Date ... Opponent ... Time (TV)
Sept. 1 ... Arizona ... 3:30 p.m. (VS)
Sept. 8 ... at UCLA ... 4:30 p.m. (VS)
Sept. 15 ... at Tulsa ... 7 p.m. (CSTV)
Sept. 22 ... Air Force ... 1 p.m. (MTN)
Sept. 29 ... at New Mexico ... 6:30 p.m. (CSTV)
Oct. 13 ... at UNLV ... 7:30 p.m. (MTN)
Oct. 20 ... E. Washington ... 3:30 p.m. (MTN)
Oct. 27 ... at San Diego St. ... 7:30 p.m. (MTN)
Nov. 3 ... Colorado St. ... Noon (MTN)
Nov. 8 ... TCU ... 7 p.m. (VS)
Nov. 17 ... at Wyoming ... Noon (MTN)
Nov. 24 ... Utah ... Noon (CSTV/MTN)
All times Mountain
3 KEY GAMES
vs. ARIZONA (Sept. 1) — The Cougars made great strides in 2006, but all the credibility the program rediscovered during an 11-2 season could take a hit if BYU doesn't win its season-opener at home. The Wildcats are expected to finish in the bottom half of the Pac-10, but their defense should pose a difficult challenge for a BYU offense with a new quarterback.
at NEW MEXICO (Sept. 29) — The Cougars are 2-0 in their past two trips to Albuquerque, but both victories were extremely close. In fact, BYU saved its season in 2005 when it rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Lobos. With their toughest conference games still ahead, the Cougars can't afford to lose this early season MWC contest.
at WYOMING (Nov. 17) — There's no question that Cougar fans have the TCU (Nov. 10) and Utah (No. 24) games circled on their calendar. But as far as conference title hopes go, this one is just as important — and maybe just as tough. A home sweep of the Frogs and Utes is anything but a certainty, so a win in Laramie would go a long way toward the Cougars' goal of an outright MWC championship.
3 PLAYERS TO WATCH
BEN OLSON, QB, UCLA — Cougar fans don't need an introduction to the Bruin junior, but he's definitely a player they'll be watching. Olson (pictured above) won the starting spot in spring practice after ending 2006 as a back-up. In five games last year before suffering an injury, he threw for 822 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions.
ANTOINE CASON, CB, Arizona — This senior is just the type of player who could ruin Max Hall's debut as starting QB. Cason, a first-team all-conference selection in 2006, has 34 games of starting experience. His three interceptions last year included a return for a score that beat nationally ranked Cal.
PAUL SMITH, QB, Tulsa — The Golden Hurricane senior could cause big problems for the Cougar defense. Smith, who is on the watch list for the Davey O'Brien trophy, threw for 2,727 yards and 15 TDs as a junior. BYU held him in check last year, but this game will be in Tulsa.