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SALT LAKE CITY — BYU, Utah and Utah State face difficult challenges this season, as all have tough schedules. They also have something else in common: Respect will only come through beating at least one of the several marquee teams that dot the schedules.
Here they are, predictions for the in-state football teams. But buyer beware: Don’t mortgage the house payment on any of them.
BYU
Part of the schedule mirrors last season’s, with several gimmes. But the success of the season will be determined by the results of the high-profile games.
The guarantees should come against Middle Tennessee State, Georgia Tech, Houston, Idaho State and Nevada. There’s a strong temptation to include Virginia on this list, but the possibility of first-game jitters makes caution necessary.
The Cougars need to beat a nationally respected team, something they haven’t done since 2009. Four years ago BYU went 11-2 and beat three ranked teams (Oklahoma, Utah and Oregon State). Since then, the Cougars have feasted on a host of creampuffs.
There’s no way all of the other six teams on this year’s schedule will be ranked. But a win over Texas, Utah, Utah State, Boise State, Wisconsin or Notre Dame will be better than anything in recent seasons.
With both games at home, BYU has got to find a way to finally beat Boise State and end the three-game losing streak to the Utes. If not this season, then when?
Expect BYU’s offense to start slow before picking up steam when the leaves begin to change. With an unproven quarterback and offensive line, the defense will need to play well in September. An entirely new offensive coaching staff, including three new to Division I coaching, also will require an adjustment period.
With this schedule, a nine-win season should be considered excellent. This likely means BYU has to beat three teams from the tougher six-game portion.
Given the lack of big wins recently, it’s hard to predict BYU to get three of them in a single season. The pick is 8-4.
Utah
This is the hardest team to figure out. The Utes could go 8-4, provided everything falls into place, or finish 4-8. Most likely, it will fall somewhere in between.
Much like the Cougars, Utah has lacked a marquee win in recent seasons. In the good news/bad news department, the Utes have never had a better opportunity to break through in the Pac-12.
The point is, this team faces the toughest schedule in Utah history. With BYU and Utah State in the first month, combined with a challenging Pac-12 slate, the Utes have the most difficult schedule in the history of the state.
The aforementioned situation doesn’t exactly inspire confidence for a program that is coming off a 5-7 season and failed to reach a bowl for the first time in the Kyle Whittingham era. But this team shouldn’t be any worse than last season, meaning the starting point is 5-7.
If the minimum goal is 6-6, it figures the Utes will have to beat Utah State, Weber State and projected Pac-12 cellar-dwellers Washington State and Colorado. The most likely other two victims should come from BYU and home games against Oregon State, UCLA and Arizona State. Utah also should have a chance at Arizona.
It’s no secret to say Utah’s offense was horrible last season. Better quarterback play from a more experienced Travis Wilson and the addition of veteran coordinator Dennis Erickson are expected to make a considerable difference. If Wilson and the offense come through, last season’s losing record will be a one-year blip.
In almost every season in the Pac-12, there are two teams that end up being surprises. Last season it was Oregon State and Arizona State. It could be the Utes this season. The optimistic pick is 7-5.
Utah State
Coming off an 11-2 season and a No. 16 national ranking, the Aggies realistically have nowhere to go but down. But they will hear none of it.
Two significant parts missing from last season are Gary Andersen and Kerwyn Williams. Matt Wells and Joe Hill are prepared to replace the coach and running back, respectively.
The offense shouldn’t miss a beat. Quarterback Chuckie Keeton and all five returning offensive linemen will be even better than last season.
Like BYU and Utah, the Aggies face a difficult slate of opponents, including both in-state rivals, USC and Boise State. Utah State should blow through the likes of UNLV, Wyoming, Colorado State and New Mexico but will need to beat at least one of the big boys to gain credibility.
The pick is 8-4.
