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

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)
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)
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BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 22: Lopini Katoa #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars leaps over against the Central Florida Knights at FAU Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 22: Lopini Katoa #4 of the Brigham Young Cougars leaps over against the Central Florida Knights at FAU Stadium on December 22, 2020 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

The Offense vs Opposing Defense

The offense is going to be explosive. The wide receiver room is deeper than it has probably ever been, the entire running back unit is back from last year, a group that had 1,670 rushing yards a year ago, and the offensive line brings back a lot of experience. If the quarterback can get the ball out accurately, the offense could average more than 40 points this season.

Also, BYU isn’t playing a lot of good defensive teams. From last year BYU plays the following defenses:

  • Utah (13)
  • Georgia Southern (25)
  • USC (32)
  • Baylor (35)
  • Arizona State (37)
  • Virginia (46)
  • Boise State (48)
  • Arizona (100)
  • South Florida (110)
  • Washington State (117)
  • Utah State (125)
  • Idaho State (NR)

With an exception to Utah, there aren’t any defenses that would matchup well with a team as explosive as what I believe BYU will bring. Granted, a few bad turnovers can turn a game around really quickly, but just on paper, I think that only Utah will have the upper hand in the offense/defense matchup.

Schedule

Schedule