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SALT LAKE CITY â This Thanksgiving season, all fans should take the time to acknowledge what they are thankful for this year. If you need some help, here are five things to be grateful for as a BYU football fan this season:
BYU is bowl eligible
After a nightmare season for BYU last year that had the team ending the season with a 4-9 record, including a senior game loss to UMass, this year's team improved and won its senior game against New Mexico State to become bowl eligible again. They now sit at 6-5, improving by at least two wins from last year.
BYU beat two teams from Power-Five conferences
BYU started the season off 2-1 versus Power-Five competition. They beat Arizona in the first game of the season and, after losing to California, beat Wisconsin, which stands as their most impressive win of the year. Even more impressively, they beat both Arizona and Wisconsin on the road. Last year, BYU went winless against P5 opponents, losing all four games. This year, the Cougars are 2-2, with the game at Rice-Eccles Stadium this weekend pending.
BYU cracked the Associated Press Top 25
After beating Wisconsin on the road, BYU jumped to No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. It was their first time being ranked in the Top 25 since September 2015. The following week, they pummeled McNeese State and moved up to No. 20 in the poll. Their time in the rankings would be short lived, though, after they lost back-to-back games against two ranked opponents at Washington and at home against Utah State.
Tanner Mangum
Tanner Mangum started the year for BYU at quarterback and helped lead them to their strongest wins of the year over Arizona and Wisconsin. The offense had its struggles and he was replaced by freshman Zach Wilson. Mangum never caused any drama or tried to split the locker room. He just put his head down and continued to compete. He continues to help out from the sideline as he helps Wilson progress. He is, by all counts, a great teammate.
The defense
BYUâs defense has played well this year. They allow an average of 20.5 points per game, which puts BYUâs scoring defense at 23rd in the nation; last year, the defense was at 47th in scoring defense. The defense has helped BYU stay in games in which the offense has struggled early. Without the defense playing as well as they have, BYU may not be bowl eligible this year.
