BYU is coming off back-to-back 7-6 seasons. They ended last season with a 38-34 loss to Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. BYU is returning 14 of its top 16 tacklers, which should enable their defense to start the season strong. On the offensive side of the ball, they return starting quarterback Zach Wilson. He threw for 2,382 yards last season with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Wilson may be the starter but there are no guarantees he will be the only one seeing action under center. Lopini Katoa rushed for 358 yards last season and Jackson McChesney added 274 on the ground.

Navy is coming off an impressive 11-2 season after going just 3-10 the year before. It was the third double-digit win season and the ninth winning season overall under veteran head coach Ken Niumatalolo. Unfortunately, they have to replace quarterback Malcolm Perry, who had more than half of the team’s rushing yards last season. He also threw for more than 1,000 yards. Sophomore Perry Olsen is expected to start at quarterback for Navy this season. He only attempted eight passes in the option offense last season, completing just the midshipmen this season. Olsen carried the ball 34 times for 80 yards, which came out to an average of just 2.4 yards a carry in limited action. Fullback Jamale Carothers rushed for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

BYU loves week one ATS as they have gone 11-3 over the last 14 years.
BYU has an experienced defensive and almost all of the key positions on offense returning. Navy will struggle to replace perry at quarterback as he did everything for the Navy offense and have had little time to break in a new quarterback in the triple threat offense. I like BYU to get the win as Navy struggles on offense to start the season.

Play on BYU.