1. Hill: I’ve said since the first game I saw him play that he could become the best BYU QB ever and I stand by that. He puts maximum pressure on the defense when he scrambles because he can throw on the run but he can also run by the defense (just ask Texas). I’m not saying Stewart can’t be good, it’s just that virtually no inexperienced QB in the last 25+ years has come in and been consistently good. Hill's health is essential to a highly successful season. I could see an early loss of Hill resulting in up to 5 losses for the year.

2. Williams: BYU’s soon to become all-time leading rusher could not be replaced by anyone with nearly equal ability. Backups are very good, they’re just not great. Williams sets up the play action pass. BYU really needs a credible threat in the backfield. A Williams loss could easily translate into 2+ losses this year.

3. Kafusi: BYU has had consistently outstanding outside linebackers for several (6?) years now. We are accustomed to it. It hasn’t always been so. Losing Kafusi who’s big enough to stuff the run and fast enough (reportsedly) to cover the flats would be a major loss. That side would move from (potentially) outstanding to good, a serious blow. I could see a Kafusi loss translating to at least one loss.

4. Fua: This is his year to shine. I’m not saying he will be drafted, but with a strong year he very well could be. The backups are talented but not nearly as experienced. Losing Fua would be about the same as losing Kafusi.

5. Pikula: The majority of the experience inside. He represents continuity with a very stable inside linebacking corp. This one is harder to quantify. A Pikula loss could be costly but hard to calculate.

6. Bills: The captain on defense whether voted in or not. A vicious hitter and all around great player. He has more experience than anyone else. Some believe that an absent Bills resulted in a loss last year. I think his absence would probably be in the 1.5-2+ games range.

You can never tell who will step up and who will not when someone is injured. Maybe a future NFL all-star lurks in back of Hill. I’d prefer, however, to keep these 6 guys healthy all season long.