BYU Football: 3 takeaways from blowout win over Boise State

1. BYU has a valid case for being the best non-Power Five team

Only one team in college football (with a minimum of five games played) ranks in the top five in both points per game and points per game against. That team happens to be BYU. Naturally this balance combined the fact the Cougars are undefeated would mean they are a top-five team, right?

Not so fast, my friend.

BYU came into this game ranked No. 9 by the AP and the main knock against it was quality of competition. The combined record of its opponents in 2020 is 20-27. Friday’s game was its first game against a ranked opponent.

Despite what people say, you can only play who is on your schedule. And with the chaos of the 2020 season, BYU as an Independent team has had to scramble to schedule opponents.

At the end of the day, the Cougars have won their games by a combined score of 362-111. Zach Wilson is a legitimate Heisman candidate. And this defense has been suffocating all year long, led by Isaiah Kaufusi who has 49 total tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

Is BYU a playoff team? Probably not, primarily due to the weak schedule. But they are a prime candidate to be a non-Power Five team sent to a New Years Six Bowl. Friday’s road win over a ranked Boise State team definitely helped their case in that regard.