The calendar turns to September next week, which means college football is near. BYU kicks off its 2021 season on September 4th in Las Vegas against Arizona, the first game of the era after Zach Wilson.
Expectations are high after an 11-1 season and 11th place in the last AP poll. There is a lot of sales in the Cougars roster, however, as well as a much tighter schedule emerging. Expecting another season of 11 wins could be disappointing, especially given the seven Power 5 teams on the schedule.
With the help of Phil Steele’s power rankings, let’s dive into the meaty 2021 schedule and make some tips. BYU comes in at number 38 on its list.
vs. Arizona * (in Las Vegas)
PS (Phil Steele) Rank: 105
Arizona is as desperate as anyone to put 2020 in the rearview mirror and turn to a new page. They limped to a 0-5 record, including a 70-7 shouting against their greatest rival Arizona State. Now, with a new head coach in Jedd Fisch, there is hope for a better future.
The Wildcats finished in 114th place in team defense and 120th in allowed points last season. Logic would suggest that BYU should move the ball well against them. With a new offensive coordinator and a new quarterback ready to break in, the Cougars may not be as explosive as fans would like them to be. Still, they should beat Arizona, which hadn’t had a season since 2017.
BYU 24, Arizona 20
vs. Utah
PS rank: 15th
After the pandemic blew up the 2020 matchup, the Utes and Cougars are locking their horns again. Utah has overcome the bitter rivalry in nine meetings in a row with the last BYU victory in 2009. The utes always bring the defense. Your biggest question mark is the quarterback game. Charlie Brewer just became the official starter.
Given some of the frankly inexplicable ways the Cougars found to lose the Holy War, at this point it might be safer to assume a loss until proven otherwise, even if BYU seems like the better team.
Utah 27, BYU 20
vs. State of Arizona
PS rank: 20th
In this game it says # PAC12AfterDark. Both teams know how to earn points as the Cougars finished ninth last season and the Sun Devils checked in in 12th place. The only difference is that the state of Arizona is returning its stud quarterback in Jayden Daniels, while former cougar Zach Wilson is starting his NFL career and they are starting over with a new signal caller. The Sun Devils are bringing back most of the production from all of the PAC-12 teams. Head coach Herm Edwards will be ready to play when it comes to Provo. This could be as tough a test as Utah. Buckle up.
ASU 34, BYU 30
vs. South Florida
PS ranking: 108
The Florida Revenge Tour continues. BYU won their first Florida game in the 2020 Boca Raton Bowl against UCF. Now the Cougars have a chance to avenge their 2019 defeat to the Bulls, this time at home. USF has been down lately, going 5-16 for the last two seasons. The Bulls finished 125th in team defense last season. The Cougars offensive should be worth it and Jaren Hall will have a prime opportunity to take revenge for the loss two seasons ago.
BYU 37, USF 20
@ Utah State
PS ranking: 113
BYU restored order to the state of Utah in 2019 and gave them a 42-14 pump in Logan. Much like the game in Utah, the Aggies and Cougars missed renewing the rivalry last year. Blake Anderson takes the lead and he has a project ahead of him. The Aggies were 123rd on overall offense and 120th on overall defense last season and could bring in a new quarterback. This is a prime opportunity to establish a winning streak against the Aggies.
BYU 38, USU 21
vs. State of Boise
PS rank: 39
This is a case of whoever the hosting team is, should win, it could be that close. Between Hank Bachmeier and former USC transfer Jack Sears, the Broncos have solid quarterback options. The biggest question is how the team will react to first year coach Andy Avalos as former head coach Bryan Harsin moved to Auburn after seven seasons at Boise. There’s a lot of revenue in Bronco Land, but that has never stopped them from producing solid soccer teams. This game will boil down to the last few possessions and home advantage at LaVell Edwards Stadium could play a role.
BYU 27, BSU 24
@ Baylor
PS rank: 67
This is BYU’s first real street game outside of the state of Utah for the 2021 season. While Baylor was down last year, they’re just two seasons away from an 11-3 campaign in which they hit the Big 12 title game in 2019. Gerry Bohanon is the starting quarterback in Waco. Given the nature of a street game in the Big 12 area and a team hungry to flip it, things could get strange. Almost every team has a game they know should have won, and that could be it for BYU.
Baylor 34, BYU 28
@ Washington
PS rank: 57
WAZZU is only 7-10 years old since their magical 11-win season in 2018. Former Tennessee Volunteers starter Jarrett Guarantano challenges reigning starter Jayden de Laura as quarterback. Head coach Nick Rolovich is entering his sophomore year, but honestly, the 2020 season in the PAC-12 was a lost cause. This is his first fair shake on the job. They return 18 starters, 10 of them in defense. They are greatly improved, but BYU should be able to move the ball against the Washington State defenses, which have not been higher than 109 for the past two seasons.
BYU 33, WAZZU 30
vs. Virginia
PS rank: 77
The reluctant reunion is finally taking place. After 11 seasons at the helm of BYU, Bronco Mendenhall took over the helm of Virginia in 2016. The Cavaliers have achieved unprecedented success under Mendenhall, culminating in 2019 with a trip to the ACC title game and a New Year’s Six Bowl bid for the Orange Bowl. the school’s first BCS / NY6 bowl. They usually have a solid defense, Bronco’s specialty. Along with Mendenhall, it’s kind of a homecoming for offensive coordinator Robert Anae and defensive coordinators Kelly Poppinga and Nick Howell, all former BYU coaches or players. BYU has the benefit of being at home 2,000 miles from Charlottesville.
BYU 27, Virginia 20
vs. State of Idaho
PS Ranking: N / A
It doesn’t take much analysis to paint the picture against the Bengali. BYU are 6-0 all-time against Idaho State, including a 42-10 whip in 2019. This should be a refresher on two major street games to end the 2021 season. Make sure you all play seniors.
BYU 59, ISU 14
@ Georgia South
PS ranking: 94
This is the first meeting between Georgia Southern and BYU. The Cougars are not unfamiliar with Sun Belt opponents, however, and played three last year. The Eagles return in 2020 with 16 starters from a solid 8-5 campaign, including their third straight trip to a bowl game. You are no slouch, despite a lack of awareness. You’re replacing a four-year-old starter at the quarterback. With Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, 2,100 miles from Provo, only seating 25,000, and a trip to USC looming, the Cougars must be vigilant to avoid disappointment.
BYU 27, GSU 23
@ USC
PS rank: 11
The Trojans take revenge after their angry defeat in Provo in 2019 by Zach Wilson. This team is maybe even better than the one that came 24th to Provo. Quarterback Kedon Slovis suffered his first loss as a starter at LaVell Edwards Stadium and he wouldn’t love anything to avenge it. They’re returning 16 starters from a solid if short 2020 campaign that saw them go 5-1 with a trip to the PAC-12 title game. This season they start the year at number 15 on the AP poll. With an experienced QB and head coach and a lot of experience in the squad, USC is sure to be the toughest test of the entire season for BYU.
USC 30, BYU 20
Record 2021: 8-4
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