BRIGHAM YOUNG COUGARS (Extended Preview)
July 27th, 2008 by Daniel Freer
We crank up the Fantasy College Blitz Time Machine to return to the 1970′s and 1980′s…when the most happening offense in college football was based in Provo, Utah.
Wait…forget that time machine stuff. The 2008 Brigham Young University Cougars may be as proficient as any of those legendary offenses. Definitely, the 2008 version will be the most balanced offense ever produced at the school. And, this season, the defending Mountain West Conference champ BYU will have the best chance of any non-BCS school to crash the BCS Bowls.
HEAD COACH: Bronco Mendenhall (Fourth Season, 28-10 overall record. Also BYU Defensive Coordinator first three seasons, will still call defensive plays in 2008)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Robert Anae (Former assistant at Texas Tech. Brought in spread offense to BYU, a variation of the scheme run at Texas Tech)
FANTASY COLLEGE BLITZ BREAKDOWN:
Loaded….the best way to describe the Cougars in 2008. There are major fantasy prospects at all of the skill positions on the BYU roster this season
First, start with QB Max Hall , an Arizona State transfer who took over the offense in 2007 and was one of the more productive signal-callers in the land, leading the Cougars with 3848 passing yards and 26 TDs. Expect those numbers to increase in 2008, as the Cougars were somewhat inexperienced last season…making Hall’s 2007 season even more impressive. Brenden Gaskins , who saw some action last season, will be Hall’s backup.
But, the most fantasy-friendly Cougar in 2008 will be sophomore RB Harvey Unga , who came out of nowhere last season to lead BYU with 1227 yards rushing, and, was third in receiving yards with 655. Unga also scored 17 TDs (13 rush, 4 receiving) and will be one of the top fantasy backs nationally in 2008. Unga’s understudies, Manase Tonga (8 rushing TDs in 2007) and Fui Vakapuna , are themselves worthy late-draft considerations…and not just for handcuffing with Unga. All three backs are big (240-245 lbs.) and are good receivers.
The WR corps is good, but not as productive in comparison to other proficient passing offenses. The top Cougar WR is Austin Collie , who led the team in receiving with 946 yards and 7 TDs….great totals considering he missed the past two seasons due to a Mormon mission. Joining Collie are WR Michael Reed (449 yards, 4 TDs), Bryce Mahuika (also returns punts and kickoffs), Reed White , Spencer Hafoka , Luke Ashworth , and true freshman Jake Murphy . Collie is definitely a fantasy draftee, while Reed and Mahuika are good late-draft considerations. It should be noted that BYU likes to throw to RBs and TEs, which brings down the WR numbers (it is definitely not the WRs lacking talent).
The balance in the passing game may be a little negative on the WRs, but it makes the TEs very draftable, especially TE Dennis Pitta , who had 873 yards receiving and 5 TDs in 2007….and is a definite starter on TE-must play fantasy leagues. His backup, Andrew George , had 200 yards receiving, and someone to keep an eye on if Pitta misses any time.
Another reason the Cougars will be a fantasy gold-mine in 2008 is that they posses one of the best offensive lines in America. And, possibly the biggest offensive line (averaging nearly 330 lbs per man). LT Dallas Reynolds is a legitimate All-America and Outland Trophy candidate, and his side-mate LG Ray Feinga joined Reynolds on the All-MWC first-team last season.
On special teams, it could be interesting. PK Mitch Payne is a worthy fantasy consideration, but may be bumped by incoming freshman Justin Sorensen , who is arguably the top PK recruit nationally in 2008….and hit a 62 yard FG in high school…which will come in handy in the high-altitude MWC. Look for WRs Bryce Mahuika and Austin Collie to handle kickoff returns, with Mahuika on punt returns.
The BYU Defense is not draft-worthy, as they must replace 8 starters, and the enitre starting secondary, from last season. Although not a great situation for a team looking to snag another MWC title and a BCS bowl game, but, it could mean that the offense will be relied on even more to win games.
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW:
It should be one potent season in Provo, as BYU will return most of its top offensive players from 2007. The Cougars have won two straight conference titles, and have not lost a Mountain West Conference game since the 2005 season. In 2008, the Cougars are definitely thinking beyond the MWC, as they have the talent (and schedule) to crash the BCS.
Speaking of the schedule, it will have some challenges, notably games at Washington, at TCU, and at Utah. However, BYU has the guns to shoot down any challengers…and the schedule poses no real difficulty for its offense…the real positive for any fantasy player.
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