BYU Football: Five Possible Losses on the Horizon Include Utah, TCU, and Nevada

Reloading? No. 

Rebuilding? Maybe.

Reeling? Absolutely. 

BYU came into the season with a lot of question marks, and fans expected a year with some bumps in the road. However, most fans and media members predicted an eight-to-nine win season, even in this "rebuilding" year. 

But it now looks like it will be much worse. 

With two poorly played losses already in the books, there are enough rough games on the horizon against impressive opponents, that fans and coaches are now worried about just becoming bowl eligible. 

Nevada Wolfpack: Kaepernick's Arm and Legs Poised to Torch Weak BYU D

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COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 13: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #10 of the Nevada Wolf Pack rolls out during the first half of the game against the Missouri Tigers on September 13, 2008 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty I

Nevada, September 25

Any BYU fan who watched Colin Kaepernick and the Nevada Wolfpack torch the California Bears on Thursday is already gripping. 

The crew from Reno has had three impressive outings, and doesn't look like it will have any problems gaining yards on the Cougar Defense, which couldn't tackle a Cougarette these days.

But that's the tip of the iceberg...

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

Utah State: Seriously? Yeah, Seriously.

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PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 23: Lynwood Johnson #25 of Utah State is tackled by Ben Criddle #25 and Aaron Wagner #52 of BYU September 23, 2006 in Provo, Utah. BYU defeated Utah State 38-0. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)

At Utah State, October 1

OK, of the games in this slideshow, this is the one the Cougars are most likely to win. In fact, they HAVE to win this one. But it won't be easy.

The Aggies put up a good fight against an Oklahoma team which destroyed Florida State. Similarly, they were tied late in the fourth with a very good Fresno State team. 

And you better believe they've got big eyes for the limping Cougars. Another bad loss against Nevada and Utah State may be able to kick BYU while it's down. That would leave the Cougars at 1-4.

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

San Diego State: Could We Have a Repeat of 2005?

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 07: Running back Jercell Fort #22 of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs flips as he is upended by defensive back Josh Wade #17 of the San Diego State Aztecs on November 7, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.

San Diego State, October 9

The Aztecs had a couple easy warm-up wins before losing a close one to Missouri in Columbia. Certainly not a bad loss. 

But what the score doesn't tell you is that SDSU's Ronnie Hillman rushed for nearly 10 yards a carry and over 200 for the game. 

Hillman can't help but be excited after watching the Cougars give up nearly 300 to Florida State and Air Force in successive weeks. 

This certainly looks to be a much closer game than anyone expected at the first of the year. Luckily for the Cougars, it's at home. 

A loss in this game would have the Cougars either 1-5 or 2-4 with showdowns against far superior opponents looming...

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.

Utah and TCU

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Eddie Wide #36 of the Utah Utes is tackled by Jerry Hughes #98 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half of the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won the game 55-28. (Photo by

TCU, October 16 and Utah, November 27

There are a lot of question marks around BYU's team this year. But there isn't any question both TCU and Utah are very good. 

And neither looks to have a loss when they square off November 6. 

Barring a miracle of solidarity, ball-catching, better coaching and sudden tackling, both of these look to be big fat 'L's on the BYU schedule. 

So with that sad reality, the Cougars had better find a way to right the ship, and in a hurry, and knock off a couple of the aforementioned teams. Or even the New Mexico Bowl is a pipe dream. 

Ryan is the publisher of BYUUtahRivalry.com. You can follow him at twitter.com/ryanteeples.