University Park, Texas • The first real test of BYU’s season is here.
After last week’s 41-13 win over Southern Illinois, the Cougars are on the road in newly minted ACC country. SMU is coming in at 2-0 and has the makings of a Power Four roster
The Mustangs have been building for a Power Four opportunity for years, ever since Sonny Dykes was roaming the sidelines. The strategy was simple for Dykes — use SMU’s Dallas connections to bring home talent that was disillusioned with their roles in the SEC, Big 12 and Big Ten. They hit the transfer portal before it was fashionable. It paid off for the program and the coach (who has since gone to the national title game with TCU).
Now SMU has an uber-athletic roster that could contend in the ACC this year. And BYU has a large challenge on its hands.
For the Cougars, this game is vital for bowl eligibility. It is quite possible that BYU will only be favored in two or three games the rest of the way (Wyoming, Houston and maybe Arizona State). So an opportunity to steal a game in the nonconference goes a long way to getting to six wins.
Something to watch: How does BYU handle the quarterback run game? Last week, the Cougars allowed 121 yards on the ground via the quarterback. That needs to change this week (especially with SMU QB Kevin Jennings averaging nearly 10 yards a carry).
How to watch
BYU vs. SMU
Date: Friday, Sept. 6
Kickoff time: 5 p.m. MT
TV channel: ESPN2
Radio: BYU Radio SiriusXM 143, BYURadio.org, KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM
The week in Provo
BYU linebacker Ben Bywater’s career is over. But it wasn’t before he tried a risky, experimental treatment in Tijuana.
Jake Retzlaff is the starting QB at last, but his father never questioned it. Here is why Steve Retzlaff believes his son will remain the starter the rest of the year
A quarterback run issue, a tight end versatility and other thoughts throughout the week.
Tom Holme didn’t want to schedule two road games in the nonconference. Here is his explanation for how it happened.