PROVO -- The BYU softball team will open up their 2005 season Feb. 4-5 against Southern Utah University in St. George, Utah. The season schedule is sure to be the most difficult the Cougars have had in the six years of the program.
Nine games come against USA Today Preseason Top-25 teams comprised of Illinois, Oregon State, Texas, Oregon, Florida State, and No.1 Cal. Opponents also include four teams receiving Preseason Top-25 votes; Louisville, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Iowa.
BYU Head Coach Gordon Eakin said he is excited about the schedule ahead.
"As we begin the season, we're excited about the competitive nature of our team and the elevated level of competition," said Eakin. "We are embarking on the strongest schedule in the six years of this program, it's where we belong, and it's where we want to stay."
In addition to the ranked Cougar opponents, 21 games will be against teams that made the NCAA Regional Tournament in the last few years.
The Cougars also face a tough conference schedule including Colorado State and MWC preseason No.1 San Diego State, each of whom BYU plays four times and who have been ranked in the Top 50 in recent years.
"If we want to be one of the elite teams, we have to play those teams," Eakin said.