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BYU Football: Ranking the 2018 Schedule

By Adam Gibby

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: General exterior view of LaVell Edwards Stadium prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Brigham Young Cougars on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 16: General exterior view of LaVell Edwards Stadium prior to the game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Brigham Young Cougars on September 16, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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BERKELEY, CA – OCTOBER 13: Vic Enwere #23 and Ross Bowers #3 of the California Golden Bears celebrates after Enwere scored a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars during the first quarter of their NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2017 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
BERKELEY, CA – OCTOBER 13: Vic Enwere #23 and Ross Bowers #3 of the California Golden Bears celebrates after Enwere scored a touchdown against the Washington State Cougars during the first quarter of their NCAA football game at California Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2017 in Berkeley, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Utah State

Why it’s as high as it is: If games follow the preseason script, the Cougars could find themselves needing to win this game to make it to a bowl game. This game also could be huge in creating momentum to finish out the back half of the season. Last year, the Utah State game seems like it was the straw that broke the camel’s back for the season.

This game will also affect recruiting and the way that local recruits view BYU, especially if the Cougars end up going 0-4 against Utah teams in a two-year period. A win would erase that.

Why it’s not higher: Unfortunately, as big of a game this is, it is Utah State. Unless your name is Boise State, beating a Mountain West team isn’t really viewed as a big win. Also, with BYU’s history against Utah State, it may take more than two years to really affect recruits.

1.  California

Why it’s as high as it is: This is BYU’s best chance to get a win versus a Power Five team. Whether California is good or not, having at least one Power Five win is huge for BYU going forward.

If the Cougars can get a win against California, they will also be setting themselves up nicely to go to a bowl game. If BYU is unable to pick up oany wins against a P5 team, they will have to go 6-1 against non-P5  teams, and one of those teams includes Boise State.

This game is the game that will determine how the rest of the season is going to go.

Win, and BYU is rebounding from a disastrous 2017 season. Lose, and this may be another long year.

Next. Scouting the Schedule - UMass. dark

What game do you think is the most important game this season? What game surprises you most to see so high/low? Comment below!

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