Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#42 BYU Cougars 6-6 SU; 5-5-1 ATS

Fargos Take Could the glory days of the BYU teams from the 80s be resurfacing? Its very possible if the defense can grow up in a hurry. The Cougars went to a bowl game last season for the first time since 2001, the last year they had a winning record. They played California very tough and even though it resulted in a loss, some solid momentum carries over into 2006. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall guided BYU to a second place finish in the MWC in his first season so now expectations are even higher. The Cougars offense was one of the best in the country in 2005 and they will be scary good once again. The problem was the defense that finished 91st in the country and lost seven players to graduation. BYU has increased its points allowed in each of the last three years and if it has any chance of catching Utah and TCU in the conference, the defense has to step up. The offense has the potential to outscore everyone but that likely wont get the job done every week.

Returning Starters on Offense 8 The Cougars finished 13th in the country in total offense and 24th in scoring offense last season and those rankings will be even better this year. The passing offense was potent as quarterback John Beck had a sensational season in his first year under the new offense. The main reason that the offense was so good down the stretch was due to the running game led by Curtis Brown as he emerged as a big play threat. After gaining more than 100 yards only once in their first five games, the Cougars surpassed 176 yards in five of their final seven games. The offensive line played a big role in that turnaround and with four starters returning, there should be no digression. The line is enormous, averaging over 324 pounds. BYU possesses not one but two of the best tight ends in the conference in Jonny Harline and Daniel Coats.

Returning Starters on Defense 4 In BYUs last five losses a season ago, the defense allowed an average of 41.4 ppg and that certainly will not get the job done this year. The defense is inexperienced with only four starters returning but a new scheme should help. The Cougars are switching from a 3-3-5 to a 3-4 and if the spring was any indication, the move should help right away. The unit made great progress by the end of spring drills, especially in the secondary. BYU finished 104th in passing defense last year but with three seniors and a junior starting, the secondary should be much stronger. The real concern this year is the defensive line where no starters are back and freshmen are going to have to contribute right away. Getting pressure on the quarterback is important in this new scheme and the athletic linebacking corps should do just that.

Schedule The schedule does not set up very well for a quick start to the season but the Cougars are capable of pulling off some upsets along the way. BYU starts off with a game at a much improved Arizona before hosting Tulsa, a favorite in C-USA. A trip to Boston College follows before heading back home to play Utah St. in its final non-conference game. The MWC opener is at preseason favorite TCU and a win there would be absolutely huge. The next six games are all winnable with the toughest of the bunch being a trip to Colorado St. The season finale is at rival Utah, a team the Cougars have not defeated in four years. With the three toughest games in the conference all on the road, BYU must have a strong showing in its out of conference games to surpass last seasons win total.

You can bet on BYU is going to score a ton of points but it is also going to be giving up a lot as well. If this defense can adjust to the new scheme right away, the Cougars have an excellent chance of contending in the MWC. BYU has gone a respectable 8-8 on the road over the last three years so upsets are quite possible. Traveling to Arizona and Boston College in two of the first three weeks will be difficult as the Cougars are just 5-12 ATS in non-conference road games since 1998. They will be getting points in both of those and they are 8-4 against the number in their last 12 road games when getting points. The offense will be a threat so outright wins and/or backdoor covers will always be an option.