A Look at the 2020 BYU Football Schedule Sans PAC-12 & Big Ten Opponents
The outlook of the 2020 college football season has worsened over the last week. Today, news broke that the Big Ten is likely to play a conference-only schedule this fall:
The PAC-12 has been talking about a conference-only schedule coming on a few months now. If the PAC-12 and Big Ten cancel non-conference games, this is what BYU's remaining schedule would look like:
Week 1: BYU at Utah (Hypothetically Cancelled)
Cancelling this year's rivalry game would be especially disappointing for BYU fans. Hypothetically, this year represents BYU's best opportunity to win the rivalry game in years. The ball has not bounced BYU's way over the last ten years of the rivalry. This, in my opinion, would exemplify that trend.
Week 2: BYU vs Michigan State (Hypothetically Cancelled)
After waiting four years for a return game to Provo, BYU fans would miss out on the chance to watch the Spartans.
Week 3: BYU at Arizona State (Hypothetically Cancelled)
Week 4: BYU at Minnesota (Hypothetically Cancelled)
Minnesota, in my opinion, is the best team on the schedule. BYU would miss out on an opportunity to play against a very good Minnesota team.
Week 5: BYU vs Utah State
You have to skip to week five on BYU's schedule to find the first opponent that doesn't belong to either the Big Ten or PAC-12. In this scenario, the Mountain West conference could follow the lead of other conferences and play a conference-only schedule. If the Mountain West kept the non-conference games that are scheduled, however, BYU's first game that was on the original schedule would be on October 2nd. BYU would need to find opponents for the first four weeks of the season.
Week 6: BYU vs Missouri
The SEC hasn't made any decisions regarding non-conference schedules. However, it's difficult to foresee a scenario where the SEC plays their non-conference games after the Big Ten and PAC-12 have cancelled their non-conference games. This game is scheduled for October 10. It's worth noting that Navy is looking for an opponent on October 10, that matchup could make sense for both schools.
Week 7: BYU vs Houston
Week 8: BYU at Northern Illinois
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: BYU at Boise State
Week 11: BYU vs San Diego State
Week 12: BYU vs North Alabama
Week 13: BYU at Stanford (Hypothetically Cancelled)
It's hard for BYU to find P5 opponents in November. Cancelling this game would be disappointing.
BYU would likely need to turn to other independent schools to fill their schedule. Notre Dame is the team that every BYU fan wants to see in Provo. Who would you like to see on the schedule this fall if BYU is forced to recreate their 2020 schedule?
Would you rather see the season postponed until the Spring if it meant BYU could play their original 2020 schedule?