BYU football: The Big Uglies are ready to lead the offense

The BYU football program faces some real questions on the offensive side of the ball heading into the 2017 season. Thankfully, the offensive line isn’t one of them.

There will be no shortage of questions at the skill positions for BYU football heading into the upcoming season.

Will Tanner Mangum live up to the hype created by his brilliant freshman campaign 2 years ago? Will the young receivers and tight ends step up and be play-makers?  How effective will the running back committee be in their effort to replace the school’s all-time leading rusher, Jamaal Williams? How will Ty Detmer do in year 2 as a Division 1 play-caller?

While significant questions such as these will need to be answered at the skill positions, BYU will be blessed with a deep and experienced offensive line, ready to win key battles in the trenches.

The offensive line should be the strength of the offense for the BYU football team this season. The Cougars return 8 linemen who have a combined 163 game appearances under their belts, with 6 of those returning players earning a combined 100 career starts heading into this season.

In addition to the experienced core of hogs, there is a group of talented new faces that will add quality depth.

Let’s take a look at the big uglies that will be anchoring the Cougars’ offensive hopes in 2017: