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BYU Football won’t have any ‘cupcake’ games

By Adam Gibby

Nov 6, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jackson McChesney (21) runs the ball against Idaho State Bengals cornerback Jihad Brown (21) in the fourth quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2021; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars running back Jackson McChesney (21) runs the ball against Idaho State Bengals cornerback Jihad Brown (21) in the fourth quarter at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2021; Pullman, Washington, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) slides for a first down against the Washington State Cougars 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 quarterback Jaren Hall (3) slides for a first down against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. BYU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

BYU Football is set to face one of, if not the toughest schedule in program history.

Dixie State. That is the full and complete list of teams that appear to be automatic wins for BYU Football this upcoming season. Sure, other games look promising like Stanford, East Carolina and Wyoming, but historically that has not meant an automatic win for the Cougars.

Prior to this past weekend, South Florida would have been in that ‘cupcake’ list, but with the addition of Baylor QB transfer Gerry Bohanon, things aren’t looking quite as guaranteed. After all, Bohanon is only one of three quarterbacks to be able to claim to have beaten the Cougars in the last two seasons.

While BYU Football certainly will be favored and will likely win a majority of their games, this season is building up to be a season where the Cougars will have to bring their A-game every week if they hope to win.

Of course we can’t use 2021 to be an exact representation of what to expect in 2022, it could perhaps be the best data point that we can look at this far out from the season starting. As you look at this list, keep in mind, BYU Football should win most of these games, but don’t be shocked if there is an upset.

  • South Florida – Very athletic, just got Baylor transfer Gerry Bohanon
  • Baylor – Won the Sugar Bowl in 2021, beat BYU in 2021
  • Oregon – Finished 10-4, played in Pac 12 Championship, game will be in Eugene
  • Wyoming – Finished 7-6, trap game before USU?
  • Utah State – Finished 10-3, won MWC
  • Notre Dame – Enough said.
  • Arkansas – Finished 9-4 with wins over Penn St, LSU, Miss St., and Tex A&M
  • Liberty – Finished 8-5 overall including 36-12 win over UAB, game is in VA
  • East Carolina – Finished 8-5, no losses to teams below .500
  • Boise State – No comment needed
  • Dixie State – Finally a cupcake team
  • Stanford – Lots of new players, beat Oregon

Again, looking at this list there are a lot of wins and teams that BYU should beat. But there just aren’t a lot of teams like Arizona, Georgia Southern, Idaho State or South Florida from 2021. It may be safe to say that BYU’s second easiest opponent from this upcoming season would have been fifth or sixth last season.

So what does this all mean? It’s going to be a fun season.

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