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It used to be that MWC coaches would stand on the preseason podium at Media Days and say how tough it is to go through a league schedule undefeated.
Well, they aren't saying that as much these days; the league champ has had an unblemished conference record for the last six years running. Utah got the ball rolling in 2004 by going 7-0 in MWC play, with TCU going 8-0 in 2005. BYU then went 8-0 in 2006 and 2007, with Utah and TCU going 8-0 in 2008 and 2009, respectively.
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It's appropriate the BYU bring safety Andrew Rich and offensive lineman Matt Reynolds to Media Days here in Las Vegas. Not only are they two of BYU's brightest players, but they represent the two most experienced units on this year's Cougar squad.
Rich is one of three returning starters in the defensive secondary, while Reynolds is part of an O-line returning four of five starters.
Rich is a returning all-conference pick at Kat safety, but the safety spots will feature position battles to watch when camp gets underway a week from Saturday. At Kat, the pre-camp depth chart would have Jray Galea'i backing up Rich, with Steven Thomas a projected starter at free safety, backed up by Travis Uale.
However, both Rich and Galea'i should be considered as candidates to cross over and play either safety spot; it'll be a scenario I plan to explore with Rich when we talk here in Las Vegas.
On the offensive line, while it's a veteran unit, we could see some players playing places they didn't play last season. The left side of the line is rock-solid with Matt Reynolds and Braden Hansen, but the center and right-side positions could see some fluctuation.
Last year's right guard Terence Brown may end up in a battle with Houston Reynolds to start at center, with last year's starting right tackle Nick Alletto likely to see looks at right guard. At right tackle, we could see Braden Brown, who got two starts there last season in place of Alletto.
Either way, an offensive line that struggled with depth last season would appear to have few of those concerns in 2010. Versatile Jason Speredon returns from a season-ending injury, Walter Kahaiali'i is back from a mission, while juniors Ryan Freeman and Marco Thorson are back after both seeing playing time last season.
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Get my Media Days updates before they hit "Cougar Tracks" by following me on Twitter: twitter.com/gregwrubell.
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"TRUE BLUE NEVER FADES. BY FOOTBALL ON KSL."
