BYU Football: 2017 season preview, predictions
By Zach Bigalke
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.