alt=Jeff CallPROVO — Since going independent in 2011, BYU has been hoping for a magical football season.
It hasn’t happened yet.
In 2014, the Cougars appeared to be on their way to capturing greatness by starting 4-0 and jumping into the national rankings. But a season-ending injury to quarterback Taysom Hill in early October derailed those hopes.
A year ago, BYU stunned the country by knocking off then-No. 6 Wisconsin on the road and earning a national ranking. Then it lost four of its next six games.
If the Cougars get off to a strong start this season, that should catapult them into national relevance.
<strong>“</strong>We’re going to shock a lot of people. There are some haters and some followers but at the end of the day, we’ve worked hard all summer and we’ve put in the work. I’m excited for what we’re going to do.” — BYU defensive lineman Zac Dawe
BYU opens the 2019 season Thursday at LaVell Edwards Stadium against No. 14 Utah. That’s followed by a trip to Tennessee and home games against USC and No. 13 Washington.
The Cougars are the only team in the country to start the season with four Power Five opponents. It’s a big challenge but it’s also a big opportunity. Certainly, snapping that eight-game losing streak to Utah would be a huge milestone for this program.
So will it be a dispiriting September? Or a September to remember?
With the return of sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson and other proven playmakers on both sides of the ball; an offense in its second season under offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes; and Kalani Sitake entering his fourth season as head coach, the Cougars are eager to make a statement.
“We’re going to shock a lot of people,” said defensive lineman Zac Dawe. “There are some haters and some followers but at the end of the day, we’ve worked hard all summer and we’ve put in the work. I’m excited for what we’re going to do.”
“Our expectation as a team is to win every game. We want to win every game this year. If we execute and do what we do best, we have the potential to compete with anyone in the country,” said tight end Matt Bushman. “A lot of guys on our team are thinking that way. I think the sky’s the limit.”
BYU is hoping to build on the momentum established at the end of last season, when it finished with a 7-6 record and won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in dominating fashion.
While the Cougars have three of their first four games at home, the reality is that they have posted a 5-7 record at Edwards Stadium the past two seasons.
What if the Cougars stumble during that first month? What if BYU’s depth is tested? Can the Cougars bounce back if they experience early-season setbacks?
Plenty of preseason attention has been on BYU’s first four games, overshadowing what is also a tough October schedule filled with potential pitfalls. In that month, BYU travels to Toledo and South Florida, hosts Boise State and travels to Utah State.
Under Sitake, the Cougars have posted a combined 1-5 record against the Broncos and Aggies. Last year, USU crushed BYU, 45-20, recording back-to-back victories over the Cougars for the first time since 1973-74. Boise State, meanwhile, held on to beat BYU last season with a defensive stand in the game’s waning seconds.
The Cougars conclude the regular season at former Mountain West Conference rival San Diego State. BYU is slated to play in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve if it becomes bowl-eligible.
“With this schedule, that’s why we’re so excited to be out here,” said linebacker Zayne Anderson. “We know what’s ahead of us. We know the task we have. We’re champing at the bit. Right now, our eyes are on Utah. Then we’ll move forward after that. But it’s exciting having this rivalry game as the first game.”
Because the showdown against Utah is such an emotional game, the outcome could impact the Cougars the following week when they visit 102,000-seat Neyland Stadium in Knoxville to take on the Volunteers. Then USC and Washington come to town back-to-back.
Yes, the season opener could set the tone for the rest of the year.
The Utes are picked to win the Pac-12 championship. Last November, the Cougars raced out to a 20-0 halftime lead against Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium. BYU led 27-7 late in the third quarter before the Utes roared back to claim a 35-27 victory.
For the first time, the archrivals will play in the season opener. The Cougars have been pointing to this rematch for months.
“It certainly matters that the rivalry is the opener because that game is more important than others,” said offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. “Any time you open with a big game, that’s a positive in that it gives players focus and motivation throughout the summer. The magnitude of this game only heightens that.”
No doubt, that first month is a gauntlet. How will BYU fare?
“I know a lot of people doubt us as a team,” Wilson said. “Personally, I feel like doubt is the No. 1 reason I think people should be motivated to do better. Whether someone’s getting hyped to be the best or, these guys aren’t going to have a good year, there’s no problem coming from the bottom, surprising everybody else. That’s the best approach — don’t ever think you’ve arrived. We’ve got to overcome that obstacle. Guys don’t believe in us. But as a team, we all believe in each other.”