Head coach: Bronco Mendenhall
6th year: 45-15
Returning Lettermen:
Off. 20, Def. 23, ST 2
Lettermen Lost: 45
Ten Best BYU Players
1. OT Matt Reynolds, Jr.
2. SS Andrew Rich, Jr.
3. NT Romney Fuga, Jr.
4. WR/KR O’Neill Chambers, Jr.
5. CB Brian Logan, Sr.
6. LB Jordan Pendleton, Jr.
7. OG Braden Hansen, Soph.
8. WR McKay Jacobson, Jr.
9. QB Jake Heaps, Fr.
10. CB Brandon Bradley, Sr.
The good and the bad for BYU has always been the church missions, which on the one hand allow players to go off for two years, do the work they need to do, and then come back far more mature, but on the other hand, it’s a problem for consistency. If most of the pieces are back, then it’ll be time to be truly fired up. But in the meantime, the pressure is off, everyone will be expecting TCU and Utah to be the stars, and the chances will be there to shock the Mountain West world.
BYU will be able to pull out the “nobody believes in us” cliché, because it’ll really be true. From the likely low preseason picks to the defection of Utah to the Pac 10, BYU has a right to feel a little bit grouchy. Yeah, going to Las Vegas for a bowl game five years in row might have a certain charm, but not when Utah and TCU are battling for BCS slots. Mendenhall has his program on the cusp of that level.
With four straight ten-win seasons, the Cougars have been terrific highlighted by an opening day win over Oklahoma last season.
Best offensive player: Junior OT Matt Reynolds. Already considered to be the No. 1 NFL tackle on the board for the 2012 Draft, he might be the top tackle prospect if he chooses to come out this year. He’s ready. At 6-6 and 329 pounds, he has prototype size and great feet, and now it’s salary drive time with the potential to be a top three overall pick if he can continue to shine.
Best defensive player: Junior SS Andrew Rich. The junior plays the KAT position, which is a strong safety in BYU’s 3-4 defense, and he acts like a fifth linebacker. A stat-sheet filler, he led the team in tackles last season
2010 Schedule
Sept. 4 Washington
Sept. 11 at Air Force
Sept. 18 at Florida St
Sept. 25 Nevada
Oct. 1 at Utah State
Oct. 9 San Diego State
Oct. 16 at TCU
Oct. 23 Wyoming
Oct. 30 OPEN DATE
Nov. 6 UNLV
Nov. 13 at Colorado State
Nov. 20 New Mexico
Nov. 27 at Utah
They also announced yesterday that starting next season they will go as an Independent for football, and saying good-bye to the Mountain West Conference…bold move, but a chance for the University to make and keep more money in the run.
