BYU Cougars (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS) vs. Arizona Wildcats (0-0 SU, 0-0 ATS)
College Football Week 1
Date/Time: Saturday, September 3, 2016 at 10:30PM EST
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
TV: Fox Sports 1
By Loot, NCAA Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: BYU +1.5/ARIZ -1.5
Over/Under Total: 62
The BYU Cougars take on the Arizona Wildcats at University of Phoenix Stadium in key opening Saturday action. Arizona was 7-6 last season under Rich Rodriguez. They return Anu Solomon at QB for his third year as a starter with key running back Nick Wilson. Their offense looks strong, but can their defense withstand teams like BYU? Brigham Young is coming off a very eventful 9-4 season where high drama was the norm. Coach Bronco Mendenhall is gone, with former Cougars player Kalani Sitake taking over the reigns. He returns 15 starters and looks to keep the Cougars relevant in 2016.
Last season, BYU was locked in some serious battles over the season, rising from untold amounts of adversity to remain strong. The injuries were pouring in left and right, especially on offense. QB Tanner Mangum had to come in for injured Taysom Hill right away and he shined in the role. Hill returns this season and those two will battle it out to lead new coordinator and former Cougars star Ty Detmer's new offense. Arizona is looking for more production across the board. After a sterling freshman campaign, QB Anu Solomon slipped badly last season, opening up a quarterback battle with Brandon Dawkins getting a hard look this summer. The entire defensive coaching staff was revamped, as they try to get the "D" finally headed in the right direction.
Whoever emerges in the 'Zona quarterback battle is likely to benefit from a strong line. A half-dozen linemen with good experience return to the fold this season. The death of potential starting center Zach Hemmila could prove to be a galvanizing factor for this unit, as the whole team will try to rally for their fallen teammate in what was an unspeakable tragedy for a fine young man. That line should help spring RB Nick Wilson, who is coming off an injury-strained season, which followed a 1375-yard freshman campaign. The Wildcats quarterback will also have a wealth of experienced ball-catchers at his disposal with Samajie Grant, Trey Griffey, and Nate Phillips. Developing a more-realistic vertical threat would be a positive development for this offense.
Former Boise defensive coordinator Marcel Yates takes over a beleaguered Arizona "D" that needs to find its stride for this team to ascend. The line looks like a potential sore-point, with a general lack of size and credentials. Sani Fuimaono and Parker Zellers will need to upgrade and some talent will have to manifest in summer or during the season. Cal transfer Michael Barron should help a thin linebacker squad, with Paul Magliore and DeAndre Miller looking to make an impact. The secondary has a few decent pieces in CB Davonte Neal and free safety Tellas Jones, but a few pieces remain unsettled as of press time. That's a lot of questions. It's a new system with new coaches, without any real go-to playmakers or difference-makers.
With the injury-prone Hill, it's good to have a wealth of talent at QB, as BYU has with two legitimate and proven commodities at the position. Look for Detmer to use more pro-formations. It'd be nice to get a full season from difference-making back Jamaal Williams, a great senior running back. They have over 100 starts returning to the offensive line, which should be tip-top this season. But after watching BYU's passing-game last season, with speedy and big-bodied ball-catchers, it's a bit disconcerting how many pieces they lost from that phase of the offense. Still, 6'6" Nick Kurtz returns, along with Mitchell Juergens and Colby Pearson. This offense could be pretty good
BYU looks to have a strong defense this season. Travis Tuiloma is a difference-maker up-front if he's healthy, bolstered by the presence of impactful linemen like Sione Takitaki, Sae Tautu, and Tomasi Laulile. The middle of the Cougars "D" looks strong with Fred Warner and dynamite Harvey Lang. With a lot of depth here, this is a group that rushes passers, contains the opposing run-game, while also covering receivers. Michael Davis is a tremendous corner and incoming Troy Warner should also make his presence felt.
With Arizona, at least they get this game in their home state, with this being a two-hour drive from their stomping grounds in Tucson. Still, the issues are many. QB play, which was considered a strong-suit heading into last season, has a cloud of doubt hanging over it. Same with the run-game. If those two elements don't pan out, it could be a long season with a defense that seems to not be ready for prime-time. Wildcats optimists can hold out hope that there is at least a ton of talent on offense and new coaches could find some mojo on defense.
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BYU looks ahead to big things. Coach Sitake is an alum, understands the school and its culture, and has brought on 8 former BYU players as assistants—giving the Cougars a home-cooked feeling. You never know how a new staff and system will really resonate over the long-haul, but the Cougars appear to have tremendous balance, experience, talent, and depth. Just like last season, they will be thrown to the lions with Arizona, Utah, UCLA, West Virginia, and Michigan State in succession to open their season. It's a make-or-break scenario and one should anticipate the Cougars will acquit themselves well.
One shouldn't doubt that Arizona will find a way to come up with some firepower this season. Heading into week one, however, they seem to lag behind BYU in terms of having things figured out and solidified for the upcoming season. Less Arizona pieces shine than BYU's components. A little concern for what might be a depleted BYU aerial attack gives some pause, but with BYU actually getting 1.5 points, it's not that hard to justify a stance on the Cougars.
Loot's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the BYU Cougars plus 1.5 points. Did you know... that you could be wagering on the BYU-Arizona game at discounted odds? There's a better than good chance that you're laying -110 odds (or more) with your book. Stop overpaying TODAY by making the switch to 5Dimes Sportsbook! You will be so glad that you did!
