PROVO — During BYU Football Media Day last month head coach Bronco Mendenhall was asked what a special season would look like. He said he expects his team to have a double-digit win season and a top-25 finish: "Anything above that becomes special."

During Mendenhall's tenure, BYU hasn't had an undefeated or single loss season. Unfortunately for him, pursuing that special season has been like Ahab chasing the white whale.

Of course for BYU, everything starts Aug. 29 against the UConn Huskies, but BYU is heavily favored to win the game, even more so than they were expected to beat the University of Virginia at the beginning of last season.

The first challenge of the season for the Cougars comes in Week 2 at Texas.

BYU is 3-1 all-time against the Longhorns with their only loss coming in Austin, Texas, three years ago, when the Cougars gave up the lead and lost a heartbreaker, 17-16. Last season the Cougars shocked the Longhorns with 550 rushing yards and a 40-21 beat down.

So if the Cougars are to have a special season, as defined by Mendenhall, then the Longhorns are the fulcrum on which the season rests. Despite having a new head coach in Charlie Strong and being in a rebuilding period, the Texas game in Austin is the biggest game on the Cougars' schedule this season. Winning at Texas is important and could make or break the special season, for several reasons.

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After a season characterized by narrow defeats, BYU football is preparing for what appears to be a more manageable schedule in its fourth season competing as an NCAA Division I independent.

First, how the Cougars acquit themselves at Texas will set the tone for the rest of the season. Heading into fall camp the Cougars return eight starters on offense and six on defense. These players have a year's worth of experience in offensive coordinator Robert Anae's go-fast, go-hard offense and that should be reflective in their play on the field. If the Cougars beat the Longhorns then they will carry that momentum on to the University of Houston game, a Thursday night game just a mere five days later. A loss to Texas will make a special season, per Mendenhall, all the more difficult to achieve as they will have no margin for error the rest of the season and will have to win out the remaining ten games.

Second, by beating Texas, BYU will begin to get national attention. Yes, last year was a down season for Texas. Yes, Strong has dismissed six players and as many as five more could possibly be dismissed before the season starts. Yes, Texas has a new coaching staff, and that always has a few hiccups at the outset. However, the University of Texas football program has built the most valuable brand in all of college football by $20 million. That kind of brand recognition comes with national respect, even in a down year. If the Cougars beat the Longhorns people will start talking about BYU a little more around the country.

Third, BYU needs to stay healthy. Most players will tell you that once the season starts they are not 100 percent healthy until after the season and they have had enough time to recover. Because of the short turnaround from the Texas game to the Houston game it is important that the Cougars leave Austin and return home to host Houston with their key players in relatively good health because they will have two fewer days to rest and repair than normal. This sets the stage for the rest of the season as the Cougars will have short preparation weeks three more times this season: before playing Utah State, Central Florida and Boise State University.

A special season has eluded BYU since 1996. Playing at Texas will be a litmus test for the Cougars. If they play well enough to win and are able to remain healthy, then the Cougars will have the biggest game of the season behind them after Week 2. They will have momentum to carry on to a three-game home stretch that puts them in a good position to get into October undefeated. Things will start to look special for the Cougars if they can get into October undefeated, something the Cougars have not accomplished since 2001.

Paul Greenhalgh graduated from Weber State University with a bachelor's degree in history. He now teaches high school history and writes for Vanquishthefoe.com.

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