The 5 hardest games for 2015 (bleacher report)

Fido · Post by **Fido** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 2:29 pm

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#1 UCLA is arguably the best team that BYU will face all season, and the Cougs get them on the road in Week 3. The Bruins return 10 offensive starters and brought in the 12th-best recruiting class this past offseason, per 247Sports.

The last thing BYU can do is overlook this game, as they play Boise State the week before and Michigan afterwards. Undoubtedly, this will be a huge test for the Cougs and may be a barometer for the rest of their season.

**Bleacher report also names UCLA as their spring football #9 in the top 25 rankings.

#2 Missouri
As back-to-back SEC East champions, Mizzou will undoubtedly be a tough team to hang with this season. Especially considering that BYU will play at a "neutral site"—120 miles from Missouri's main campus—getting a win in Kansas City will be a tall task.

It may help that the Tigers have road trips to Mississippi State and Tennessee on both sides of the BYU matchup, which are no pushovers. Undoubtedly, this game is the biggest on the back half of BYU's schedule, and if the Cougs can get a win, it will give them tons of momentum going into the final weeks.

#3 Boise State's offense will definitely need to be reloaded, as the Broncos lost star running back Jay Ajayi and quarterback Grant Hedrick over the offseason. But as it has proven for the last several years, Boise is always a contender for New Year's bowls and is a tough team to beat.

Although the game is in Provo this fall, it will be tough for BYU to squeak out a win. This game is sandwiched between road trips to Nebraska and UCLA, and BYU will need to stay focused to win its first home game.

#4 Michigan
Like Nebraska, the Wolverines will also be breaking in a new head coach in September. After the release of Brady Hoke, Michigan picked up former 49ers head man Jim Harbaugh.

Star quarterback Devin Gardner won't be back to lead the Wolverines, although they return several former starters to anchor the 2015 squad. But as was proven last season, you don't have to be a great team to win at the Big House, which will be BYU's goal come September.

#5 Nebraska let go of Bo Pelini over the offseason, which leaves room for plenty of question marks. The Huskers return dual-threat QB Tommy Armstrong Jr., but they lost one of the nation's top running backs in Ameer Abdullah.

This game will be huge for both sides, as it is the season opener and Mike Riley's first game as head coach at Nebraska. Starting the year on a good note will be crucial for the Cougs, but it won't come easily.

Honorable Mentions
October 10: vs. East Carolina
ECU is one of those teams that could surprise the Cougars. The Pirates upset Virginia Tech on the road last season, and they have the returning talent to be a good team.

October 17: vs. Cincinnati
Cincy, like East Carolina, could pose a trap for the Cougs. The Bearcats are another under-the-radar-program that could create problems in Provo.

November 28: at Utah State
Trips to Logan are always tough, but BYU walked away with a 31-14 win last time it played there in 2013. Of course, the Aggies beat the Cougs in Provo last year, so it should be a big game for both sides.

So by elimination that leaves these 4 as must wins:
UConn - 2-10 in 2014 under first-year coach Bob Diaco. Special teams units and defense were good; the offense, not so good. With new offensive coordinator Frank Verducci and the shuffling of the staff on that side of the ball, offense will be one of five key areas of focus.

Wagner - FCS games are always must win games. The alternative is absurd.

San Jose State - 3-9 in 2014, they are looking for a QB, and trying to sort out the OL, DL, and LB positions.

Fresno State - 6-7 in 2014, they are also looking for a QB--even considering bringing in a graduate transfer.

Cougs_Rule · Post by **Cougs_Rule** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:21 am

Thanks for the review. Great info.
Although there's no way BSU can be ahead of Neb or Mich. Not even close. Harbaugh and Riley will have their troops as ready as any coach could. They will come out firing. Riley knows how to beat Bronco. And BSU without Jay and Hedrick AND AT BYU, is not as tough.

Fido · Post by **Fido** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 9:32 am

Cougs_Rule wrote:Thanks for the review. Great info.
Although there's no way BSU can be ahead of Neb or Mich. Not even close. Harbaugh and Riley will have their troops as ready as any coach could. They will come out firing. Riley knows how to beat Bronco. And BSU without Jay and Hedrick AND AT BYU, is not as tough.

I agree with you and was a bit surprised that they ranked it that way.

redneckjedi · Post by **redneckjedi** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 2:51 pm

Cougs_Rule wrote:Riley knows how to beat Bronco.

By my count, Bronco is 2-1 against Riley as a head coach.

Post by **snoscythe** » Thu Mar 26, 2015 2:58 pm

redneckjedi wrote:
Cougs_Rule wrote:Riley knows how to beat Bronco.
By my count, Bronco is 2-1 against Riley as a head coach.

He must've been talking about a different kind of beating:

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