Where BYU landed in national way-too-early top-25 rankings

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BYU’s defense celebrates an interception during the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

The ink is barely dry on those celebratory newspaper editions honoring Ohio State’s national football championship, and yet it’s already time to take a look ahead to the 2025 season.

Such is the modern-day news cycle — there’s a little time to celebrate, then it’s on to looking toward the future.

For BYU fans, that is a promising proposition.

The Cougars finished the 2024 season ranked No. 13 in the final Associated Press Top 25 rankings released Tuesday, and with a bevy of returning talent — plus some important transfer portal additions already — BYU is being mentioned as a team to watch next season.

That is reflected in way-too-early top-25 rankings being released by several national publications.

Where are the Cougars landing in these rankings?

Here’s a look at 12 perspectives, in order of where BYU ended up ranked.

ESPN

BYU’s ranking: No. 9 (first among Big 12 teams)

Other Big 12 rankings: No. 11 Iowa State, No. 14 Arizona State, No. 16 Kansas State

What Mark Schlabach said about BYU: “If the 2024 season was any indication, you could probably pick any of four teams (or more) to win a Big 12 title. Arizona State, BYU and Colorado were unlikely contenders this past season, and the Cougars are bringing back top playmakers (Jake) Retzlaff, (LJ) Martin, (Chase) Roberts and (Keelan) Marion. There are a couple of starters who will have to be replaced on the offensive line, but reinforcements from the transfer portal should help. On defense, four of the top five tacklers should return, although BYU will have to reload up front. Kalani Sitake has built a solid program that should contend in the Big 12 each season. The Cougars won’t play Arizona State or Kansas State during the regular season, and road games at Iowa State and Colorado might be tricky.”

The Athletic

BYU’s ranking: No. 10 (second among Big 12 teams)

Other…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/where-byu-landed-national-way-212123232.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2025-01-21 21:21:00

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