BYU Cougars Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

BYU Cougars Football 2011 Preview, Predictions, Picks, Odds

As the 2011 NCAA Football Season approaches, we are providing season previews for every college football teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best College Football Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2011 season preview. Be sure to bookmark SportsbookBuzz.com your source for Sportsbook Reviews. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the College Football in our recommend sportsbooks.View the rest of our 2011 NCAA Football Season Previews here.

2010 Record: 7-6 MWC Record: 5-3 (T-3rd) 2011 Returning Starters: 18; 10 offense, 7 defense, punter

Coach: Bronco Mendenhall, 56-21 (6 years)

Offensive Coordinators: Brandon Doman Defensive Coordinators: Bronco Mendenhall

2011 BYU Players to Watch: QB Jake Heaps, RB JJ Di Luigi, WR McKay Jacobson, OT Matt Reynolds, LB Jordan Pendleton

2011 BYU Strengths:
The veteran offense is without an apparent weakness. As a sophomore, Heaps looks to become the top-notch pro prospect many thought he could – and will – be. All-American Matt Reynolds anchors a typical BYU dominant line.

2011 BYU Weaknesses:
Injuries on defense last season to key players such as Pendleton and DT Romney Fuga contributed to some big holes. They need to come back strong in 2011, when the schedule is particularly tough early.

2011 BYU Offense:

BYU hopes the finish of the 2010 season was the start of something big. With quarterback Jake Heaps and two other freshmen in starring roles offensively, the Cougars rolled past UTEP 52–24 in the New Mexico Bowl and launched themselves into a new era with some momentum. This season, as BYU plays an independent schedule after leaving the Mountain West Conference, an offense now being coordinated by former Cougar quarterback Brandon Doman should keep improving. Heaps and the offense started slowly while he initially shared the position, but he led BYU to six wins in the last eight games, highlighted by his four-touchdown effort against UTEP. Heaps’ biggest challenge as a sophomore will be to increase his 57.2 completion percentage. The other playmakers include receiver Cody Hoffman, who capped his freshman season with eight catches for 137 yards and three scores in the New Mexico Bowl, and running back Joshua Quezada, who also finished his first year in fine fashion with 101 yards against UTEP. Mix in the versatile JJ Di Luigi, a running back who led BYU with 45 receptions, and Doman will have plenty of options in his first season as a playcaller. Devin Mahina should become more of a factor in the passing game, after none of BYU’s tight ends caught a touchdown pass in 2010. It should help that the offensive line is seasoned. Left tackle Matt Reynolds’ decision to return for his senior year rather than enter the NFL Draft was a big bonus, and he joins three other returning starters.

2011 BYU Defense:

From his perspective on the other side during spring drills, Doman says BYU’s defense is the school’s best in 10 years. Coach Bronco Mendenhall took over the defense last October, firing his coordinator after five games. The Cougars improved steadily from that point. The line is active and athletic, led by Eathyn Manumaleuna and Matt Putnam. The linebackers in the 3-4 scheme should be productive. Kyle Van Noy ranked second on the team with 7.5 tackles for a loss as a part-time player, and Brandon Ogletree added five tackles for a loss. The player everyone talked about in the spring was USC transfer Uona Kaveinga, who earned a starting job after redshirting last season. In the secondary, BYU will miss safety Andrew Rich, who led the team in tackles and interceptions. Free safety Travis Uale is the only returning starter, but Daniel Sorensen shows some of Rich’s qualities at strong safety, and Corby Eason and Robbie Buckner are capable cornerbacks.

2011 BYU Special Teams:

This is a traditional BYU strength in both the kicking and return departments. Former Parade All-American Justin Sorensen returns from a mission to be the placekicker. Starting punter Riley Stephenson is back after averaging 42.0 yards per boot.

2011 BYU Football Schedule | BYU Football Sportsbooks

2011 BYU Predictions:

Piecing together a 2011 schedule after declaring its independence, BYU ended up with a demanding September slate of Ole Miss, Texas, Utah and UCF. How the Cougars handle those first four games will largely determine their success. The biggest question regarding last season is whether the Cougars truly improved in the second half, or if the schedule merely eased. The offense should be more settled and confident from the start with Heaps established as the quarterback, but the unit must prove itself against good competition.

2011 BYU Betting Odds:

BYU Current odds to win a National Championship: +20000

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NCAA Football Handicapping Picks

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