With just a month to go in the regular season, BYU has already surpassed any and all expectations this year. The Cougars are undefeated and competing for the Big 12 title, a sentence that didn't seem possible back in August. But with many expectations already exceeded, what better time than now to set some new ones. These increasingly bold predictions are definitely less likely to be accomplished, but are still fun to talk about.
BYU Finishes Undefeated
Starting off with something not particularly bold, as BYU is favored in all four of their remaining regular season contests. Finishing undefeated is certainly what fans have been thinking about recently, as it allows the Cougars to glide right into the Big 12 Championship game and College Football Playoff without those sleepless nights worrying about “resume” or “strength of schedule”.
And while the schedule is favorable, each of the remaining teams is still formidable. Utah will have rivalry magic, ASU has Cam Skattebo, Kansas can’t keep blowing 4th quarter leads forever, and Houston is starting to look like an actual football team. But if BYU plays to the level they are capable of, the 12-0 possibility will turn from a dream to reality.
College Football Playoff Rankings Look Kindly Upon the Cougars
While some may be worried that BYU’s brand or conference may hurt their College Football Playoff ranking, that might not be the story this year. The committee loves big wins more than anything, and BYU has two of the best, with a win at SMU, and a thrashing against Kansas State. These wins along with an undefeated record give BYU the fourth-best Strength of Record in the entire country.
While the committee might not have liked the Cougars in 2020, they’ll like them a lot more this year, and may have them as high as the number 5 or 6 team in the country tomorrow. This would also give BYU some breathing room in the rankings, which could be helpful in the event of a late season slip up.
LJ Martin Rushes for a Career High. Twice
There may be no player in finer form than LJ Martin on the Cougars' roster right now. Following his return from injury, the sophomore has averaged 5.9 yards per carry in the past three games. He had over 100 yards against both UCF and Oklahoma State without even shouldering that strong of a workload.
And while BYU will be up against some decent run defenses in the coming weeks, there will also be plenty of opportunities, most notably against Kansas. The Jayhawks rank number 11 in the conference in rush yards allowed per game, while also possessing some standout corners that will discourage the air attack.
Martin is riding quite the hot streak at the moment, and should his health maintain, is due for some big games this November.
SMU Wins the ACC
SMU, the gift that keeps on giving. Two months ago, BYU’s win at SMU didn’t exactly seem like a marquee matchup between two conference champions, but that actually might have been the case. Both teams have gone undefeated since, including SMU’s recent 23 point victory over previously undefeated Pitt. Throw in Clemson’s recent loss and a fairly pedestrian three games remaining for the Mustangs, and SMU has a clear path to the ACC title game
Of course, beating Heisman contender Cam Ward and Miami in the potential title game is easier said than done. But if they can even just make it that far, BYU’s defining non-conference win becomes even more impressive, opening up a better at-large resume for the playoff should BYU need to take that route.
Tanner Wall Interception Hat Trick
Wall has been on fire recently at the safety position, with two amazing interceptions in back to back games against Arizona and Oklahoma State in October. And lucky for him, Jakob Robinson, and the rest of the BYU secondary, they’re about to play a few turnover-prone teams in the coming weeks.
Isaac Wilson’s struggles at Utah are well documented, and Brandon Rose wasn’t much better in relief. And meanwhile in Lawrence, Kansas, quarterback Jalon Daniels has struggled to get on the same page as former BYU offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes, resulting in a number of interceptions for KU.
The BYU defense with their conference leading 14 interceptions should be ready to feast in the final month. Forcing turnovers has been BYU’s calling card all year, and Wall and the defense may have the opportunity to replicate some Kai Nacua magic later this year.