2020 BYU Football Opponent Tracker: LA Tech, UTSA Remain Unbeaten Into October
Oct 1, 2020, 7:55 AM
AUSTIN, TX - AUGUST 31: Head coach Skip Holtz of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs watches players warm up before the game against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
PROVO, Utah – BYU football is starting to get into a flow and rhythm with its second game in six days coming up on Friday night against LA Tech. Other programs on BYU’s schedules are starting to get into the thick of their season and a few have even jumped out to undefeated starts.
Including, the aforementioned LA Tech Bulldogs who enter Provo on Friday night with a 2-0 record.
BYU Football Opponent Tracker: Week 5
Here’s a look at the weekly opponent tracker for BYU in 2020, heading into week five of the college football season.
Navy (1-1)
Last week: Bye
This week: at Air Force, 4 p.m., CBS Sports Network
One week on, one week off, that’s how Navy’s first month of the season was navigating COVID-19. Now the Middies begin a stretch of eight consecutive weeks with games. Starting with Air Force in game one in the battle for the Commander-In-Chief Trophy.
Here’s a stat for you, in Ken Niumatalolo’s 31 years in the coaching profession, he’s faced Air Force in all 31 of those years.
. @NAVYCoachKen said he has been in coaching for 31 years and he's played Air Force all 31 years. Hawai'i, Navy, UNLV, Navy. He doubts anybody else has played Air Force 31 times.
— Scott Strasemeier (@ScottStras) September 30, 2020
Troy (1-1)
Last week: at No. 22 BYU, Loss, 7-48
This week: at South Alabama, Postponed
Troy squandered an opportunity early in the first quarter against BYU after a muffed punt to score points. BYU never looked back. The Trojans were supposed to begin Sun Belt Conference play this week against South Alabama but the game was postponed due to COVID-19 issues.
When the game was postponed, BYU had to be holding their collective breath, but the postponement was due to an outbreak from the South Alabama side of the game.
Troy's postponement doesn't tie back to #BYU or the Trojans.
"Due to South Alabama pausing its football workouts because of COVID-19, Saturday's 'Battle for the Belt' between Troy and South Alabama has been postponed, both schools announced Tuesday." https://t.co/EpHS0LtdRa
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 29, 2020
Louisiana Tech (2-0)
Last week: Houston Baptist, Win, 66-38
This week: at No. 22 BYU, 7 p.m., ESPN2 and KSL NewsRadio (Friday)
LA Tech is an established winner under head coach Skip Holtz. The Bulldogs have won six consecutive bowl games and they are coming off a 10-3 season last year. But this is a new Tech squad. Only one starter from last year’s defense is listed this week in the two-deep heading into the BYU game. QB Luke Anthony transferred from Abilene Christian as a grad transfer and has taken over the starting role. Bulldogs are a sizable underdog heading into Provo because they are a completely new team.
New week. New challenge. pic.twitter.com/4O6XZeuWx1
— LA Tech Football 🏈 (@LATechFB) September 28, 2020
UTSA (3-0)
Last week: Middle Tennessee, Win, 37-35
This week: at UAB, 10:30 a.m., Watch Stadium
There is only one team in college football that can currently claim to be 3-0 heading into week five of the season and that’s the UTSA Roadrunners. With wins over Texas State, Stephen F. Austin, Middle Tennessee, the Roadrunners are feeling good right now. But their toughest test to date awaits in Conference-USA favorite UAB on the road.
Quarterback Frank Harris has made big leaps forward in his play as both a passer and a runner. Ole Miss transfer Charles Wiley has given the Roadrunners an improved edge rusher. Wiley has had 12 hurries this year to go with his 18 tackles.
After BYU football hosts LA Tech this weekend, the Cougars will bring the Roadrunners into Provo for the first-time ever.
A complete preview for our road @ConferenceUSA opener, slated for Saturday at 11:30 am in Birmingham!
🔗 https://t.co/7iDw1fuSRQ#BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/SS1zRdJA5O
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 30, 2020
Houston (0-0)
Last week: North Texas, Canceled
This week: Bye
The wait continues for Houston to begin its season as the calendar turns to October. Dan Holgorsen’s squad returns to action for a scheduled AAC matchup against Tulane on Thursday, October 8th, before hosting BYU the following week on October 16th.
New week. Let's get it.#GoCoogs x #hoUSton pic.twitter.com/YHcj0dkA3Z
— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) September 28, 2020
Texas State (1-3)
Last week: at Boston College, Loss, 21-24
This week: Bye
Kudos to the Bobcats for a complete month of games to open the 2020 season without interruption. Last week, Texas State nearly pulled off an upset on the road against Boston College from the ACC. The Bobcats held a 21-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter before the Eagles completed the comeback.
JUCO transfer Drue Jackson had three receptions for 54 yards in the Bobcats close loss on Chestnut Hill.
Work week. 🛠 #TEAM #EatEmUp pic.twitter.com/9OSsk7dd2o
— Texas State Football (@TXSTATEFOOTBALL) October 1, 2020
Western Kentucky (0-2)
Last week: Bye
This week: at Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m., ESPN3
It wouldn’t be appropriate to do a BYU opponent tracker this season without one of the Cougars 2020 foes not facing Middle Tennessee. The Hilltoppers are next up for the Blue Raiders and WKU is seeking its first win of the season. After a week off, let’s see if the Blue Raiders are what the Hilltoppers need to get back on track. Maryland grad transfer QB Tyrrell Pigrome is due for a breakout game.
A Week 3 #CFB Top Performance
Tyrrell Pigrome – WKU
• (18-25) 193 Passing yards 3 TDs
• 62 rushing yards pic.twitter.com/KvUKvbihTK— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) September 21, 2020
North Alabama (0-0)
Last week: Bye
This week: at Liberty, 11 a.m., ESPN3
North Alabama makes its debut in the fall season. The Lions’ conference, the Big South, postponed its season to the spring. But teams like UNA were given the option to play up to four non-conference games in the fall. Game number one of four for the Lions is this Saturday against a Liberty team that is 2-0.
Game week for @UNAFootball #roarlions pic.twitter.com/0pJ2FqYSVU
— North Alabama Athletics (@UNAAthletics) September 29, 2020
Army West Point (2-1)
Last week: at No. 14 Cincinnati, Loss, 10-24
This week: Abilene Christian, 11:30 a.m., CBS Sports Network
After losing to nationally-ranked Cincinnati last week, the Black Knights now have a loss and are out of the Top 25 polls. What becomes the motivation for Army to reschedule BYU at this point?
Defense putting up numbers. #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/AWNDylJsgu
— Army Football (@ArmyWP_Football) September 30, 2020
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
