The next week, UCLA (and Rick Neuheisel) visits BYU on September 13.  UCLA has gone through coaching changes and only return seven starters.  While Norm Chow may be a great offensive coordinator, his QBs have been injured more often than not since he has been there.  Also, BYU beat UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl last year (after UCLA beat BYU in the regular season).  BYU should beat them in Provo this year.

They play Texas Christian in Fort Worth this year on October 16.  While this game will be closer than many think, I still believe BYU will win this one too.

The Holy War looks to be the best regular season non-BCS game this year.  On November 22, the Cougars will travel to Salt Lake City and take on the Utes of Utah.  Utah matches up well against BYU in what looks to be a close game.  10 of the last 11 in this series have been decided by a touchdown or less.  I think the BYU offense will narrowly outscore the Utes.

Bronco Mendenhall’s “Quest for Perfection” mantra that his team has adopted does not refer to football, but I think they will find it on the field this year.  I think this team will be unbeaten in the regular season, but memories of Hawaii are too fresh to put BYU in the top 10.  However, I do not think voters will keep them out of a BCS bowl.

Prediction: 12-0, BCS At-Large Berth

14. Tennessee (Athlon No. 17, Phil Steele No. 23, SI No. 12, ESPN No. 14)

Overall: Is Jonathan Crompton (498 yards passing, five TDs and four INTs) the next Erik Ainge?  The consensus answer is no.  Crompton sat on the sidelines for three years for a chance to be in the spotlight.  This is his year in the sun.

I do think it will be hard for Crompton, a first-year starter, to live up to a QB who was able to cut his teeth with Rick Clausen for a year or two before starting.  What will give Crompton a chance to exceed expectation is the return of the entire offensive line that gave up four sacks all year on 534 attempts.  Wow.

With enough time to sit in the pocket, I expect Crompton to be able to pick out Gerald Jones and Lucas Taylor.  Arian Foster may also catch a pass or two, but he will mostly be running the ball at tailback this year.  Tennessee will also use a fullback in their offensive set.

This offensive line is the key to creating a formidable offense.  The Vols could surprise a lot of people.  They return eight starters total on an offensive unit that was ranked 54th in total offense last year.

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