BYU football: Cougars receive votes in AP Top 25 Coaches Poll

BYU football missed out on a Top 25 ranking to start the season, but the Cougars were one of 36 schools to receive votes.

Nothing overly shocking, but BYU football didn’t make the AP Top 25 Coaches Poll, which was released today.

The Utah Utes did make the cut, checking in at the No. 25 spot.

The Cougars went 9-4 last season, defeating Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl and returning a healthy chunk of their starters.

BYU football received the 16th-most votes among the “others receiving votes” category.

There was also plenty of local flavor among the voters. Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham and Utah State Aggies head coach Matt Wells are both on the 65-coach panel of voters.

Next: Game-By-Game 2017 Predictions

Seven coaches that BYU football will play against this season are on the panel. Joining Whittingham and Wells are Scottie Montgomery (East Carolina), Dan Mullen (Mississippi State), Nick Rolovich (Hawaii), Tony Sanchez (UNLV) and Mark Whipple (UMass).

LSU – who will take on the Cougars in Houston – is ranked No. 12. Wisconsin checks in at No. 10. Outside of Utah, no other BYU football opponent made the list.

Again, it isn’t really surprising to see the Cougars miss the cut. What’s exciting is that BYU has a chance to make a legitimate national splash in 2017. With big games early and a weak schedule late, the Cougars have the chance to rip off eight, nine or 10 wins in a row.

With a 13 game schedule, 10 wins seems realistic. Entering bowl season with double digit wins gets you ranked. With the Cougars being a bowl free agent, there’s even more excitement revolving around the postseason.

And the best news? Things kick off at the end of the month.