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Season Preview: BYU looking for conference three-peat
BYU Football News

Coach Borland has had two wildly different seasons in terms of record so far at his tenure at BYU, but one thing has remained constant: the Cougars are 2-time conference champions. Despite an 8-5 overall record and a disappointing loss to Arizona State in the Las Vegas Bowl, BYU still have 2 straight Mountain West titles in their hands and are looking to complete the trio this season.

It will be a different team compared to last season due to the experience factor, which plays heavily in BYU's favor. Last season, the Cougars returned only 7 total starters from their 13-0 season and limped to an 0-3 start to begin the year. BYU did eventually turn it around to have a great year, but this season should avoid those early season hiccups. The Cougars are going to return 15 of 22 starters this season, including Davey O'Brien Award winner and 1st Team All-American QB senior Will Dunn.

Dunn threw for 3952 yards and 40 TDs while rushing for 629 and 9 TD to lead the nation's #1 offense. Dunn returns with almost all of his skill players and most of his offensive line this season, meaning all signs are pointing to another conference title.

Sophomore RB Tim Brewer (837 yards rushing, 13 total TD in only 5 games), senior WR Bryan Williams (1301 yards receiving, 6 TD), sophomore WR Ross Hill (2000+ all-purpose yards, 19 total TD) and others return to help boost the explosive BYU offense.

The defense also has a ton of experience returning but the talent is still lacking in some area. BYU will return 7 starters on defense, where they finished 99th in the nation last season. The Cougars are looking to improve dramatically on that mark and help out the offense in anyway. BYU will have to replace important spots at corner and MLB, but the rest of the defense looks solid.

Let's take a look at the Year 7 Cougars.

OFFENSE (Returning Starters = 8)

Quarterbacks (Grade = B-)

QB Will Dunn returns for his senior year after being named the nation's top QB last season. The dual-threat signal-caller will be looking to be more efficient and careful with the ball (20 interceptions last year), but he is a strong talent that should improve on the great numbers he had last year. BYU lost two QBs to graduation, but they return the other youngsters. Sophomore John Crews will be the #2 man, while freshmen Trey Henderson and Clint Rodgers will battle for the #3 spot.

Tailbacks (Grade = B-)

Sophomore Tim Brewer returns to his starting spot and is looking to stay healthy this season. Brewer got off to a hot start but tore a shoulder muscle in his 5th game and missed the remainder of the regular season. In his place, senior Scott Taylor totaled 336 yards and will provide backup again. Juniors Jamaal Mackey and Chris Sledge and freshman speedster Derrick Horne will backup.

Fullbacks (Grade = B+)

Junior Jermaine Hunter makes his way back to the bruising fullback spot. Hunter didn't get many opportunities to touch the ball (13 yards on 5 carries) last season as he did as a freshman, but he was great in the blocking scheme for BYU. He will look to open holes again for Brewer and Dunn. Freshman athlete Beau Allen will backup Hunter.

Wide Receivers (Grade = B-)

The BYU receiving corps only lost one guy due to graduation but return the rest. The group is led by 2nd Team All-MWC selection senior Bryan Williams and 2nd Team All-American sophomore Ross Hill. Williams had a semi-quiet year but still finished near the top of the nation with 1301 yards and scored 6 TDs. Hill was an all-around threat for the Cougars, totaling over 2000 all-purpose yards and scoring 19 total TDs. As a receiver, Hill almost reached the 1000-yard mark (926) and caught 15 TDs. Returning to fill in for the departed Reggie Allen will be sophomore Travis McCullar. McCullar also played a good role in the BYU passing game, totaling 461 yards and 2 TDs last year. Filling out the rest of the depth chart is sophomore Obadiah Williams (13 yards last year), freshman Kevin McCormick and sophomore Willie Williams. Highly-touted recruit Tim Davis and fellow Utah-born recruit Corey Holloway will redshirt this season.

Tight Ends (Grade = B-)

BYU will return every tight end this season, including 1st Team All-MWC selection senior Cody Atkinson. Atkinson caught 25 passes and finished 2nd on the team with 8 TD catches. Backing him up will be sophomores Dan Hamilton (67 yards, 1 TD), Richard Meyer, Zach Houston and freshman Chase Clement.

Tackles (Grade = C+)

The Cougars lost 1st Team All-MWC pick Anthony Koger to graduation, but they return one and still have some young talent coming back. Senior Travis Jones returns and will be joined on the other side by sophomore Brandon Phillips. Freshman Jordan Gates and senior Mark Martin will backup, while incoming freshmen Aaron Martinez and Steve Jean will sit out a season.

Guards (Grade = C+)

Graduating offensive captain Cory Ruffin is gone, but BYU returns everyone else at the guard spot. Sophomore Kyle Coley earns the starting job after almost winning it last season, and senior James Boyd returns to his job as well. Juniors Steven Silva and Tim Rawlins will backup, while incoming recruits Michael Williams and Jason Wilson will redshirt.

Centers (Grade = B-)

Sophomore Erick Lacey made big strides over the course of the year in captaining the offensive line, but his offseason improvement was remarkable. Lacey missed last year's bowl game due to injury and it showed, as Arizona State pressured Dunn all game. Lacey returns healthy and ready to rock the offensive interior. Junior Tim Rucker will backup.

DEFENSE (Returning Starters = 7)

Defensive Ends (Grade = B-)

It should be a good year for the BYU defensive line, as all 4 starters return. That includes the defensive ends, where sophomore Terrell Porter and junior Chad Mosley reclaim their starting spots. Porter had an impressive freshman year, tallying 16 tackles for a loss and 9 sacks, but he is expected to take a big leap this season. Mosley (17 tackles, 4 sacks) needs to take a big step as well to help take the pressure off of BYU's shaky secondary. Junior Jeremy Matthews, freshman Leigh Wilson and sophomore Danny Callahan also return to provide depth.

Defensive Tackles (Grade = B)

Two senior defensive tackles will mann the defensive interior for BYU. Returnng defensive captain Keith Castorani and Brendan Pierre will try to plug up the gaps this season as BYU looks to improve on defense. Castorani had arguably a better year last year (30 tackles, 10 for a loss, 5 sacks) than when he did the year before when he was named to the 1st Team All-MWC squad, but he is expected to play well enough to earn a nomination this season. Sophomore Adam Daugherty (1 sack) and junior Victor Hale will backup.

Outside Linebackers (Grade = B-)

BYU lost two OLBs to graduation but return one starter and bring in two talented freshmen. Senior John Richardson returns this year after recording 11 tackles, 2 interceptions and a TD last year. The other OLB spot is taken up by a MLB, but junior James Fletcher returns at the #2 man. Freshmen George Parham and Steve Keller also fill the roster, but Keller will redshirt.

Middle Linebackers (Grade = B-)

BYU's leading tackler in MLB Garrett Cooper graduated this spring, but he will be replaced by a very talented freshman. Ryan Prater wowed the BYU coaches this fall and has earned the starting job over the other returners. Sophomore Troy Battle shouldn't be discouraged though, as he will start at the other OLB spot. Special teams star senior Jonathan Vinson (33 tackles, 1 forced fumble) returns as well, while freshman Casey Ashley will redshirt.

Cornerbacks (Grade = C+)

It will be an interesting year at the corner position for BYU after a rough season last year. Junior Ed Holiday opted to enter the NFL draft, leaving BYU without their top returning corner. That leaves the corner duties in the hands of a few guys that didn't really show their true abilities last year. Senior Devon Huston returns after earning 2nd Team All-MWC honors last year, but he needs to improve heavily for BYU to succeed. Junior Adrian Martinez (44 tackles, 1 INT) takes over the #2 spot, while junior Markeith Beck (22 tackles, 1 INT) earns the nickel spot. Senior Matt Hester, who earned 1st Team All-MWC honors as a free safety last year, converted into a corner this season to help out and will be BYU's dime back. Junior Kellen Polite will provide depth as well.

Free Safeties (Grade = C+)

With Hester converting to corner, there will be a new FS to start the year. Transfer Ed Butler is clearly the best candidate for the job, but will sit out this season. That leaves the centerfield job to freshman Anthony Brown, who showcased some impressive speed in the preseason. Senior Jaron Sanchez will be the backup again.

Strong Safeties (Grade = C+)

Sophomore David Johnson had a good year last year after a rough start, but didn't earn a All-MWC nomination. Johnson recorded 37 tackles, picked off 5 passes, blocked 3 kicks and returned one of his interceptions for a TD, but fell short of the all-conference squads. Johnson should improve on his numbers this season and leave no doubt in the voters' minds. Backing up Johnson will be junior Tony Roach (11 tackles) and senior Andy Carey (4 tackles).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker (Grade = C-)

Junior Billy Parker takes up the placekicking duties again and will be looking for his 3rd All-American nod in as many season. Parker nailed 13-of-14 field goals and all 64 extra point attempts last year to earn 2nd Team All-American honors. Parker will be looking to reclaim the Lou Groza Award he won as a freshman.

Punter (Grade = C+)

Junior Brian Nicholas returns to do the punting again for BYU. Nicholas produced a 43.0 average on only 12 punts last season.

OVERALL

The expectations for BYU are high once again, as the high amount of returning players should produce an explosive offense and an improved defense. Dunn and his talented group of skill guys should rack up plenty of yards, 1st downs and points, but it will be on the defense's shoulders to limit their opponents' production. Overall, Dunn should be a Heisman and All-American candidate again and if the defense can play tough just for even a little bit, the Cougars will be looking at their 3rd straight conference title.

Predicted Finish: 9-3 overall (7-1 MWC)