Starters Returning: 12 (9 offense, 3 defense)

Top Returnees: QB Max Hall, RB Harvey Unga, RB Manase Tonga, WR Michael Reed, WR Austin Collie, TE Dennis Pitta, RG Travis Bright, LG Ray Feinga, LT Dallas Reynolds, DE Jan Jorgensen, DE Ian Dulan, MLB David Nixon

Key Losses: NT Eathyn Manumaleuna, MLB Kelly Poppinga, LB Bryan Kehl, LB Markell Staffieri, LB Chris Bolden, CB Kayle Buchanan, CB Ben Criddle, SS Cory Hodgkiss, FS Quinn Gooch

2008 Schedule

Aug. 30 Northern Iowa

Sept. 6 @ Washington

Sept. 13 UCLA

Sept. 20 Wyoming

Oct. 3 @ Utah St

Oct. 11 New Mexico

Oct. 16 @ TCU

Oct. 25 UNLV

Nov. 1 @ Colorado St

Nov. 8 San Diego St

Nov. 15 @ Air Force

Nov. 22 @ Utah

Key Game: Nov. 22 @ Utah. Easily the biggest game of the year for these in-state archrivals, whether or not something’s on the line besides bragging rights. This season, there should be a lot on the line, as BYU and Utah could both be going for undefeated seasons this year and this game could decide an undefeated season, Mountain West title, and a BCS berth. The Cougars have had a little luck in close, late wins over Utah the last two seasons, and they may call on Lady Luck against the tough Utes again this year.

2008 Outlook

In their quest for a third straight MWC title, the Cougars will look to their veteran offense that has nine starters returning, including all of their top offensive weapons.

QB Max Hall is back for his junior season and should be even better than his extraordinary 2007 season. He was a First-Team All-MWC honoree last season and set MWC records for a sophomore in all-purpose yards and passing yards. This season, Hall could go well over 4000 passing yards in 2008 with all of his top weapons returning.

With the exception of Matt Allen, Hall’s primary targets are back, including the top four from last season. Leading the way is WR Austin Collie, who had 56 catches, 946 yards (16.9 yards per catch), and 7 touchdowns in 2007. Joining him will be TE Dennis Pitta (55 catches, 813 yards, 5 TD) and WR Michael Reed (449 yards, 4 touchdowns). WR Bryce Mahuika, who has been mainly a special teams player, will round out the starters.

BYU boasts a talented backfield. RB Harvey Unga put up incredible numbers (1227 yards rushing, 655 yards receiving, and 17 total touchdowns) as a freshman, and while it will be a tough task to repeat those numbers, he’ll have an excellent shot to do so. Backing him up will be Fui Vakapuna, though it’s now just the Tongan Twosome instead of the Tongan Trio, as Manase Tonga is academically ineligible.

Protecting Hall and the “Tongan Trio” will be the MWC’s best offensive line and one of the very best in the nation. Nine of their top ten linemen return, including First-team All-MWC players, LG Ray Feinga, who did not allow a sack last year, and LT Dallas Reynolds, who did not allow a sack in MWC play.

The defense is the Cougars biggest question mark heading into this season. Only three starters return to the defense and only four of their top 12 tacklers are back. The returning starters from 2007 are First-Team All-MWC DE Jan Jorgensen (77 tackles, 14 sacks), DE Ian Dulan (24 tackles, 3 sacks) and MLB David Nixon (66 tackles, 4 sacks). All three will have to have huge seasons for the Cougars.

On the bright side, many of the new starters have some level of experience, and among them are two in DT Russell Tialavea and SS David Tafuna who are returning from injury. There are also some recruits from a talented recruiting class that could chip in right away.

BYU is poised not only for a third straight Mountain West title, but also for a perfect season. It’s quite possible that the spoils will come down to the wire for the Cougars and archrival Utah, and the winner of their finale will not only have bragging rights and likely a conference title, but a big-money BCS bowl could be the icing on the cake.