BYU has never had this kind of collection of big-name opponents on its schedule. With opening kickoff just around the corner, it's time to take one last look at what could very well be the Cougars' most difficult schedule of all-time.
Half of BYU's opponents are from four of the Power 5 conferences. Nine of them went to bowl games last season. Two of the teams are ranked in the preseason Coaches Poll and an additional four received votes. Even BYU's FCS opponent was a playoff team last year.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake has his work cut out for him in his first year as head coach.
Here's a breakdown of BYU's 12 opponents this season.
vs. Arizona (at U. of Phoenix Stadium)
Saturday, Sept. 3, 8:30 p.m. MDT
TV: Fox Sports 1
2015 record: 7-6 (3-6 Pac-12)
Arizona has a new defensive coaching staff after the Wildcats finished at No. 107 in scoring defense and No. 114 in total defense in 2015. Marcel Yates is the new defensive coordinator, and he has history with BYU. He was at Boise State before coming to Tuscon. Arizona also lost three of its best players on defense in LB Scooby Wright, DE Reggie Gilbert and S Will Parks. Yates will have his work cut out for him, but returning linebackers Paul Magloire and DeAndre Miller could make things interesting.
But at its heart, this is a Rich Rodriguez team. That means a whole lot of offense.
The Wildcats averaged 37.4 points per game, good enough for No. 20 in the FBS. Anu Solomon returns at quarterback after passing for 2,667 yards and 20 touchdowns despite struggling with injuries last season. Nick Wilson returns as the Wildcats' feature back, but he, too, missed multiple games with injury last season.
Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams can relate.
While this may seem like a de facto home game for the Wildcats, Arizona athletic director Greg Bryne told 1030 The Voice back in May that BYU sold more tickets than Arizona. Expect a good mix of Cougar and Wildcat fans in the stands in Glendale for the season opener.
at Utah
Saturday, Sept. 10, 5:30 p.m.
TV: Fox
2015 record: 10-3 (6-3 Pac-12)
Kalani Sitake faces his old friend and mentor Kyle Whittingham the second week of his career as head coach. Getting BYU's first rivalry game in too many years will be a tall order for BYU's new coaching staff.
Utah's defense is as solid as ever in the trenches. While Utah loses three of its top four defensive linemen in tackles for loss, there's plenty of talent to spare. Take DT Lowell Lotulelei, one of the best defenders against the run in college football and a First-team All-Pac-12 selection. That said, Utah has to replace all three of its starting linebackers, including Gionni Paul and his 13.5 tackles for loss.
As for the offense, the Utes have an awful lot to try to replace. Utah needs to find a new starting quarterback, running back and its top three receivers. It returns a veteran offensive line led by J.J. Dielman. Utah will need to find playmakers on this side of the ball with Devontae Booker in the NFL and Britain Covey serving a LDS mission. Joe Williams may fit that bill at running back, and Troy Williams appears to be Travis Wilson's successor at quarterback.
The fact that this rivalry game is getting a primetime Saturday slot on Fox just about says it all.
vs. UCLA
Saturday, Sept. 17, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN/ESPN2
2015 record: 8-5 (5-4 Pac-12)
Josh Rosen didn't have a great game against BYU last season, but that's unlikely to happen again. Rosen had a solid freshman season with 3,670 yards passing and 23 touchdowns. UCLA did lose a lot of talent to the NFL on offense, including RB Paul Perkins and WRs Jordan Payton and Thomas Duarte. But the Bruins have plenty of talent ready to step up, including Soso Jamabo and Nate Starks. Both of those backs averaged more than 6 yards per carry last season.
The Bruin defense is filled with veterans as they return nine starters from last season. DT Eddie Vanderdoes returns after missing almost all of 2015 with an ACL tear. And UCLA's secondary is as formidable as any the Cougars will face this season. CB Fabian Moreau is also back after breaking his foot against BYU last season. He had eight pass break-ups in 2014.
UCLA starts the season ranked No. 24 in the Coaches preseason poll. This is one of the toughest opponents the Cougars will face on an already formidable schedule.
vs. West Virginia (at FedEx Field)
Saturday, Sept. 24, TBA
TV: TBA
2015 record: 8-5 (4-5 Big 12)
The last time West Virginia QB Skyler Howard played a football game, he torched Arizona State with 532 yards and five touchdowns. He returns this season, along with two of his two top targets in Shelton Gibson and Daikiel Shorts.
However, the defense has to replace eight starters, including all three linebackers. Still, West Virginia's defensive line returns two starters led by senior DE Noble Nwachukwu. Nwachukwu tallied 8.5 sacks last season.
This is BYU's second trip to an NFL stadium this season, although this will likely be more of a home game for West Virginia than the Cougars' season opener in Arizona.
vs. Toledo
Friday, Sept. 30, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN2
2015 record: 10-2 (6-2 MAC)
Toledo may not be the biggest name on BYU's schedule, but the Rockets are more than capable of challenging the Cougars in Provo.
For one, Toledo returns top running backs Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson, and four of five starters on the offensive line. Hunt and Swanson combined for 1,896 yards and 19 touchdowns last season. And while QB Logan Woodside didn't start last season, he did start several times in 2014.
While the offense looks solid, the defense has several question marks as it replaces eight starters. Still, BYU can't afford to look past this game and expect to win.
at Michigan State
Saturday, Oct. 8
TV: TBA
2015 record: 12-2 (7-1 Big Ten)
Michigan State is replacing seven players on offense, including QB Connor Cook. Head coach Mark Dantonio has yet to name a replacement, but odds are senior Tyler O'Connor will take over under center. After all, he played a key role in the Spartans' win over Ohio State.
Michigan State's defense is perhaps the best one the Cougars will face this season, and that's saying something. DT Malik McDowell has been named a preseason All-American by CBS Sports. He had 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks last season. BYU's offensive line will have its hands full.
Michigan State starts the season ranked just outside the Top 10 in the Coaches Poll, and there's a good chance they'll be a Top 10 or even a Top-five team by the time the Cougars travel to East Lansing, Michigan. There's even a chance this could be a playoff team by the end of the season.
vs. Mississippi State
Friday, Oct. 14, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
2015 record: 9-4 (4-4 SEC)
The Bulldogs may have been picked dead last in the SEC West, but no team from that division can be taken lightly. LB Richie Brown is the kind of star you expect out of that conference with 80 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks last season. And don't forget DE A.J. Jefferson, who recorded 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks last season.
But there are a few question marks. Dak Prescott, one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks from last year, has moved on to the NFL. Mississippi State has yet to name a successor. And while the Bulldogs return top running back Brandon Holloway, he rushed for a less than impressive 413 yards last season.
at Boise State
Thursday, Oct. 20, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
2015 record: 9-4 (5-3 MWC)
The Broncos will undoubtedly have revenge on the mind as they welcome the Cougars to the Smurf Turf. BYU has yet to beat Boise State on its home field, and it won't be any easier this season.
QB Brett Rypien had a wild first season as a starter as a true freshman. He showed he's more than capable of putting up big numbers as he passed for 506 yards against New Mexico. That said, he threw three picks and no touchdowns in a blowout loss to Utah State. He's bound to only get better now that he has a full year under his belt. And there's RB Jeremy McNichols, who rushed for 1,337 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 460 yards and six more touchdowns receiving.
Boise State is a top contender to claim the Group of Five's automatic bid to a New Year's Six bowl. This will be a tough road game for the Cougars.
at Cincinnati
Saturday, Nov. 5, TBA
TV: TBA
2015 record: 7-6 (4-4 AAC)
Cincinnati's Gunner Kiel is an extremely dangerous if wildly inconsistent quarterback. On the one hand, he didn't have a single incompletion and five touchdown passes in a rout of UCF last season. On the other hand, he had only eight completions, no touchdowns and two interceptions in a blowout loss to USF.
Which Kiel will the Cougars meet in Cincinnati?
The Bearcats lose their top six receivers from last season. WR Nate Cole is the top returning wide receiver, and he had a modest 19 catches for 262 yards. And Cincinnati badly needs to improve against the run. The Bearcats gave up 191.6 yards on the ground per game.
vs. Southern Utah
Saturday, Nov. 12, 1 p.m.
TV: BYUtv
2015 record: 8-4 (7-1 Big Sky)
There's a been some exchange of players and staff between BYU and SUU over the last few seasons. Former Thunderbird head coach Ed Lamb is now Sitake's assistant head coach, and Keyan Norman and Andrew Eide transferred to BYU from SUU. Also, former BYU QB McCoy Hill is now playing for the Thunderbirds.
This won't be your typical game against a lower-division team. After all, the Thunderbirds gave Utah State quite a scare last season in Logan, and they were a playoff team in the FCS.
The Cougars should be more than a match for the Thunderbirds, but BYU would do well to be a little wary.
vs. UMass
Saturday, Nov. 19, TBA
TV: TBA
2015 record: 3-9 (2-6 MAC)
UMass is embarking on its first year of football independence this season. And it doesn't look like the Minutemen are in for a smooth transition.
For one, UMass returns just six starters. That said, running back Marquis Young is a player to watch. He racked up 240 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman in a single game against Buffalo last season.
The Minutemen have a lot of work to do on defense, however. UMass gave up 447.8 yards per game last year.
vs Utah State
Saturday, Nov. 26, TBA
TV: TBA
2015 record: 6-7 (5-3 MWC)
Kent Myers enters the season as the clear-cut starter at quarterback now that Chuckie Keeton has finally ridden off into the sunset. He's already proved himself to be a dangerous dual-threat quarterback. After all, he did rush for 191 yards against Colorado State. Furthermore, RB Devante Mays is no slouch, either. He rushed for 966 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
But Utah State has an awful lot to replace on defense, including linebackers Nick Vigil and Kyler Fackrell, who were both picked in the third round of the NFL Draft. So far, Utah State has been able to reload on defense under Gary Andersen and Matt Wells. However, this may be Wells' biggest rebuilding challenge yet.
Lafe Peavler is a sports strategist for the Deseret News and KSL.com. Follow him on Twitter @LafePeavler.