Predictions/Expectations for 2015--Updated 8/6/15

The football break is now over.  Teams are now practicing, and it is time to fire up the old college football blog and look at how things will shape up for our Beehive State teams this year.

Utah Utes

Outlook: Utah is better than they were last year, but...

Prediction: 4th in PAC-12 South Division behind USC, UCLA, Arizona, but ahead of Arizona State and Colorado.  Will likely finally play in the Holiday Bowl.

Probable wins (7)

Michigan
Utah State
Fresno State
California
Arizona State
Oregon State
Colorado

Probable Losses (3)

Oregon
USC
UCLA

Too Close to Call (2)

Washington
Arizona

Optimists Prediction 9-3
Pessimists Prediction 7-4

BYU Cougars

Note:  This is updated after the announcement of the Jamaal Williams redshirt.  (Likely transfer)  I doubt he will wear a Cougar uniform again.  I wasn't drinking the BYU Kool-Aid before the announcement.  They are trying to play a Big 12 schedule with MWC talent.  It doesn't work.  It's going to be a rough year for BYU as Taysom Hill can't carry the team on his own.  He needs a quality RB to keep the defenses honest.  (I will write a longer opinion article later.)

Outlook: BYU is playing a tougher schedule these days, but do not have the talent to match.  If they finish bowl eligible, likely will end up in Hawaii.

Probable Wins (3)

Connecticut
East Carolina
Wagner

Probable Losses (6)

Nebraska
Boise State
UCLA
Michigan
Missouri
Utah State

Too Close to Call (3)

Cincinnati
San Jose State
Fresno State

(The loss of Jamaal Williams, for me, turned Michigan and Utah State into a probable losses and San Jose State and Fresno State into borderline games.)

Optimists Prediction 6-6
Pessimists Prediction 3-9

Utah State Aggies

Outlook:  Aggies are probably the 2nd best team in the MW Mountain.  Probably another trip to the Poinsettia Bowl.

Probable Wins (7)

Southern Utah
Colorado State
Fresno State
Wyoming
Air Force
Nevada
BYU

Probable Losses (3)

Utah
Washington
Boise State

Too Close to Call (2)

San Diego State
Nevada

Optimists Prediction: 9-3
Pessimists Prediction: 7-5

Southern Utah Thunderbirds

Outlook: Didn't get a lot of love at BSC media days, but they have a favorable schedule.

Probable Wins (5)

South Dakota State
Northern Colorado
Brevard
Sacramento State
UC Davis

Probable Losses (3)

Utah State
Cal Poly
Montana State

Too Close to Call (3)

Weber State
Portland State
Northern Arizona

Optimists Prediction: 8-3
Pessimists Prediction 5-6

Weber State Wildcats

Outlook:  They will probably win more than 2 games this season...not many more, but more.

Probable Wins (3)

Northern Colorado
North Dakota
UC Davis

Probable Losses (5)

Oregon State
North Dakota State
Montana
Northern Arizona
Eastern Washington

Too Close to Call (3)

Sacramento State
Southern Utah
Idaho State

Optimists Prediction: 6-5
Pessimists Prediction: 3-8