Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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SALT LAKE CITY — Believe it or not, but in less than four days college football will be back. One of the first games of the 2013 season will be held just up the hill in Rice-Eccles, while the Cougars get underway Saturday at Virginia.
Sit back as we break down the Cougars, Utes, Aggies, Wildcats and Thunderbirds as we rev up for what should be another great college football season.
BYU Cougars
2012 record: 8-5
Returning starters: 14 (8 offense, 6 defense) BYU is coming off an 8-5 season that includes a Poinsettia Bowl win over San Diego State. In 2013, the Cougars return 14 starters — six on what is always a stellar defense. How will BYU fare with what is being called the toughest schedule in school history?
Utah Utes
2012 record: 5-7
Returning starters: 12 (6 offense, 6 defense) How in the world do you replace a guy like Star Lotulelei? The Utes return just six starters each on both sides of the ball from a disappointing 2012 campaign in which the Utes won just five games. But the Utes do have a returning quarterback in Travis Wilson — can he become the first Ute QB since 2008 to start and finish a season?
Utah State Aggies
2012 record: 11-2
Returning starters: 14 (7 offense, 7 defense) Little brother, no more. Utah State is coming off its best season, 11-2 with a Potato Bowl win over Toledo. Sure, Gary Andersen left for Wisconsin, but first year head coach Matt Wells has quarterback Chuckie Keeton and most of last year's defensive studs at his disposal as the Aggies move from the WAC to the Mountain West Conference.
