BYU vs. Ole Miss Football: How This Sets the Tone for the Cougars

College football isn't necessarily a long straight road. A team can start the season in one direction but find its way down a detour down the road.

But more often than not, the first game of the season is a pretty good indication as to where the team is headed and what its final destination may be.

This can likely be said for BYU. Were it opening against Montana State, we probably wouldn't know much about the team. But starting the season in Oxford, Mississippi against a solid SEC team will set the tone for the rest of the season.

In many ways...

Jake Heaps' Progress

We should know by the time the final whistle blows Saturday just how much (or little) Jake Heaps has progressed in the offseason.

The Ole Miss defense may not be the best in the SEC, but it's still fast, athletic and good.

If he has a stellar game, the future for BYU is extremely bright in 2011 and likely 2012-2013.

The Defensive Line's Stiffness

This is a very, very big and strong offensive line at Ole Miss. And with the quarterback situation up in the air for the Rebels, the Cougars will see a steady diet of the run.

If BYU's front seven hold their own against Ole Miss, they'll be able to hold any other team on the schedule.

If the Rebels rack up 300-plus yards on the ground, this may be a defensive run unit that struggles during the year.

Confidence, Stupid!

Ole Miss is an SEC team, certainly. But it isn't an elite one.

Based on last season's performance, BYU should be able to beat this team, even in Oxford.

Even so, a win in this situation would be a big confidence boost for the team and would certainly spill over into Austin, TX next week.

But a big loss would do just the opposite and leave the Cougars wondering if they are the same team as last year that just beat up on a bunch of patsies.

Brandon Doman's Play-Calling Acumen

Brandon Doman has never been an offensive coordinator. Which means he's never been the key play-caller.

But the pressure is on him now to perform at this task that's half art and half science.

If Doman shows stellar judgement, creativity and aggression, Cougar fans can jump on his bandwagon for the rest of the season.

Should he struggle, the calls for Norm Chow will call about midway through the fourth quarter.

Road Weariness

This game will be in a tough environment. Similar to what the Cougars saw in Tallahassee last season, the fans in Oxford will be all over the Cougars.

And so will the humidity.

A win in the muggy afternoon heat with over 60,000 opposing fans spitting out religious slurs would show the Cougars have what it takes to navigate a brutal road schedule.

A loss might be a preview of another five road games to come.