BYU Cougars 2009 College Football Predictions - 2010 BCS Odds: The Brigham Young University Cougars football team is one of a few programs from non-BCS leagues whom pundits think has a chance of breaking into the BCS mix. BYU can quickly put itself on the BCS map in 2009 with a win over BCS power Oklahoma in the teams opener Sept. 5, to be played at the Dallas Cowboys new $1-Billion stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com list BYU on its BCS betting board at +20000 moneyline odds (200/1) chance of winning the 2010 BCS National Championship. The Cougars are one of a few non-BCS schools listed; the others are Utah (+7500), TCU (+20000), and Boise State (+20000).

Non-BCS programs or mid-majors are often the butt of criticism regarding scheduling. That argument will not fly at BYU who along with having Oklahoma scheduled this season but follows that game with a date with Florida State in its home opener in Provo on Sept. 19. Sandwiched between the Sooners and Seminoles is a trip to New Orleans and a game with Tulane.

Does BYU have any chance of winning a BCS National Championship in 2010? Yes they do but for that to happen the team must win over the Seminoles and Sooners in Sept., and take that momentum and roll through the Mountain West Conference schedule. It's a tall order but possible. On the flip side, bad losses to OU or FSU would doom any chances for BYU in the BCS.

With an experienced senior class returning in 2009, BYU should once again be a top-25 caliber team and one of the favorites to win the MWC title. Among 18 offensive and 25 defensive lettermen returning, BYU will have 12 starters back from last year’s 10-3 Las Vegas Bowl team as well as nine other players with starting experience.

The Cougars were the nation’s sixth-ranked passing offense last season at 310.38 yards per game and have been ranked in the top six in the country in three of Mendenhall’s four seasons in Provo.

All of the team’s key internal ball handlers on the offensive unit return in 2009. The Cougar offense will be led for the third-straight year by senior all-conference quarterback Max Hall. Like Hall, all-conference junior running back Harvey Unga and All-American senior tight end Dennis Pitta are back for their third season starting together, while senior reserve tight end Andrew George gives BYU another quality inside playmaker.

The 2009 defense will mix a heavy blend of experience with the exciting addition of some talented newcomers. Eight starters and four others with starting experience are slated to return. The MWC’s all-time sacks leader Jan Jorgensen will headline a defensive front returning all three defensive-line regulars and three of the four starting linebackers. In addition, the defense returns athletic linebacker Vic So’oto, a starter who was sidelined by injury after only two games last season, and senior inside linebacker Terrance Hooks, who is back to full health and ready to make a difference after limited action last year.