BYU Football: The worst and best case scenarios for the Cougars
By Adam Gibby
Game 3: Utah
Worst Case Scenario: Tanner Mangum gives fans a deja vu of 2011 when Jake Heaps had arguably the worst individual game ever for BYU football. The first half looks very similar to the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl as Utah scores two defensive touchdowns. No comeback this time. Utah wins and makes a very strong statement to future recruits and any BYU fans who believe that they are as good or better than Utah.
Final Score 49-14 Loss (1-2, not ranked)
Best Case Scenario: The Cougars get revenge on Utah by getting their own defensive touchdown on Utah’s first drive. Tanner Mangum has one of the best games of his career as he consistently finds holes in the defense. Because of his accuracy, Utah is forced to drop more men into coverage and the running game is very successful against Utah. BYU breaks the streak and does it in a convincing way.
Final Score 35-21 Win (3-0, ranked No. 12)
Game 4: Wisconsin
Worst Case Scenario: Being 1-2 and having lost both games very badly, the Cougars do not want to play this game. Wisconsin comes in ranked in the top ten and ready to take down a struggling Cougar team. The game is already over by the first quarter as the defense is unable to stop the huge Wisconsin offense. For the third straight game, Wisconsin’s backup quarterback gets almost as many snaps as the starter.
Final Score 42-7 Loss (1-3, not ranked)
Best Case Scenario: College Gameday will come into Provo as the No. 12 Cougars take on the No. 7 Badgers. The game is a defensive battle as the Cougars and Badgers both struggle to make anything happen offensively. Unfortunately for the Cougars the Badgers are just too big and too strong and end up having a good fourth quarter. The Cougars lose no respect though and remain ranked No.15 after the game.
Final Score 14-10 Loss (3-1, ranked No. 15)