BYU Football: Where should fan expectations be?

While expecting another one loss season for BYU Football would be a bar too high, fans should still expect a lot of wins.

BYU Football is riding a very high wave of momentum from last season. In almost every single way this is great. The preseason hype around the team is pretty high both in and outside of Cougar Nation, the players and coaches are more upbeat, and things appear to be looking in BYU’s favor with recruits, conference expansion talks and team upgrades.

There is one area that could be a concern… Fan expectations.

Alabama fans expect the Crimson Tide to go 12-0 every season. If they lose a game, there season is ruined. The same goes for Clemson, Ohio State and Oklahoma. There is almost no enjoyment in the season, until the College Football Playoff. Until then, it is a relief when they win and a disaster when they lose.

Could BYU Football be in that same hemisphere this year? Will it be disappointing if the Cougars lose more than two games?

Don’t let it be!

In BYU Football history, 96 years, the Cougars have lost two or less games only 11 times, and only three times since the year 2000. Mathematically, that means we should expect to wait another seven or eight years for the Cougars to have another magical season.

While this season likely won’t be the most ‘difficult’ season ever, it may the most difficult week to week with eight games against P5/Boise State teams.

Am I advocating for fans not to be upset after each and every loss? No of course not. Any real fan should be upset and down if the Cougars lose to the Sun Devils or Trojans, but it shouldn’t ruin the season. The success of the season is a sum of all the ups and and downs. For BYU Football, that does not have to equal out to, nor should it equal out to a 10 win season.

BYU Football has a lot of talent this year, but they are inexperienced compared to most of their opponents. While I can’t gauge every individual fan’s expectations, as fans we should look at the schedule and decide right now what a good record would be. Personally, it is an 8-4  for me. Anything above 8-4 will be a great season and anything below will be an upsetting season.

Above all , remember football is meant to be enjoyed and having a team that is as good as BYU Football is just a bonus.

Go Cougars!