Don't bet on Heaps as BYU Cougars starter

Now that it's August, I guess we can start talking about college football. Oh, that's right, everybody has been talking about it for a couple of months already. But now we can really get into it, since camp opens at Utah this week, followed a few days later by the rest of the state's colleges.

Perhaps the biggest intrigue going into the season is who will be the starting quarterback for BYU.

As good as Jake Heaps is, I can't see BYU naming him as the starter for the opener against Washington. I'm betting the Cougars will start the season with Riley Nelson and let Heaps see some action along the way. Because Heaps is the quarterback of the future, he shouldn't be thrown into the fire immediately. Why run the risk of letting him get beat up and perhaps lose his confidence? Rather, bring him along slowly, while the more experienced Nelson takes most of the snaps.

And what if Nelson comes out like gangbusters and the Cougars start 4-0 or 3-1? Well, if Heaps hasn't played yet, you could redshirt him, or if he does play, you could always consider redshirting him the following year as Nelson finishes up his senior season.

I see a scenario similar to Utah's QB situation last year when junior Terrance Cain started the season and freshman Jordan Wynn took over in the eighth game and finished the season. Only the Cougars would make the switch sooner. After the Cougars' four challenging games to open the season, if they are 2-2 or worse, that would be the time to put Heaps to the test with less pressure to succeed. Not only would the opponent be the easiest of the opening five when BYU plays at Utah State Oct. 1, but Nelson would also be spared enduring the wrath of Aggie fans who are still bitter at his leaving his former school …

EARLY START: The reason Utah can start practice before most other schools in the state (and nation) is because of its Thursday night opener against Pitt on Sept. 2. The Utah-Pitt game, featuring two ranked teams, is by far the best of the 16 games involving major college teams that night.

Here are some of the beauties the Utes and Panthers will be competing with — Presbyterian at Wake Forest, Towson at Indiana, Norfolk State at Rutgers, Hampton at Central Michigan, Southeast Louisiana at Tulane and North Dakota at Idaho …