BYU Football: 2021 opponent Power Rankings

Baylor is one of two games that BYU is actually favored to lose according to ESPN FPI. While there is some rivalry feel in this with offensive coaches Jeff Grimes and Eric Mateos leaving BYU for Baylor this past off season, with so many other important games this season, this game just doesn’t make it very high on the list.

Most Big 12 standing projections have Baylor in the 6-8 range making them a slightly below average team. Even though there isn’t any active discussion that we know about between BYU and the Big 12, the Cougars have an opportunity to make a big statement, either positive or negative in this game to the conference.

While nobody can know how much an impact this game will have on any future relationship between the Big 12 and BYU, a 14+ point win would make a statement to the conference.

The game against the Sun Devils fits the definition of the perfect “meh” game as far as importance goes.

If the Cougars pull off the win the narrative will be that they beat a team that is beat down with sanctions, investigations and an eternity of off the field issues. Sort of like the narrative BYU had after beating a Navy team last year that hadn’t even practiced tackling or had contact drills.

If BYU loses, this game will be seen as losing to a quality Pac 12 team, that yes is dealing with issues off the field, but still a Pac 12 team.

The one aspect to this game that makes it a more important game than others in this list is where it falls on the schedule. Assuming BYU beats Arizona, the Arizona State game will either be a slingshot game to the Top 10 if they beat Utah (BYU would be 3-0 against P5’s) or it can be a refocus game should the Cougars lose to Utah.