BYU Football: 10 Reasons To Be Optimistic and Pessimistic

The ushering in of August brings college football fever. And CFBF, as it's medically known, brings about severe rashes of optimism and pessimism alike.

BYU enters this month approaching its first step into the unknown breach of independence.

The school’s fans, media and even administration await to see if the amputation of itself from the Mountain West Conference and its terrible TV network will prove to be an adequate antidote to the lack of exposure and national respect that has plagued it since the BCS cartel polarized the college football environment.

Are fans optimistic that this season will deliver a successful dose of wins to launch the independence campaign? Or are they pessimistic that the road to recovery from the MWC will be awfully tough this season.

There are plenty of reasons to be both. In fact, sometimes cause for optimism is also cause for pessimism. Have a look at these five reasons to be optimistic as well as pessimistic about the prognosis of the 2011 season.

Reason for Optimism: The Schedule Offers Lots of Opportunity

Last year was an anomaly in that the Cougars had a strong strength-of-schedule rating heading into October. However, that rating plummeted as they matched up against the bottom of the MWC later in the season.  

This season will be similar, in that the Cougs have plenty of games early in which to impress media, elate fans and build confidence before a waltz with some bad, bad teams.

Games against Ole Miss, Texas, TCU, Utah, Oregon State, Central Florida and Hawai’i offer opportunity to impress, and there’s no reason the Cougars can’t win any one of these games.

But on the other hand…

Reason for Pessimism: The Schedule Could Be Brutal

They certainly can win any of those games mentioned previously. But they could lose any of them, too. How many can they really win, considering five of the seven are on the road?

That’s quite a road gauntlet to run, and there aren’t many teams in the country (at least north and west of the Mason-Dixon) who could argue they have a tougher road slate.

Reason for Optimism: Brandon Doman Is the New OC

Predictable, vanilla Robert Anae is gone. Fans are bursting with optimism that Brandon Doman is the fired-up, discipline and fundamentals-focused leader of the offensive unit the Cougars have sorely needed.

He comes in highly-praised, and players seem to positively love him.

But on the other hand…

Reason To Be Pessimistic: Brandon Doman Is an Unproven OC

Brandon Doman has yet to prove anything.

He is a fierce competitor, sure. But can he coach? Is he a leader of young men? Does he have the creative offensive mind it takes to stay competitive in today’s game? Can he call plays? Can he translate his focus on fundamentals to his players?

We just don’t know yet. And that’s a big question mark.

Reason for Optimism: Jake Heaps Could Be Awesome

We literally watched Jake Heaps grow up before our eyes. His confidence grew faster than a Utah coed. He showed poise and leadership after struggling to find confidence.

And he led his team to wins late in the season. Nothing indicates that his confidence won’t continue to grow and his polish continue to shine bright.

He has all the tools and all the opportunity now to become a nationally-recognized player.

But on the other hand…

Reason for Pessimism: Jake Heaps Could Be Average

Heaps didn’t perform at a high level against any real great competition last year.

Wins against New Mexico, Wyoming, UTEP and that ilk are nice on paper, but are they the stuff it takes to become a national power?

For all we know, Heaps beat up on a bunch of patsies, and the first time he gets pummeled by a big SEC D-linemen, he’s going to clam up and sputter.

We just don’t know if he can win against really good competition because he has yet to prove it.

Reason for Optimism: Hawaii Could Be a Huge Final Game

I will be shocked it Hawai’i isn’t undefeated come December 3 when the Cougars descend into Honolulu.

If BYU puts together a great run, this could be a matchup of two ranked teams with plenty of respect to play for and plenty of national attention on the game.

A showdown between what should be two offensive juggernauts could be one of those for the ages which captivates the nation and is water-cooler fodder Monday morning.

A win over a top 10, undefeated Rainbow Warriors squad would be just the launchpad the Cougars need to begin 2011 in the top 10.

But on the other hand…

Reason for Pessimism: Hawaii Could Be a Beatdown

I’ve said it ad nauseam. It’s very, very hard to win on Oahu.

The Warriors will be a very good team. There’s a four-hour time difference to deal with. There are distractions (have you seen what’s walking around Waikiki in December?!)

Bronco has a very tough task ahead of him to eradicate the demons haunting BYU fans from its last adventure in the Aloha State in 2001.

This game could be a potential buzzsaw.

Reason for Optimism and Pessimism: Good or Bad, the Armed Forces Bowl Is Likely

Unless they are undefeated or have just one loss to another top 10 BCS team, BYU is headed to the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth, Texas on December 30.

They’ll play an inferior Conference USA opponent the week before Christmas (aka "The Crappy Bowl Season) and should have their way with whomever they match up against, like they did against UTEP last season.

Should the Cougars find themselves with just a couple losses against ranked teams, this will be a disappointing capstone to the season.

But if BYU ends up with four of five losses, this bowl is probably about where they belong. Either way, it seems a little anti-climatic.

Optimism Wins

In the end, this season bears as much excitement preseason as any in the recent past.

The Cougars have a ton of talent. They've got a discipline-focused camp. They have tons of national exposure. And they have all the chances they can expect.

There may be a few reasons to be concerned, but it seems like an awfully good time to be a Cougar.