ESPN’s preseason rankings have BYU football ranked at No. 29, which many fans and analysts believe is an underestimation of the team’s potential. According to James Parks, founder of College Football HQ, BYU was a contender in the Big 12 last season, finishing just nine points shy of an undefeated record. The Cougars’ defense was the conference’s best in total output and scoring, and while some key players have departed, returning quarterback Jake Retzlaff and receiver Chase Roberts will be crucial to the team’s success.

Reasons for Underrating:

– Discounting Defense and Special Teams: ESPN’s rankings seem to be discounting BYU’s outstanding defense and special teams, which were major contributors to the team’s success last season. In 2024, BYU had the Big 12’s best defense, and it might only get better in 2025.
– Lack the Cougars’ Offense: While the offense has lost some key players, returning quarterback Jake Retzlaff and receiver Chase Roberts will be crucial to the team’s success.

Why BYU Might Surpass Expectations:

– Strong Returning Core: BYU has a strong returning core, including Retzlaff and Roberts, who will look to lead the offense to new heights.
– Improved Performance: If the Cougars can improve on their 2024 performance, they could potentially finish with a much better record than ESPN’s predicted 4.8-7.
– Big 12 Competition: The Big 12 is a highly competitive conference, and BYU’s performance will depend on how well they can navigate the challenging schedule.

Potential Consequences of Underrating:

– Overlooking BYU’s Potential: ESPN’s underrating might lead to other teams and analysts overlooking BYU’s potential, which could result in the Cougars being favored in games or receiving less attention than they deserve.
– Impact on Recruiting: The underrating might also impact BYU’s recruiting efforts, as top prospects might view the team as less competitive than they actually are ¹.