Keanu Hill (1), a large receiver for the BYU Cougars, drops a go throughout a sort out from Drew Sanders (42) of the Arkansas Razorbacks in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. The Razorbacks gained 52-35. Ben B. Braun, Deseret Information
Head coach Kalani Sitake, talks with quarterback Kedon Slovis after the BYU Cougars soccer group practiced in Provo on Friday, March 17, 2023. Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information
Earlier than the 2021 soccer season, it was pretty straightforward for the impartial BYU Cougars to circle a sport on the calendar they have been most trying ahead to enjoying.
That was rival Utah, clearly.
It was a bit tougher in 2022, as BYU’s ultimate schedule as an impartial featured the likes of Notre Dame, Baylor, Oregon and a number of other Intermountain space rivals — Utah State, Wyoming and Boise State.
“This isn’t going to be straightforward, and we all know that. … Now that we’re right here, there’s a excessive sense of urgency for us to get able to go, and I really feel actually good in regards to the progress that we’ve made as a group within the final couple years.” — BYU soccer coach Kalani Sitake
Quick ahead to the 2023 season, which begins in simply over 5 weeks when the Cougars play host to Sam Houston on Sept. 2 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Now that they're in a convention, the Huge 12, and have needed to dump some longtime rivalries, for the primary time in a very long time the Cougars don’t actually have a big-time rival on their schedule.
That was obvious on the Huge 12 soccer media days a couple of weeks in the past, when the Deseret Information requested head coach Kalani Sitake and participant reps Kedon Slovis, Tyler Batty, Kody Epps, Ryan Rehkow and Ben Bywater which was their largest sport on the 2023 slate.
There was no clear consensus, though the 2 groups leaving the convention after this season — Texas and Oklahoma — have been referred to essentially the most.
There’s additionally a revenge sport for BYU, the one one on the schedule, after Arkansas hung 52 factors on them final 12 months in Provo.
The Cougars roll into Fayetteville for the primary time ever on Sept. 16. They won't solely be on the lookout for payback, however for convention pleasure within the Huge 12 vs. SEC battle. BYU can earn some fast respect from its convention mates if it will possibly enterprise into SEC nation and pull out a win.
It stays to be seen the place this schedule will rank so far as toughness goes, however it definitely will probably be not like something BYU has ever performed earlier than, with 10 Energy 5 opponents.
“This isn’t going to be straightforward, and we all know that,” Sitake stated two weeks in the past. “… Now that we’re right here, there’s a excessive sense of urgency for us to get able to go, and I really feel actually good in regards to the progress that we’ve made as a group within the final couple years.”
Sitake stated BYU has discovered loads about its strengths, and its deficiencies, since getting that Energy 5 invitation again on Sept. 10, 2021 — the day earlier than it knocked off Utah 26-17 in Provo.
“I informed (BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe), discover as many (P5 opponents) as you possibly can that (different) individuals don’t wish to play; I wish to play all of them, with the thought that presumably this may very well be the aim,” Sitake stated.
Now, that troublesome scheduling is completed for them courtesy of convention play, which is among the explanation why teammates are leaning closely on beginning quarterback Slovis for recommendation.
He’s been by way of the gantlet of league play a number of occasions, on the ACC’s Pittsburgh final 12 months and earlier than that, the Pac-12’s USC.
“It may be a grind, however on the similar time it’s a blast, as a result of you've got to have the ability to get your self prepared for each single opponent,” Slovis stated in Arlington. “There are not any cupcakes — not even shut.”
There will probably be time and house for win complete predictions later. Let’s see how the Cougars take care of a pair weeks of coaching camp practices. However suffice it to say that if the Cougars can duplicate the win totals of any of the final 5 seasons, 2023 must be deemed a serious success.
They went 7-6 in 2018 and 2019, 11-1 in 2020, 10-3 in 2021 (together with 5-0 towards the Pac-12) and 8-5 final 12 months.
“We're within the Huge 12 now and I'm excited for everybody to satisfy our fan base and see how they’ve been a energy for us and our program and undoubtedly a energy for me as a head coach,” Sitake stated.
However followers don’t win video games, gamers do, and it is going to be fascinating to see how a lot expertise, and depth, Sitake and firm have acquired realizing that that is, as he stated, “an entire new ball sport, if you take a look at the schedule.”
As a result of preseason coaching camp begins subsequent week — gamers report on Monday and the primary observe is Tuesday — now's pretty much as good of a time as any to current the Deseret Information’ annual rating of the Cougars’ 2023 schedule so as of issue.
This isn’t meant to be a rating of one of the best groups on the schedule. Slightly, it's an evaluation of which opponents would be the most troublesome for BYU to beat due to venue, matchups, historical past, and so forth.
“There isn’t one group that basically jumps out and says, that’s an enormous sport for us,” stated Batty. “They're all enormous. That’s what being in a convention is all about.”
Epps and Bywater, following the path of their coaches, stated the primary sport is an important — and can set the tone for the remainder of the 12 months. They usually confused that Sam Houston has the Cougars’ full consideration, no matter which convention the Bearkats are in.
A fast historical past lesson might be so as. Final 12 months, we tabbed Baylor because the second-most troublesome squad on BYU’s 2022 schedule (after Notre Dame), and the Cougars edged the Bears in Provo. In the meantime, East Carolina was the eleventh hardest, supposedly, and the Pirates broke by way of with a 27-24 win in Provo that prolonged BYU’s dropping skid to 4 video games.
School soccer is nothing if not unpredictable.
So with that admission of uncertainty in thoughts, let’s start this annual train. Right here’s our “most-difficult-opponent-for-BYU” rankings for 2023:
1. At Texas
Former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian, now Texas’ head coach, wasn’t in Austin when the Cougars and Taysom Hill laid back-to-back routs on the Longhorns, 40-21 in 2013 in Provo and 41-7 in Austin. However UT’s followers certainly keep in mind it, and the 100,000-seat Darrell Okay. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium ought to be rocking on Oct. 18.
“We get an opportunity to play them,” Sarkisian stated at media days. “I’m glad we don’t must go to Provo. We get them in Austin. In order that will probably be enjoyable.”
And a tall activity for the Cougars, seeing as how UT is picked to win the league and BYU is picked to complete eleventh.
“I feel it’s fairly clear and simple to say, hey, we're going to get everyone’s greatest shot each Saturday,” Sarkisian stated. “The important thing to the drill is that we be certain they get our greatest shot each Saturday.”
2. At TCU
Maybe as a result of BYU has some historical past with the Horned Frogs, again after they have been Mountain West Convention rivals, this sport doesn’t seen to be getting as a lot hype as a number of the others. However don’t neglect: TCU simply is likely to be blooming right into a nationwide powerhouse after advancing to the School Soccer Playoff championship sport final 12 months.
“Everyone has slogans for his or her program, and I feel when you concentrate on TCU soccer, our deal is we attempt to be all steak and no sizzle,” stated coach Sonny Dykes. “We wish to fly below the radar somewhat bit, and I feel that’s a task that we relish.”
They gained’t fly below BYU’s radar, nor will the Cougars fly below theirs. Dykes talked loads at media days about BYU’s custom, his father’s friendship with LaVell Edwards, and, like Sarkisian, was joyful to get BYU in Fort Price within the Cougars’ first 12 months within the league.
Positive, TCU misplaced a whole lot of starters, and stars, on either side of the ball — they're No. 130 in returning manufacturing on offense, as an example. However this matchup for BYU ranks forward of another opponents who might need higher total groups, however not the historical past of success the Frogs take pleasure in over BYU, significantly at Amon Carter Stadium.
3. Oklahoma
For BYU followers, that is the one which leaped off the web page when the Huge 12 schedule was launched on Jan. 31. Unbelievably, to some, the Cougars get a blueblood in Provo for senior day (let’s hope it's performed within the daytime) on Nov. 18.
The Sooners, coming off a uncommon down 12 months, may very well be enjoying for a Huge 12 title and/or a berth within the CFP. BYU may very well be enjoying for a bowl bid. Stakes nearly definitely will probably be excessive.
“It’s going to be a beautiful environment. Late November, it would most likely be about 80 levels in Provo,” stated OU coach Brett Venables, tongue firmly planted in cheek.
Regardless of the temperature, right here’s a quantity that may certainly be introduced up: BYU is 2-0 all-time towards OU, each wins coming at impartial websites.
4. At Oklahoma State
Conversely, BYU is 0-2 all-time towards Oklahoma State, which hosts the Cougars on Nov. 25 in Stillwater. The Cowboys and Cougars haven’t attached since 1976. So how this matchup will go is anyone’s guess.
“I’m very excited for the 4 groups which are coming into our convention,” OSU coach Mike Gundy stated in Arlington. “I feel they’re all superior for the Huge 12.”
Including somewhat spice to the sport is former OSU offensive sort out Caleb Etienne’s switch to BYU and a few not-so-flattering remarks Gundy made in regards to the transfer.
Oklahoma State opens coaching camp with a quarterback derby on its palms, however seeing as how BYU doesn’t go to till the regular-season finale, that subject will seemingly be resolved by then.
Talking of which, that two-days-after-Thanksgiving affair will compete towards a whole lot of rivalry video games for consideration. Will it matter, or not?
5. Texas Tech
By most accounts, Texas Tech is a program on the rise, as Joey McGuire is establishing some stable footing in Lubbock and the varsity in west Texas is stacking stellar recruiting courses.
BYU’s strongest connection to Texas Tech is former Purple Raiders coach Mike Leach, who, as everyone in Provo is aware of, was a scholar at BYU throughout Edwards’ tenure. This would be the first assembly since 1940, a matchup gained by Texas Tech, 21-10.
The sensation right here is that Texas Tech is a kind of applications that may fill the void left when Oklahoma and Texas depart for the SEC. No fewer than 18 starters are again, together with beginning QB Tyler Shough and beginning operating again Tajh Brooks.
“Love what BYU does and the type of play,” McGuire stated at media days when requested in regards to the 4 newcomers.
6. At Kansas
Expectations are excessive in Lawrence after final 12 months’s turnaround, engineered by coach Lance Leipold, and the Jayhawks are largely embracing them. “There’s positivity surrounding this system, and we must always take pleasure in that,” Leipold stated.
These are usually not the Jayhawks of some years in the past. And they are going to be trying on the sport towards BYU on Sept. 23 — BYU’s first Huge 12 sport — as a possible make-or-break contest for his or her season. Lose to the Cougars, and worries about one other backward slide return.
Like Texas Tech, Kansas is 1-0 towards BYU, having topped the Cougars in a 1992 Christmas Day bowl sport in Hawaii.
A pleasant signal that this system is on the upswing is that quarterback Jalon Daniels was named preseason Huge 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months. Respect is coming for this one-time Huge 12 doormat. Can BYU throw a wrench into these plans, or will the Cougars themselves tumble to the underside of the league in 12 months 1?
7. At Arkansas
Perhaps the Cougars can catch the Hogs off guard, after KJ Jefferson completely torched them final 12 months in Provo. The standout quarterback returns to Arkansas after finishing 29 of 40 passes for 367 yards and 5 touchdowns at LES. The stat that stands out essentially the most, nonetheless, is that Arkansas transformed on 12 of 15 third-down makes an attempt that sunny day — for the guests — in Provo.
That loss final 12 months was the start of the top for many of BYU’s defensive teaching employees.
Will that success trigger Jefferson and firm to look previous the Cougars on Sept. 17? Don’t guess on it. Coach Sam Pittman is just too artful for that, and Jefferson is likely to be a Heisman Trophy candidate by the point BYU hits the Pure State.
Arkansas’ protection is rebuilding, so the Cougars ought to have the ability to transfer the ball successfully. The Razorbacks’ offense may very well be unstoppable, nonetheless, with operating again Raheim Sanders becoming a member of Jefferson within the backfield. If there's hope for the Cougars, it's that historical past suggests they have a tendency to play higher in return video games towards Energy 5 colleges. They bounced again after routs towards Wisconsin, Baylor and Utah after drubbings within the earlier years.
8. Iowa State
The Cougars are 0-4 towards Iowa State, dropping 4 straight occasions to Cyclones from 1968 to 1974. They are going to host coach Matt Campbell’s regular program on Nov. 11 in what may very well be their final likelihood to get a victory in 2023, seeing as how they wrap up with Oklahoma at residence and Oklahoma State on the highway.
Campbell stated a uncommon down 12 months triggered him and his teaching employees to “look inward” and diagnose what went incorrect in 2022. They consider they're heading in the right direction to getting again to being a Huge 12 contender. November’s sport in Provo will probably be a great gauge for this system’s progress, Campbell stated.
“As a younger child, I all the time dreamed of enjoying towards BYU, and that Provo space is (a spot) I grew up watching these video games late evening on ESPN,” Campbell stated.
9. At West Virginia
That is one other program that BYU has by no means defeated. The Cougars are 0-1 towards West Virginia, having misplaced 35-32 to the Mountaineers in 2016 in a impartial web site sport at FedEx Subject, residence of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
So the Cougars’ first journey to Morgantown ought to be an fascinating one, and much from straightforward, though coach Neal Brown’s crew is picked — a lot to his disgust — to complete final within the Huge 12 in 2023.
“Wanting ahead to proving everyone incorrect on that entrance,” Brown stated at Huge 12 soccer media days after a prolonged speech extolling the virtues of his group.
For BYU, it is going to be a troublesome scheduling ask; the Cougars play at Texas the week earlier than having to make the cross-country journey to West Virginia.
10. Cincinnati
New Cincinnati coach Scott Satterfield isn’t joyful about having to play at BYU on a Friday evening (Sept. 29) in what ought to be a raucous environment in Provo for the Cougars’ first Huge 12 residence sport.
“After I appeared on the schedule, that’s the very first thing that stood out,” Satterfield stated. “I hate enjoying on quick weeks.”
The Cougars are 2-0 towards the Bearcats, having swept the sequence in 2015 and 2016 earlier than Cincy started its rise within the American Athletic Convention. Satterfield faces a rebuilding venture. He stated at AT&T Stadium that he has just one scholarship participant who was on the group’s roster final fall.
This looks as if BYU’s most winnable Huge 12 sport in 2023.
11. Sam Houston
A nationwide energy within the Soccer Championship Subdivision (FCS) ranks, Sam Houston makes the soar to the Soccer Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in 2023 with the expectation to make some noise in Convention USA. The Bearkats have loads of expertise from the Houston space, one of many nation’s recruiting hotbeds.
So the Cougars must watch out on Sept. 2, though the Bearkats went 5-4 final 12 months and misplaced their ultimate two video games — 45-28 to Abilene Christian and 17-7 to Southern Utah.
12. Southern Utah
BYU routed SUU 37-7 on Nov. 12, 2016, in its solely earlier matchup with the Cedar Metropolis college. Extra of the identical ought to be anticipated Sept. 10 in Provo, though SUU has a whole lot of returning expertise on offense and may have the ability to transfer the ball on the Cougars as one other FCS-level group did final November at Edwards Stadium — Utah Tech.
The Cougars defeated the Trailblazers 52-26, however there have been some tense moments for the house group within the first half.
Head coach Kalani Sitake, talks with quarterback Kedon Slovis after the BYU Cougars soccer group practiced in Provo on Friday, March 17, 2023.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret Information