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 Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Tennessee enters the 2019 season as something of an enigma. Some project a big leap from the Volunteers in Jeremy Pruitt’s second season at the helm, thanks to one of the most veteran returning teams in the country. Others are a bit more skeptical about Tennessee’s chances this season, as the collected media selected the Vols to finish fourth in the SEC East.

BYU has never faced Tennessee before, but the Cougars have gone 3-6 across time against SEC members. Their most recent win came in 2016 against Mississippi State, which was a team in transition after Dak Prescott went on to the NFL. With Jarrett Guarantano back at quarterback for the Vols, there will be far less opportunity to catch them off guard.

Of course, that also means that BYU has plenty of tape to prepare for this Volunteers roster. That is likely going to result in a close contest. Look for Zach Wilson to have a great game through the air at Neyland Stadium, as he goes throw for throw with Guarantano. BYU will be ahead in the second half, but Tennessee brings this one back to force overtime.

Look for some Cougar magic once the extra frame rolls around as Sitake’s squad steals one on the road.

Prediction: BYU 34, Tennessee 31 (OT) (1-1)

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