Tragedy. Devastation. Our kingdom is left without a ruler this third week of the college football season, and it's all to be blamed on the bye week. BYE ironically means no BYU on Saturday. You are welcome to mourn in any fashion with which you are accustomed.
[Corporate-mandatedSadness Break]
There. I hope that was edifying for each of you. Now with the mourning period out of the way (just in time for the other college football games on the docket), it's time to talk about other football teams. Just for this moment, ignore your allegiances. Shun your beloved Cougars in favor of other squads' scheduled field time.
This weekend presents an excellent opportunity for espionage -- scouting out future opponents for Kalani Sitake's Cougars in an effort to properly evaluate what's down the pipeline as the season advances. This is important stuff, so I hope you came prepared to take this seriously. Pen and paper handy. Lawn mowed, dog walked.
Be it because these teams are on the upcoming schedule, their competition is fascinating for BYU's ranking or standing, or some other bizarre third reason I'll likely think up on the spot, these are three football games you should keep an eye on during BYU football's week three bye.
Cue the slides.
3 must-watch games for BYU fans
Colorado at Houston | Friday, 5:30 PM MT on ESPN
An awkward in-between game between two Big 12 foes is important for BYU viewers for several obvious reasons, but most of all is that Colorado will be the Cougars' first taste of the Big 12 battlefront.
A new quarterback and a new era in Boulder, where Deion Sanders remains head coach minus his NFL-bound sons. BYU whooped Colorado in a sound 36-14 Alamo Bowl victory last season that was over nearly as quickly as it began. Now, in the year 2025, both the Cougs and Buffs are adjusting to turnover in their offensive ranks, and seeing how Colorado handles the change should provide Cougar fans with plenty of intrigue.
BYU won't face Houston this season, but the red Cougars from Texas (Coogs, not Cougs in this case), are favored in this matchup. It should be fascinating to observe how these two fare in a Big 12 contest.
Utah at Wyoming | Saturday, 6:00 PM MT on CBSSN
Though it may pain many of us to admit it, the Utes seem to have bounced back tremendously since last season's uncharacteristic stinker that saw Kyle Whittingham's squad fail to even reach bowl eligibility for the first time since their introduction years in the Pac-12 Conference.
But the defense is stout, and the offense is capable. Suddenly, the Utes are frontrunners for championship contention once again.
...Is what I would say if we weren't only two weeks into the season. This week, the Utes take a trip to Laramie and War Memorial Stadium, a location that has haunted solid teams for as long as memory can serve. If the Utes are as legitimate as expected, this game will be the moment to prove it. On the flip side, should the Utes stumble in this game, it could be the cracks in the foundation BYU fans crave for this in-state rivalry.
South Florida at Miami | Saturday, 2:30 PM on the CW Network
South Florida is the story of the young season. The only team to take down two ranked opponents (at the time they played) is coming off a road victory over Florida, and continue the Sunshine State road trip with a visit to Miami.
Everyone in the country will be tuning into this battle, even if it's mysteriously slated to kick off on the CW Network of all places.
But for BYU, this could hold very serious ramifications for the top 25 rankings, especially if the Bulls prove to be a flash in the pan and get run out of Miami in a blowout. On the other hand, everyone will be supporting the little guy in this one, hoping that they can run the table in a brutal non-conference to surprise the world and slip into the top 10 like it's 2007 again.