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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) /
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PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 14 : Gunner Romney #18 of the BYU Cougars is tackled by Talon Hufanga #15 and John Houston Jr. #10 of the USC Trojans during their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT – SEPTEMBER 14 : Gunner Romney #18 of the BYU Cougars is tackled by Talon Hufanga #15 and John Houston Jr. #10 of the USC Trojans during their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 14, 2019 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

USC

USC in the Coliseum for the season finale sounds like a bowl game in itself. Normally, BYU Football finds themselves playing Hawaii, San Diego State or another G5 program to finish out the year, but this year BYU will have a chance to make a statement.

And they will.

USC is the better team and in any other week would beat the Cougars by two scores. This is a unique situation. USC will come into this game having already clinched the Pac 12 South Division, however will have a few losses in their record. They will probably be sitting around the 18-25 ranking. With that ranking, regardless of what they do the rest of the season, they will only make it to a NY6 by winning the Pac 12.

Logically, this game won’t matter to USC. If they win, they move up a spot or two in the polls. If they lose, they drop a few spots. Either way, they are going to the Pac 12 Championship and either way they will have to win that game to make it to a NY6.

Because of that, USC won’t be all in. They may start practicing for their matchup with Oregon (or Washington) a week later, or be hesitant to make the hit that is a bit more risky. Essentially, this game is going to become a much more even matchup because of where USC is at this point in the season.

This time the tables will turn in BYU’s favor as they will take a two score lead going into halftime. With a strong running game and smart decision making by the quarterback, the Cougars will hold off a late rally by USC to win their tenth game of the season.

Prediction: BYU 31 USC 27

Record: 10-2

Ranking Range: 10 – 14

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