BYU’s offense was among the worst in college football in 2017. Now it ranks among the best, and is a big reason why the Cougars are undefeated and ranked No. 8 in the country in both major polls.

For Outland Trophy candidate Brady Christensen, confirmation that the BYU football program was on the track back to respectability, at least offensively, came two years ago on a sunny Saturday in Madison, Wisconsin.

The date was Sept. 15, 2018, and unheralded BYU — less than a year removed from its worst season in nearly 50 years and the painful firing of popular Cougars legend Ty Detmer as offensive coordinator — had just stunned No. 6 Wisconsin 24-21 in front of 80,720 fans at Camp Randall Stadium.

Veterans such as Tanner Mangum, Aleva Hifo, Dylan Collie, Moroni Laulu-Pututau and Squally Canada threw and caught the passes and ran for the yards and touchdowns, but it was a young offensive line that did the heavy lifting: freshmen Keanu Saleapaga, James Empey and Christensen, and sophomores Tristen Hoge and Chandon Herring.