Lawless Republic
Fansided

BYU Football: Tennessee game is off, what’s next?

By Adam Gibby

FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - NOVEMBER 7: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Feleipe Franks #13 of the Arkansas Razorbacks runs the ball during a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Razorback Stadium on November 7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Volunteers 24-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

BYU Football was looking at playing 11 P5 opponents in the 2023 season.

Probably for the best. That is what describes how BYU Football fans feel after finding out that the Cougars will not be facing the Vols in the first game of the 2023 season. Up to this point, it appeared that BYU would be playing Tennessee, Arkansas and then nine Big 12 teams in their first season in the Big 12.

When we take a step back however, it probably, okay it is definitely better for BYU to schedule an easier opponent to help them prepare themselves for Big 12 play. And if we are being totally honest, there is a very real chance that BYU will be hosting Texas, Oklahoma and two other Big 12 teams in 2023 which would already make it the best home slate of games in program history.

While BYU has not released an official statement, it can be assumed that the Cougars will find a G5 game since they are already planning on playing Dixie State as an FCS opponent. The only issue is that to do this, it would likely require another team cancelling a game which could set off a domino effect.

The easiest solution would be to schedule Richmond, the team that Virginia was slated to play before agreeing to play Tennessee. While this would give BYU two FCS games, are we really going to complain about two super easy wins before entering a stretch of nine straight P5’s in a ten week span?

If I had to guess however, BYU will likely find a local G5 team, probably UNLV who also has an opening that first weekend and needs a 12 game. If not them, look for a G5 team like UTEP who is playing an FCS team and could easily get out of that game.

On the bright side, at least there won’t be any mustard bottles or golf balls thrown on the field.

Home/BYU Football