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BYU Football: Realistic expectations for 2022

By Adam Gibby

Oct 23, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Masen Wake (13) jumps over Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaylen Watson (0) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. BYU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Masen Wake (13) jumps over Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaylen Watson (0) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. BYU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Masen Wake (13) jumps over Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaylen Watson (0) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. BYU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars tight end Masen Wake (13) jumps over Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaylen Watson (0) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. BYU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

2022

BYU Football is good. There is no doubt in my mind that the Cougars are a good team. But Arkansas isn’t going to be Washington State. Notre Dame isn’t on the same level Arizona State and even Liberty could have had a winning record against the Pac 12 last year.

At full strength, BYU can absolutely compete in every game, but that is the key. No matter how much the recruiting has picked up the last few seasons, outside of the offensive line, the Cougars aren’t particularly strong in backup roles, at least not as strong as the competition the team will face.

With that, to make a realistic expectation we have to look at each game and put them into a group of ‘Really Tough’ , ‘Toss Up’  and ‘Should Win’.

  • Really Tough: Notre Dame, Arkansas, Baylor
  • Toss Up: Utah State, Boise State, Liberty, Oregon,
  • Should Win: Wyoming, Stanford, Dixie State, East Carolina, South Florida

Looking at just that, fans should be pleased to go 1-2 in the really tough games, 2-2 in the toss up games and hopefully 5-0 in the should win games. That puts BYU at a 9-3 overall record. This record should make fans super excited and it should be celebrated if accomplished.

But it all starts with expectations. If the expectation is set too high, it is very likely that disappointment will follow. This team deserves a high expectation, which is why my bar is eight wins minimum to be okay, nine to be excited and ten plus to be ecstatic.

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What is your expectation for this team?

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