No. 18 Brigham Young

Coach: Bronco Mendenhall
Record: 38-13, 4 years
Last season: 10-3, 6-2 Mountain West
Bowl game: Lost to Arizona 31-21 in the Las Vegas Bowl
Overview: The Cougars have had three consecutive 10-3 seasons and are sixth in the nation in victories over that span. This year they appear to have what it takes to break into a BCS bowl, although they must improve defensively.
Key returnees: QB Max Hall, Sr.; RB Harvey Unga, Jr; TE Dennis Pitta, Sr.; DE Jan Jorgensen, Sr.; LB Matt Bauman, Sr.
Why BYU is dangerous: Max Hall passed for 3,957 yards last season. His top target will likely be tight end Dennis Pitta, who had 1,083 yards in receptions last season. The Cougars also have a good running back, Harvey Unga, who rushed for 1,132 yards as a sophomore last season. Defensively, BYU boasts the MWC�s all-time sacks leader, end Jan Jorgensen, who has 24. Linebacker Matt Bauman also returns. Both are on the preseason Lott Trophy watch list, an award that goes to the nation�s top defensive player.
Why BYU is vulnerable: The Cougars will have a mostly rebuilt offensive line. They also must improve their defense, which last year saw five of its last seven opponents score at least 30 points.
Prediction: BYU most likely will open the season with a loss because it will play Oklahoma in the first college game at the new Cowboys Stadium on Sept. 5. The Cougars also will face Florida State in a home game on Sept. 19. Their two toughest conference games, TCU on Oct. 24 and Utah on Nov. 28, will be home games. The Cougars should be no worse than 8-4, but an 11-1 record and a MWC championship is possible.