BYU Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2019 season

STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 14: Tanner Mangum #12 of the Brigham Young Cougars hands the ball to Ula Tolutau #5 during the first half of a game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on October 14, 2017 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Idaho State is projected as a solidly mid-pack team in the Big Sky this year, with a veteran roster on both sides of the ball.

They do have to replace last year’s starting quarterback Tanner Gueller and running back James Madison, but otherwise a senior-laden offense is hoping to play their way to the FCS Playoffs for the first time since 1983. They also benefit from eight returning starters on a defense that has room to improve.

Of course, Idaho State has never beaten BYU in five previous tries. In each of their 21st-century meetings, the Bengals gave up more than 50 points in losses to the Cougars. And while this year’s group has plenty of firepower to challenge the BYU defense, the talent gap between the FBS independent and the FCS middleweight is going to prove itself on the field in Provo.

Look for this contest to end similarly to those previous two meetings, when BYU ran away with 59-13 and 56-3 victories. Zach Wilson will throw for nearly 400 yards and four touchdowns as the Cougars dominate their overmatched FCS opponent, and the running game will combine for 200-plus rushing yards.

This is going to be a runaway victory that gets the Cougars to bowl eligibility with two games left to play.

Prediction: Idaho State 17, BYU 59 (6-4)

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