DICKSON: Simplify, simplify, simplify. If BYU’s offensive line is missing blocks and missing assignments, it’s time to give them less to think about. Fire off the ball and hit somebody.

A hesitant offensive lineman is going to lose a lot of one-on-one battles, and it really seems like there are many times where they are looking around for someone to block. Just find someone and engage.

I’m not a big fan of the zone blocking scheme and would prefer a few more plays where BYU just gets off the ball and becomes road graders, you know?

Cincinnati has a really good defensive line and it’s going to be a very big challenge for the Cougars to improve in the run game on Friday. But they have to show they can run the ball a little bit to balance out the offense so the Bearcats can’t just tee off on Kedon Slovis.

LLOYD: I’ve watched a lot of running plays where BYU appears to be getting beat to the spot by defenders, which indicates to me they have a pretty good idea what is coming.

I also think Cougar opponents have consistently used speed to get past blockers, negating their size advantage. That is particularly the case on runs to the edge.

I think Darnell is on the right track with trying to use plays that better utilize power instead of agility. BYU linemen and tight ends need to start pushing people around inside.

But I’d also like to see the Cougars use the pass game to set up the run, particularly early in the game. Come out and throw, then slip in a draw play. Try to take advantage if Cincinnati starts selling out to stop the pass.

2. Where does BYU football need to make the most improvement this week to beat Cincinnati on Friday?

LLOYD: The run game and turnovers certainly deserve a lot of attention, but I think a huge key against the Bearcats is poise on defense.

It’s not easy against a team that works hard to get you going the wrong way but the best defenses know their jobs and excel at them, winning their individual matchups.

That didn’t happen often for BYU in the second half against Kansas as players were trying so hard to make plays and get a rally going that they got in bad positions and the Jayhawks took advantage.

I don’t think Cincinnati will be as good at it as Kansas was, but the Bearcats will also capitalize on BYU errors. That’s why it is vital for the Cougar defenders to stay poised and confident, taking care of their individual responsibilities and relying on their teammates to do the same.

DICKSON: The first three games of the season provided a kind of blueprint.

The biggest difference between the three wins and the loss to Kansas was turnovers. The Cougars need to protect the ball better and get a few turnovers themselves.

If you think about the game last week, it was all about sudden change. The Jayhawks scored twice on defense and was able to play from the lead in the second half, pounding the ball on the ground and controlling the clock. Take away those three turnovers and the game likely goes down to the wire.

Aaron Roderick’s offenses historically have done a very good job of taking care of the ball, so perhaps last week was an anomaly. The defense was close a couple of time with turnovers.

That just shows you that football truly is a game of inches. Maybe being at home will give the Cougars an inch or two to make some big plays with turnovers.

3. Overall, through all sports, has the Big 12 been about what you expected in terms of competition?

DICKSON: I think the Big 12 has been pretty much what we all thought it would be.

It’s a competitive conference in the fall sports but certainly behind the Pac-12, SEC and Big Ten in football this season.

I really saw a level-up moment when the women’s soccer team moved into league play but not as much in women’s volleyball. Of course, that may change since the Cougars are playing on consecutive nights against defending national champion Texas in Austin this week.

We all knew soccer and volleyball would be able to compete right away and cross country is as good as ever. BYU was right with Kansas last week before the turnovers got away from them and I think we’ll see a similarly close game on Friday against Cincinnati. As the kids say, every week is a grind.

LLOYD: I can’t say there have been any surprises. The Big 12 is a solid league with quite a bit of depth.

I do think it is slightly down from where I expected it to be. I thought teams like Texas volleyball would be at the top of the rankings but it’s still early in the season.

It has been disappointing to see the league miss out on key out-of-conference victories with teams like Baylor and Texas Tech failing to close out winnable games.

But this conference has been unpredictable in football for the last few years and it remains so. Who knows what chaos will be unleashed next weekend?

But that makes it fun too.

4. Now that it’s released in its entirety, what do you think of the BYU men’s basketball schedule for 2023-24?

LLOYD: My impression was that it was probably just about right for the Cougars this year.

This is a BYU team with a lot of question marks going into a league that is established as a great basketball conference where you can’t expect any easy games.

Some years I would say the Cougars need to play a tough preseason to prepare for that type of gauntlet, but not this year. I think BYU needs to develop cohesion and confidence.

There are still some interesting matchups that will show us a glimpse of what this Cougar squad is capable of, but mostly that will be highlighted when Big 12 play gets underway.

DICKSON: The preseason schedule is certainly way different than it’s been in the past. BYU only leaves the state of Utah once (for a two-game set in Las Vegas) and plays 10 home games (including an exhibition).

The reasons for this kind of schedule is obvious. The Big 12 will provide all the tough games and opportunities for Quad 1 and 2 wins the Cougars will need.

While the preseason will likely be pretty successful, it’s not going to test BYU in the same way it’s been tested in previous years. I’m looking forward to the San Diego State and Utah games as well as welcoming Wyoming into the Marriott Center

5. What’s the been the secret sauce for the BYU women’s volleyball team, currently ranked No. 9 in the country?

DICKSON: It’s probably not much of a secret, but both Shawn and Heather Olmstead have done a really great job identifying talent and developing that talent.

The Cougars have gotten a few top 10 recruiting classes but think about some of the recent All-Americans that have come out the program: Roni Jones-Perry, Whitney Howard Young, Lyndie Haddock-Eppich, Heather Gneiting and Erin Livingston, for instance. None of those players were five-star recruits but really good players that were developed in the BYU program.

The training that gets done in the Smith Fieldhouse on a daily basis is top-of-the-line and we see the results every season when BYU is competing at such a high level.

LLOYD: Darnell’s point is spot on and highlights something I appreciate about most of the Cougar programs. I think athletes (and their families) deserve to be confident their coaches are going to work with them to reach their potential, not just go chasing shiny transfer-portal possibilities.

I also think this particular BYU team has shown resiliency and maturity. They have had stretches where things haven’t gone their way and even a loss, but I like how they’ve bounced back.

There are plenty of tough matchups in the weeks to come but volleyball is all about the next point. If the Cougars stay focused, they’ll give themselves a chance in every contest.