Cougar corner: BYU to start at same BCS tier as Army, Navy

BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe told the "Sporting News" that he is working to bolster the Cougars' chances of getting into a Bowl Championship Series bowl as an independent.

However, he does not expect any changes as the BCS meetings get set to begin next week in New Orleans. Holmoe added that BYU will begin its first season as an independent with the same BCS status as independents Army and Navy.

BYU, Army and Navy will be eligible for at-large selections to a BCS bowl if they win at least nine games and are ranked among the top 14 in the BCS standings. Those schools have the opportunity to play in the BCS championship game if they finish in the top two of the final BCS standings.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, can earn an automatic berth to the BCS if it finishes among the BCS’s top eight. BYU would like to receive a similar exemption someday.

“We’re not saying we should be like Notre Dame,” Holmoe said. “They came in with an established record. We’re trying to make small steps.”

ESPN.com looks at BYU football's new-look coaching staff here.