There are a couple of changes that I am making this year to this blog. First of all, I am not predicting the Big 12 expansion. The information that is coming is changing regularly and those who are normally "in the know" are not in the know this time. The main reason for this trouble is Houston. There is a lot of political pressure for the 2 Texas public schools to push for Houston's inclusion. This could be a warning to all of the other power conferences should they expand again. A lot of this could be made up as writers strive for relevance. For me, I know that I am irrelevant, and therefore I am staying away. However, if the Big 12 does expand, I am 90% confident they will be a lock.
Second, when I rank the most difficult games remaining, it does not mean that team A on the future schedule is better than team B. For example. Southern Utah will play at both BYU and Utah. I will list Utah as the tougher of the two games. Not because Utah is necessarily the better team, which we will find out next week. But early season games, especially road games, can be more difficult.
BYU Cougars
There is a new boss, and this is a new era in Cougarland. It is not like Bronco Mendenhall left Kalani Sitake a bad team to work with. There are a few missing pieces, like no experienced tight ends. Bronco recruited more heavily on defense, and there was some inconsistency at other positions. Defensively, BYU should be kept close enough to any of their opponents to win games that they should not. However, don't hold out hope for a perfect season. Just enjoy the ride.
BYU games from toughest to easiest:
Likely Losses
At Michigan State
UCLA
At Utah
Probable Loss
vs. West Virginia
Probable Wins
vs. Arizona
Mississippi State
At Boise State
At Cincinnati
Likely Wins
Toledo
Utah State
Southern Utah
UMass
Optimistic Result 9-3. Pessimistic Result: 4-8
Off Season Prediction: Poinsettia Bowl
This week's game: BYU 29 Arizona 24
Utah Utes
Stellar defense, questions at quarterback. Some things never change in Salt Lake City. That has been the formula for Kyle Whittingham in the past 8 years. The good news for Utah and their fans, most of the hardest games of the season are at home. That could be the difference this year.
Utah games from toughest to easiest
Likely loss
at UCLA
Probable Loss
Oregon
USC
Probable Wins
Washington
at Arizona State
Likely Wins
BYU
Arizona
at California
at Oregon State
at Colorado
as San Jose State
Southern Utah
This week's guess: Utah 55 S. Utah 13
Optimistic result: 11-1. Pessimistic result 7-5
Post-Season Prediction: Alamo Bowl
Utah State Aggies
It's kind of a mixed bag for Utah State this year. They have underated talent, but don't really have the schedule to show them off. Not that I am predicting that they will go into the LA Colosseum and come home celebrating a win, but I don't really see them finishing worse than 2nd in the MW Mountain. The real question in Logan is how much longer can they hang on to Matt Wells if they keep doing so well.
Games from toughest to easiest
Likely Losses
at USC
at Boise State
at BYU
Probable Loss
San Diego State
Probable Wins
at Nevada
at Colorado State
New Mexico
Likely Wins
Arkansas State
Air Force
at Wyoming
Fresno State
Weber State
Optimistic Result: 9-3 Pessimistic Result: 5-7
Post-Season Prediction: Hawaii Bowl
This week's guess: USU 32 Weber State 10
Weber State Wildcats
Jay Hill knows a little about opposition. He is the Weber State head coach, a program that seems cursed. Now his wife has cancer. But the team has rallied behind their coach's family. And that is what a good team does. The program continues to dig out of the hole that was dug when Ron McBride retired. The talent is still young. They are really about 1 year away from being good again. However, I don't see Montana or Eastern Washington on the schedule this year. Such is life in the Big Sky Conference
Games from toughest to easiest
Likely Loss
at Utah State
Probable Losses
Cal Poly
Northern Arizona
Portland State
Probable Wins
at South Dakota
Montana State
at Southern Utah
Likely Wins
at Idaho State
Sacramento State
at North Dakota
UC Davis
Optimistic result 10-1 Pessimistic Result 4-7
Post-Season Outlook: Is there an NIT in the FCS playoff?
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
It is easy to say that SUU had a great year last year. But they lost too much, including coach Ed Lamb. However, don't expect the T-Birds to just lie down and be the punching bag of the Big Sky Conference. They still have the potential to be the surprise team in the Big Sky Conference.
Games from toughest to easiest
Likely losses
at BYU
at Utah
at Montana
at Northern Arizona
Probable Losses
Portland State
Weber State
Probable Wins
NE Louisiana
Montana State
Likely Wins
at North Dakota
at Idaho State
at UC Davis
Optimistic result: 7-4 Pessimistic Result: 3-8
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