BYU isn't exactly trumpeting itself as the sexy choice for 2008 BCS buster. But the Cougars aren't downplaying the intensity of those expectations, either. At one practice, BYU finished up in a huddle and quickly chanted B-C-S.

After going 11-2 for the second consecutive season, which also featured a 10-game winning streak to conclude it, head coach Bronco Mendenhall returns nine starters on offense and an inexperienced defense that may be granted some time to mesh if the team can score points like it's expected to.

BYU even has some freshmen on the two-deep depth chart. It appears a lot is clicking right now. The 2008 season will start at home Saturday against Northern Iowa, where Mendenhall has achieved a major goal heading into his fourth season of re-establishing dominance at LaVell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars have not lost there the past two seasons.

"It's precious to us, almost sacred," senior linebacker David Nixon said.

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.