BYU Must Rework Nonconference Schedules with the Additions of Utah and Arizona in the Big 12

The Cougars had multiple nonconference games scheduled against Arizona and Utah

In a matter of days, the Big 12 will officially announce Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah as the newest members of the conference. Adding the "four-corner schools" to the Big 12 strengthens the conference and puts the Big 12 in a good position moving forward.

BYU and Utah were scheduled to play each other as nonconference foes beginning in 2024 and extending through the rest of the decade. BYU also had a pair of nonconference games scheduled against Arizona in 2026 and 2027. Since BYU-Utah and BYU-Arizona games will be conference matchups, BYU must rework its nonconference schedule. Ideally, BYU would like at least one Power Five nonconference game per season. Here's a look at the games that BYU will need to replace on its schedule.

2024

• 08/31 - Southern Illinois
• 09/07 - at Utah
• 09/14 - at Wyoming

BYU was scheduled to play at Utah in September of 2024. Assuming this game becomes a conference game and is moved to November, BYU will need to add another nonconference opponent to the schedule. BYU already has FCS Southern Illinois on the schedule for 2024, so the Cougars need to add another FBS opponent.

It's possible (but unlikely) that BYU and Utah could play each other on the originally scheduled date in a nonconference game that doesn't impact the conference standings. There is a precedent established for scenarios like this in college football. 

2025

• 09/06 - Southern Utah
• 09/20 - at East Carolina
• TBA - Utah

The Cougars are scheduled to play Utah in Provo in 2025. This will be converted to a conference game. BYU is scheduled to play at East Carolina and against Southern Utah. BYU will at least try to find a P5 opponent for this slot.

2026

• 09/05 - Utah Tech
• 09/12 - Arizona
• 09/19 - at Utah
• 10/17 - USF

In 2026, BYU was scheduled to play both Arizona and Utah. However, the Cougars still have games scheduled against Utah Tech and USF, meaning only one more game is needed to round out the schedule.

2027

• 09/11 - at Arizona
• 09/18 - Utah

The Cougars were scheduled to play both Arizona and Utah in 2027 and they don't have any other games scheduled. BYU will need to find three more games for this season.

2028

• 09/09 - at Utah
• 09/16 - Ole Miss

BYU will need to replace a game against Utah. The Cougars already have a P5 game scheduled against Ole Miss. The Rebels might try to buy out of the contract for this game.

2030

• 09/07 - at Utah
• 09/14 - Virginia Tech

BYU will need to replace one game against Utah. The Cougars have an entertaining home game scheduled against Virginia Tech.

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