2014 Schedule Preview: BYU Cougars
Charlie Strong may have the BYU Cougars to thank for his chance to coach the Texas Longhorns. Now Strong hopes to erase the memory of last season’s debacle in Provo.
BYU, you may remember, torched the Texas defense for 679 total yards in a 40-21 thrashing of the Longhorns. BYU ran for 550 yards in the game. The next day – or maybe even on the flight home – defensive coordinator Manny Diaz was relieved of his duties. Texas fans were calling for Mack Brown’s dismissal. Texas also lost quarterback David Ash to a concussion that day. Perhaps the Longhorns shouldn’t have come out to play after the lengthy lightning delay.
The Cougars visit Austin next month for a rematch. BYU returns 14 players from a team that finished 8-5. The offense was tough to stop, finishing 14th in the country in total offense. The defense was in the top 20 in points allowed. Head coach Bronco Mendenhall will bring a talented Cougar team to Austin in September.
This game has significant meaning for BYU. The Cougars are hoping to impress Big 12 officials enough to garner some attention as a potential new member of the conference. Some believe this game can have a heavy bearing on BYU’s chances of joining the conference.
Here is a look at the Cougars.