BYU football: Three bold Tanner Mangum predictions

For the first time in a long while, BYU football will have someone other than Taysom Hill take the first snap of the game.

We have officially reached the start of the Tanner Mangum era of BYU football. It’s a shame it might only last one season (well, two dating back to 2015).

But BYU football fans should enjoy the ride while it lasts, regardless of how long that may be.

Heading into 2017, Mangum has a talented and experienced offensive line protecting him – that’s always a good thing. He’s also got a group of fairly inexperienced, yet extremely athletic wide receivers. After pedestrian quarterback play a season ago, Mangum has the opportunity to turn things back around, adding to his 2015 campaign.

Mangum, with a full season and two offseasons of Ty Dytmer’s offense under his belt, can really make a splash.

Mangum finishes with 4,200 yards

This would be no easy task for Mangum. Just four BYU football quarterbacks have thrown for 4,000 or more yards in a single season. Mangum hitting 4,200 would place him fifth all-time in single-season yardage.

To do it, he needs to average 323 passing yards per game in the regular season. Assuming BYU football makes a bowl game, he’d need 300 per game.

Last season, the Cougars averaged just 177 passing yards per contest.