QUARTERBACKS
Max Hall, 6-1, 200, So.
Brenden Gaskins, 6-5, 220, So.
James Lark, 6-3, 205, Fr.
3RD AND SHORT: Hall's confidence, poise and leadership may go a long way in making up for his lack of Division I experience. While he doesn't have John Beck's arm, he is more aggressive, more daring and outspoken in the huddle and on the sidelines. A tremendous worker in the offseason, Hall's earned the respect of his teammates.
3RD AND LONG: After Hall, the Cougars have a drop-off in execution. The bridesmaids in the wings do not have the same command of Robert Anae's offense, nor is their timing at the same level. Gaskins is the most likely candidate, but a broken finger set him back until September. If Hall goes down, it will be a roll of the dice with the pass, and defending the title would be a long shot.
RUNNING BACKS
Fui Vakapuna, 6-1, 234, Jr.
Manase Tonga, 6-0, 234, Jr.
Harvey Unga, 6-0, 221, Fr.
Joe Semanoff, 5-11, 220, Sr.
3RD AND SHORT: They are big, strong, tough and love to play smash-mouth, physical football. As a tag team, Vakapuna, Tonga and Unga could pose a problem for defenses in the MWC. While early Pac-10 foes might have the horses to corral them, league defenders will learn quickly how strong this trio is to tackle one-on-one off a handoff or pass.
3RD AND LONG: A year ago, Curtis Brown simply did not put the ball on the ground. While there is no evidence of Tonga, Vakapuna and Unga being fumble-prone, they have a high standard to match in terms of ball security, a key for the Cougar offensive operation.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Ray Feinga, 6-5, 322, Jr.
Sete Aulai, 6-1, 297, Sr.
David Oswald, 6-8, 325, Jr.
Travis Bright, 6-5, 314, Jr.
Dallas Reynolds, 6-5, 328, Jr.
R.J. Willing, 6-5, 300, So.
Garrett Reden, 6-3, 273, Fr.
Tom Sorensen, 6-5, 315, So.
3RD AND SHORT: This may be the deepest, most experienced and talented O-line the Cougars have had in decades. Aulai should be the best center in the league, and it would be tough to find blockers more physical than Feinga and Bright. They are big, nasty and welcome a battle.
3RD AND LONG: This group may dominate in MWC play, but the success of the entire season depends on how they deploy their physical nature on UCLA, Arizona and Tulsa. If they can push around Pac-10 teams in the first two games, we will know they're more than hype.
TIGHT ENDS
Dennis Pitta, 6-5, 230, So.
Vic So'oto, 6-3, 233, So.
Andrew George, 6-5, 240, So.
3RD AND SHORT: This trio is talented enough to pick up where Jonny Harline and Daniel Coats left off last year. Pitta is faster than Harline, and So'oto is expected to be physical like Coats. Pitta is a big target and has shown the play-making ability of Harline, if somebody can get him the ball in the right spot.
3RD AND LONG: BYU tight ends are drilled to be outstanding receivers, sometimes at the expense of mastering blocking. All three tight ends need to become better blockers in the Cougar offense. Someone will need to get nasty like Coats was.
RECEIVERS
Michael Reed, 6-1, 202, Jr.
Matt Allen, 6-0, 177, Sr.
Austin Collie, 6-2, 212, So.
Bryce Mahuika, 5-9, 185, Jr.
Tyler Kozlowski, 5-10, 178, Fr.
Reed White, 5-11, 190, Jr.
3RD AND SHORT: They are experienced, athletic and faster than expected. Collie, just off a mission to Argentina, has stepped in and immediately emerged as the top receiver in camp. His consistency, his nose for the ball in the air and his determination inspire the others. Allen is stepping up as a vocal senior.
3RD AND LONG: The group needs to increase the yards-after-catch stats. In BYU's controlled passing game, downfield blocking is key. All the receivers need to be more physical while avoiding injuries associated with downfield blocking.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jan Jorgensen, 6-3, 260, So.
Ian Dulan, 6-1, 274, So.
Eathyn Manumaleuna, 6-2, 280, Fr.
David Angilau, 6-2, 270, Fr.
Brett Denney, 6-4, 251, So.
Rick Wolfley, 6-3, 326, Fr.
Mosese Foketi, 6-0, 270, Jr.
3RD AND SHORT: The defensive ends are fast and experienced, and Dulan continues to show great potential for a low-built young lineman. Jorgensen has the potential to be all-league as a sophomore, and Denney has been solid.
3RD AND LONG: It's the middle. Losing starting noseguard Russell Tialavea hurt the 3-4 front because of his experience and physical presence. The success of BYU's defensive front depends on the development of Manumaleuna, Foketi, Angilau and Rick Wolfley, who moved over from the O-line.
LINEBACKERS
Bryan Kehl, 6-3, 231, Sr.
David Nixon, 6-3, 223, Jr.
Kelly Poppinga, 6-2, 240, Sr.
Grant Nelson, 6-2, 215, Fr.
Chris Bolden, 6-0, 248, Sr.
Matt Bauman, 6-1, 220, So.
Shawn Doman, 6-2, 219, So.
3RD AND SHORT: Depth, speed, athleticism and mobility are traits of this group that carried the defense a year ago. Kehl and Nixon should be among the top linebackers in the league and are capable of making game-changing plays.
3RD AND LONG: This corps can let its excitability and aggressiveness work against it. Where leader Cameron Jensen was a slow-play reader on keys, some in this group can get out of position trying to make plays, like taking a hard bite on play-action passes. Polish is needed.
CORNERBACKS
Ben Criddle, 6-0, 185, Sr.
Kayle Buchanan, 6-1, 191, Sr.
Brandon Howard, 5-9, 170, So.
Brandon Bradley, 6-0, 195, Fr.
Andre Saulsberry, 5-10, 178, Sr.
G Pittman, 5-9, 175, Fr.
3RD AND SHORT: Smart and savvy with decent speed. While Buchanan has had a career filled with injuries, he is experienced, and Criddle was the surprise of the defense last year at field corner. With an infusion of new talent, BYU is deeper at corner than any time this decade. Howard has been the bright spot and could end up starting if Buchanan's shoulder gives him problems.
3RD AND LONG: Inexperience. Criddle's got whiskers and so does Buchanan. Beyond those two, the secondary has not produced enough game reps to make this a comfortable position. Nobody's going to get better until they actually play. Howard, Pittman and Bradley need playing time.
SAFETIES
Quinn Gooch, 6-0, 196, Sr.
Corby Hodgkiss, 5-11, 206, Sr.
Kellen Fowler, 5-11, 190, Jr.
Aaron Attig, 6-2, 204, So.
Jordan Pendleton, 6-2, 195, Fr.
3RD AND SHORT: Gooch is a vocal leader, a proven quarterback of the secondary who has made big plays in BYU's sagging zone defense. This should be a good pass defense because in the scheme, safeties and corners are not as isolated as in the 3-3-5 and help is a few steps away.
3RD AND LONG: Inexperience with Fowler and Attig. These players are hungry but have to prove they can digest and handle assignments. Aside from Gooch, the remaining safeties have to show they can be physical, lay hits on opposing runners, and really lay the wood to receivers.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Mitch Payne, K, 6-2, 201, Fr.
C.J. Santiago, P, 6-2, 215, Jr.
Austin Collie, KR, 6-2, 212, So.
Bryce Mahuika, KR, 5-9, 185, Jr.
Ryan Kessman, KR, 6-0, 205, Fr.
3RD AND SHORT: BYU's kick and punt cover teams made significant progress in 2006, and that emphasis will be seen again in 2007 as Bronco Mendenhall takes significant time to prepare and polish that aspect of the game. JC punter Santiago has poise and hang time to produce immediately in the lineup.
3RD AND LONG: Payne and Santiago have to come out of the chute in good form. Given protection, they should be OK, but Payne needs to show more consistency and get rid of his field goal and PAT pulls. He has the leg strength to be a 50-yard field goal maker, but like putting a golf ball, he has to find a rhythm and confidence.
3RD AND GOAL IF ...
The Cougars stay healthy. That especially goes for QB Max Hall. BYU will have a solid run game, but it needs Hall, the most consistent and talented quarterback in the program, to still be standing in December.
The kicker is consistent. Mitch Payne needs to hit field goals in the 30- to 40-yard range. That could mean the difference between wins and losses this season because games may end up closer than a year ago.
The Cougars avoid turnovers. BYU has made remarkable progress in ball security the past two seasons — the best in school history. This year, the Cougars cannot afford to give up the football and must find ways to take it away.
3 AND OUT IF ...
The Cougars start losing home games in league play. Losing to TCU or Utah could crimp plans for a repeat championship because both are considered contenders.
Max Hall forces passes, and interceptions mount. The Cougars can absorb some growing pains in this position because they will be able to run the ball, especially against conference competition. But if Hall gift-wraps possessions for opponents, the Cougars could lose to just about anyone.
Special teams allows big returns. Kick coverage with the new rules that place the ball further back may hurt the Cougars. They cannot afford to give up field position on big returns like they did in 2005.