Three reasons to get excited about the 2023 season

PROVO, Utah– In 100 days, BYU football will begin a historic year.

Regardless of the final record, the 2023 season will always be historic as the season BYU began play in a Power Five league. No, it’s not a dream, BYU fans.

A good day to get excited @BYUfootball #GoCougs #BYU pic.twitter.com/dowQVakJgP

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 25, 2023

The Cougars are part of the Big 12 Conference in the fall.

The inaugural season of the Big 12 alone is a big reason to be excited about BYU football in 2023. But besides being a member of the Big 12, what should you have been excited about?

Here are three reasons to get excited as BYU kicks off the season against Sam Houston on Feb. 2. September

#1 Kalani Sitake has surrounded herself with a staff she trusts

The speed at which a place like BYU moves compared to its Power Five peers is a different pace. Things take time at BYU. As an example, Kalani Sitake’s staff.

Sitake, entering his eighth season as BYU’s head coach, has the personnel he needs to compete at the Power Five level.

When Sitake first became head coach, he had a limited budget for his staff, forcing him to hire assistants who did not coach college football. It only lasted two years. He then transformed the offensive staff, resulting in BYU producing two NFL draft picks at QB, WR, left tackle and a running back who rushed for 1,000 yards in his rookie season.

#BYU coach Kalani Sitake and DC Jay Hill laugh after the scrimmage #BYUFootball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/F9NVrhmYQ9

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 1, 2023

On the defensive side, his longtime colleague and friend Ilaisa Tuiaki led the defense along with assistant head coach Ed Lamb. They put together successful defenses. But over the last two years, it was apparent that the defensive staff, like the 2017 offense, needed some realignment.

Throughout last season, Sitake was confident that he knew how to fix the defense. He called defensive plays after the Arkansas game last year. BYU turned the season around with an upset win at Boise State and a bowl win with a depleted roster against SMU.

But calling Sitake into the defense was not a long-term solution. Sitake knew he needed a defensive staff with Power Five experience, but perhaps more importantly, a group of coaches who would be relentless recruiters.

Sitake made tough decisions to move on from all but one of the coaches on last year’s staff.

He has a staff that checks those boxes. Jay Hill leaving the head coaching position at Weber State to join the BYU staff gives Sitake a defensive leader he can rely on. This allows Sitake to be the CEO and leader of the program instead of being on the defensive line.

Along with Hill, Sitake has a defensive staff with Power Five experience and Jernaro Gilford, one of the top recruits on the previous staff.

Hill has said his defense is complex. It’s a page from a Utah defense that has been successful in the Pac-12.

The offensive staff has earned a reputation for producing capable offenses that remind people of the old BYU. Their challenge now is to take it to the next level in a conference known for its high-powered offense.

Until the 100th day #BYU football, @kslsports begins the Countdown to Cougar Football @kslnewsradio.

I will give you every weekday until the 2nd of September #BYUFootball fix.

Times
5:55 in the morning
7:55 in the morning
15:55
17:55

: https://t.co/WD3w8qUkvX pic.twitter.com/bliNRCWf28

– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 25, 2023

Sitake’s staff gives BYU its best chance to level up.

#2 A deeper roster than last year

BYU will have a deeper and more talented roster in 2023 compared to last season. The problem is they have a schedule with ten Power Five opponents. So, expectations have naturally decreased with BYU’s move to the Big 12.

BYU could have a situation where the team is better this year, but still has fewer wins than last year due to the demanding schedule. ESPN’s FPI has BYU the 28th toughest schedule in college football this season.

There are questions at some positions compared to last season, especially at quarterback.

The trade of Jaren Hall in the NFL draft to the Minnesota Vikings is a significant loss for BYU. Pitt transfer Kedon Slovis is the starting quarterback and made a solid first impression during the spring. But it’s a fall from the Hall.

If Slovis plays at the same level as his freshman year in 2019 and the 2020 COVID season, BYU could have its third straight starting quarterback in the NFL Draft. On the flip side, if Slovis puts up numbers like he did at Pitt with a 10-9 TD-to-INT mark, that streak will likely end.

The good news for BYU is that they have more options at quarterback. BYU didn’t have a backup signal caller they relied on last season after Hall. That’s why Hall played through the shoulder injury he suffered against Utah State.

Behind Slovis is No. 1 JUCO QB transfer Jake Retzlaff. Retzlaff showed he’s a player with a knack for making plays off the script in spring practice.

After the quarterback position, the offensive line and running back positions look better on paper than last season.

UNLV transfer Aidan Robbins was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection by Athlon Sports. The Robbins, along with Colorado transfer Deion Smith, Hinckley Folau Ropat and incoming freshman LJ Martin, form one of the deepest running back units BYU has ever assembled.

The offensive line will be revamped, but the stars return to left tackle Kingsley Suamatai, who will fill the shoes left by Blake Freeland. Suamatai is already gathering first-round NFL draft buzz. In addition, Connor Pay is back as one of the show’s leaders.

Pay could play either center or guard this season. BYU then added Paul Maile from Utah, Utah State’s Weylin from Lapuaho and Oklahoma State tackle Caleb Etienne, who brings 13 career Big 12 starts.

According to my tracking, BYU has two scholarships for 2023. Adding a linebacker, defensive lineman or other offensive lineman would be areas to focus on if it were up to me.

The defense has brought in quality newcomers, especially in the grad transfer market. For example, Weber State cornerback Eddie Heckard was preparing to enter the NFL draft, but chose to play one more year of college football. Heckard chose BYU over UCLA, Cincinnati and others.

Utah State linebacker AJ Vongphachanh committed to BYU over offers from Washington State, South Carolina and Minnesota.

BYU’s staff has brought in newcomers that should create competitive depth for the program. That’s a talented enough roster to send BYU to a bowl in its first season in the Big 12.

#3 Every game means something

The elephant in the room for BYU football every season as a stand-alone was the importance of the games. After one loss or when BYU got its sixth win, the endgame was known as BYU. ESPN’s pick for a bowl game against a five-man opponent.

It’s gone now. Joining the Big 12 Conference brings more meaning to every game this season.

2023 @BYUfootball Schedule

Year 1 year @Big12Conference #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/QObb8pgCDR

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) 31 January 2023

Gone are the old days of coming up short against an FCS opponent. Now senior day includes a visit from Oklahoma in November.

Even if BYU claws and claws for bowl eligibility, they might have a chance to play spoiler in the conference championship game. Maybe derail someone’s College Football Playoff hopes. Or simply get the upper hand on league enemies.

Each game takes on greater meaning. That alone should have everyone excited about BYU football this season.

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Mitch Harper is KSLsports.com’s BYU Insider and host of the Cougar Tracks podcast (ROOM) and Cougar Sports Saturday (starting at 123 on Saturday) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU’s move to the Big 12 Conference on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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