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PROVO — Last week, I went out on a limb and made some predictions for every BYU football game this season. In my article, I pegged the Cougars to have a 10-2 record going into a bowl game. The article sparked a flurry of emails from fans who told me in no uncertain terms that I am delusional.
In response, here are four reasons why I believe BYU will win 10 games this season.
1. Taysom Hill
Since the beginning of the LaVell Edwards era, a senior quarterback with real game experience has usually equated to good things for the Cougars. In 1979, BYU finished 11-1 and ranked 13th in the nation in Marc Wilson’s senior season. In 1981, the Cougars went 11-2 and ranked 13th in the land in Jim McMahon’s final campaign.
In 1983, BYU finished the season ranked seventh in all of college football in Steve Young’s last year. In 1985, the Cougs went 11-3 and finished 16th in the nation behind national championship winner Robbie Bosco. In 1991, the Ty Detmer led Cougars finished 8-3-2 and finished 23rd in the nation.
In 1996, Steve Sarkisian led the boys in royal blue to a 14-1 record and ranked fifth in the country. In 2006, the Cougs rode John Beck to an 11-2 record which was good for 16th place in the nation.
Finally, in 2009, Max Hall guided the Y to an 11-2 record and the 12th overall ranking.
Hill is entering this season as a senior with starting experience in three seasons. If history repeats itself, the Cougars are in line for a terrific season.
2. The defense will be better
BYU’s defense last season was atrocious. The team gave up a whopping 28.5 points per game, which was a full touchdown more than it allowed the previous season. In the bowl game, the Cougars scored 48 points and still managed to lose. Fair or not, much of the blame has been laid at the feet of defensive coordinator Nick Howell. This year, head coach Bronco Mendenhall has again taken the reigns of defensive play-calling and will be much more actively involved on that side of the ball. That can only spell good things for the Cougars. Mendenhall has shown he is a bona fide wizard when it comes to coaching defense, so look for BYU to return to previous years’ quality of defense this season.
3. The big name teams may not be that great
In years past, Nebraska and Michigan were very intimidating teams who dominated their competition. However, both programs have lost some of that luster. The Cornhuskers just fired their head coach Bo Pelini, who had guided the team to good but not great seasons while at the helm. The new coach in town is Mike Riley, and he is installing a new offense and defense. While Riley might restore the program to former glory eventually, the Cougars might be playing the Cornhuskers at the right time. Similarly, Michigan fired its coach, Brady Hoke, after a losing season last year. Jim Harbaugh is sure to change the culture in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but an experienced Cougar team may have the upper hand against a team coming off a poor season.
4. The Cougars are loaded on offense
As I already discussed, the Cougars are returning a dynamic player with three years of experience at the quarterback position in Hill. Prior to his injury, Hill had accounted for 15 touchdowns in 4 1/2 games in 2014. This year, he will not need to carry the load all by himself as the wide receiver position is arguably the deepest and most talented group in the Mendenhall era. Throw in a stud running back in Jamaal Williams and the Y has a chance to be a team that puts up 40 points a game. 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.
