Bowl Projections for No. 9 BYU After Bye Week

Casey Lundquist | Nov 4, 2024

Oct 26, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; Brigham Young Cougars saftey Faletau Satuala (10) is tackled by Central Florida Knights tight end Evan Morris (44) after an interception in the second half at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images / Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

While BYU was idle this weekend, seven of the AP Top-25 teams lost. The Cougars benefitted from the chaotic weekend in college football and the bowl projections reflect that. BYU is 8-0 overall and one of just five unbeaten FBS teams. After week ten, multiple national outlets continue to project BYU to the College Football Playoff.

ESPN - Kyle Bonagura

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (CFP second round)
Opponent: Indiana

In Kyle Bonagura's projection, BYU would win the Big 12 and face no. 5 Indiana in the College Football Playoff. In terms of matchups, this would be a great one for BYU.

ESPN - Mark Schlabach

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (CFP second round)
Opponent: Ohio State

Like Bonagura, Mark Schlabach projects BYU to win the Big 12 and play int he Fiesta Bowl. Schlabach projects the opponent to be Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Ohio State is extremely talented, although they haven't dominated their competition this season. Either way, BYU would be an underdog in this matchup.

Action Network - Brett McMurphy

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (Second round of playoff)
Opponent: Ohio State

Brett McMurphy has BYU as the Big 12 champion playing Ohio State in the quarterfinals.

CBS Sports - Jerry Palm

Projection: First round of playoff
Opponent: Notre Dame

Jerry Palmer of CBS Sports, who isn't typically optimistic towards BYU, likes BYU to get an at-large birth in the CFP and HOST Notre Dame at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Palm projects BYU as the no. 7 seed facing no. 10 seed Notre Dame. Palm projects Iowa State to win the conference despite losing to Texas Tech last weekend.

247Sports - Brad Crawford

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (CFP second round)
Opponent: Ohio State

Brad Crawford of 247Sports has projected BYU to the CFP over the last several weeks. Crawford likes BYU to win the Big 12 and face Ohio State in the quarterfinals. Most noteworthy, is that Crawford projects BYU to earn the three seed over Miami.

USA Today - Erick Smith

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (CFP second round)
Opponent: Ohio State

Another Fiesta Bowl projection, another projected matchup against the Ohio State.