Change of plans for BYU's D-Line players?

One of the anticipated strengths of the 2009 BYU defense became a question mark this spring with the announcements that nose tackle Russell Tialavea and defensive end Ian Dulan would serve LDS missions.
While defensive end is still well stocked with talent, Tialavea's departure was a huge concern, with little depth or talent behind him.
Internet rumors have been swirling this week with 1280 The Zone radio host Hans Olsen stating that Tialavea was late putting his papers in and may play this season. Then came a CougarBoard post citing a top BYU defensive player claiming that Tialavea is taking a hard look at putting off his mission and playing this fall.
What gives all of that credibility is head coach Bronco Mendenhall's statements on ESPN's College Football Live program Thursday.
After stating that seven starters return on defense, Mendenhall said this: "Still a few mission plans pending, which at BYU is something you always have to consider. Based on what those plans are, we might need a little but more help at defensive line."
That sounds like Tialavea and possibly Dulan are wavering about the timing of their church service.
Having one or both of them back would be a huge coup for the Cougar defense and BYU's hopes in 2009.
With only one year to play, it would actually make sense for Tialavea to play this year and leave in early 2010 with his career wrapped up. (And maybe with a BCS bowl game to boot.)
Stay tuned to this one.

Summer survival kit

Obsessed with BYU football? You're not alone. But when you're among those who can't get enough Cougar coverage, the dogs days of summer can be brutal. Once fall camp begins, Cougar Cravings are easily filled between Greg Wrubell's audio interview posts on KSL.com and the plethora of print and online coverage from the Trib, the D-News and the Daily Herald.
But today, with fall camp still weeks away, there's a derth of BYU football news for fans. Thus, I present my annual Summer Survival Kit for Cougar Nation.

BYU football: 2009 Summer Survival Kit

Video games

The list: NCAA Football 2010 (released on Tuesday, July 14), or any previous version.

Instructions: Play out the 2010 season, replaying games if you lose them the first time around.

Movies

The list: Last Miracle for LaVell, Remember the Titans, Rudy, We Are Marshall, Invincible, Brian's Song, BYU highlight videos (2006, 07, 08).
Instructions: Watch each movie 1-2 times during the summer as needed to fill your football fix. Almost all are good for a few man tears. Add in Friday Night Lights (fast forward the bad parts), the Waterboy or other football movies as desired.

Books

The list: Cougarmania, Tales from the BYU Sidelines, Bleachers, Rolling with the Tide.
Instructions: Read tidbits of the first two as needed to satisfy cravings. For a quick read, grab John Grisham's Bleachers for a great football tale with some outstanding game play-by-play. BYU beat writer Jeff Call serves up a fun tale in Rolling with the Tide, following a QB from the mission field to Snow College to Alabama.

Magazines

The list: 2009 season previews by Phil Steele, Lindy's, Athlon and Sporting News.
Instructions: Read, re-read and peruse as needed. The downside is each contains very little BYU info in the grand scheme.

DVR

The list: Recorded games from the 2008 BYU season, plus replays from the summer on the Mtn. and other recorded football games as needed. The Big 10 Network is great if you simply want to watch football.
Instructions: Watch and re-watch games to get your football fix. The first half of the 2008 game with UCLA is great one, along with the final quarter of the Washington game. Both the UNLV and CSU games provided thrilling endings.

Lather, rinse and repeat these with these items as necessary. Good luck. And remember, August isn't too far away.

No reason for pessimistic outlook on 2009 season

A few weeks ago, I got a visit from a good friend. Like me, he's a BYU graduate and a sports editor at a daily newspaper in the western United States. As we visited, he informed me that even though he lives a good distance from Provo, he'd purchased season tickets.
He followed that announcement with something like this: "After last season, I'm totally pumped for this year."
That line took me by surprise. After all, last season left me with a completely different taste. I told him as much.
"I just told my wife that I'm done with the Cougars," I said. "Last season was so disappointing that I'm just not excited about BYU football this year. I'm really planning to give up the obsessing, the summerlong Internet searching for stories, etc."
And at that point, those were really my intentions. Usually, by late May, I am fullbore in BYU football mode. But I wasn't feeling it this year.
Then my friend's words started to swirl around my head. That's when I remembered reading numerous posts on CougarBoard and other sites last summer where fans said that 2008 would be a great year, but not THE year they were really looking forward to. That was 2009, when the top skill players on offense and the bulk of the defense would be returning.
2009 would be BYU's year to make a run at the BCS, they wrote. 2008 would simply be a good primer.
Of course, most of Cougar Nation shrugged off those arguments, consummed lethal quantities of Cougar Kool-Aid and anticipated our 13-0 run to glory.
When TCU annhiliated BYU last Oct. 13, the Quest for Perfection in the Win-Loss column was over. And by the time the Cougars limped off the Las Vegas Bowl field with a dismal loss to a mediocre Arizona team, the air was all but deflated from the BYU fan base.
But why? Why the pessimism?
Was last year disappointing? Sure. But only because of too lofty expectations.
Ten-and-three ain't bad, especially when two of those losses came on the road to teams ranked Nos. 2 and 7, respectively, in the final AP poll. And with the talent returning, 2009 should be special.
Yet, ask a BYU fan how the Cougars will fare this season and you'll hear "eight-and-four" or "maybe nine-and-three if we're lucky."
Truth be told, BYU should go 11-1 this season. Oklahoma is the only game on the slate that looks like a certain loss. With TCU and Utah at home, BYU should prevail. Same with Florida State.
Max Hall is a senior. Harvey Unga is healthy. There is a host of young talent at receiver and on the O-line.
The defense is experienced and should be strong as long as a few players step up at defensive tackle and in the secondary.
And 11-1 could be good enough for a BCS berth if BYU can at least have a respectable showing against the Sooners.
So hang those heads no longer. Rise and shout. Drink some Cougar Kool-Aid.
It's going to be a special year for Bronco's Boys. Let the Quest for 11-1 begin!

From speed bump to Mount Everest: Rating the 2009 BYU football schedule

The 2009 BYU football schedule is a dandy, particularly for season ticket holders as LES. Last year's home slate had little to entice the Cougar Faithful, but this year's lineup is loaded with Florida State, TCU and Utah coming to LES. When I asked BYU's beat writers which home game was the toughest, all three answered "Utah." But how do the 12 regular-season games stack up in terms of toughness. Here's my take on the schedule, from speed bump (Utah State) to Mount Everest (Oklahoma), with BYU's chances of winning rated from 1 (extremely slim) to 10 (sure bet). Consider a 5 as a 50-50 toss-up game.

12. Utah State (Oct. 2)
The skinny: Aggies are better in 2009, but Cougars get ready for conference weekend with a lopsided home win.
Rating: 9

11. Wyoming (Nov. 7)
The skinny: Pokes always fade late and team will rebuild with new coach and new schemes. Cougars roll in Laramie once again.
Rating: 8.5

10. San Diego State (Oct. 17)
The skinny: Aztecs rebuild under another new coach and again underachieve, fading in the second half against BYU.
Rating: 8.

9. Colorado State (Sept. 26)
The skinny: Rams won't keep pace with Cougars at LES, so last year's shootout isn't repeated.
Rating: 8.

8. Air Force (Nov. 21)
The skinny: BYU knows how to defend the Falcons, especially at home.
Rating: 8

7. UNLV (Oct. 10)
The skinny: Rebels continue to make minor strides and will give Cougars a good test in Sin City.
Rating: 6.5

6. New Mexico (Nov. 14)
The skinny: Lobos rebuild with new coach and new schemes, but always play BYU tough in Albuquerque.
Rating: 6

5. Tulane (Sept. 12)
The skinny: Green Wave had injury-riddle 2008 season, but has talent to hang with BYU in the Louisiana Superdome.
Rating: 6

4. Florida State (Sept. 19)
The skinny: The Seminoles present numerous matchup challenges with their speed and athleticism. But FSU is weak in the secondary, which means BYU should put up plenty of points.
Rating: 5

3. TCU (Oct. 24)
The skinny: Cougs look to avenge 2008 embarrassment in Fort Worth, but a loaded TCU team will provide a stiff homecoming challenge.
Rating: 5

2. Utah (Nov. 28)
The skinny: No matter the circumstances or records, this one's always tough. Utah should take a couple steps back in 2009, but will still be primed for a big rivalry game.
Rating: 5

1. Oklahoma (Sept. 5)
The skinny: BYU faces biggest obstacle of the year right out of the chute. BYU's question at defensive tackle could mean a long day against OU's stable of backs, while Heisman winner Sam Bradford could destory the Cougars' porous secondary.
Rating: 1.5

Point after: Cougars should be favored in at least eight of their 12 games. But the other four will prove what kind of season it turns out to be. If BYU goes 8-0 in games 12-5 and can split Nos. 4-1, a 10-2 season would be pretty successful. Eleven wins is not out of the question, but would require some major strides on the defensive end.

Heaps of talent headed to BYU

Check out this video footage of the press conference announcing that quarterback Jake Heaps, receiver Ross Apo and linebacker Zac Stout are headed to BYU in 2010. Once this gets you absolutely pumped for Cougar football, check out my entry on the 2009 season in which BYU's top three beat writers answers six key questions about the coming campaign. http://thecougarzone.blogspot.com/2009/06/beat-on-2009-season_04.html
Enjoy.

The 'beat' on the 2009 season

Want the inside scoop on the 2009 season? Talk to the guys who cover the Cougars for a living. The top three BYU beat writers in the Beehive State were kind enough to answer my questions on the upcoming season.
Here's what Jeff Call (Deseret News), Jay Drew (Salt Lake Tribune) and Darnell Dickson, my former boss at the Daily Herald, had to say on some of the key issues that will shape the Cougars campaign.

Which game on the schedule is most important to BYU’s success in 2009?

Jeff Call, Desert News: Utah

Jay Drew, Salt Lake Tribune: I am going to say Florida State, because I think that game will set the tone for the rest of the year. The Cougars will likely be 1-1 (losing to Oklahoma, beating Tulane) heading into that game, their home opener, and what happens Sept. 19 in Provo will go a long way in determining what kind of season the Cougs have.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald: Got to be TCU at BYU on Oct. 24. It will be BYU’s first true MWC test and after getting blasted last year, the Cougars have a score to settle.

Which home game is the toughest: Florida State, TCU or Utah?

Jeff Call: Utah

Jay Drew: The Utah game will be the toughest. It always is. Utah gets up to play BYU, regardless of records, place or anything else.

Darnell Dickson: Always Utah. The past six games against the Utes at LES have been decided by seven points or less.

Which receiver will step up to fill the shoes of Austin Collie?

Jeff Call: McKay Jacobson

Jay Drew: I don’t see a single receiver stepping up to replace Collie on his own. However, the leading receiver on the team will be McKay Jacobson.

Darnell Dickson: You can’t fill those shoes with just one guy. O’Neill Chambers and McKay Jacobsen will both have to step up and be impact players.

Will BYU’s defense be better in 2009 than 2008?

Jeff Call: Yes, but with Oklahoma on the schedule, it might not show statistically.

Jay Drew: I would have said yes a month ago, but the news that Russell Tialavea is going on a mission means the defensive line will have depth concerns. I would say the defense will be about the same as last year. The safeties will be better, but the linebackers will struggle mightily to replace David Nixon.

Darnell Dickson: The Cougars have lost two starting defensive linemen to missions and the cornerback spot is still a huge question mark. So my answer right now would be “no.”

How will BYU finish the regular season record wise?

Jeff Call: 9-3

Jay Drew: 9-3

Darnell Dickson: I think a 9- or 10-win season would be a huge success in 2009.

Which player will rise up to become a star this season?

Jeff Call: Safety Andrew Rich

Jay Drew: Jacobson is the obvious choice, but I think RB Malosi Te’o is going to be a factor before the season is over.

Darnell Dickson: Sophomore outside linebacker Jordan Pendleton, who is learning a new position but has all the physical tools.

OU equals U.O. (Unideal Opener)

While Oklahoma (2009 opener) and Northern Iowa (2008 opener) are light years a part as far as football programs go, they do share one thing in common. Both represent far from ideal season openers for the BYU football team.

BYU had a string of ideal openers from 2002 to 2007, but that ended with Northern Iowa and continues with the Sooners. It's an unfortunate trend as the season opener is the most hyped game of the season. It's the only game that has months of lead-up time. It's the game Cougar fans spend the entire summer pining for.

So, what makes an ideal season opener? I see four criteria:

1. A toss-up game. A 50-50 matchup in which the outcome could easily go either way means the hype and ancipation reach much higher levels. When BYU is neither a clear favorite (as in 2008) or a heavy underdog (as in 2009), the buildup to the season opener is far superior.

2. A BCS opponent. Taking on a team from a BCS conference is key. Facing a FCS (Division I-AA) team or someone like Tulane takes the luster off the opener.

3. National television: Beating a BCS foe before the eyes of the nation gives BYU an important opportunity to gain national respect and rise in the rankings before the MWC slate begins.

4. Home sweet home: Playing a LaVell Edwards Stadium means BYU is nearly assured of opening the season 1-0. The Cougars have lost four straight road season openers, but are 8-2 in their last 10 home season openers.

When a game fits all four criteria, it's an ideal season opener. Three of four makes in nearly ideal. Anything less falls into the unideal category. Here's a look at where BYU's recent season openers fall on this scale.

2009: BYU vs. Oklahoma (At Arlington, Texas), Unideal (two of four criteria met)
2008: BYU vs. Northern Iowa (LES), Unideal (two of four)
2007: BYU vs. Arizona, Ideal (four of four)
2006: BYU at Arizona, Nearly ideal (three of four)
2005: BYU vs. Boston College, Ideal (four of four)
2004: BYU vs. Notre Dame, Ideal (four of four)
2003: BYU vs. Georgia Tech, Ideal (four of four)
2002: BYU vs. Syracuse, Ideal (four of four)
2001: BYU vs. Tulane, Nearly ideal (three of four)
2000: BYU at Florida State, Unideal (two of four)

Conclusion: Is there upside to the 2009 opener? Certainly. A win would put BYU in the Top 15 of the national polls and would help the Cougars supplant Boise State, TCU and Utah as the early front runner for a non-BCS team most likely to make a BCS game. But the truth is, BYU will be at least a 17-point underdog and will likely start the season 0-1. That makes the home opener with Florida State -- which would qualify as an ideal season opener -- that much bigger. Starting 1-2 (or 0-3 with an upset loss at Tulane) would be devastating.

One man's take on the 2009 season

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.

Prepping for the Madness

The best event in sports is only weeks away. The question: Will BYU be a part of it?
Bracketologists have had BYU among the "last four in" to the NCAA Tournament field for the past few weeks and Saturday's setback to UNLV exacerbates the situation.
After another frustrating setback to the Rebels in Las Vegas, the Cougars head to Cox Arena, a place that's proven equally bad for BYU in recent seasons.
But San Diego State's Billy White is sidelined for this one and BYU can't let a key opportunity pass by. Win and the Cougars have a great shot to share the league crown and finish the regular season with a four-game winning streak. Do that and BYU winds up 24-6 overall and 12-4 in a tough MWC.
Not too shabby.
But Tuesday night is huge. BYU should beat Utah in Provo, get past Wyoming in Laramie and paste Air Force at home. That would give the Cougars wins in 9 of their last 10 outings entering the MWC tourney.
In actuality, taking the No. 2 seed in the tourney is ideal. Let Utah have the No. 1 spot and face UNLV in the semis. As the No. 2 seed, BYU likely gets TCU or Wyoming in Round 1. Easy win. Then it's San Diego State or New Mexico in the semis, rather than UNLV. Tough, but better than facing the Rebels, who likely beat Utah on the other side of the bracket.
We're likely looking at another BYU-UNLV tourney title tilt. But if BYU comes in 26-6, it should have a bid locked up.
We'll see how it plays out.
Let the madness begin.