BYU football: Foes' offenses share roots

Dykes said much of what he does is the same as what was done at Texas Tech, only with different personnel groups. Instead of keeping the offense at a fast pace like at Tech, he's slowed it down to help protect the defense. Dykes coached with Leach at Kentucky under then-head coach Hal Mumme.

"Hal got his five-step passing game from BYU and the Gifford Nielsen-type attack. Mike came along and opened it up a bit more," said Dykes.

BYU is more split-back and Arizona likes to get in the I-formation and move their backs around a little bit.

"We have a little bit different run game but a lot of the drop-back passes are the same and are called the same. Our players could probably look at their playbook and be able to run a certain amount of the plays," Dykes said.

Dykes coached with Anae for about five years at Tech. What's the thing he remembers most about the BYU coordinator?

"He is very smart," Dykes said. "What's good about Robert is he's a very bright guy and he's able to adjust very well. That's what we were most impressed about Robert at Texas Tech when he went to BYU is how well he adjusted to his personnel.

"I think that's what coaching is all about is figuring out what you have, evaluating who your players are and what they can do and what they can't do."

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