BYU football: Three things to know for the Portland State Vikings

While many are looking towards LSU, BYU football begins its season with the Portland State Vikings. Here are three things you need to know.

The wait is nearly over for BYU football fans. Just 12 more days and the Cougars will take the field against Portland State, officially beginning the 2017 season.

While it won’t be the first start for Tanner Mangum, it certainly feels like it is the first start of the Tanner Mangum era. Or, at the very least, the newest chapter in an era that was split by a returning Taysom Hill.

There’s no denying that Portland State is little more than a tune-up game for BYU football. LaVell Edwards Stadium won’t be anywhere close to full and the student section will be sparse as well. But while the game might not have a ton of importance to fans, it will be plenty important for the Cougars.

With that being said, here are three things you need to know for the Portland State Vikings.

No. 1: The Vikings are talented up front

There’s been a lot of talk about BYU football’s pass rush – especially with the return of sack master Sione Takitaki. While the Cougars will get after the quarterback against Portland State (likely Josh Kraght or Davis Alexander), sacks might not be as plentiful as you think.

Portland State’s left tackle Randin Crecelius is a talented player. Named as a preseason All-Conference player, the 6-foot-5 and 305-pound Crecelius has 20 career starts under his belt. College Sports Madness gave Crecelius a nod as a preseason Second Team All-American.

Throughout the start of the Vikings’ camp, Chad Bach (13 starts) has been at left guard, Garrett Stauffer (four starts) at center, Korbin Sorensen (RS freshman) at right guard and Justin Outslay (six starts) at right tackle. The next two linemen on the depth chart (Tyshon Mosley and Desmoun Thompson) have 16 combined starts. So there’s plenty of experience along the front line for the Vikings.