>>Transfer wide receiver Jordan Leslie may become Taysom Hill’s new number one target. Jordan Leslie, an engineering graduate from UTEP has transferred to BYU for his Senior season and at 6’3″, 210 lbs Leslie can help BYU cruise to some major victories this season.
9/6 @ University of Texas – BYU upset Texas in 2013 in the same season that saw long-tenured Mack Brown depart from the Longhorns. With a new, talented coach in Charlie Strong, BYU will have an uphill battle in Austin without standouts Kyle Van Noy and Daniel Sorensen on defense and 6’4″ Cody Hoffman at wide receiver. If dynamic threat Taysom Hill can step up as a passer, BYU has a chance to win in Texas. Texas also sent standout players DE Jackson Jeffcoat and WR Mike Davis to the NFL as undrafted free agents. Texas will be lucky if they can start QB David Ash currently recovering from surgery as backup Tyrone Swoopes hasn’t demonstrated the passing prowess of Ash.
9/11 vs. University of Houston – BYU bested the (other) Cougars in a shootout in a 47-46 shootout last season. BYU will have homefield advantage, but Houston’s Sophomore John O’Korn has only improved since their last matchup. Houston also played above average defense in 2013 statistically speaking, though their competition is considered softer than average. BYU will need their defense to step up to contain O’Korn and the young passing offense Houston brings to the field.
10/3 vs. Utah State – Utah State’s put a strong product on the field for the past two seasons. The Aggies fielded a top ten scoring defense in 2013, with 17.1 points per game allowed in 2013. BYU’s dynamic offense allowed them to beat USU 31-14 last season in Logan. The arrival of Jordan Leslie as a true deep threat and BYU’s running offense should again allow BYU to handle USU’s defense. If BYU’s defense can contain QB Chuckie Keaton they have a strong chance against the Aggies in 2014.
10/9 @ UCF – Central Florida will have to operate without former starting QB Blake Bortles and starting RB Storm Johnson lost to the NFL draft. UCF will look to their ten returning starters on a top-20 scoring defense from 2013 and young RB William Stanback to build on a promising freshman season and establish a “ground and pound” philosophy with questions at QB. If Hill, Leslie and RB Jamaal Williams can establish a balanced rhythm on offense the Cougars should be able to beat UCF without too much trouble.
10/24 @ Boise State – Boise State lost two talented wide receivers to the draft but returns a powerful runner in Jay Ajayi. Boise State has a balanced offense with Grant Hedrick taking over at QB and Ajayi already having established himself as a top college bruiser. BYU overcame Boise State 37-20 with homefield advantage in 2013. If Bronco Mendenhall can build a strong defense out of 2014’s roster BYU will again have a favorable matchup against Boise State.
11/15 vs. UNLV – UNLV went to their first bowl game in 2013 in what seems like forever. UNLV saw RB Tim Cornett leave for the NFL but still returns Caleb Herring in a largely unimpressive statistical roster. 6’3″ wide receiver Devante Davis scored ten touchdowns in three games last season showing his ceiling and nose for the endzone. UNLV allowed more points than they scored in lopsided losses last season and BYU’s relatively strong recruiting should give them the upper hand.
Gridiron Seasonal 