The college football season is upon us, and with it, the anticipation for BYU's performance is palpable. As ESPN FPI releases its preseason rankings and individual game probabilities, the question on everyone's mind is: can BYU have a special season? With a projected 8.5-3.5 record and a favorable schedule, the Cougars have the potential to make a splash in the Big 12. However, the odds of a 10-win season are slim, and the SEC's dominance in the top 25 rankings is a concern for the conference. In my opinion, the key to BYU's success lies in its ability to overcome the challenges posed by the SEC and the Big 12's uphill battle to climb. Personally, I think that the Cougars' initial FPI rating of 13.1 is a fair assessment of their potential, and the fact that they are favored in 11 out of 12 games to start the season is a positive sign. However, the one game where they are the underdog, the Notre Dame game, could be a significant test of their mettle. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the SEC's dominance in the top 25 rankings and the Big 12's struggle to gain traction. From my perspective, this highlights the importance of conference play and the need for the Big 12 to step up its game. One thing that immediately stands out is the fact that BYU is scheduled to play two of the other four teams in the top five: Utah and Arizona. This presents an opportunity for the Cougars to make a statement and prove their worth. However, the odds of a 10-win season are slim, with FPI giving BYU just a 32.1% chance to win 10 games or more. What many people don't realize is that the Big 12 has an uphill battle to climb, with BYU and Texas Tech being the only two teams in the top 25. This raises a deeper question: can the Big 12 compete with the SEC on a national scale? In my opinion, the answer lies in the hands of the conference's teams, and BYU has the potential to make a significant impact. A detail that I find especially interesting is the fact that FPI gives BYU a 25.7% chance to make the College Football Playoff. This is the second best odds in the conference behind Texas Tech, which has a 57.9% chance. What this really suggests is that the Big 12 has the potential to be a contender in the College Football Playoff, but it will take a collective effort from all the teams in the conference to achieve this goal. In conclusion, the college football season is upon us, and BYU has the potential to have a special season. However, the odds are stacked against them, and the SEC's dominance in the top 25 rankings is a concern for the conference. From my perspective, the key to BYU's success lies in its ability to overcome the challenges posed by the SEC and the Big 12's uphill battle to climb. If you take a step back and think about it, the future of the Big 12 and the success of BYU's football program hang in the balance. Personally, I'm excited to see how the season unfolds and whether the Cougars can make a statement in the Big 12.
