- BYU basketball excites fans more than football for the first time in years.
- Football faces challenges with a new quarterback, impacting playoff hopes significantly.
- Basketball aims high, led by AJ Dybantsa, with national championship aspirations.
PROVO — For the first time since the early years of the LaVell Edwards era, BYU basketball has higher expectations — and maybe even more excitement from the fans? — than its counterparts in football.
Coming off an 11-2 season and a rank of No. 13 in the Associated Press poll in Year 2 of the Big 12, the football team went into the offseason with visions of even greater accomplishments.
With a slew of returners across the offense and defense, including a senior quarterback, the Cougars were right to believe a spot in the 12-team national playoff was achievable.
But those aspirations took a major hit after Jake Retzlaff's decision to transfer following an honor code-related suspension. Instead of counting on a veteran quarterback, the coaches will now choose a starter from among three players who have never taken a snap for the Cougars.
Over the next few weeks, starting with Wednesday's first practice, the only real question during training camp centers around the quarterback position. Even then, the competition among McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet and Bear Bachmeier may extend into the first few games of the season.
Expect over the next month to hear coach Kalani Sitake during media availability to say the quarterbacks are progressing well and the team has confidence in all three players.
The truth is, since quarterbacks are usually off limits to contact during live team sessions and scrimmages, true evaluations won't come until the games start.
In a real sense, BYU is back to where it started last season, with some oddsmakers predicting no more than six wins. Bowl eligibility seems like a major comedown but, then again, not many outside the program foresaw last season's stunning success.
Don't give up hope just yet, BYU fans. And note, if it all goes south, simply pivot to basketball season.
Speaking of which, expectations for the basketball team during Kevin Young's second season couldn't be any higher. You want proof? Since when would losing in the Sweet 16 be considered a disappointment for this program?
The answer is never — certainly not for a program with only two teams reaching the second week of the tournament in the prior 42 years before last season. During the same time, only the Danny Ainge-led team in 1981 advanced to the Elite Eight.
The goal this season is to break the dubious streak of making 32 NCAA Tournaments without making the Final Four. The prior best chance likely went by the wayside during Jimmer Fredette's senior year in 2011 when an honor code suspension — sound familiar? — sidelined Brandon Davies late in the season and into the tournament.
Led by AJ Dybantsa, the nation's top-ranked incoming freshman, the Cougars will begin the season at least ranked in the top 10 and probably even higher. With a schedule loaded up on marquee nonconference games, along with the always-grueling Big 12 slate, a strong run could propel the Cougars atop the polls.
But the rankings are only for show — results in the tournament will determine the team's legacy. Nothing else will matter, which is a great sign of respect and lofts BYU into the rare status normally reserved for the game's bluebloods.
Richie Saunders, who enjoyed a breakout season playing for Young last season, will complement Dybantsa to form a potent tandem. They will be joined by a few other holdovers and a host of talented newcomers.
"I think we all have one goal in mind: it's to win a national championship," Dybantsa said during USA Basketball's U19 training camp earlier this summer. "There's nothing less. We made it to the Sweet 16 in (Young's) first season. So we're intending to go farther."
If the previously inconceivable happens and BYU wins the tournament, it could overshadow the football team's national championship in 1984. How about that, Cougar fans?
