BYU's offensive line is brewing something special this season, and offensive line coach TJ Woods isn't shy about it. The trenches are where games are won, and with a veteran group returning, the Cougars are poised to dominate upfront.

Woods still vividly recalls the moment his big boys fully committed to freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. It was a gritty goal-line stand against Stanford—second-and-goal from the 3-yard line. The play broke down, the backside linebacker was free, and Bachmeier simply lowered his shoulder and ran him over for a touchdown.

"If you're the left guard, how do you not just absolutely fall in love with that?" Woods said. "That's your quarterback!"

That physical mentality has become the identity of this offensive line. Bachmeier, who arrived from another program just months earlier, has earned every bit of their loyalty. "Any offensive lineman that has a quarterback excited about running the football—he automatically becomes one of the guys," Woods added. "They take it personal when people hit him."

The line also paved the way for running back LJ Martin, who earned Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year honors. Having Martin back for the fall is like an early Christmas gift for the big men up front. "It gives them a bunch of confidence. We know what he can do—as long as we let him do it," Woods said. "There's a level of expectation now. We know what happens when we give him a chance."

Summer workouts are in full swing, and Woods is molding a formidable front: 6-foot-8, 315-pound Andrew Gentry, 6-4, 304-pound Bruce Mitchell, 6-4, 310-pound Kyle Sfarcioc, 6-4, 315-pound Sonny Makasini, and more. His mantra for the unit? "Smart, tough, and together."

"Physicality requires a mentality," Woods said. "Mentality can't be taught—it has to be lived."

For BYU, the road to success runs straight through the trenches. And with this crew, the Cougars are ready to pave it.