Group of Five New Year’s Six Watch, Week 4: BYU owns the Pac-12
By Dante Pryor
1. BYU Cougars (3-0)
On the other hand, the BYU Cougars may play a part in deciding the Pac-12 despite being an independent and going to the Big 12 next season. So far, the Cougars are 3-0 against the Pac-12 with wins against Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State.
The Cougars still have Washington State and USC to close the season. Brigham Young also has Virginia and Baylor on its schedule. That gives the Cougs seven Power Five opponents on their schedule.
This team is built to win close games. The Cougars have a balanced attack led by Jaren Hall, a plus athlete in the run game and a natural playmaker. Zach Wilson might be more polished when he started last year but Hall is a playmaker who is dangerous as a passer and runner.
That was the case against Arizona State. The Cougars forced four Sun Devil turnovers and ground out the second half for the 27-17 victory. The Sun Devils’ 16 penalties for 121 yards did not help matters either.
The Cougars will be favored in every game they play for the next month; then, they host former coach Bronco Mendenhall and the Virginia Cavaliers to Provo for an important game for both teams.
If there is some chaos and the Cougars run the table, you never know.
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