BYU Football: How BYU can go undefeated in 2021
By Adam Gibby
BYU Football was only two yards short of going undefeated in 2020.
It is that time of year to put on the blue goggles and put together how BYU can go undefeated in 2020. While every year I write this article not really expecting the Cougars to run the table, I do write it with a real way that the Cougars can achieve perfection.
While some of these games will be a longshot, it is important to remember that the Cougars have faced long odds many times before against really good opponents and come out on top. As I look at BYU’s schedule, I don’t see any 2018 Wisconsin’s, 2008 Oklahoma’s or 2013 Texas’. In fact, I would say that in any other season, USC (BYU’s toughest opponent) would be the third or even fourth toughest game on the schedule (see why later).
If you don’t believe me, let’s just look back at 2019 when BYU played Utah, Boise State and USC who all finished the regular season in the AP Top 25. Granted, USC could be better than all of those teams this year, but as it currently stands, 2021 USC would probably be ranked below where all three of those teams were.
The biggest knock against BYU’s schedule is that they play seven Power Fives and Boise State. To give some perspective, if you count Boise State as a P5, the Cougars will play as many P5 games as the ACC and SEC. In 2019, only LSU, Ohio State and Clemson made it to 8-0 in P5 games.
That being said, being an optimistic fan is sometimes better than a realistic one. If you don’t like optimism just close out now because here we go.