PROVO, Utah – Who’s ready for some BYU football bowl projections this August?
Yes that’s right. BYU’s preparations in the preseason are almost complete; The start of the regular season is now less than two weeks away. So let’s take a pre-season look at what the nation plans for BYU in the postseason.
Unlike last year, this year it’s a little easier to predict where BYU will play in the postseason.
If #BYU doesn’t play in a New Year’s Six Bowl, the cougars are hired to go to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana. @IndyBowl announced that it will be played on December 18 at 1:30 p.m. (MT) on ABC. #BYUFootball @kslsports
– Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 27, 2021
If BYU doesn’t qualify for the New Year’s Six, the Cougars will likely travel to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana on Saturday, December 18, on his new six-year ESPN deal.
The Independence Bowl is the eleventh oldest bowl game in the country. Bindings for the game in 2021 include BYU and a Conference-USA.
A post-season gig in Arizona is another option
BYU could potentially compete in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl (formerly known as the Cheez-It Bowl) in Arizona if one of the tie-ins from that game (Big Ten and Big 12) fails to deliver an opponent.
Another thing to keep in mind in the 2021 postseason is that the traditional six wins requirement is back in place. Last season, due to uneven schedules from COVID-19, the NCAA passed a year-long waiver to allow anyone to meet a bowl bid regardless of the total amount won. This rule applies to this season.
With that said, here are the preseason bowl projections for BYU football in 2021.
Preseason Bowl Projections for BYU Football in 2021
CBS Sports: Independence Bowl vs. UAB
Jerry Palm has partnered BYU with UAB; a team that BYU has never faced on the grate.
College Football News: Independence Bowl vs. UAB
Is this matchup really hot for you, BYU fans? The Blazers are likely favorites to win the C-USA West Division in 2021.
Athlon: Independence Bowl vs. LA Tech
Here is another projection. Last year, BYU gave the Bulldogs a two-week cash game to Provo. It was the first ever meeting between the two schools. BYU, led by Zach Wilson, won that game 45:14.
Sports news: Independence Bowl vs. UTSA
BYU met UTSA for the first ever meeting last year. As with the LA Tech game, it was a guaranteed cash place for the Roadrunners to get out of Provo. Instead of being beaten up by five touchdowns like many of the wise guys predicted, UTSA hung around the second half, leaving BYU to work for a full four quarters. BYU won 27-20.
The Roadrunners are bringing back many of their key pieces from last year’s team with seven wins, including running back Sincere McCormick.
247Sports: Independence Bowl vs. LA Tech
If Louisiana Tech Bowl is eligible, I imagine the Independence Bowl would want to include the Bulldogs in their game. Ruston, Louisiana is just an hour west of Shreveport.
My prediction: Independence Bowl vs. UTSA
It’d be great if BYU got itself talking again for the New Year’s Six, but Shreveport is the likely target with seven power five teams on the Cougars’ schedule this year. UTSA is bringing back 21 starters this year and I challenge them to win the C-USA West Division.
Mitch Harper is BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and moderator of the Cougar Track Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
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