BYU Cougars 2019 College Football Preview

College Football Predictions – BYU Cougars 2019 College Football Preview

2018 Recap

Record – 7-6

ATS – 9-4

The Cougars bounced back from a disappointing 2017 campaign (4-9) and finished with a winning record. They had a pair of impressive upset road wins early in the year (Arizona, Wisconsin) but went into a fairly serious mid-season funk. They finished strong and won three of their final four games including an Idaho Potato Bowl smashing of Western Michigan.

Let’s find out if BYU has what it takes to improve their win total once again in 2019.

2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Independents – #2

BYU Cougars 2019 Outlook

OFFENSE

The future looks bright on offense with the emergence of QB Zach Wilson as a potential star. Wilson got things rolling and finished with some good numbers (12-3 TD to INT, 66%, 221 yards rushing, 7 starts). If you didn’t get a chance to watch Wilson shine in the Idaho Potato Bowl you missed him fire a PERFECT GAME going 18/18 for 371 yards and 4 TDs vs the Broncos. Yup, that happened.

The WR and TE positions look stacked as Matt Bushman is one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends in college football (511, 17.8, 2 TD LY) and their top-two WRs are both back for duty (Avela Hifo, Talon Shumway). The RB unit was riddled with injuries last year but they return #1 rusher Lopini Katoa and add a pair of grad transfers that could make a big splash. Ty’Son Williams makes his way over from the Gamecocks and Emmanuel Esukpa was a reliable option with the Rice Owls. The offensive line should take another move forward with four starters returning to the mix.

We project the Cougars to score over 30 PPG this season despite having to deal with a nasty schedule (27.2 PPG LY).

DEFENSE

The Cougars played some fine defense last year allowing a mere 21.4 PPG (#24 FBS) and 324 YPG (#18 FBS). Eight starters return and they should be tough to move the ball upon once again. DE Corbin Kaufusi will be missed (8.5 sacks LY) but they still have a lot of experience and size on the line. MLB Sione Takitaki is off to the NFL (Browns) but LB Isaiah Kaufusi is a good piece to build around. The run D should be stingy. BYU only allowed 13 TD passes last year and finished with a respectable pass efficiency defense ranking (#22 FBS). They have a senior-laden secondary with three returning starters.

This is a good-looking stop unit. In order to take it to the next level they have to find a way to force more turnovers (9 INT in 13 games LY) and achieve more consistent PENETRATION (#119 FBS in TFL per game LY).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Things appear to be a bit shaky. They need to break in a new punter and their PR and KR game was virtually non-existent. PK Skyler Southam connected on 11/16 FGs in 2018.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – It’s very challenging. The first five games are nasty and they will do well to emerge with three wins in those contests (Utah, at Tennessee, USC, Washington, at Toledo). They also have road trips to Utah St and San Diego St as well as a home game with Boise St.

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Tennessee (September 7)

BYU starts the season with a bang and the HOLY WAR with Utah. The following week they need to travel to Tennessee and that feels like a tough spot to back the Cougars.

Season Win Total

Over 6.5 +100

Under 6.5 -120

MEGALOCKS says:

This team is stocked with talent but it’s not going to be easy to cobble together seven wins. We’ll probably stay clear of this market, but recommend taking the ‘over’ if you need to book some SWEET ACTION.

MEGAmazing Tidbit

BYU plays home games at the 63,000+ seat LaVell Edwards Stadium which is named after their legendary head coach. Edwards won 19 conference championships, seven bowl games, and one national championship (1984) as head coach of the Cougars.

MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Positive

You can’t help but like the look of this team. The offense is going be balanced and dangerous, and you know they will be tough on defense. We aren’t crazy about the special teams and the schedule is a bear, but there aren’t any unwinnable games on the slate. We would be surprised if they didn’t bag at least one big upset. Teams like Utah, USC, Washington, and Boise St better pack a lunch.

BYU is an impressive 56% ATS over the past 10 years and have been a good bet on many occasions under the tutelage of HC Kalani Sitake (21-17-1, 55%). We have a slightly positive outlook overall when it comes to their prospects vs the point spread and will almost certainly be calling their names at the betting windows on more than one occasion.

Want more BYU football ?

WEBSITE

http://byucougars.com/home/m-football

FORUM

http://www.cougarboard.com/

http://cougarcorner.com/viewforum.php?f=2

http://www.cougarstadium.com/forumdisplay.php?2-The-Stadium&s=914d7a725404c1b67414989c749ed0f1

http://boards.cougarfan.com/c/football

http://cougarguard.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=e5f6319fb0c24d605b9480a02fc1fb1c&f=7

NEWS

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu/

http://www.vanquishthefoe.com/