ESPN’s Preseason Rankings Have BYU Football Ranked at No. 29 — Underdog Status for the Cougars?
Despite strong buzz—coaches polls placing BYU at No. 23—ESPN’s preseason projections rank BYU football around No. 29 in their SP+ model, sparking debates among fans and analysts who view the Cougars as a significantly underrated team.
ESPN analyst David Hale further exacerbated the skepticism by grouping BYU in a “regression to the mean (the bad kind)” tier, suggesting last season’s success hinged more on luck than sustainable performance. Yet, ardent supporters push back hard—arguing that close game wins reflect clutch execution, not fortune. “Bad teams don’t win close games,” one analyst declared, defending the program’s competitive toughness.
Despite ESPN’s caution, other indicators reflect excitement for BYU’s prospects. In the Coaches Poll, BYU earned a more favorable preseason ranking at No. 23, signaling respect among peers and coaches. Moreover, college sports media continues to voice support for BYU’s potential upside, viewing the team’s placement outside the Top 25 as a slight deserving of attention.
With experienced leadership returning, a reputation for strategic late-game performance, and defenses rooted in discipline, the Cougars are primed to outperform predictions on the field. ESPN’s conservative ranking may serve as motivation. As the season unfolds, BYU has the opportunity to validate its case and potentially climb higher than where preseason models placed them.
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If you’d like an analysis of BYU’s season schedule or key matchups that could propel them up the rankings, I’d be happy to help.
