As the 2021 college football season kicks off, BYU enters with both confidence and a chip on its shoulder. Coming off an 11-1 season and with the departure of star quarterback Zach Wilson to the NFL, the Cougars are looking to reload with Jaren Hall at quarterback, and to prove that 2020 was no fluke.
This year’s schedule offers no shortage of opportunities, especially with five Pac-12 opponents on the slate. If BYU runs the table against those teams, the conference might want to start printing “BYU Pac-12 South Champs” t-shirts. At the very least, let them crash the Pac-12 title game, or just give them an invite to the Pac-12 already.
One of the biggest storylines of the season will be BYU’s early matchup against Utah. The Utes have owned the rivalry in recent years, winning nine straight dating back to 2009. But with the game back in Provo for the first time since 2018 and Utah breaking in a new quarterback, Cougar fans are daring to believe this could be the year the streak finally ends. A win over Utah wouldn’t just be emotional, it would set the tone for a season that includes other marquee matchups, including a visit from Bronco Mendenhall and his Virginia Cavaliers in a storyline-rich reunion, and a late-season road trip to USC that could have national implications.
While the quarterback position will be under the microscope all season, BYU’s success may hinge more on its ability to control the trenches and maintain the physicality that defined its dominant 2020 run. The team’s depth will be tested with multiple Power Five opponents and tricky road games sprinkled throughout the schedule. Still, if the Cougars can start the season strong, they’ll be able to remain in the national conversation.
Below are game-by-game predictions and why I think the Cougars can realistically go 9-3.
BYU 2021 Season Predictions
BYU vs. Arizona: Win
BYU vs. Utah: Loss (I can’t pick BYU until they break the curse)
BYU vs. Arizona State: Win
BYU vs. South Florida: Win
BYU @ Utah State: Win
BYU vs. Boise State: Win
BYU @ Baylor: Loss
BYU @ Washington State: Win
BYU vs. Virginia: Win
BYU vs. Idaho State: Win
BYU @ Georgia Southern: Win
BYU @ USC: Loss
