2009 BYU Football Predictions

The BYU Cougars finished 10-3 last year, but they were clearly overmatched by the likes of TCU and Utah within their conference. They lost to the Horned Frogs by 25 and the Utes by 24. The Cougars were dealt a brutal September schedule, with showdowns against Oklahoma and Florida State. This compiles, by far, the toughest non-conference schedule of any MWC team. If the Cougars can get back on track after likely going 0-2 in those contests, they can contend for the MWC title. They’ll be happy with going anywhere other than a fifth straight Las Vegas Bowl come season’s end. NCAA football lines show the Cougars listed at +20000 to win the 2010 BCS National Championship.

Offense: Even with a horrific performance at Utah in which Max Hall threw five interceptions, the star QB for BYU still finished in the top 11 nationally in most passing categories. His 35 touchdown passes set a league record as well. He’s projected as the best QB in the MWC entering his senior season, and he’ll have a healthy Harvey Unga in the backfield to take some of the pressure away from him. Injuries last year didn’t stop Unga from his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, and he has some depth behind him to ease the load this year. All-America candidate in tight end Dennis Pitta will be Hall’s favorite target again after catching 83 balls for 1,083 yards last season. Senior tight end Andrew George is the better blocker and he’ll be in on double-tight formations.

Though most of the weapons return on offense in 2009, the Cougars did lose wide receiver Austin Collie, who led the nation with 1,538 receiving yards and set a BYU career receiving record with a year of eligibility left. But he’s gone to the NFL, and McKay Jacobson is the likely candidate to take his place. He showed great potential in ‘06 before leaving on his church mission. Bronco Mendenhall has complete confidence that Jacobson will return from his mission ready to go. That leaves the offensive line, which lost four starters and is in need of rebuilding. Three sophomores are projected to start this season, so there likely will be some growing pains.