No. 18 Brigham Young

Coach: Bronco Mendenhall
Record: 38-13, 4 years
Last season: 10-3, 6-2 Mountain West
Bowl game: Lost to Arizona 31-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl
Overview: The Cougars have had three consecutive 10-3 seasons and are sixth in the nation in victories over that span. This year they appear to have what it takes to break into a BCS bowl, although they must improve defensively.
Key returnees: QB Max Hall, Sr.; RB Harvey Unga, Jr; TE Dennis Pitta, Sr.; DE Jan Jorgensen, Sr.; LB Matt Bauman, Sr.
Why BYU is dangerous: Max Hall passed for 3,957 yards last season. His top target will likely be tight end Dennis Pitta, who had 1,083 yards in receptions last season. The Cougars also have a good running back, Harvey Unga, who rushed for 1,132 yards as a sophomore last season. Defensively, BYU boasts the MWC’s all-time sacks leader, end Jan Jorgensen, who has 24. Linebacker Matt Bauman also returns. Both are on the preseason Lott Trophy watch list, an award that goes to the nation’s top defensive player.
Why BYU is vulnerable: The Cougars will have a mostly rebuilt offensive line. They also must improve their defense, which last year saw five of its last seven opponents score at least 30 points.
Prediction: BYU most likely will open the season with a loss because it will play Oklahoma in the first college game at the new Cowboys Stadium on Sept. 5. The Cougars also will face Florida State in a home game on Sept. 19. Their two toughest conference games, TCU on Oct. 24 and Utah on Nov. 28, will be home games. The Cougars should be no worse than 8-4, but an 11-1 record and a MWC championship is possible.