BYU Football: 2021 opponent Power Rankings
By Adam Gibby
![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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1725217f020ac187eb646f927018921b0d1f7e66a4f838e4679d5a37a20bd414.jpg)
808. . 2020 Record: 5-1. . Trojans . 3. team
I really debated having USC as one, two or three in these Power Rankings. In the end however, the odds that this game doesn’t matter at the end of the season are much higher than the odds that this game does matter.
For BYU Football, unless they are 9-2 or better coming into this game (and it may have to be better), their postseason will already be determined in them going to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana.
If it is the case that BYU’s postseason is already determined, then no this game won’t matter too much win or lose. A win would be a nice touch to finish out the season and a loss would be what is expected and not mean much either.
The reason this game is so high on the rankings is the huge “What if BYU is 10-1 or 9-2?” Again, being in the preseason, I have to assume that USC will be ranked at the end of the year. Would a win over USC finishing with a 10-2 record including five P5 wins be enough for BYU to make a New York Six Bowl? I think it might.
USC being at the end of the season is a potential huge opportunity. Most G5’s are finishing with other G5 teams which makes it really tough to make a statement for the selection committee. USC does the opposite and could be a huge boost to BYU if they take advantage.