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The BYU Cougars went 5-7 in 2023, the first year for the program in the Big 12 conference, failing to make a Bowl Game for the first time since 2017 and just second time ever since Kalani Sitake took over as head coach in 2016.
Will Sitake lead BYU back to bowl eligibility in Year 2? Or will the addition of the four corner schools from the former Pac-12 conference – three who the Cougars will play this season – make it even harder for BYU to gain any ground in the Big 12?
BYU has a tough non-conference matchup against SMU early in the year and plays a challenging conference slate – with most of their toughest opponents at home and some challenging road trips in the mix as well.
Below is a look at each of the 12 games on BYU’s schedule, including score predictions for each contest:
Southern Illinois – 8/31
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: BYU 45, Southern Illinois 17
Should be an easy tune up victory for the Cougars in Week 1.
At SMU Mustangs – 9/6
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: SMU 28, BYU 17
SMU is a tough non-con test for BYU, and on the road makes it even tougher. The Mustangs should take this one, getting a nice boost before starting ACC play.
At Wyoming Cowboys – 9/14
Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: BYU 35, Wyoming 24
Wyoming is a decent Mountain West program, but BYU should be able to handle this one even in a road environment – giving them a little boost before they start conference play the following week.
Kansas State Wildcats – 9/21
Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Kansas State 32, BYU 28
BYU is more than capable of pulling off a big time upset against the Wildcats, especially with this game taking place in Provo, but ultimately Kansas State is the better team and should prevail – putting the Cougars 0-1 to start Big 12 play.
At Baylor Bears – 9/28
Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Baylor 24, BYU 21
Another game that should/could come down to the final minute, Baylor gets a slight advantage as the home team in a matchup between two programs that likely won’t finish in the top half of the Big 12 standings.
Arizona Wildcats – 10/12
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Arizona 35, BYU 24
Arizona is primed to make real noise in their first season in the Big 12, even after losing coach Jedd Fisch to Washington. They should secure a win over BYU here, even in Provo.
Oklahoma State Cowboys – 10/18
Bryan Terry-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Oklahoma State 41, BYU 28
Oklahoma State is a strong candidate to win the Big 12 in 2024, and while it’s a home game for BYU it’s only six days after the Arizona game – making it tough to imagine the Cougars pulling off an upset here.
At Central Florida Knights – 10/26
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: BYU 28, UCF 21
BYU’s losing streak stops at four as they go on the road and pick up a victory over another second-year Big 12 team in Central Florida.
At Utah Utes – 11/9
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Utah 33, BYU 32
This will be one of the most fun, under-the-radar games in college football next season. Both BYU and Utah will have an extra week to prepare for this showdown, and if the college football gods are good to us this one will come right down to the final seconds.
Kansas Jayhawks – 11/16
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: Kansas 28, BYU 27
BYU has most of their toughest opponents at home in Provo, and there’s a good chance they’ll pick up at least one upset victory out of the group. Kansas might be tough sledding, however, with a complete roster and hopes of winning the conference and pushing for a quality bowl game.
At Arizona State Sun Devils – 11/23
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: BYU 35, Arizona State 27
BYU’s easier opponents are primarily road games, a tough draw for the Cougars. A win in Tempe over the Sun Devils certainly feels plausible, helping them carry some momentum toward the end of the season.
Houston Cougars – 11/30
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Prediction: BYU 37, Houston 24
BYU closes out the season on a high note, taking down the other Cougars in the Big 12 by defeating Houston. This would give BYU a 5-7 record on the year.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/byu-cougars-football-predictions-big-12/