COLLEGE FOOTBALL LOOK AHEAD

Lindy’s Top 40 Countdown: No. 32 BYU

Lindyssports.com Staff

July 21, 2014 at 11:50 am.

Taysom Hill will lead a rugged BYU offense. (Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports)

COUGARS at a GLANCE

LOCATION: Provo, Utah

COACH: Bronco Mendenhall — At BYU and overall: 82-34, 9 years

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Robert Anae

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Nick Howell

LAST LEAGUE TITLE: 2007, Mountain West

LAST TIME DIDN’T GO BOWLING: 2004

RETURNING STARTERS: 13; 6 offense, 6 defense, punter

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Taysom Hill, RB Jamaal Williams,WR Nick Kurtz, LB Alani Fua, LB Bronson Kaufusi, S Craig Bills,CB Robertson Daniel, CB Jordan Johnson

PRIMARY STRENGTHS: Hill is a remarkable athlete who has proven he can make plays with his feet, and he should become a more complete player this season. Defensively, the Cougars should be strong again, led by a solid corps of linebackers and unusual depth and talent at cornerback.

POTENTIAL PROBLEMS: Backup QB Ammon Olsen transferred to Southern Utah in January. If Hill goes down with an injury (he missed most of the 2012 season with an injured knee), the Cougars could be in trouble. The new backup is Christian Stewart, who had just two pass attempts last season. That aside, is the offensive line going to be good enough to give Hill time to throw?

OFFENSE

In the first year of coordinator Robert Anae’s go-fast-go-hard scheme, the Cougars ranked among the nation’s leaders in rushing. BYU looks to improve its passing game in the second year.

The focus this spring was on completion percent- age and third-down conversions, and quarterback Taysom Hill made big strides in both areas. While Hill rushed for 1,344 yards last season, he completed only 53.9 percent of his pass attempts.

The offense should also benefit from an influx of wide receivers, including transfers Nick Kurtz, Jordan Leslie, Devon Blackmon and Keanu Nelson, and freshman Trey Dye. Even though it lost its all- time leading receiver, Cody Hoffman, this might be the deepest BYU has ever been at that position.

The running game will rely as much as needed on Jamaal Williams, who rushed for 1,233 yards as a sophomore.

One of the biggest question marks is the line, which struggled last season due in part to inexperience and injuries. If Hill stays healthy, and capitalizes on the weapons around him, the offense should be much improved in the red zone and score more touchdowns than it did last season.

DEFENSE

Under coach Bronco Mendenhall, BYU has established a reputation as having one of the best defenses in the country.

However, BYU will have to replace All-America outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, regarded as one of the best defensive playmakers in school history. To help compensate for the loss, coaches moved 6-7 defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi to outside linebacker. Alani Fua returns at the other outside linebacker spot.

The Cougars must also replace a handful of key contributors — defensive lineman Eathyn Manumaleuna, inside linebacker Uani’ Unga and safety Daniel Sorensen.

On the defensive line, Remington Peck and Graham Rowley provide experience, while Marques Johnson, who was sidelined for spring practices with blood clots in his lungs, is expected to return for fall camp. Inside linebackers Manoa Pikula and Zac Stout are the leading candidates to take over the two inside spots.

Cornerback Jordan Johnson will return after missing last season with a knee injury. Corner Trenton Trammell will play his first season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in March 2013. Robertson Daniel can play both cornerback and safety, while Craig Bills is expected to switch from free safety to strong safety, replacing Sorensen.

SPECIAL TEAMS

With placekicker Justin Sorensen graduating, Moose Bingham and Trevor Samson will continue to battle into fall camp. Punter Scott Arellano returns after a solid junior season.  Adam Hine is a proven kick returner who is capable of making big plays.

OVERVIEW

After putting together back-to-back mediocre seasons, BYU is looking for a campaign with at least 10 regular-season wins. With this year’s schedule, it’s possible. If the Cougars can get off to a great start — they play at Texas in early September — it could be a special season in Provo.

TOP NEWCOMER

RB Jordan Leslie: The senior transfer from UTEP caught 51 passes for 973 yards and six touchdowns last season. Leslie, immediately eligible, is expected to help make up for the loss of all-time leading receiver Cody Hoffman.