BYU Football: 3 reasons why BYU will finish ranked in 2021

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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 14 : Gunner Romney #18 of the BYU Cougars is tackled by Talon Hufanga #15 and John Houston Jr. #10 of the USC Trojans during their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

The Schedule Setup

The season is set up for BYU to plenty of opportunities to be ranked. The Cougars start with three games that are tough but manageable. Before last week, I didn’t see BYU going 3-0, but now with major allegations being brought up against Arizona State, I think that if BYU can beat Utah there is a really good chance BYU is 3-0 to start off the season. That would put the Cougars ranked very high because they would be the only team in the nation with three Power Five wins that early in the season.

The Cougars then play Utah State and South Florida, two games BYU should win. They then enter a tough stretch of Boise State, Baylor, Washington State and Virginia. Honestly, if BYU goes 2-2 in that stretch they would likely still be ranked at 7-2.

The Cougars then finish out with Idaho State, Georgia Southern and USC. The Cougars should go 2-1 in that stretch putting them at 9-3. A bowl game win would then have them finish 10-3 and likely ranked, especially with five Power Five team wins.

Rankings are sort of weird. Once you are ranked, you are noticed and in an elite club. If BYU can get through the five games with a 4-1 or 5-0 record, barring a complete meltdown the Cougars have a great chance to finish ranked.

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