BYU Football: 2019 Preview

For the first time in a couple of seasons, the future looks bright for the BYU Cougars. After a disappointing 4-9 season in 2017, the Cougars responded with a 7-6 effort in 2018, thanks in part to the emergence of freshman QB Zach Wilson who stepped in for BYU in week 7 and led the Cougars to a 4-3 record as the starter. So with the 2019 season approaching, Kalani Sitake has his team looking to build on the success the Cougars saw a season ago.

Make or Break Game -- vs Utah (Aug. 29)

The memory of holding a 27-7 lead over their hated rival, only to see the Utes mount a comeback for the ages and come away with 35-27 victory, is still fresh in the minds of BYU players and fans alike. It's been 10 years since BYU last beat Utah, and Cougar fans are reminded of that every time they encounter their rival fanbase. The Utes are absolutely loaded and are one of the favorites to win the Pac-12 Conference in 2019. But that doesn’t mean the Cougars don’t have a chance to break their eight-game losing streak to the team just 45 minutes north.

A win over Utah in the first game of the season has the ability to make or break the 2019 season for BYU. Get a win, and you finally get that monkey off your shoulder in terms of beating your rival, yes, but you also start the season with an upset win over a top-25 team that’s a legitimate College Football contender. There’s no telling what a win like that would mean for the Cougars as they start the season. BYU faces four Power-5 teams in their first four games of the season. Start that stretch with a win and BYU could gain the confidence it needs to get another win or two against some of college football’s premier teams. Lose to Utah and there’s a good chance the Cougars start the season 0-4.

BYU showed a season ago that they could compete on-field with the Utes and this year the matchup with their heated rival is at their place.

Team MVP -- Zach Wilson (QB)

It took 6 weeks last season for the Cougars to move on from longtime QB Tanner Mangum. Mangum, who had - let’s say - a rollercoaster of a career at BYU started the first six games of 2018 for BYU, including a 24-21 win over then-ranked sixth Wisconsin Badgers. After a 45-20 drubbing at home by rival Utah State, however, Head Coach Kalani Sitake made the switch to true freshman QB Zach Wilson. Wilson had a very impressive showing for the Cougars in 2018, throwing for 1578 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 66% of his passes. Wilson’s best game of the season in BYU’s Bowl victory over Western Michigan in which the freshman threw for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns while completing 100% of his pass attempts.

Wilson enters 2019 as ‘the guy’ for the Cougars meaning he will have had all offseason to work with the first-team offense, something that could prove beneficial to a young QB like Wilson. After having shoulder surgery following 2018, Wilson is fully healed and looks to lead BYU to a successful 2019 campaign. If the Cougars want to make some noise in 2019, Wilson is going to have to be a Heisman-esque season.

Most Improved Player -- Gunner Romney (WR)

Romney enters a sophomore season where he should find himself in a larger role than a season ago. The wideout from Arizona had 13 catches for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2018. With another year under his belt and the future of fellow receiver Neil Pau’u uncertain, Romeny should see an increase in opportunities in Jeff Grimes’ offense. Romney, by all accounts, has a very good relationship with QB Zach Wilson which helps to build the on-field connection between the QB and WR which can only bode well for Romney. He showed flashes a season ago, and now Romney will have to shoulder a larger load in 2019 if the Cougars want to turn heads.

Player to Watch -- Isaiah Kaufusi (LB)

With the departure of Corbin Kaufusi to the NFL this offseason, BYU turns to the next man up to lead its defense. As has been the case in recent years, the next man up also happens to be from the Kaufusi family. Only this time Isaiah, a linebacker, won’t be coming off the edge for the BYU defense.

With Corbin Kaufusi and Sione Takitaki both playing on Sundays this fall, Isaiah Kaufusi should have plenty of opportunities to be the leader of the Cougar defense in 2019. The Junior finished 2018 with 50 total tackles (30 solo), 6 tackles for a loss and one interception. While the offense for the Cougars will undoubtedly be the focal point for fans this year, Isaiah Kaufusi will be someone that BYU fans should have their eyes on as the BYU defense will lean heavily on the linebacker.

Overall Record -- 7-5

The Cougars will be much improved in 2019, even if their record doesn’t reflect it. With Zach Wilson at the helm of the offense and Isaiah Kaufusi anchoring the defense, BYU will be more competitive and they have a realistic shot at taking down some of the better teams on their schedule. Unfortunately for BYU, however, the front end of their schedule is absolutely brutal. With a trip to Neyland Stadium to take on the Tennessee Volunteers, and home games against Utah, USC and Washington, the Cougars face a tough challenge ahead.

Here’s how I see BYU’s season unfolding:

08/29 - Utah - Loss

09/07 - at Tennessee - Loss

09/14 - USC - Loss

09/21 - Washington - Loss

09/28 - at Toledo - Win

10/12 - at USF - Win

10/19 - Boise State - Win

11/02 - at Utah State - Loss

11/09 - Liberty - Win

11/16 - Idaho State - Win

11/23 - at UMass - Win

11/30 - at San Diego State - Win