CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's BYU preview

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BYU Cougars

Horrible schedule could lead to ugliness

College Football: The New Century

'99: 8-4, 5-2 Mountain West

Coach

LaVell Edwards (29th season, 251-95-3)

Key offensive players

Margin Hooks, WR, Sr.
After catching 60 passes in '99, he wants to prove he's among the best.

Bret Engemann, QB, So.
Fan favorite must mature quickly to handle the Cougs' vicious schedule.

Luke Staley, RB, So.
Reigning MWC Freshman of the Year is coming off shoulder and knee surgeries.

Key defensive players

Jared Lee, S, Sr.
Big hitter is the only returning member of last year's talented secondary.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Ty Detmer, QB, 1988-91
"McMahon, Young, et al never won the Heisman."

Brightest Moment: Finishing 13-0 after a victory over Michigan in the Holiday Bowl to secure the 1984 national championship behind quarterback Robbie Bosco.

Lowest Moment: Losing all 11 games -- including shutouts to rivals Utah and Wyoming -- under coach Chick Atkinson in 1949.

Setema Gali Jr., DE, Sr.
Quick pass-rusher had seven sacks in '99, and leads strong defensive line.

Key newcomer

K.C. Bills, RB, Fr.
He might have to become the next Staley if Staley can't return to form.

Throwback player

Safety Jared Lee, who made 96 tackles last season -- and wanted to make more.

21st century player

Backup quarterback Brandon Doman also plays wide receiver after coming to the Cougars as an option quarterback.

Fast fact

Until last year, the Cougars had never ended a season with three straight losses under Coach LaVell Edwards.

Outlook

It could get ugly for the Cougars, and fast. The schedule is easily the most trying in history, with games against Florida State, Virginia, Mississippi State and Syracuse -- all before Oct. 1. Oh, and did we mention? The Cougars will be breaking in a new quarterback and a new offensive coordinator. If they can somehow survive the first month, they should have as reasonable a chance of contending for the conference championship as anybody. But that brings up another possibility: What if the Cougars lose all those tough non-conference games, then win the league at, say, 5-2? They could be conference champions yet be ineligible to play in a bowl game. Yikes.

--Michael C. Lewis