Now that the Utes are history, BYU looks to the next game and beyond
- posted: 27 Nov. 2007
- scrollsports@byui.edu
With a 17-10 win over rival Utah Nov. 24, BYU won its second consecutive outright Mountain West Conference championship and is in position to record double-digit wins in a year many sports analysts saw as a rebuilding time for BYU.
After losing several key players in its offense from 2006, when the Cougars went 11-2, BYU (9-2, 8-0) relies heavily on underclassmen. While star linebacker Brian Kehl is a senior, starting quarterback Max Hall, tight end Dennis Pitta, receiver Austin Collie and most of the offensive line are sophomores.
Standout running back Harvey Unga, who has gained over 1,000 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns on the year, is a red-shirt freshman.
With this kind of talent at coach Bronco Mendenhall’s disposal for the next two seasons, BYU should be a top pick for the next few conference championships.
If the Cougars can beat San Diego State on the road this week, and then win in the Las Vegas Bowl this December, the Cougars will most likely be ranked in the top 25 nationally to begin the 2008 season. With such a large number of starters returning, the Cougars appear primed to make a serious run at a BCS bowl in 2009.
San Diego State (4-6, 3-3) has had a difficult season, losing three of its first four games. Offensively, the Aztecs have had little trouble moving the ball. A stable of running backs have combined for over 1,000 yards on the ground, and starting quarterback Kevin O’Connell has passed for 2,775 yards and 12 touchdowns.
On defense, however, San Diego State has allowed opposing offenses to score over 40 points three times on the year, a number that BYU offensive coordinator Robert Anae should be aware of. 
