DICKSON: Ever since the Cougars joined the Big 12 expectations have gotten higher, simply because the prize is bigger. When BYU was playing in the WAC, the MWC and independence, the ceiling was a good bowl game. Now, as a member of a power conference, making the college football playoffs is the sweet, sweet carrot. It seems like the combination of retaining all of its best players and plugging in some power conference talent could take BYU to new heights. Seizing on the momentum of the past two seasons and rolling out another strong start is key. I think this is the most talent the Cougars have ever had on the roster, but the proof is in results and we’re going to see that soon.

GURNEY: I don’t go quite as far back as Darnell (he’s sort of really old), but I can’t remember a single season that had higher expectations than this one. Sure, we often forget seasons like in 2008 when BYU was flush with returning talent with the infamous ‘Quest for Perfection’ theme set forth by then head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Even as recently as 2022 were the expectations set high and I’m certain that I’m forgetting several others.

But not like this year when you have several outlets and coaches predicting BYU to be the Big 12 Conference champion and then to subsequently receive an invite to the College Football Playoff. Expectations have never been this high and it will be interesting to see if the Cougars can live up to all of it.

2. BYU defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga said he’s a big numbers guy, and one of the numbers he monitors is points allowed per game. What’s the number the Cougars will produce in 2026?

GURNEY: The Cougar defense gave up 19.1 points per game last season, so that has to be the bar for 2026. I’d anticipate this defense, which returns a lot of the same faces from a season ago, should hold opponents to an average of around 17 points per game this season with what looks to be a lot more depth along the defensive front, some notable additions to an already strong linebacking group and two cornerbacks that could be the best duo the team has ever fielded.

The one thing that makes me hesitant is the safety group. Tanner Wall was a master at disallowing over-the-top chunk plays, and he’s gone. I like Raider Damuni, sure, but I don’t know if the Cougars can defend as well this season against the long ball as they did last year, and if they can’t it’s going to lead to some quick touchdowns and perhaps even more points than last year’s stellar defense allowed.

DICKSON: Holding teams under 20 points a game would be a difficult task for any college football program. Only the elite can do it. I think the Cougars can get somewhere around that mark, say 21 or 22 points allowed per game, with the equalizers being turnovers and an offense that can averaged better than 30 points per game. If that’s the case, BYU can get into a few shootouts and still survive. This defense appears deep and talented, but there are opponents on the schedule that will really test Poppinga and his group. There’s too much talent on the defense to completely fall apart but enough questions that I’m still in “wait and see” mode. Specifically, will Poppinga have the feel for the game that Jay Hill did in play-calling? Knowing your personnel and having a knack for the right call at the right time are two important factors in a great DC.

3 .Whose the player that will make a big play against Utah Tech that will send BYU fans scrambling to their rosters to figure out who he is?

DICKSON: The best example of this was back in 2016, in Kalani Sitake’s first game as head coach against Arizona. The Cougars trotted out freshman Jake Oldroyd for the game-winning field goal attempt and everyone in the press box was like, “Who?”

The Utah Tech game is going to be a different situation — if someone has to kick a game-winning field goal, BYU is in BIG trouble — and all of the specialists are new this year, anyway. I’m going to go with a defensive guy in linebacker Jake Clifton. He’s a transfer from Kansas State and a returned missionary and I doubt most fans know who he is. But I could see a big hit by Clifton to cause a fumble in the second half, or a pick-six. The guy can really make plays and provides huge depth behind the starters in that linebacker group.

GURNEY: It’s going to be Reggie Frischknecht, and for two reasons.

One, he’s looked very good during the final weeks of fall practices and will be an active rotation player at the wide receiver position. He has the size and speed combination that should lead to some good opportunities to beat a defense deep, and I’d be a little surprised if he didn’t provide at least one when the Cougars square off against Utah Tech.

Also, he has an unusual last name, which will cause fans to make sure they have his name spelled right in their minds. I mean, we’re not talking a guy with the last name of ‘Nelson’ or ‘Smith’ here. In fact I’m sort of nervous I spelled his name correctly here.

4. Let’s say Jaxon Kohler gets to play for the BYU men’s basketball team this year (it’s far from a done deal if you’re following all of the injunctions and counters from the NCAA). How do you evaluate his skills and impact?

GURNEY: I think it’s the ideal addition and it’s sort of difficult to think of a better fit for this BYU basketball team. He’s experienced and he brings the type of perimeter shooting the position has lacked in recent years. So yeah, Kohler should rise to become one of the best inside (and outside) options the Cougars have presented for some time.

Throw in the fact that he’s been working out with the BYU team all summer and he should be able to fit in seamlessly. I know a lot of fans were very concerned about anxious about filling the 5 position effectively, but Kohler was absolutely worth the wait.

DICKSON: I really hope fans get the chance to see Kohler in a Cougar uniform. He’s a real effort guy who is highly skilled. He has extended his game to include the 3-point line but he can also put guys in the blender as a post player because of his exceptional footwork. His ability to work in the post will free up some of BYU’s terrific outside shooters. He’s also a tremendous passer for a big man. He’ll quickly become a fan favorite because of his motor and attitude. And, as Gurney wrote, he’s an ideal addition to team that seems to have most of the other positions figured out.

5 The BYU women’s volleyball team starts their season on Friday at the FGCU Invitational against Florida State. What is your outlook for Rob Neilson’s first team?

DICKSON: It’s going to be odd to look on the sidelines and not see an Olmstead at the helm after Shawn and Heather took the Cougars to great heights the past 15 years. BYU will have a new look in some ways (you can read about it in my season preview Friday) but I think returners Claire Little Chambers, Alex Bower, Brielle Kemavor and Lulu Po’uha need to lead the way. They all need to raise their game for the Cougars to be successful because the Big 12 is once again loaded. Neilson has excellent depth, which will be tested early because Kemavor won’t play until mid-September due to recovery from an off-season surgery. Just as a little bit of a teaser, you’re going to love watching freshman Brooke Hardy in the middle. She’s a quick jumper and an automatic score just about every time she takes a swing. Reminds me of another Idaho product, Whitney Young Howard, who was an All-American middle blocker for BYU back in 2014.

GURNEY: I expect BYU to finish in the middle of the Big 12 Conference standings, which isn’t a bad spot when considering just how strong the conference is. I like the change, and even though I thought Heather Olmstead was a very good coach, the Cougars needed a change and it’s going to be fun and interesting to see how this team carries forward with a new head coach.