Brigham Younger Cougars tight finish Isaac Rex (83) is hit by Virginia Cavaliers cornerback Darrius Bratton (8) as he tries to hurdle as BYU and Virginia play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
BYU is ranked within the preseason Related Press Prime 25 faculty soccer ballot for the primary time since 2009, touchdown at No. 25, however latest historical past exhibits Cougar followers shouldn’t get too enthusiastic about how their workforce will end after the 2022 season concludes.
That’s as a result of the final three groups that have been ranked No. 25 by the AP — Arizona State in 2021, Tennessee in 2020 and Stanford in 2019 — completed these seasons unranked and with disappointing data.
“So why don’t we simply do it after the primary recreation? As a result of I suppose it's only a cash seize or one thing. … Since you see faculties which might be like, seven on it, after which they aren't on it the remainder of the time. I really feel just like the AP ought to, simply, after the primary recreation, let’s determine it out.” — BYU tight finish Isaac Rex on preseason rankings.
ASU went 8-5, together with a loss to BYU in Provo; Tennessee went 3-7 and Stanford went 4-8. That’s not good.
When BYU final cracked the preseason media ballot, the Cougars have been No. 20 to start out the 2009 season as a result of that they had completed No. 25 within the ultimate ballot of the 2008 season. Voters remembered that, apparently.
However latest efficiency didn’t assist them this 12 months. They went a mixed 21-4 the previous two seasons, with a No. 11 ultimate rating in 2020 and No. 19 ultimate rating final 12 months.
They completed the 2009 season — Max Corridor’s senior 12 months — with an 11-2 document and No. 12 rating.
So there’s hope.
The Cougars open the 2022 season on Sept. 3 at South Florida, and can clearly need to win that tougher-than-it-looks recreation at Raymond James Stadium to maintain their rating. Past that, BYU faces No. 5 Notre Dame, No. 10 Baylor and No. 11 Oregon. It isn’t scheduled to play No. 7 Utah this 12 months.
Depend colourful BYU tight finish Isaac Rex amongst those that don’t put numerous inventory in preseason polls.
“To be trustworthy, these issues are annoying in any case as a result of they alter after the primary week,” Rex mentioned after the preliminary rankings got here out. “So why don’t we simply do it after the primary recreation? As a result of I suppose it's only a cash seize or one thing. … Since you see faculties which might be like, seven on it, after which they aren't on it the remainder of the time. I really feel just like the AP ought to, simply, after the primary recreation, let’s determine it out.”
Within the final 15 seasons, 9 groups that began the season ranked No. 25 completed the season unranked. That incudes Texas A&M in 2007, Pitt in 2008, Kansas in 2009, West Virginia in 2010, Washington in 201`4, Tennessee in 2017 and the three groups already talked about from the final three years.
Will the Cougars break the streak of preseason No. 25 futility?
Perhaps they'll take solace in the truth that LSU was picked twenty fifth in 2018 and completed at No. 6. Similar goes for USC in 2011.
In 2016, Florida — which hosts the No. 7 Utes a pair hours after South Florida hosts the No. 25 Cougars every week from Saturday — completed at No. 14 after a No. 25 early rating.
Tennessee, which has to personal the document for many No. 25 preseason rankings, completed No. 22 in 2015. Oregon completed No. 9 in 2013, whereas Louisville ended up at No. 13 in 2012.
What does all of it imply?
Most likely nothing. Rex is most certainly proper.
However one factor is for certain: If BYU drops its opener, it received’t be ranked on Sept. 10 when future Large 12 rival Baylor rolls into Provo for a long-awaited rematch of final 12 months’s 38-24 drubbing of BYU in Waco.
The place groups ranked No. 25 in Related Press Prime 25 ballot completed
12 months — Preseason No. 25 — Remaining rating
2022 — BYU — TBD
2021 — Arizona State — Unranked
2020 — Tennessee — Unranked
2019 — Stanford — Unranked
2018 — LSU — No. 6
2017 — Tennessee — Unranked
2016 — Florida — No. 14
2015 — Tennessee — No. 22
2014 — Washington — Unranked
2013 — Oregon — No. 9
2012 — Louisville — No. 13
2011 — USC — No. 6
2010 — West Virginia — Unranked
2009 — Kansas — Unranked
2008 — Pittsburgh — Unranked
2007 — Texas A&M — Unranked