5 games that will make or break BYU's season


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PROVO — Fall camp has finally started for BYU and games are just a few weeks away. As all of us are salivating waiting for game day, here is a look at the games that will either make or break BYU's season.

While BYU faces their toughest schedule in recent memory, possibly ever, there are a few games that carry more weight than others. Utah State will be a great game between two teams with solid weapons. While BYU has their work cut out for them to win that game, a victory won't give them as much of a boost as a loss will hurt them.

5 games that will make or break BYU's season

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Houston and Nevada are similar games and Virginia looks much more high profile on paper than it does in reality.

With that said, here are the five games that will make or break BYU's 2013 season.

Texas

The second week of the season Texas rolls into Provo and a lot is riding on that game for the Cougars.

The Longhorns will go into week one ranked 15 in the USA Today poll and considering they kick off the year with New Mexico State they will likely stay in the top 15 heading into Provo.

BYU gave up a lead two years ago in Austin and will want to make sure Texas leaves LaVell Edwards Stadium with a one-and-one record.

A win will put BYU in the top 25, but a loss will keep them in obscurity and mark another bad start to the year.

5 games that will make or break BYU's season

Utah

Now that Utah is in the Pac-12 the Utes have much more to lose when it comes to playing BYU then the Cougars do, but after three straight years of losses, BYU needs this one for morale.

Utah will likely finish in the middle of the PAC-12, but a win would still look great on BYU's resume. The confidence and boost that comes from a win over Utah should push BYU in the top 20 and give them motivation for the rest of the season.

A loss would be demoralizing and humiliating and would likely affect the remainder of 2013. While a loss to Utah isn't detrimental to BYU's status they have to beat a team who, at the moment, is considered a mediocre PAC-12 program by the media to be taken seriously.

Boise State

5 games that will make or break BYU's season

Boise was the heartbreaker of heartbreaking games for BYU last year and the Cougars just can't seem to beat the Broncos.

This year Boise could very well be in the top 20 when they meet and a win would be one more ranked team the Cougars beat to continue to make a case for their place with the big boys.

While Boise is considered a national power, they still play in the MWC and a loss would further solidify BYU's inability to play with the "Big Boys" in the eyes of the college football nation.

Wisconsin

5 games that will make or break BYU's season

On November 9, BYU travels to Camp Randall to take on Gary Andersen's Wisconsin Badgers.

The Badgers aren't predicted to be overly impressive this year, but BYU fans know how good Gary Andersen is and how prepared he'll have his team. Not to mention they are a Big 10 team and the Cougars have to take them on in one of the toughest stadiums in college football.

A win late in November would play huge for BYU's confidence to finish out the season as well as national recognition before bowl season. A loss, however, would tell the nation that a veteran BYU squad with a well-established coach couldn't beat a first-year coach in Gary Andersen.

Notre Dame

BYU travels to South Bend, Indiana for the second to last game of the season and it will be the determining factor to a wildly successful or incredibly disappointing season.

5 games that will make or break BYU's season

If some kind of miracle occurs and BYU is actually undefeated going into South Bend, that could be the game that finally breaks them into the BCS. A loss, however, would shatter the hopes and dreams of BYU fans everywhere.

Granted, BYU has to play Nevada the very next week to finish he season, but Notre Dame will likely be the deciding factor in BYU's fate. The wave of confidence the Cougars would be riding after a big win in Indiana could crush the Wolf Pack, or possibly hinder their focus. You never know with BYU.

A win against the Fightin' Irish would make a bad season that much better or a great season incredible. A loss to Brian Kelly's crew, however, would make a great season disappointing or a bad season unbearable.

There you have it, five games that will make or break BYU's season. What do you think are the biggest games of the year? Let us know on the comment boards, Facebook or send an email.

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John Clyde

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