60. BYU Cougars |
Independent |
Just getting the program back on solid footing was the goal all along after a disastrous 2017 season that saw BYU post its worst record since 1970, two years before LaVell Edwards took over the program. So in retrospect, I think most Cougar fans would have been on board with a 7-6 season, culminating in a bowl win. But when you pick up September road wins at Arizona and at Wisconsin, and reach #20 in the polls going into a national prime time game at Washington, expectations change. After those two early wins, BYU got to bowl eligibility by beating an FCS team, Hawaii, Massachusetts and New Mexico State, not exactly murderer’s row. Although in fairness, the losses weren’t exactly bad either, Washington, Utah State, Northern Illinois, Boise State and Utah. At least over the less impressive second half of the season, head coach Kalani Sitake turned to youth in the backfield, which should hopefully jump start an offense which has been problematic for a couple of years now. The passing game got a boost when Tanner Mangum was replaced midway through the season by Zach Wilson. Mangum never really lived up to his lofty expectations, set by being a high rated recruit, mixed with early success as a freshman when he was thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries. He battled injuries, inconsistency, and by his own admission, anxiety and depression. The way he took a senior season benching was commendable, and allowed Wilson to succeed. With almost the exact same number of attempts on the season (186 to 182), Wilson was 42 points higher in passer efficiency, nearly 5% higher in completion percentage, threw over twice as many touchdowns, while throwing fewer interceptions, and averaged 2.73 yards more per attempt. He was actually a better runner too, Mangum accounting for negative rushing yards on the season, with a long run of 3 yards, while Wilson had a couple rushing touchdowns, and broke a 36 yarder. But he’s going to need help, and it’s very unclear where that help might possibly come from. Matt Bushman is a proven target at tight end, but the fact that he only caught two touchdown passes, is slightly concerning. An interesting name to keep an eye on is 6’7” freshman Brayden Keim, who originally committed to Weber State, before going on his mission and now walking on at BYU. He is the type of red zone target that Wilson could become friendly with. Because the running back and receiver positions look to be huge, huge problems. At running back, Lopini Katoa took the job last year after the injuries and ineffectiveness of senior Squally Canada. He did average a team high 5.6 ypc, and also led the team with 8 rushing touchdowns, but averaged just 6 carries per game. He was a better weapon catching passes out of the backfield than Canada was, so he does provide that added dimension. BYU returns two of their top three receivers, but when your leader a year ago is a 5’10” player who had 358 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, there is plenty of room for a new name to emerge. Defensively, the line and the secondary should be solid enough, but the linebackers could be a major concern. They have been the strength of that side of the ball the past few years, but only Isaiah Kaufusi returns. Sione Takitaki and Corbin Kaufusi graduate after leading the team in both sacks and tackles for loss, so where the pressure is going to come from remains a mystery. Isaiah Taufusi is a better coverage linebacker than pass rusher. Khyris Tonga, at 340 pounds in the middle, is surprisingly active for his size. The biggest obstacle for BYU is going to be the schedule. The good news for season ticket holders is that you get home dates with some big names, Utah, USC, Washington and Boise State. The bad news is that you play all four during the first 8 weeks, and during those 8 weeks you also play road games at Tennessee, at Toledo, at South Florida and at Utah State. That has to be the most difficult 8 games to start the season of anyone in the nation. Even finding a way to win 2 of those leaves zero room for error during an easier November that still includes a trip to Boise State.
| KEY PLAYERS |
QB | Zach Wilson, Sophomore |
RB | Lopini Katoa, Sophomore |
TE | Matt Bushman, Junior |
| . |
DT | Khyris Tonga, Junior |
LB | Isaiah Kaufusi, Junior |
S | Austin Lee, Senior |