Cougars at a Glance

Coach » Bronco Mendenhall (38-13, 5th season)

Starters returning » Offense (4), Defense (8)

The Big Question » Can the No. 20 Cougars take the next step, after three consecutive 10-win seasons? That means earning a berth in a BCS bowl, especially now that archrival Utah has been to two of those games since 2004.

The Big Game » Florida State at BYU, Sept. 19. For sure, Oklahoma is the most difficult opponent on the schedule, but the game that is likely to determine what kind of season the Cougs have comes two weeks later against the ACC's ranked Seminoles.

MVP » It has to be Max Hall, who enters his senior season with a lot to prove after stumbling in big games last season. He lost his favorite target, Austin Collie, to the pros, and will have to be more creative this season and spread the ball more for BYU to be successful.

Best Case Scenario » The Cougars don't get embarrassed against No. 3-ranked Oklahoma, then continue their 18-game home winning streak through November by knocking off TCU and Utah at LaVell Edwards Stadium, setting themselves up for a possible BCS bowl berth.

Worst Case Scenario » Oklahoma thoroughly shatters BYU's confidence with a thrashing at Jerry's World, leading to a mediocre season and a berth in the New Mexico Bowl or, worse, Boise's Humanitarian Bowl.

Key Stat » The Cougars are 2-15 since 1999 (start of the MWC) against teams ranked in the USA Today Top 25. They will play at least four ranked teams this year: Oklahoma, Florida State, Utah and TCU.

Golden Age » The Cougs are 32-7 the past three years. Only Boise State, Florida, Oklahoma, USC and Ohio State have had better records in that stretch.

BYU schedule

Date » Game

Sept. 5 » vs. Oklahoma at Arlington, Texas, 5 p.m. » No guts, no glory. Cougs getting $1.5 million, but can they avoid embarrasment?

Sept. 12 » at Tulane, 1:30 p.m. » Another team from Utah invades the Big Easy -- with much less at stake

Sept. 19 » Florida State, 5 p.m. » Home opener against a one-time college football power could be the most pivotal game on the schedule

Sept. 26 » Colorado State, 4 p.m. » Rams have improved under Steve Fairchild, and they gave Cougs major scare last year

Oct. 2 » Utah State, 7 p.m. » Friday night general conference special returns to Provo with Aggies saying they've improved greatly

Oct. 10 » at UNLV, 8 p.m. » Rebels have BYU's full attention after nearly winnng in Provo last year

Oct. 17 » at San Diego State, 4 p.m. » BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall meets up with two coaching mentors, Rocky Long and Brady Hoke

Oct. 24 » TCU, 5:30 p.m. » Revenge is best served cold on a crisp October night in front of 65,000, Cougs hope

Nov. 7 » at Wyoming, noon » Laramie in November? Maybe Cowboys won't have a whole lot to play for when Cougs invade the high plains

Nov. 14 » at New Mexico, noon » Lobos always get up for the Cougars, but does new coach Mike Locksley have the horses to mount a challenge?

Nov. 21 » Air Force, 1:30 p.m. » Tuneup for Utah, or a stiff challenge? Cougs got the latter last year, while Utah waltzed pre-BYU

Nov. 28 » Utah, 3 p.m. » Matching their rival's intensity a must this time for Cougars. Will a BCS bowl berth be on the line again?