BYU Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

PROVO, UT - NOVEMBER 12: Running back KJ Hall #20 of the Brigham Young Cougars runs with the ball against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds during their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Provo Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - NOVEMBER 12: Running back KJ Hall #20 of the Brigham Young Cougars runs with the ball against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds during their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on November 12, 2016 in Provo Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
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BYU Football
PROVO, UT – NOVEMBER 12: General view of LaVell Edwards Stadium during the game between the Southern Utah Thunderbirds and the Brigham Young Cougars on November 12, 2016 in Provo Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***

2017 Schedule

WEEK DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
1 Aug 26, 2017 FCS Portland State @ BYU Provo, UT
2 Sep 2, 2017 BYU v. LSU Houston, TX
3 Sep 9, 2017 Utah @ BYU Provo, UT
4 Sep 16, 2017 Wisconsin @ BYU Provo, UT
5 BYE WEEK
6 Sep 29, 2017 (FRI) BYU @ Utah State Logan, UT
7 Oct 6, 2017 (FRI) Boise State @ BYU Provo, UT
8 Oct 14, 2017 BYU @ Mississippi State Starkville, MS
9 Oct 21, 2017 BYU @ East Carolina Greenville, NC
10 Oct 28, 2017 San Jose State @ BYU Provo, UT
11 Nov 4, 2017 BYU @ Fresno State Fresno, CA
12 Nov 10, 2017 (FRI) BYU @ UNLV Las Vegas, NV
13 Nov 18, 2017 Massachusetts @ BYU Provo, UT
14 Nov 25, 2017 BYU @ Hawaii Honolulu, HI

What’s in store for BYU in 2017?

Eight days after BYU defeated longtime rival Wyoming in the final edition of the Poinsettia Bowl, longtime Cougars head coach LaVell Edwards passed away at age 86 after complications from a broken hip. For the first time in over fifty years, Edwards won’t be in Provo when the Cougars begin a new football season.

As opposed to six Power Five teams on last year’s schedule, Sitake’s team only face four major-conference foes this season. The Cougars open September with FCS Portland State before three straight games against Power Five opponents. The neutral-site game against LSU in Houston offers a major statement opportunity. Utah and Wisconsin both come to Provo

If BYU can get through the first half of its schedule with no more than one loss, the road opens up dramatically on the back end of the season. The Cougars face no Power Five opponents in their final six games of the season. They also have an extra game in their regular season thanks to a trip  to play at Hawaii. If they get to 11 or 12 wins, the College Football Playoff selection committee could be faced with a quandary.

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Prediction: 10-3

Ultimately, the Cougars fate rests on whether or not Mangum can thrive in a full-time starting role. BYU should have the defense to compete against both Power Five and Group of Five competition. The offense, though, will need to rebrand itself from last year’s run-heavy outfit. This could lead to some growing pains in September, with losses against two of the three Power Five opponents. Expect the Cougars to begin putting things together in October, though they could lose to Boise State as well. 10-3 seems like a realistic ceiling for this year’s BYU roster.