BYU Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2021 season

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 19: Jayden de Laura #4 of the Washington State Cougars scrambles away from Maxs Tupai #92 of the Utah Utes during their game on December 19, 2020 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

Dave Aranda’s first season with Baylor wasn’t at all a success, but the Bears have returning talent to build with. They were just 2-7 last year but the best is yet to come.

Baylor gets to host a suddenly hot BYU team in Week 7 and this is the perfect opportunity for the Bears to really prove themselves against one of the best non-Power Five teams in the country.

Charlie Brewer may be gone, but Gerry Bohanon and Jacob Zeno should be nice changes of pace and they’ll have more than enough weapons to work with. Plus the defense will be even better.

Final Score: BYU 20, Baylor 24 (4-3)

Washington State returns its entire offensive line and quarterback Jayden de Laura and Cammon Cooper to go along with Tennessee transfer Jarrett Guarantano. Add this to returning running back Max Borghi and the two leading receivers back from last year and Nick Rolovich has an impressive offensive for the 2021 season.

The Cougars’ defense won’t be very good, however, and BYU will take advantage of that.

BYU and Washington State have a back-and-forth affair throughout and the Cougars score a touchdown in the final minutes to seal the victory.

Final Score: BYU 30, Washington State 26 (5-3)

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