Regardless of labels, this group is the best BYU has fielded since 2001, the protectors and blockers of Brandon Doman and Luke Staley. They've got depth, they are big, motivated, confident and genuinely like one another. They certainly have shown chemistry. And with the exception of Sanders, tackle Eddie Keele (senior) and Brown (mission bound), if center Lance Reynolds is granted a medical hardship year — they all return next season.

Added to that group will be redshirt Travis Bright — perhaps the best athlete on the line — and JC redshirt transfer Sete Aulai — who some on staff argue is so aggressive he ought to be moved to the defensive line.

Grimes said he uses a three-man rotation at guard, with Sanders switching from left to right guard as he filters in freshmen Dallas Reynolds and Brown. He then rotates Ray Fienga in at right and left tackle for Keele or Kuresa. "What it does is give them a chance to be fresh, play harder and get experience in case of injury," Grimes said.

This last game, said Grimes, was the best performance by the line since he's come to BYU. "As far as mind-set, toughness, effort, that was their best. They are getting close to where I want them to be. They still have work to do on technique proficiency in terms of footwork, steps, angle departure on a screen, hand placement — itty bitty things."

Grimes said at this stage of the season, it's important to challenge players to keep improving because there's a tendency to level off, just kind of sustain and not keep it going. "If you do, you gain a great advantage on your opponents."

The Notre Dame game helped Grimes get his point across. It provided a measurement, telling players they were not where they needed to be to compete at a high level. Perhaps that helped the explosion against an undermanned AFA team — although the unit did the same against Colorado State two weeks previous.

Anae, who coached the offensive line at Texas Tech, said the mark of good pass blocker is the ability to square up shoulders and keep pass rushers in front of the quarterback while being able to stay on the same plane with a teammate to pick up twists and protect the QB. Anae said BYU is very sound in that regard.

"I'll tell you what: We're pretty good there, pretty darn good there." Anae said. "It takes some talent to run the ball and make guys miss, but the first seven guys you have to block and the next guy you make miss. It all starts with those up front."

Ask Curtis Brown, a 219-yard rusher last week, about the Cougar hogs and he gets on a soap box. "I don't know of a nickname good enough to suit them. I don't know, I haven't even thought about it."