BYU Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2022
By Kathryn Rose
BYU football finished with 10 wins in 2021. With everyone else except Tyler Allgeier returning, what can they do in 2022?
Kalani Sitake’s BYU football program is setting itself up well for their power conference transition. The Cougars have gone 21-4 in the past two seasons, and have produced some downright mesmerizing players on offense in that time. Zach Wilson’s scrambling ability was always a sight, and Tyler Allgeier’s 23 touchdowns in 2021 led the nation in that category.
Both of those players are gone now, but a lot of the 2021 team still remains. Jaren Hall did a grand job of quarterbacking the BYU offense. Joining him are their two top receivers in Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney.
On defense, every major contributor is back. Top linebackers Keenan Pili and Payton Wilgar will hope for a healthier 2022, and leading tackler Ben Bywater is also back. In the secondary, Kaleb Hayes ranks among the top corners in the country at breaking up passes; he’s back, too.
The schedule for this year could be a menace. Five power conference opponents – as well as Mountain West powers Utah State and Boise State – are on the docket.
BYU started 6-0 last year before faltering a touch down the stretch. There’s enough talent here, though, to make another run at that mark.
Here’s how BYU’s schedule will play out.