BYU has visions of a New Year’s Six bowl bid. Who might step up for the Cougars in 2017 to help make that dream a reality?
Last year, BYU was just a few plays away from completing an undefeated season. The Cougars’ four losses in 2016 came by a combined eight points. A few turns in the other direction and BYU might have been playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game or even the College Football Playoff.
This year’s Cougars team loses several experienced players, especially on offense. But the roster that returns for 2017 might be even more skilled despite the lack of game reps. Bronco Mendenhall left behind a good roster before leaving for Virginia. And second-year head coach Kalani Sitake put together a decent recruiting class this winter.
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The thing about BYU, though, is that recruiting classes can be deceptive. Many students embark on LDS mission trips prior to arriving in Provo. That means we won’t see much of the Class of 2017 until two or three years down the road.
What that also means is that the current crop of players stepping into bigger roles are older than your average college freshman or sophomore. This year’s Cougars team faces a less arduous schedule than they took on last season. Which players might rise to the challenge in 2017 as BYU fights for a major bowl invitation?