BYU Cougars Football: 2011 Schedule Should Yield Winning Season
The BYU Cougars are going it alone. So far, football independence hasn't been tough from a scheduling standpoint, as the Cougars' just-released schedule features plenty of big games, as well as a few dogs to beat up on and get bowl eligible.
It's a formula that's worked well for Notre Dame and Navy for years, and the Cougars' schedule should be interesting next year.
Let's break the games down.
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Six “Should-Be-Wins”
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Six “Should-be-wins”
Sept. 30: Utah State
Oct. 8: San Jose State
Oct. 22: Idaho State
Nov. 5: at Louisiana Tech
Nov. 12: Idaho
Nov. 19: New Mexico State
While at first blush BYU's schedule looks very tough (and it’s certainly no picnic), the above six games should be gimme wins for the Cougars and give them bowl eligibility. Sure, Utah State should have been this year too, but don't expect any bizarre no-shows by the Cougars next season.
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The “Toss-Up” Games
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The “toss-up” games
Sept. 17: Utah
Sept. 23: Central Florida
Oct. 15: at Oregon State
The Utah-BYU rivalry game once again went down to the wire this season. Next year should be no different. BYU returns a slew of offensive and defensive players, as do the Utes. While the Cougars may have an advantage playing at home, this game could still go either way. My guess: BYU wins another thriller.
Central Florida will be coming off a 10-win season led by a freshman quarterback. There’s little reason to suspect the Knights won’t be solid again next year. UCF will need to make a trip across the country to altitude in Provo, so once again there’s a slight advantage to the Cougars. My guess: BYU wins by 10.
Oregon State is likewise returning key players. Running back Jacquizz Rodgers will be a senior if he returns to school next year. Meanwhile, emerging quarterback Ryan Katz will be a junior and will bring another year of experience to the table. This game will be played in Corvallis in October. After a disappointing finish this year, I expect the Beavers to rebound next season. My guess: Oregon State by 14.
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The “Tough-Road” Games
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The “tough-road” games
Based on the previous two slides, the Cougars likely have seven to eight wins before we look at these three tough games...all on the road.
Sept. 3: at Ole Miss
Sept. 10: at Texas
Dec. 3: at Hawaii
Opening day is always mysterious, and BYU makes an early fall trip to Oxford, Mississippi. Playing an SEC team in the South is always daunting, and this will be a tough game for the Cougars to win. However, if they’re able to pull out a win here, it could really jump-start a good season. My guess: Ole Miss by 10.
Sure, Texas was down this year. But they beat Nebraska, and their 5-7 record was a serious underachievement. Don’t expect the Longhorns to be down again next year. This game will also be the Cougars' second long trip to the South in as many weeks. My guess: Texas by 14.
Finally, the Cougars have to travel to Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors put up 10 wins this season, and their only losses were to USC, Boise State and Colorado. With a returning senior quarterback, Hawaii should be good again—and a trip to the islands is more brutal than you can imagine. My guess: BYU by three.
Should my guesses be close, that puts the Cougars at 9-3 next season, with a couple good wins and six against bad teams. All in all, it would be a great building block for 2012 and would likely mean a date in one of the bowls currently contracted with the MWC.
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