BYU Football: Projecting every game in 2021
By Adam Gibby
![BOCA RATON, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 22: Zach Wilson #1 and the Brigham Young Cougars wait to take the field prior to the game 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: Zach Wilson #1 and the Brigham Young Cougars wait to take the field prior to the game 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/deaf7a572be7ed84c4660367fb83a1a60a40cc423c8ed253d5dd0a27bdeba9ec.jpg)
BYU Football will have plenty of opportunities to be ranked in the Top 25.
Playing seven Power Five teams plus Boise State sounds like a disaster waiting to happen for BYU Football. Yes, the schedule is going to be really tough, but if there is a way to draw up the schedule in BYU’s favor, the 2021 schedule got pretty close to it. Sure, there could be some changes like splitting up the Utah State and South Florida game, or moving the BYE week to the middle of the season, but ranking the schedule order and opportunity, it gets a 8.5/10.
One of the most enjoyable parts of the preseason is that there are always dreams and aspirations of going 12-0. Achieving perfection of course is nearly impossible. Fans going game to game always convince themselves that every game is winnable and that there is “no way” that their team will lose (unless of course you are UMass going against Alabama).
Taking a look at the schedule, of course I also saw ways for BYU to win every game on their schedule. After taking a step back I was able to grab some perspective and put a more realistic approach to BYU’s season.
These projections of course take into consideration that there won’t be any major quarterback injuries to either team or that seven defenders are out. Normal wear and tear of the season is taken into account, but again these projections are based off of things going normal.
Arizona
For whatever reason whenever Arizona and BYU get together it always results in a low scoring game. Part of this could of course be attributed to it being the first game of the season. Generally speaking, defenses play better than the offense for the first week or so of the season. In this game, both offenses will struggle in the passing game and Arizona will struggle to find any rhythm throughout the game meanwhile the Cougars are able to put together some long drives resulting in points behind a strong running attack.
This will be one of those games that BYU comfortably wins, however the scoreboard will look like just a decent win for the Cougars.
Score Prediction: BYU 24 Arizona 10
Record: 1-0
Ranking Range: Receiving Votes