Schedule Preview

Even though the Cougars will be attacking the schedule one game at a time there's no reason why as a fan you can't get a quick overview of the complete season ahead. As follows...

Northern Iowa (30 Aug) The Panthers from the Gateway Conference went 11-0 during the regular season. Northern Iowa's offense averaged 36 points a game. There could be quite a few digits thrown up on the scoreboard in this matchup. They return 6 offensive starters including RB Corey Lewis who had over 2100 all purpose yards with 16 TDs last year. Patrick Grace will step in under center replacing 3 year starter Eric Sanders at QB. Look for the Panthers to keep it fairly tight in the first half. Cougs pull away in the second half.
at Washington (6 Sep) Sophomore QB Jake Locker will once again be the focus of the Husky offense. Locker hasn't disappointed either rushing for nearly 1000 yards as a freshman QB (Pac10 QB record) while passing over 2000 yards. Jake must find a supporting cast and soon. This appears to be a make or break for Tyrone Willingham (11-25 over the past 3 yrs). The schedule doesn't help either in the first three games ( @ Oregon, BYU and Oklahoma). Husky fans are gettin ancy. The defensive line only returns 1 player with any significant experience. Last year noone had more than two tackles. Starting center Juan Garcia suffered a LisFranc injury (hmm sounds familiar) during the spring and likely is gone for the year. The leading receiver D'Andre Goodwin is a sophomore who only had 6 receptions for 29 yards. Historically, the Cougs have struggled with mobile QBs but look for the Y to come out victorious.
UCLA (13 Sep) Neuheisel already has run a stroke of bad luck before the season. Starting QB Patrick Cowan is done for the year after tearing his left knee ACL. Backup Ben Olson broke his right foot late in spring and will miss two months. Kevin Craft (JC transfer & former SD State QB) will look to guide the Bruins through the schedule (opener at home with TN will be baptism by fire). Eight of UCLAs offensive linemen didn't play a snap on the OL last year. Both tailbacks are coming off reconstructive knee surgeries. Brigham Harwell and Reggie Carter anchor a formidable middle of the defense. Cougs played tough at the Rose Bowl last year but this year home field is a different story.
Wyoming (20 Sep) In the Cowboys third straight season without postseason action Joe Glenn hired a new OC in Bob Cole. Cole will look to simplify the playbook with an emphasis on the ground attack. The transition bodes well for RB tandem of Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon. Seldon is a between the tackles runner while Moore makes yardage chunks around the edges. John Fletcher (DT) was named to the Outland Trophy watch who ranks 11th nationally in sacks. Karsten Sween will get the nod at QB but will be on a short leash. Wyoming has only won five games on the road in the last 3 years. Cowboys keep it respectable but the Cougs will come out on top.
at Utah St (3 Oct) Head coach Brent Guy is likely on the hot seat (6-29) entering his fourth season. Six wins in 3 seasons simply won't cut it. The schedule doesn't provide any relief with 7 bowl teams on slate. The aggies annual quarterback search continues with this years contestant Sean Setzer. The receiving crew returns except stud Kevin Robinson who accounted for 9 of the 30 TDs and had more than 3X the number of receptions as anyone else. Home or away this could get ugly.
New Mexico (11 Oct) The Lobos ended a 46yr drought with a bowl victory. UNM is the only school in the MWC to be bowl eligible every season since 2001. However 2008's schedule is one of toughest in school history. Donovon Porterie (3yr starter) is a superb athlete and made a giant leap in his decision making. Tailback Rodney Ferguson also returns who finished 3rd in MWC conference yards/game. Ferguson and Porterie give the Lobos a great start to build around. UNM defense was solid ranking 13th in the nation last year but graduation hit the Lobos pretty hard. New Mexico lost all 3 starting linebackers and both ends. In this matchup Lavell Edwards Stadium will provide an extra boost this time around.
at TCU (16 Oct) Bad news. The Horned Frogs lost perhaps the best tandem of ends in school history (Chase Ortiz & Tommy Blake). Good news. Jason Phillips (one of the top linebackers in the state) is back for his senior year. At quarterback promising Andy Dalton started 12 of the 13 games in 2007 returns for his sophomore year. Dangerous Aaron Brown saw limited action with numerous injuries. On a short week (thursday game) Fort Worth might not be friendly to the Cougs but they gut out another hard fought victory.
UNLV (25 Oct) Assuming sophomore Omar Clayton wins the starting job UNLV will have its 5th starting QB in as many years. The rebels have managed only two victories in 4 consecutive seasons. UNLV must also replace arguably the best linebacker in school history in Beau Bell. Senior Frank "The Tank" Summer lived up the hype as he rushed for 928 yards (including 190 with 2 TDs against usually stout Utah. UNLV blanketed Utah 27-0 and stretched Wisconsin down to the wire. Four starters return to the OL in 2008. On a bright note UNLV will play 7 home games this fall for the first time since 1979. However, the rebels have lost 15 conesutive MWC road games. Look for this trend to follow in Provo.
at Colorado St (1 Nov) Despite leading the Rams to 6 league championships, 9 of the school's 11 overall bowl berths Coach Sonny Lubick was let go after 15 years. Four consecutive losing seasons proved to be his likely undoing. Steve Fairchild was a ram QB in '79-80 and now leads CSU in a rebuilding process. The rams do get the Cougs at home but it won't be enough.
San Diego St (8 Nov) San Diego St is the only MWC school not to qualify for a bowl game since the formation of the league nine years ago. The Aztecs rushing game was ranked 105th in the nation in 2007. The special teams breaks in a new kicker, a new punter and a new long snapper. Non conference schedule is easier than normal but still could be a long year.
at Air Force (15 Nov) Troy Calhoun, a former Denver Bronco assistant brought Shanahan's zone blocking scheme to Colorado Springs with him in 2007. The scheme paid superb dividends for Chad Hall who piled up near 1500 yards. Those shoes will be filled with back by committee. Kicker Ryan Harrison hit 3 of 4 from beyond 50 plus. This matchup might not be pretty if you are a Falcon.
at Utah (22 Nov) Kyle Whittingham and the Utes have finished no better than 3rd place in three years. The Cougs are 21-3 in MWC play in those same three years while Utah went 14-10. BYU also has produced 2 conference championships. Both programs are heading in different directions. However, head to head Utah seems to always play well in the Holy War. This matchup could make or break the Cougs run at a BCS. Nevertheless, when the scoreboard shows no time left the Ys talent, leadership and experience elevates them over the top in yet another close call.