2011 BYU Cougars Football Predictions, Odds, Picks and Schedule – 2011 Brigham Young NCAA Football Preview

2011 BYU Cougars College Football Expert Predictions, Picks, Vegas Odds and Schedule – Brigham Young NCAA Football Preview: With several teams from smaller conferences opting to join the major conferences in the search of better recruits and automatic BCS bids, the BYU Cougars took a different approach. The Cougars decided to leave the Mountain West in order to become one of four independent teams in the nation, joining Notre Dame, Army and Navy. The move allows BYU to have some serious flexibility in terms of scheduling, and as a program that has been able to attract some legitimate talent over the years, the Cougars can set a slate of games that will ensure bowl appearances for years to come.

The downside is that BYU can’t really win a conference title, but the school obviously determined that this was the smarter decision for the long-term health of the program. This year’s team should do plenty to add to that health as well. The Cougars return 14 starters, including 10 on the offensive side of the ball for a unit that really gelled at the end of last season. After starting 2-5 in 2010-11, BYU rallied to finish 7-6 and make a bowl game. This is the same program that won 10-plus games from 2006 to 2009, and with nearly the entire offense intact, the 2011-12 season could be memorable in more ways than one.

With 10 starters back in the mix, big things are expected out of the Cougars’ offense. Jake Heaps will be under center, coming off a freshman season when he set a multitude of school records for a freshman quarterback. The offense figures to be a well-rounded attack with three running backs returning that rushed for at least 500 yards last season. J.J. Di Luigi will likely head the attack once again. Di Luigi nearly topped 1,000 yards on the ground last season and chipped in with nearly 500 through the air as well.

Both Heaps and the running game will be benefited by four returning offensive linemen, including a left tackle and left guard that are expected to garner consideration from NFL teams. Wide receiver Cody Hoffamn figures to be a focal point of the Cougars’ offense as well. As a freshman last season, he led BYU in receiving yards and hauled in seven touchdowns. Hoffman will likely be Heaps’ go-to receiver throughout the year.

Defensively, the Cougars return just five starters to a unit that was very solid in 2010-11. That being said, BYU should have one of the better front lines in the nation. Both defensive ends return, and Hebron Fangupo will manning the nose tackle position. Fangupo is a transfer from Southern California, and as long as he clogs up the middle as expected, the rest of the defense will be freed up to make plays. The linebacking core should be making plenty of those plays with two starters back and Uona Kaveinga – yet another USC transfer – entering the fray. In short, the BYU front seven will every bit as good as last year’s solid unit.

With its first chance to control a majority of its schedule, BYU has created a favorable slate to say the least. The Cougars play four teams from major conferences, but Orgeon State, Utah and Ole Miss are all very winnable games. A road game at Texas early in the year figures to be the only matchup that BYU could struggle in, but the Longhorns are coming off a down season. After that, a showdown against TCU is the toughest game remaining on the schedule. With this year’s schedule, the potential for only one or two losses exists for the Cougars.

2011 BYU Cougars College Football Predictions: 10-2 Record

Preseason 2011 BYU Cougars NCAA Football Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 BCS Championship: +150000
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2011 BYU Cougars College Football Schedule
Sat, Sep 3 at Mississippi 4:45 pm —
Sat, Sep 10 at Texas 7:00 pm —
Sat, Sep 17 Utah 9:15 pm —
Fri, Sep 23 UCF 8:00 pm —
Fri, Sep 30 Utah State 8:00 pm —
Sat, Oct 8 San Jose State TBA —
Sat, Oct 15 at Oregon State TBA —
Sat, Oct 22 Idaho State 3:00 pm —
Fri, Oct 28 at TCU 8:00 pm —
Sat, Nov 12 Idaho TBA —
Sat, Nov 19 New Mexico State TBA —
Sat, Dec 3 at Hawaii 7:30 pm —

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