The college football season is right around the corner, so it's time to go out on that proverbial limb and make my season predictions. (Warning: do NOT take these to the bank).
Utah: The Utes will get off to a resounding start by knocking off #15 Pittsburgh at Rice-Eccles Stadium as Jordan Wynn, Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata will pile up a ton of yards. The next three games are cakewalks. The Utes will crush UNLV, New Mexico and San Jose State to go to 4-0 on the year. Up next is a tough trip to Iowa State. Utah has never beaten the Cyclones, granted the last time they played was 1976. The Utes still should have no problem against a lower-tier BCS taem. After that, Wyoming and Colorado State will fall in line as the Utes improve to 7-0 and rise into the top-15. Utah will then squeak past Air Force, but before Ute fans starting thinking Sugar Bowl again, TCU will end their BCS bowl game hopes with a win at Rice-Eccles. Notre Dame will then give Utes their second straight loss in South Bend. But before Ute fans start panicking, they'll wrap up the season with victories against San Diego State and a much-heated rivalry game against BYU. Final Prediction: 10-2.
BYU: Riley Nelson and Jake Heaps will combine to lead an effective enough offense for the Cougars to hold off Washington, but just barely. Air Force will provide a different test and I see the Cougars stumbling at Colorado Springs. Florida State will then provide to be too fast once again, resulting in BYU's second straight loss. But the Cougars then find their groove and cruise past Nevada, Utah State and San Diego State. However, their run will come to an end in Forth Worth against an extremely tough TCU team. BYU will then get back on a roll and beat Wyoming, UNLV, Colorado State and Wyoming before losing a squeaker at Utah. Final Prediction: 8-4.
So there you have it. Two successful, but not spectacular seasons for Utah and BYU. But I'm not betting the house just yet.
