25 days to Camp Rantoul
No. 25: BYU
Why I like the Cougars: Quarterback Max Hall returns after throwing for 3,957 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2008. He had just 14 interceptions. Running back Harvey Unga gained 1,132 yards last season and scored 11 touchdowns. He should take some of the pressure off of Hall. Defensive end Jan Jorgensen is back to add to his Mountain West record sack total (24 and counting). Bronco Mendenhall has sustained the success of the football program with a 38-13 record in four seasons. All of the difficult Mountain West games (Utah, Air Force, TCU) are at home.
Why I don't: BYU finished the 2008 season in a bad way, losing to Utah (no disgrace there), then losing to Arizona in the Las Vegas Bowl (what?) The offensive line was wiped out by graduation, with only one starter returning. And one of the best receivers in school history, Austin Collie, decided to leave early for the NFL after a 1,538-yard season. The opener is a nasty one against Oklahoma at the new Cowboys stadium (who made that deal?) Desperate Florida State visits Provo in the third week.
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