2008 BYU Football Predictions

Non-conference contests with Washington and UCLA could determine whether BYU gets the BCS bid that unbeaten WAC teams have received each of the past two seasons. The Cougars have swept league play each of the past two years, but it's going to be tough for them to do it again despite a talented roster. There is a key Thursday night game at TCU and the season finale is at rival Utah. A conference title and BCS berth could hinge on that game. Get Jimmy Boyd's take on the upcoming season in his 2008 BYU Cougars predictions and season preview. The Over/Under betting line for wins on BYU is 9.5 at BodogLife.com.

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Offense

There's no reason why last year's hefty averages of 442.8 yards and 30.1 points per game shouldn't improve behind an experienced line and a seasoned backfield. The Cougars also return their entire starting receiver corps. It all starts with QB Max Hall though. Hall put up the best passing numbers of any sophomore in the nation, throwing for 3,848 yards last season. Harvey Unga provides the offensive balance at the tailback spot. He became the schools first 1,000-yard freshman rusher and is a bruiser. All-MWC second-teamer Austin Collie leads the receiving unit. He caught 56 balls for 946 yards and seven touchdowns. None of BYU's gaudy offensive numbers would be possible without its big and physical offensive front. Four seniors, including awards candidates Ray Feinga and Dallas Reynolds, will win the battle of the trenches nearly every down.

Defense

The offense gets all the talk with the Cougars, but the defense actually ranked higher nationally – ninth against the run and ninth in points allowed. This side of the ball was hit hard by graduation though as just three starters return. Defensive end Jan Jorgensen will see nothing but double teams after dominating as a sophomore with 14 sacks. Ian Dulan returns as the starter on the other side. With some experience still left up front, the Cougars should be tough on the run again. Terrence Hooks went down with a knee injury in spring practice and isn't expected to return until midseason. This especially hurts as BYU lost most of its linebacker corps. Defensive coordinator Bronco Mendenhall's defense schemes have been flawless since his days at New Mexico. New faces and numbers will take over a lot of spots, but this unit will still be solid.

Special Teams

BYU has some nice weapons in the kicking game. Place kicker Mitch Payne returns after nailing 10 of 14 field goal attempts last season. The crazy thing is that he could actually be beaten out by Parade All-American Justin Sorenson who has 60-plus range. Austin Collie is a nice weapon in the return game. He averaged 25.8 yards per kick return.

Prediction – 1st Mountain West Conference

It will likely all come down to a November 22nd showdown at Utah for the MWC title and I like the Cougars to pull it off. With 10 offensive starters returning, no team in the conference is going to be able to keep pace with this offense.

Bet mid-major conference football with Jimmy Boyd all season long and break the bank. Often times oddsmakers are not as familiar with these teams and that gives us a golden opportunity to take advantage of college football odds mistakes. Jimmy Boyd's college football betting strategies will keep the cash rolling in all season.

July 25th, 2008