BYU football schedule 2020: Predicting every BYU Cougars game
The BYU football schedule is tough right from the start.
Sept. 3 at Utah
27. 861. 31. 843. Prediction
The BYU Cougars haven’t beaten the Utah Utes since 2009, giving the Utes nine straight victories over BYU, which is tied for the longest win streak in this series. But of those nine games, seven of those have been decided by eight points or less, meaning BYU has had their chance to end the streak more than once. So what does the 2020 matchup have in-store for the Cougars? Pretty much the same result as the last nine times. BYU will put up a fight and will be in this one throughout the game’s entirety but Utah’s home-field advantage proves too much for the Cougars. Utah, 31 to 27.
Sept. 12 vs Michigan State
17. 805. 24. 861. Prediction
The Cougars and the Michigan State Spartans have only met one time before, with BYU winning their lone match up 31-14 in 2016. The Spartans are in a rebuilding phase as they welcome in a new head coach, ending the Mark Dantonio era. The Spartans have slipped in recent years, going 27-24 since their appearance in the 2015 College Football Playoff, and haven’t posted a Top 30 recruiting Class since 2016. Things are not looking good in East Lansing and the Cougars take advantage of that, picking up a big early-season win over the Spartans to avoid an early disaster of going 0-2. BYU, 24-17.
Sept. 19 at Arizona State
21. 861. 45. 854. Prediction
In 2019, the Arizona State Sun Devils were one of the most improved teams in all of college football. The Sun Devils are projected to build off last season’s success and contend for a Pac-12 Championship. BYU will be the Sun Devils’ first real matchup, as they’ll be the Cougars third straight to start the season. The combination of the talent on both sides of the ball for Arizona State and that BYU has already been in two dog fights, adds up to a game the Cougars will want to soon forget, as the Sun Devils prove to be too much for the Cougars. Arizona State, 45-21.
Sept. 26 at Minnesota
852. Prediction. 30. 861. 38
Just like Arizona State, the Minnesota Golden Gophers has a surprising season a year ago, shocking everyone with an 11-win season that included wins over Penn State and Auburn. Minnesota returns the majority of their offensive starters but only has four starters returning on defense causing the debate if Minnesota can sustain last season’s success and this game might give some clarity on that question. The Cougars will keep this one close, and will even hold a lead in the second half, but the progression of Minnesota continues and the Cougars drop to 1-3 to start the season. Minnesota 38-30.