Do you remember when BYU basketball was the top-rated team in NET rankings last season, and Cougar Nation collectively pleaded for the those in power to "STOP THE COUNT"? Well, in a similar vein, Kalani Sitake's BYU football team stands atop their sport with the strongest resume in the FBS, according to Strength of Record, an ESPN metric.
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) October 6, 2024
It may not feel right, but doesn't it feel good to see the stretch Y of BYU standing above names like Miami, Georgia, Oregon, Texas, and even fellow Big 12 member, Iowa State?
This ranking is done according to each team's strength of record (SOR), which is a metric that combines a team's record--which is 5-0 in BYU's case--with the chances that a typical top-25 team would have the same record or better.
An undefeated schedule with wins against K-State and SMU, two teams that have only looked great since their losses to BYU, has helped the Cougars reach their top-15 record in the AP Poll.
But until the Cougars square off against Arizona, all of this outside noise is irrelevant trivia. Bowl eligibility was the goal for many at the beginning of the season, so to expect an unbeaten season from BYU could be considered a bit arrogant.
Each subsequent game becomes the most important game of the season as long as the Cougs keep winning. Owning the best resume in football is a big deal, but the job isn't finished.