Where is the trap game for BYU Football in 2022?

[caption id="attachment_44911" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Oct 16, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) rolls out against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Every season BYU Football has at least one trap game on their schedule that they have to work extra hard to avoid an upset. rnIn 2020 BYU Football had a trap game against UTSA. Riding the momentum of beating their first three opponents by a combined score of 148-24, and with Houston just around the corner, the Cougars probably thought the Roadrunners would be an easy win.rnrnThe final score was 27-20 with BYU having to have a defensive stand to avoid overtime or a loss.rnrnIn 2021, the trap game clearly was Boise State. After beating the Broncos on their home smurf turf the year before, seeing their 2-3 record, and knowing that Baylor was just around the corner, the Cougars got caught off guard and fell, in large part to sloppy play and missed assignments.rnrnThe list can go on and on with trap games in BYU's past, and there will be a game like that, if not more this upcoming season.rnrnThe biggest question is, which games? Let's break it down.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Not%20a%20Trap%20Game" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_44921" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Oregon Ducks quarterback Anthony Brown (13) is pursued by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Haskell Garrett (92) and Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (29) during Saturday's NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on September 11, 2021. Osu21ore Bjp 753[/caption]rn Clearly NOT a Trap Game rn Baylor, Notre Dame, and Oregon (and Dixie State) rnrnThese four games are clearly not trap games. The Cougars will be fully locked in when Baylor comes into Provo for week two, as well as their first big road test the following week against Oregon. It is hard to imagine any kind of scenario where BYU isn't focused or looking ahead with these two games taking place in the first quarter of the season.rnrnNotre Dame will have the most hype of the entire season, and without Utah, this game or Boise State will clearly take on the rivalry feel from the fans and players. Although it may cause a distraction, the distraction does not make it a trap game. Something to keep in mind is that Notre Dame is travelling across the country, something that they have only done twice since 2018.rnrnDixie State could be trap games theoretically speaking, but BYU should run away with this game by at least three scores.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Trap%20Game...%20Under%20Certain%20Conditions" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_44874" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Jan 1, 2022; Tampa, FL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Malik Hornsby (4) rushes with the ball during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the 2022 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Could be a Trap Game rn South Florida, Arkansas, Boise State, Utah State, and Stanford rnrnFor each of these games they will be only in a certain situation. For example, if BYU is 8-3 going into Stanford, this game would go into the 'Not a trap game' category.rnrn South Florida - Are the Cougars looking ahead? That can be tough to do in week one when the season is just starting, but it is possible. With Baylor and Oregon the following two weeks, it is possible that BYU may just look ahead and get punched in the mouth early. This sort of happened last season with Arizona in week one. The Cougars should have beaten Arizona by three scores, but with Utah looming in week two, I think BYU was looking ahead just a bit and the Cougars were only one pick six or costly fumble from things getting weird.rnrn Arkansas - If BYU loses to Notre Dame, then I feel bad for the Razorbacks. If the Cougars beat the Irish, and especially if they are 6-0, watch out for a let-down game. The Hogs are one of the most improved teams in the country, but because of so much negative coverage while Chad Morris was the coach (losing 19 straight SEC games), the stereotype around Arkansas is still pretty bad. As someone who lives in Arkansas and follows the Hogs myself, I can confidently say, this may be BYU's second toughest game of the season. Arkansas' quarterback KJ Jefferson is essentially a Tyler Allgeier who can throw the ball. If the defense isn't locked in, Jefferson will be unstoppable.rnrn Boise State - Boise State isn't very happy with BYU. After all, if not for BYU, they may have been the ones invited to the Big 12. BYU has also become the Broncos' rival and has been in some years there best win. All of that is ending with BYU leaving. In other words, Boise State really wants to win this game and if BYU is looking ahead to the BYE week right after the game, this could be an ugly game. This game takes place in November when it could be dark and cold. When you've got a team who wants to win more than anything and another looking forward to the week to recover al while in a snow storm, you can see why this could be a trap game.rnrn Utah State - This game is just funky. It takes place on a Thursday and it is right before Notre Dame and Arkansas. With the mentality that USU is the little brother, this could end up being a trap game, especially because of the rivalry ending for the foreseeable future and Utah State wanting to keep the Wagon Wheel for a long time.rnrn Stanford - How many times have we seen the undefeated team get to the last game of the season before losing to a team that had no business beating them? If BYU is on the verge of a NY6 bowl with an 10-1 or better record, this could be a trap game. Sometimes teams get so caught up watching what is going around them, that they forget to finish their own game. If BYU isn't in this situation, then this likely isn't a trap game.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Trap%20Games...%20No%20Question%20About%20it" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_44920" align="aligncenter" width="3200"] Nov 27, 2021; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Wyoming Cowboys wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (5) scores a touchdown against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors during the fourth quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn Definite Trap Games rn Liberty and Wyoming rnrnBoth of these schools are the definition of a trap game and BYU needs to be super careful both of these weeks to avoid an upsetting loss.rnrn Liberty - After travelling to Las Vegas, Tampa and Eugene to play some great games (USF is the opener which makes it great), the last thing BYU is going to want to do is travel to Lynchburg, Virginia to play a team that is sneaky good. In their four years of existence, the flames are 32-17 overall, including a 19-4 overall record at home. Liberty doesn't play a ton of good teams, but they are just good enough to pull off a big upset.rnrnAlso, the past six weeks will have just featured four P5's who very well may have all been ranked, plus a rivalry game against Utah State. Keeping the energy up to play Liberty is a tough ask, hopefully just not too tough.rnrn Wyoming - When the Cowboys come to Provo, the Cougars are just going to want to end the game and prepare for the next one. With Baylor and Oregon the previous two weeks, and Utah State coming up in only five days, it can be easy to see why this game is a trap game. The Cowboys are losing a ton of production from their 7-6 squad last year, but this could still be a solid six win team again. Similar to Liberty, the Cougars could very well overlook the Cowboys and find themselves in a tough spot, especially because for Wyoming, this is the biggest game of their entire season.rnrnWhat do you think are the trap games? Let us know in the comments!

Lawless Republic

Where is the trap game for BYU Football in 2022?

Clearly NOT a Trap Game

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