As we near the conclusion of the college football season, all of the state’s FBS programs – Utah State, Utah, and BYU – have reached the six wins needed for bowl eligibility and will be headed for the postseason. Where they end up is anyone’s guess.
So, here are my projections for where the three teams will end up for some postseason fun, with a trophy on the line to cap off their 2021 seasons.
Aggies
Simply put, last week’s Senior Night game against Wyoming was a disaster. Needing a win to stay on top of the Mountain Division, the Aggies were humiliated at home in what was their worst performance of the season.
Utah State now needs to beat New Mexico on Friday – and hope for a Boise State loss to San Diego State – to reach the Mountain West title game.
A win over the Lobos would also give the Aggies nine for the season, which was unthinkable just a year ago when they won just a single, solitary game.
Projection: EasyPost Hawai’i Bowl
Opponent: UCF
Date: Friday, December 24
Location: Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex – Honolulu, HI
Time and channel: 6 p.m. MT, ESPN
Utes
A statement win over No. 3 Oregon at home on Saturday night saw the Utes clinch the Pac-12 South for the third time in four seasons, meaning the Utes will play either Oregon, Oregon State, or Washington State in the Pac-12 Championship game on December 3.
In a conference title game, the Utes would likely be the favorite against all three of the possible opponents in Las Vegas.
The big win also saw Utah move up in the national rankings – to 16th in the AP poll and 19th in the Coaches and CFP.
Projection: Rose Bowl
Opponent: Michigan
Date: Saturday, January 1
Location: Rose Bowl – Pasadena, CA
Time and channel: 3 p.m. MT, ESPN
Cougars
Winning their fourth straight game on Saturday at Georgia Southern, the Cougars now sit at 9-2 overall in 2021. With a win against USC in the regular-season finale, BYU can record back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time since 2006-09.
Like the Utes, the Cougars also moved up in the national polls, checking in at 13th in the AP and CFP rankings while staying put at 15th in the Coaches poll.
While there is a slim chance at a New Year’s Six bowl bid, the Cougars are contractually locked into the Independence Bowl, and that’s where they’re projected to go knowing that two losses give them no other options.
Projection: Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Opponent: Texas-San Antonio
Date: Saturday, December 18
Location: Independence Stadium – Shreveport, LA
Time and channel: 1:30 p.m. MT, ABC
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