BYU loaded at quarterback, though starter unclear

New coach Kalani Sitake has one of those good problems at quarterback with two proven signal- callers fighting for the job.

Sophomore Tanner Mangum stepped in months after returning from a church mission last season after Taysom Hill went down in the first game and went on to set school freshman records with 3,377 passing yards and 23 touchdowns.

Hill, on the other hand, was in the Heisman conversation when he threw for 2,938 yards and rushed for 1,344 with 29 combined touchdowns in 2013. Injuries, however, have ended Hill’s other three seasons. Hill will begin 2016 as the Cougars’ starting quarterback. Head coach Sitake made the announcement about the fifth-year senior after fall camp.

Key games

BYU enters the season with one of the toughest schedules in the country and every game is key for the independent program. Two losses essentially eliminate the Cougars from the College Football Playoff and leave them in the already- contracted Poinsettia Bowl. BYU has a chance to improve its lot with a New Year’s Six bowl but likely needs to avoid having more than two losses.

The Cougars play six Power 5 schools, including an opening stretch against Arizona, Utah, UCLA and West Virginia. Only UCLA is coming to Provo. BYU also has a challenging October with Michigan State, Mississippi State and Boise State.

Prediction

The Cougars’ tough schedule proves challenging enough to keep them nowhere near the College Football Playoff with a 6-6 finish.