STYLE: BYU will run a slightly more aggressive 3-4 defense by mixing in more coverages, including man-to-man to go with the very effective zone deployed in 2006. The Cougars ranked 10th in scoring defense a year ago and hope to maintain a style that may give up yardage, but make it hard for offenses to produce touchdowns. On this side of the ball, the prime ingredient is effort, and Bronco Mendenhall has underscored all fall he expects his players to raise the bar from a year ago.
PERSONNEL: An active linebacker corps is the strength of BYU's defense. Led by speed rushers Bryan Kehl and David Nixon on the outside, this year's version will give senior Chris Bolden more playing time behind Nixon, who will get 30 plays instead of 50. Kelly Poppinga is expected to replace Cameron Jensen in the middle. Brandon Howard is pushing senior KayleBuchanan at cover corner, and the Cougar safety position has shuffled almost weekly in camp due to season-ending injuries to Dustin Gabriel and David Tafuna.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Realistically, the Cougar defense may not hold opponents to 15 points again this season, although it has more experience. That may be due to the more experienced quarterbacks they will face in league play in 2007. Much of BYU's defense depends on the success of the offense under new QB Max Hall, and how long the offense can keep the ball on sustained drives that end up in touchdowns.