BYU Cougars 2009 College Football Predictions, College Football Picks & College Football Odds: Heading into the 2008 campaign, it was the defense that was a big question mark. They performed quite well, but with eight starters returning, the defense may suddenly be the team’s strength. Many of the offensive skill players are also back, but the offensive line needs a lot of retooling. That may keep the Cougars one step behind Utah…yet again. Odds makers at Sportsbook.com have college football predictions o the BYU Cougars 50-1 odds to win the BSC 2010 National Championship.
BYU ranked sixth in the nation in passing offense and 16 th in total offense. But some of the key components that made the offense so successful are now gone. Wide receiver Austin Collie caught an incredible 106 passes for 1,538 yards and 15 touchdowns and finding another receiver who can do that will be nearly impossible. Tight end Dennis Pitta is a great pass catcher and eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark in 2008, but the Cougars need to find a new deep threat.
They ranked eighth in the conference in pass defense and sixth in total defense. However, all eight starters returning are seniors and there are no excuses for those numbers to be much better in 2009. Jan Jorgensen, who tallied 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles-for-loss, is a superb player, but he needs help from the rest of the line. BYU only averaged 1.69 sacks per game last year and it was way too easy for the opposition to double team Jorgensen. Now players like Brett Denney and Russell Tialavea have to step up and consistently get into the backfield. With Matt Bauman and Dhawn Doman returning to form a talented group in the middle of the field, the Cougars rush defense should be in good shape.
Specialists BYU’s kicking game was mostly mediocre last season, although Justin Sorensen prevented many returns with his long kickoffs. Sorensen is serving an LDS Church mission, so Mitch Payne will handle all the placekicking. BYU must replace punter C.J. Santiago, with sophomore Tyler Holt in line for the job. Chambers’ speed should make him a capable return man.
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