BYU @ Virginia preview

David Watford takes over the reins at quarterback for Virginia and will be severely tested in the opener when the Cavaliers host Brigham Young on Saturday. Watford, who played 10 games as a freshman in 2011 and redshirted last year, has shown the ability to be a leader for the Virginia offense, which welcomes back several skilled players. BYU, an independent, has won six straight season openers and returns All-American candidates Kyle Van Noy at linebacker and Cody Hoffman at wide receiver.

Taysom Hill, who won both of his starts last year before suffering a season-ending knee injury, returns to the No. 1 quarterback role for the Cougars. BYU was third in the nation in total defense a year ago but will need to replace six starters on that side of the ball. Talented running back Kevin Parks and three 400-yard receivers should challenge the Cougars defense and help ease the transition for Watford as Virginia looks to get back into a bowl after a rough campaign.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Brigham Young -1

ABOUT BRIGHAM YOUNG (2012: 8-5): Even with one of the nation’s premier players back in Van Noy (13 sacks in 2012), it will be difficult for the Cougars to duplicate their performance on defense last season, when they allowed 14 points per game. They must be more consistent on the other side of the ball with Hoffman (eight 100-yard games in 2012) leading the way and running back Jamaal Williams providing balance. Hill, who threw for 223 yards and ran for 80 in last season's win over 11-2 Utah State, is capable of big things, as well.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2012: 4-8, 2-6 ACC): Michael Rocco and Phillip Sims shared the quarterback duties last season before transferring, leaving Watford with the job of improving an offense that turned the ball over 26 times in 2012. Darius Jennings led the Cavaliers with 48 receptions and 568 yards a year ago, while Dominique Terrell and Tim Smith (1,202 career receiving yards) are also dependable targets. Cornerback Demetrious Nicholson leads eight starters back on a defense that was ranked fourth in the ACC in yards against.

EXTRA POINTS

1. BYU won the last meeting in overtime, 38-35, in 2000 after dropping the first two with Virginia in 1987 and 1999.

2. Parks totaled 1,443 yards rushing his first two seasons, second only to Wali Lundy (1,755 in 2002-03) in that span at Virginia.

3. Hoffman has 28 career touchdown receptions, three shy of passing Austin Collie as BYU’s all-time leader.

PREDICTION: Virginia 28, Brigham Young 24