Late May is here and thus it's far too early (meaning, it's the perfect time) to begin forecasting the 2009 BYU football season. The schedule is intriguiging, the team a bit of a mystery after last season's fade and some key losses. But here's one man's uneducated guess as how things will unfold this fall.
Sept. 5: BYU vs. Oklahoma
Max Hall is sacked six times by OU's defense as the new Cougar O-line has some issues. Still, Hall passes for 277 yards and two scores. But BYU's running game is largley grounded and the defense can't stop the Sooners' prolific passing game.
Pick: Oklahoma 38, BYU 17
Sept. 12: BYU at Tulane
Cougars won't drop 70 on the Green Wave this time around (remember Crowton's debut), but the offense does explode. Harvey Unga goes for 1oo-plus on the ground and Dennis Pitta snags two TD catches.
Pick: BYU 38, Tulane 20
Sept. 19: Florida State at BYU
BYU opens the home slate with a hard-fought clash against the Seminoles. Balance on offense and the ever-improving play of the linebacking core lifts the Cougs.
Pick: BYU 27, FSU 23
Sept. 26: Colorado State at BYU
Rams are improving and won't go quietly. But BYU is simply too tough for most MWC teams at LES. Hall piles up 400 through the air and McKay Jacobson has a breakout game.
Pick: BYU 41, CSU 23
Oct. 2: Utah State at BYU
Cougars cap three-game home stand in style and put folks in a good mood for Conference weekend with a runaway win over the Aggies.
Pick: BYU 38, USU 13
Oct. 10: BYU at UNLV
Mike Sanford will continue to rub folks the wrong way and his Rebels will underachieve. Despite that, BYU struggles in this one. Manase Tonga makes key plays in the fourth quarter to key a win.
Pick: BYU 27, UNLV 20
Oct. 17: BYU at San Diego State
BYU offense finds its stride in sunny San Diego. Aztecs start to quit on yet another coach.
Pick: BYU 48, SDSU 17
Oct. 24: TCU at BYU
Horned Frogs spoil homecoming as BYU can't find a way to move the ball consistently. Much closer than 2008 embarrassment in Fort Worth, but Cougars fall.
Pick: TCU 31, BYU 20
Nov. 7: BYU at Wyoming
Coming off a bye week, Cougars start slow, but roll after first quarter. Wyoming puts up little resistance after intermission.
Pick: BYU 40, Wyoming 17
Nov. 14: BYU at New Mexico
A tough stretch of four road games in five outings ends with a tight game in Albuquerque. Hall throws two picks and a painful fumble from J.J. Diluigi costs the Cougars late.
Pick: UNM 31, BYU 30
Nov. 21: Air Force at BYU
Career days for Andrew George and O'Neill Chambers as BYU rebounds nicely. Vic So'oto finding stride at linebacker, tallying 12 tackles.
Pick: BYU 44, Air Force 20
Nov. 28: Utah at BYU
Utes come in with three losses and no BCS dreams. With an outside shot at sharing the MWC title, BYU earns third win in four years over Utah.
Pick: BYU 31, Utah 23
BYU winds up 9-3 overall and 6-2 in MWC play. TCU wins conference crown, while Utes slip to third place. Cougars spend some pre-Christmas days in San Diego, playing in the Poinsettia Bowl.
