PROVO — Football is still four months away, so for now the only thing fans can do is dream about the possibilities for their respective teams. Here is a game-by-game breakdown of how I see 2015 playing out for the Cougars.

At Nebraska

The Cornhuskers enter their season opener with questions abounding. With a new coach and system in place, Nebraska is a bit of a wildcard, and nobody is certain about what to expect from the team. In order to be successful, the Cornhuskers will need to find someone to step into running back Ameer Abdullah’s shoes after his outstanding senior season. Nebraska will also need to tighten up a suspect defense that gave up an average of over 26 points a game last season. But, the Cornhuskers have one of the best home-field advantages in the nation at Memorial Stadium. The crowd will make the difference in this game as the Cougars lose a close one.

Nebraska 35, BYU 28

Vs. Boise State

The Broncos gave the Cougars a good old-fashioned shellacking in Boise, Idaho, last year. The Broncos won the game, 55-30, and BYU was lucky that it was even that close. Similarly to Nebraska, Boise State is losing a beast at the running back position as Jay Ajayi is now earning a paycheck from the Miami Dolphins. BYU will come out looking to avenge its embarrassing loss and will do so.

BYU 35, Boise State 21

At UCLA

The Bruins are coming off a terrific year in which they won 10 games, including four wins against top 25 teams, and finished the season ranked 10th in both major polls. One of the strengths of that team is gone in quarterback Brett Hundley, who left school early to pursue a career in the NFL. However, UCLA is returning stud running back Paul Perkins, who rushed for 1,573 yards last season. The Cougars will lose another heartbreaker.

UCLA 28, BYU 24

At Michigan

To say the Wolverines were not a very good team last year would be an understatement. Michigan struggled to a 5-7 record last year, and the Wolverines were downright awful on offense. The team was 112th in points per game as it was anemic in the passing and run game. That was before Jim Harbaugh arrived, however. The former Stanford and 49ers coach will get the Wolverines back into the national conversation eventually, but the Cougars will beat him in Year One.

BYU 35, Michigan 24

Vs. UConn

It was a very long season for the UConn Huskies last year. The team finished 2-10 and only one of those wins was against an FBS school. Even if things dramatically improve for the Huskies, they will be no match for the Cougars in Provo.

BYU 49, UConn 14

Vs. ECU

Over the last decade or so, ECU has been one of the best group of five schools in the nation. Last season, the Pirates beat two ACC teams and narrowly lost two games against SEC opponents. A major reason for the strong 2014 campaign was its explosive offense that averaged just under 36 points a game. However, standouts Shane Carden (quarterback) and Justin Hardy (wide receiver) have used up their eligibility. BYU gets a nice win over my alma mater.

Related:

What does BYU football need to do in 2015 to appease fans?

From 2006-09, BYU football was one of the most successful college football teams in the nation. The team won at least 10 games and was ranked in the final polls each season during this span. From 2010-14 it has been a different story, however. (KSL Photo

BYU 42, ECU 28

Vs. Cincinnati

Similarly to ECU, Cincinnati has been another mid-major team that has been successful. The Bearcats had a strong 2014 season as they finished 9-4. The squad returns the aptly named Gunner Kiel at quarterback after he threw for 3,254 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. Another reason this matchup is intriguing is because the Bearcats have been brought up in the discussion of Big 12 expansion. The Cougars will want to prove that they are the best team for inclusion in the Big 12 and will win comfortably.

BYU 35, Cincinnati 21

Vs. Wagner

There’s not much to predict about this game except how many minutes the starters will play. Younger players and role players will get their chances to shine as the Cougars dominate from start to finish.

BYU 70, Wagner 0

At San Jose State

Simply put, the Spartans were a bad team last year. The team finished 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Mountain West Conference. The problems were on both sides of the ball, as the team averaged only 19.3 points a game on offense and gave up a whopping 29.4 points a game on defense. BYU wins big and heals some of the wounds that were felt by Cougar fans after BYU lost to the Spartans in a heartbreaking fashion in 2012.

BYU 49, SJSU 14

Vs. Missouri (neutral site)

Missouri has been a surprising team since it moved over to the SEC. After struggling for years in the Big 12, the Tigers have reeled off two straight impressive seasons in which they won at least 11 games. This game will be a great test for the Cougars, who will be rolling by this point in the season after struggling through a brutal September schedule. BYU will continue its winning ways and get a terrific win over a tough SEC opponent.

BYU 21, Missouri 14

Vs. Fresno State

The Bulldogs struggled a bit last year after a terrific 2013 campaign in which they won 11 games. Still, the team did enough to make a bowl game and figure to be looking to do so again. A win against the Bulldogs will help keep BYU’s momentum rolling as they finish up the season.

BYU 42, Fresno State 14

At Utah State

For a long period of time, particularly in the LaVell Edwards era, the Aggies were an easy win each season for the Cougars. While Bronco Mendenhall also has a good record against Utah State, the games have been increasingly more competitive, and the Aggies have managed to take two of the last five meetings. Last season, the Aggies shattered BYU’s hopes for an undefeated season after Taysom Hill went down with a major injury. Utah State is no longer BYU’s little brother and needs to be taken seriously. BYU will come out looking for payback against the Aggies and win an emotional, physical game.

BYU 35, USU 21

According to my predictions, the Cougars will finish 10-2 and end the season on a nine-game winning streak going into a bowl game. While this won’t be enough to get into the College Football Playoff, it will still warrant a top 20 ranking and keep the Cougars relevant.

Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via twitter @DylanCannon11. Listen to his weekly podcast, "Cougar Talk," on iTunes.

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