Suggested Team Slogan: Brigham Some Cornerbacks

What was learned in 2007 Max Hall is capable of becoming the next great BYU QB, at the very least, he's the man than can bring a BCS bowl berth to Provo. As a sophomore, his first year starting last season, Hall threw 28 touchdown passes to just 12 interceptions, highlighted by a 537 yards performance in a loss to Tulsa.

Expectations in '08 This not what Cougars fans want to hear, but I believe above all else, you can expect Bronco Mendenhall to get a new job next season. But that's not bad news, it's because the season went to so well. For a team that returns 4 of 5 starting offensive lineman, starting quarterback, running back and two wide receivers, a MWC Title and BCS berth is the expectation. The schedule sets up enough challenges that BYU could even slip up just once to UCLA and possibly sneak in the back door of the Championship Series. That said, an undefeated season in not out of question. Why's that...

Big Men on Campus Literally, it's LT Dallas Reynolds, LG Ray Feinga and RT Travis Bright. All massive, and well over 300 lbs of blocking muscle. But they're also the BMOC's because their domination will go a long way to the Cougars attaining that BCS berth. Reynolds and Feinga are All-American worthy. On the defensive side of the football, Jan Jorgensen is every bit as fierce as his strongest man on the planet type name suggests. He was 5th nationally last year with 14 sacks, and should repeat that total again this fall.

What will keep the Cougars from fulfilling expectations Offense is not an issue. Points will be scored in Provo... on the field at least, probably not in the dorms. ZING! Defense will be, where Coach Mendenhall needs to find two new cornerbacks and all four linebacking position, although one is likely already set. The rest will be inexperienced players. BYU was still solid against the pass last year, allowing just 210 per game, but the front seven was so nasty that quarterbacks never had much time to pick apart the secondary. It will be different this year. Max Hall and the offense will score early and often, which should be sufficient to win MWC games, but if they want that BCS berth, they can't slip against Washington (road) and UCLA.

Cheerleader Grade: Am I even allowed to discuss the cheerleaders at Brigham Young University? I mean, aren't they all married?



But that's not fun, so let's do it anyways.

 



Sufficient talent to distract all oppenents. A very respectful B+

EA NCAA Football '09 Sim: 8-5 (5-3 conf) with a loss to Stanford 42-28 in the Armed Forces Bowl.

All-MWC 1st team members: QB Max Hall, WR Austin Collie, DT Tevita Hola, LOLB Grant Nelson,
All-MWC 2nd team members: LE Ian Dulan, MLB Shawn Doman, K Mitch Payne, P CJ Santiago

Max Hall: 318-446 for 3843 yards 36 TD's 12 INT's
Harvey Unga: 132 carries for 789 yards, 7 TD's
Austin Collie: 94 catches for 1006 yards 9 TD's
Grant Nelson: 68 tackles 21 TFL 6 Sacks 1 INT
Shawn Doman: 61 tackles 14 TFL 2 Sacks 3 INT's
Mitch Payne: 18-22 with a long of 51 yards

Schedule and Predictions

    Aug. 30     Northern Iowa W
    Sept. 6     at Washington L
    Sept. 13     UCLA W
    Sept. 20     Wyoming W
    Oct. 3     at Utah State W
    Oct. 11     New Mexico W
    Oct. 16     at TCU W
    Oct. 25     UNLV W
    Nov. 1     at Colorado State W 
    Nov. 8     San Diego State W
    Nov. 15     at Air Force W
    Nov. 22     at Utah L
Victory, but a disappointing one at that, in the Las Vegas Bowl as MVC Champs.

Your predictions?