Offense average is 23.1 yards (190.5) above their opponents combined rushing defense (167.4)
BYUâs Passing Offense average is 40.0 yards (272.0) above their opponents combined passing defense (232.0)
BYUâs Total Offense average is 63.2 yards (462.5) above their opponents combined total defense (399.3)
BYUâs PER average is 14.8 PER points (142.80) above their opponents combined PER defense (128.04)
Give my colors and numbers a double check.
And then Taysom Hill broke his ankle and the talk of Heisman finalist and college football playoff or New Yearâs Day Six bowl game came to a startling halt. BYU tried to figure out who they were as well. And it took them four games to recover from the shock of losing their leader.
When Christian Stewart and the offense figured out how to cover for a relatively porous defense again, the team finished strongly with another four-game winning streak
So letâs see how BYU is doing compared to opponent season averages . As always, I'm comparing the BYU game to the opponents' season averages (with the BYU game removed from those calculations).
UConn
Held UConn 5.6 points (10) below their scoring average (15.6)
Held UConn 25.3 yards (71) below their rushing average (96.3)
Allowed UConn 115.9 yards (284) above their passing average (168.1)
Allowed UConn 90.6 yards (355) above their total offense average (264.4)
Held UConn 16.0 PER points (97.62) below their PER average (113.60)
BYU scored 5.4 points (35) more than their scoring defense average (29.6)
BYU gained 49.4 more yards (205) than their rushing defense average (155.6)
BYU gained 102.8 more yards (308) than their passing defense average (205.2)
BYU gained 152.2 more yards (513) than their total defense average (360.8 )
BYU was 51.0 PER points (177.14) above their PER defense average (126.18 )
Texas
Held Texas 17.0 points (7) below their scoring average (24.0)
Held Texas 72.7 yards (82) below their rushing average (154.7)
Held Texas 39.1 yards (176) below their passing average (215.1)
Held Texas 111.8 yards (258 ) below their total offense average (369.8 )
Held Texas 3.4 PER points (116.40) below their PER average (119.79)
BYU scored 19.4 points (41) more than their scoring defense average (21.6)
BYU gained 93.7 more yards (248 ) than their rushing defense average (154.3)
BYU gained 5.7 fewer yards (181) than their passing defense average (186.7)
BYU gained 88.0 more yards (429) than their total defense average (341.0)
BYU was 7.8 PER points (115.57) above their PER defense average (107.81)
Houston
Held Houston 4.6 points (25) below their scoring average (29.6)
Held Houston 183.4 yards (10) below their rushing average (193.4)
Allowed Houston 110.6 yards (315) above their passing average (204.4)
Held Houston 72.8 yards (325) below their total offense average (397.8 )
Allowed Houston 12.2 PER (127.09) points above their PER average (114.89)
BYU scored 16.7 points (33) more than their scoring defense average (16.3)
BYU gained 206.9 more (323) yards than their rushing defense average (116.1)
BYU gained 16.9 more yards (200) than their passing defense average (183.1)
BYU gained 223.8 more yards (523) than their total defense average (299.2)
BYU was 3.2 PER points (109.12) above their PER defense average (105.96)
Virginia
Allowed Virginia 7.8 points (33) above their scoring average (25.2)
Allowed Virginia 59.2 yards (192) above their rushing average (132.8 )
Allowed Virginia 98.8 yards (327) above their passing average (228.2)
Allowed Virginia 158.0 yards (519) above their total offense average (361.0)
Held Virginia 10.4 PER points (109.94) below their PER average (120.30)
BYU scored 18.5 points (41) more than their scoring defense average (22.5)
BYU gained 26.5 more yards (145) than their rushing defense average (118.5)
BYU gained 49.6 fewer yards (187) than their passing defense average (236.6)
BYU gained 23.1 fewer yards (332) than their total defense average (355.1)
BYU was 32.3 PER points (153.51) above their PER defense average (121.23)
Utah State
Allowed USU 8.3 points (35) above their scoring average (26.8 )
Held USU 29.0 yards (136) below their rushing average (165.0)
Allowed USU 117.9 yards (321) above their passing average (203.1)
Allowed USU 121.6 yards (457) above their total offense average (199.4)
Allowed USU 93.9 PER points (222.46) above their PER average (129.58 )
BYU scored 0.8 points (20) fewer than their scoring defense average (20.8 )
BYU gained 26.8 more yards (154) than their rushing defense average (127.3)
BYU gained 41.2 more yards (271) than their passing defense average (229.8 )
BYU gained 67.9 more yards (425) than their total defense average (357.1)
BYU was 19.8 PER points (95.16) below their PER defense average (114.97)
UCF
Allowed UCF 3.5 points (31) above their scoring average (27.5)
Held UCF 74.5 yards (63) below their rushing average (137.5)
Allowed UCF 109.2 yards (326) above their passing average (216.8 )
Allowed UCF 34.7 yards (389) above their total offense average (354.3)
Held UCF 19.3 PER points (115.35) below their PER average (134.61)
BYU scored 7.9 points (24) more than their scoring defense average (16.1)
BYU gained 92.4 more yards (189) than their rushing defense average (96.6)
BYU gained 14.5 fewer yards (187) than their passing defense average (167.5)
BYU gained 77.9 more yards (342) than their total defense average (264.1)
BYU was 21.2 PER points (115.55) above their PER defense average (94.31)
Nevada
Allowed UNR 11.6 points (42) above their scoring average (30.4)
Held UNR 94.7 yards (126) below their rushing average (220.7)
Allowed UNR 95.5 yards (285) above their passing average (189.5)
Allowed UNR 0.8 yards (411) above their total offense average (410.2)
Allowed UNR 12.0 PER points (133.10) more than their PER average (121.05)
BYU scored 7.5 points (35) more than their scoring defense average (27.5)
BYU gained 17.7 more yards (193) than their rushing defense average (175.3)
BYU gained 149.9 more yards (408) than their passing defense average (258.1)
BYU gained 167.6 more yards (601) than their total defense average (433.4)
BYU was 3.0 PER points (137.26) below their PER defense average (134.26)
Boise
Allowed Boise 15.5 points (55) above their scoring average (39.5)
Allowed Boise 3.7 yards (227) above than their rushing average (223.3)
Allowed Boise 132.5 yards (410) above their passing average (277.5)
Allowed Boise 136.3 yards (637) above their total offense average (500.7)
Allowed Boise 74.0 PER points (224.65) more than their PER average (150.67)
BYU scored 2.6 points (30) more than their scoring defense average (27.4)
BYU gained 92.1 fewer yards (63) than their rushing defense average (155.1)
BYU gained 46.8 more yards (259) than their passing defense average (212.2)
BYU gained 45.3 fewer yards (322) than their total defense average (367.3)
BYU was 4.7 PER points (121.20) above their PER defense average (116.54)
Middle Tenn
Held Middle Tenn 26.8 points (7) below their scoring average (33.8 )
Held Middle Tenn 114.4 yards (109) below than their rushing average (223.4)
Held Middle Tenn 107.5 yards (119) below their passing average (226.5)
Held Middle Tenn 221.8 yards (228 ) below their total offense average (449.8 )
Held Middle Tenn 64.4 PER points (79.05) below than their PER average (143.42)
BYU scored 4.9 points (27) fewer than their scoring defense average (31.9)
BYU gained 59.5 fewer yards (128 ) than their rushing defense average (187.5)
BYU gained 50.5 more yards (316) than their passing defense average (265.5)
BYU gained 9.0 fewer yards (444) than their total defense average (453.0)
BYU was 4.6 PER points (135.88) below their PER defense average (140.45)
UNLV
Allowed UNLV 1.2 points (23) above their scoring average (21.8 )
Allowed UNLV 75.7 yards (199) above than their rushing average (123.3)
Held UNLV 58.8 yards (204) below their passing average (262.8 )
Allowed UNLV 16.9 yards (403) above their total offense average (386.1)
Held UNLV 29.5 PER points (85.41) below than their PER average (114.87)
BYU scored 3.8 points (42) more than their scoring defense average (38.2)
BYU gained 29.1 fewer yards (267) than their rushing defense average (296.1)
BYU gained 114.2 more yards (325) than their passing defense average (210.8 )
BYU gained 85.1 fewer yards (592) than their total defense average (506.9)
BYU was 25.9 PER points (172.50) above their PER defense average (146.60)
Savannah St
Held Savannah St 12.5 points (0) below their scoring average (12.5)
Held Savannah St 58.7 yards (23) below than their rushing average (81.7)
Held Savannah St 128 yards (40) below their passing average (168.0)
Held Savannah St 186.7 yards (403) below their total offense average (249.7)
Held Savannah St 48.0 PER points (85.41) below than their PER average (88.58 )
BYU scored 19.2 points (64) more than their scoring defense average (44.8 )
BYU gained 31.1 more yards (264) than their rushing defense average (232.9)
BYU gained 10.5 more yards (223) than their passing defense average (212.5)
BYU gained 41.5 more yards (487) than their total defense average (445.5)
BYU was 87.8 PER points (241.75) above their PER defense average (153.98 )
Cal
Held Cal 3.5 points (35) below their scoring average (38.5)
Allowed Cal 26.0 yards (173) above than their rushing average (147.0)
Allowed Cal 51.3 yards (393) above their passing average (341.7)
Allowed Cal 77.3 yards (566) above their total offense average (488.7)
Held Cal 9.9 PER points (137.02) below than their PER average (146.87)
BYU scored 2.5 points (42) more than their scoring defense average (39.5)
BYU gained 41.0 fewer yards (107) than their rushing defense average (148.0)
BYU gained 71.8 more yards (433) than their passing defense average (361.2)
BYU gained 30.8 more yards (540) than their total defense average (509.2)
BYU was 42.9 PER points (194.40) above their PER defense average (151.55)
Season Totals:
BYU has held six of 12 opponents below their scoring averages.
BYU has held nine of 12 opponents below their rushing averages.
BYU has held four of 12 opponents below their passing averages.
BYU has held four of 12 opponents below their total offense averages.
BYU has held eight of 12 opponents below the PER averages.
BYU has score more points against ten of 12 opponents scoring defenses.
BYU has gained more rushing yards against eight of 12 opponents rushing defenses.
BYU has gained more passing yards against nine of 12 opponents passing defenses.
BYU has gained more total yards against nine of 12 opponents total defenses.
BYU has been above ten of 12 opposing PER defenses.
BYU Averages vs Opponent Averages: (strictly comparing BYU averages vs Combined Opponent averages)
BYUâs Scoring Defense average is holding opponents 2.5 points (25.3) below their combined scoring average (22.8 ).
BYUâs Rushing Defense average is holding teams37.4 yards (117.6) below their combined rushing average (155.0)
BYUâs Passing Defense average is allowing teams 37.7 yards (266.7) above their combined passing average (229.0)
BYUâs Total Defense average is allowing teams 0.3 (384.3) above their combined total offense average (384.0)
BYUâs Defensive PER is holding teams 3.3 points (121.29) below their combined PER average (124.57)
BYUâs Scoring Offense average is 7.3 points (36.2) above their opponents combined scoring defense (28.9)
BYUâs Rushing Offense average is 23.1 yards (190.5) above their opponents combined rushing defense (167.4)
BYUâs Passing Offense average is 40.0 yards (272.0) above their opponents combined passing defense (232.0)
BYUâs Total Offense average is 63.2 yards (462.5) above their opponents combined total defense (399.3)
BYUâs PER average is 14.8 PER points (142.80) above their opponents combined PER defense (128.04)
Give my colors and numbers a double check.