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PROVO — The numbers 8-5 cause Cougar fans to cringe as much as the score 34-31 did to BYU fans in the '90s. The standard has been set by coach Bronco Mendenhall for BYU, and 8-5 just doesn't cut it in Provo. Here are reasons BYU will buck the trend and win more than eight games — along with a few reasons the program could continue to succumb to the same fate or worse this year.
Reason No. 1 BYU will be better than 8-5: Taysom Hill
Before going down with an injury against Utah State, Taysom Hill was simply a beast. In just over four games, the quarterback threw for seven touchdowns and ran for eight more. Hill's play was a major reason the Cougars started 4-0 and had dreams of an undefeated season. Hill improved dramatically in his passing ability from 2013 to 2014 and there is no reason to believe that same growth won't be evident this year. As Steve Young said, "I see a better me." With Hill back and fully healthy, the Cougs have a great shot at breaking the 8-5 streak.
Reason No. 1 BYU will go 8-5 (or worse): An injury to Hill
There's no two ways around it — Hill's aggressive running style puts him at risk for injury. The signal caller has only gone through a season unscathed in one year out of three. The coaches have vowed to protect him more, but it seems unlikely that Hill will change his style too much because that's what has made him a marquee player. If Hill goes down, the Cougars have no experience at the quarterback position. Tanner Mangum is highly touted, but he has not played in a real game in over three years. Without Hill, the Cougars may be doomed to an 8-5 record or worse by season's end.
Reason No. 2 BYU will be better than 8-5: The offense is stacked
In 2014, the Cougars put up their best points per game average since the 2001 season. The team averaged 37.1 points per contest, which was good for 15th best in the nation. That statistic is even more impressive given the fact that they had to turn to a backup quarterback and implement a different scheme to better match his skill set. All of the most explosive players on the offensive side of the ball will be back this year. Jamaal Williams should continue to put up big numbers at running back, and the wide receiver corps may be the most talented and deepest bunch in the Mendenhall era. The offense will light up the board this year and ensure that the Cougars will be better than 8-5.
Reason No. 2 BYU will go 8-5 (or worse): The defense could struggle
While the offense was terrific for most of 2014, the defense was anemic and occasionally pathetic. The bowl game was all too telling for just how bad the defense was. In that game, the Cougars scored 48 points and still managed to lose in a double overtime thriller. While BYU continued to be stout against the run, the secondary struggled mightily throughout the season. This year, there are many unknowns in the secondary, and there could be a repeat performance of last year.
Reason No. 3 BYU will be better than 8-5: The schedule
BYU has a difficult September schedule. In fact, Phil Steele said that the Cougars have the toughest September schedule in the nation. With contests against Nebraska, Boise State, UCLA and Michigan, the Y. will have plenty of gut checks. However, after those four games, the schedule eases up considerably. If BYU can come out of September at 2-2, I don't see it losing to three more opponents.
Reason No. 3 BYU will go 8-5 (or worse): The schedule
While I don't think it will happen, it is an ever-present reality that the Cougars can conceivably lose each of their first four contests. If that were to happen, morale would be extremely low in Provo, and while the schedule is easier, there could be as few as two games (UConn and Wagner) that BYU will be favored to win. Dylan Cannon is a regular KSL.com contributor and can be reached at DylanCannon86@gmail.com or via Twitter @DylanCannon11. Listen to his weekly podcast, "Cougar Talk," on iTunes.
