The BYU Cougars are coming off two straight double-digit winning seasons. Next year they are set to join the Big-12. This year, against a tough schedule if they can turn in another winning season, they’ll show that they belong.
The high points of last season including laying waste to the PAC-12 opponents on their schedule, including wins over eventual champ Utah, USC and a ranked Arizona State team when they played them.
The low point was a shocking loss to UAB in the Independence Bowl.
Injuries played a big part in that loss, just as it did in their regular season losses to Boise State and Baylor.
This year the team is coming back even stronger, with more depth at multiple positions.
The strength of the team is their offense, led by a QB on the rise in Jaren Hall and one of the very best offensive lines in the country.
Add in multiple talents at receiver and a strong RB transfer in Christopher Brooks coming from California and you have a unit that should be able to build on their efficient 2021 season when they finished 29th in the nation in scoring and 17th in yardage.
The defense is where injuries struck most last year and it was felt on the scoreboard at times as they allowed 25 PPG and 388 YPG.
If their pass rushers can stay healthy, this is an experienced unit that should be able to hold up their end of the bargain. Get to the quarterback more often, get off on third downs and watch out.
2022 BYU Cougars NCAA Football Futures Odds
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 150/1
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Under 8½ (-125)
2022 Heisman Contenders: Jaren Hall +5000
Official website: byucougars.com
Twitter Account : @BYUfootball
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 150/1
The schedule is an absolute killer and there’s no sugar coating it. It’s a testament to the administration for setting it up this way as they prepare for what’s to come in the Big 12.
Week two has them hosting the Big 12 champs from last year and their elite defense, Baylor. The following week they go on the road to play Oregon who figure to be a top team in the PAC 12.
Notre Dame (played in Las Vegas), Arkansas, Utah State and Boise State round out that challenging slate.
The thing is, two years ago, they were one heart breaking loss against Coastal Carolina from going undefeated. And this is a better team. Running the table will put them in the playoff conversation, so it’s not totally far fetched to consider them as a long shot, as long as they can stay healthy.
The Verdict: Worth a flyer
2022 Regular Season Win Total: Under 8½ (-125)
The games where they’ll be favorites include South Florida (on the road), Wyoming, Liberty, East Carolina, Utah Tech and the season finale at Stanford.
That leaves six more games -mentioned above- where they’ll need to go at least .500 to go over. With an offensive line as talented as this powering the show, I like their chances to compete in every game.
The Pick: Over 8½ (-105)
2022 Heisman Contenders: Jaren Hall +5000
Hall is entering his junior season and is a player on the rise. Last year he threw for 2,583 yards, 20 TDs, 5 INTs and a 63.9% completion rate in his first year as a starter. He was also the team’s second leading rusher putting up 307 yards and 3 TDs.
Given the amount of talent he has to work with, including a line that should be able to buy him time, there’s lots of room to grow. That makes him a sneaky longshot pick, especially if he can help his team to four or more wins against that tough slate.
The Verdict: Worth a small investment at these long odds
Odds According to Bovada as of August, 2022
BYU Cougars 2022 Schedule
| SEASON | |||
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
| 3-Sep | 2:00 p.m. | at South Florida | ESPNU |
| 10-Sep | 8:15 p.m. | Baylor | ESPN |
| 17-Sep | 1:30 p.m. | at Oregon | FOX |
| 24-Sep | Wyoming | ESPN Networks | |
| 29-Sep | 6:00 p.m. | Utah State | ESPN |
| 8-Oct | 5:30 p.m. | vs. Notre Dame | NBC |
| 15-Oct | Arkansas | ESPN Networks | |
| 22-Oct | at Liberty | ||
| 28-Oct | 6:00 p.m. | East Carolina | ESPN2 |
| 5-Nov | at Boise State | FOX/FS1/FS2 | |
| 19-Nov | 1:30 p.m. | Utah Tech | BYUtv/ESPN3 |
| 26-Nov | at Stanford | ||
Home stadium: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT
*Non-conference game – All times are in Mountain time
Bet on the BYU Cougars 2022 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
