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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Bronco Mendenhall (2nd season, 6-6) 2005 record: 6-6 MWC finish: 5-3 (t-2nd) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 51st (152.3 ypg) Passing: 6th (310.1 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 57th (147.8 ypg) Passing: 104th (269.3 ypg) Date Opponent Sept. 2 at Arizona Sept. 9 Tulsa Sept. 16 at Boston College Sept. 23 Utah State Sept. 28 at TCU Oct. 7 San Diego State Oct. 21 UNLV Oct. 28 at Air Force Nov. 4 at Colorado State Nov. 9 Wyoming Nov. 18 New Mexico Nov. 25 at Utah Depth Chart: Offense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 3 Michael Reed So. 2 Bryce Mahuika So. WR 9 Nate Meikle Sr. 83 Saia Hafoka So. WR 10 Matt Allen Jr. 85 Zac Collie Sr. LT 59 Eddie Keele Sr. 68 David Oswald So. LG 65 Dallas Reynolds So. 67 Sete Aulai Jr. C 55 Jeff Rhea Jr. 67 Sete Aulai Jr. RG 76 Ray Feinga So. 74 Travis Bright So. RT 73 Jake Kuresa Sr. 72 Nick Longshore Sr. TE 13 Jonny Harline Sr. 20 Daniel Coats Sr. QB 12 John Beck Sr. 7 Jason Beck Sr. RB 6 Curtis Brown Sr. 1 Fui Vakapuna So. Depth Chart: Defense 3 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 54 Kyle Luekenga So. 92 Brett Denney Fr. NT 70 Hala Paongo Sr. 94 Russell Tialavea Fr. DE 84 Jan Jorgensen Fr. 91 Judd Anderton Jr. WLB 41 Bryan Kehl Jr. 28 Dustin Gabriel Jr. BLB 35 Cameron Jensen Sr. 32 Terrance Hooks Fr. MLB 36 Markell Staffieri Jr. 46 Kelly Poppinga Jr. SLB 43 David Nixon So. 31 Chris Bolden Jr. CB 15 Justin Robinson Sr. 4 Brandon Howard Fr. CB 34 Kayle Buchanan Jr. 24 Nate Hutchinson Fr. KAT 39 Cole Miyahira Sr. 26 Aaron Gordon Sr. FS 23 David Tafuna Jr. 25 Quinn Gooch Jr. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 30 Jared McLaughlin Sr. KR 2 Bryce Mahuika So. P 32 Derek McLaughlin Sr. PR 9 Nate Meikle Sr.

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Bronco Mendenhall's first season as BYU's coach was judged a success, partly because the Cougars' standards were lower than in the past. BYU's 6-6 record, which included a win over a Division I-AA opponent and a Las Vegas Bowl loss to California, was considered an improvement after three losing seasons.

More is required this year. "There was progress in the first season, but with that come the expectations to do more," Mendenhall says. "And that's clearly what's present around our program - the community, the players, everywhere I look. Now that that's happened, what's next?"

Whatever comes next depends largely on how much BYU's defense improves. The Cougars were particularly vulnerable against the pass last season, and gave up overtime TDs in critical losses to Utah and TCU.

The Cougars are loaded on offense, led by senior quarterback John Beck, running back Curtis Brown and tight end Jonny Harline. "We expect our offense to be explosive," Mendenhall says.

The question is how many points the offense will have to score for BYU to win games.

OFFENSE

Beck thrived in the first season of the Cougars' new offense that is designed for more short passes. He completed 64.5 percent of his passes for 3,709 yards and 27 touchdowns, with 13 interceptions. He is on pace to finish his career as BYU's No. 2 quarterback in all-time passing yards, behind only Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer. Beck is very effective at moving the chains. The Cougars converted 44.8 percent of third down plays, best in the Mountain West. The only knock on him is BYU's 12-14 record in games he has started. Some of those defeats, obviously, were not his fault.

BYU's offense made a breakthrough in the middle of last season when the coaches realized opposing defenses were focusing almost strictly on the passing game. Tailback Curtis Brown became a major threat, finishing with 1,123 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He also caught 53 passes.

The Cougars have returned to the style of receivers that made their offense so successful in the 1980s. They are not necessarily deep threats, but they run precise routes and catch the football consistently. Harline is the star of the receiving corps. He's big, fast and has terrific hands, enabling him to catch 63 passes and post three 100-yard receiving games last season.

Steady play up front allowed BYU to rank 13th in the nation in total offense, averaging 462.4 yards. With three returning starters along the offensive line, offensive coordinator Robert Anae expects even more production in 2006. The line features right tackle Jake Kuresa, an athletic, aggressive player. On the left side, tackle Eddie Keele and guard Dallas Reynolds are back.

DEFENSE

Nose tackle Hala Paongo started the Las Vegas Bowl in place of an injured regular, and that's pretty much the extent of BYU's experience along the front line in a 3-4 scheme. The line is a major concern for Mendenhall, who chose to remain the defensive coordinator after re-evaluating his dual role.

Mendenhall made a fundamental change in his defensive approach, based on a simple conclusion - linebacker is the Cougars' strongest and deepest position. So he's switching from a 3-3-5 alignment to a 3-4, just to get another linebacker on the field. Cameron Jensen, a tough, throwback-style player, moves from the middle to one of the two inside linebacker spots in the new scheme.

Mendenhall is trying to retool the Cougars' pass rush and blitz packages in an effort to help the secondary. Improvement is definitely needed. The safeties will be the strength of the secondary, led by David Tafuna and converted cornerback Cole Miyahira. Cornerback is still a big concern.

SPECIALISTS

Jared McLaughlin made all 11 of his field goal attempts from inside 40 yards while delivering a tying field goal at the end of regulation against TCU. Derek McLaughlin (no relation) averaged 40 yards as a punter but needs to improve his consistency.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Even though BYU finished second in the Mountain West last season, the question is how far away are the Cougars from league favorite TCU. The only way that gap can be bridged this season is if the secondary improves dramatically.