Bowl predictions for BYU football after 7-0 start

On Friday night, BYU continued its special season by defeating Oklahoma State in the final seconds. The Cougars are now 7-0 overall, 4-0 in conference play and firmly in the hunt for a Big 12 title. After Week 8, several national media outlets continue to predict BYU will advance to the College Football Playoff.

ESPN-Kyle Bonagura

Prediction: First playoff round
Opponent: Texas

In Kyle Bonagura’s prediction, BYU would be the No. 1, 10-seed and face the Texas Longhorns, who are projected as a 7-seed. Bonagura actually predicts BYU will be the highest-seeded Big 12 team, and he gives projected Mountain West champion Boise State a first-round bye. “I’m even more confident this week that Boise State is better than both of them and deserves to be ranked No. 4,” Bonagura said.

ESPN – Mark Schlabach

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (second CFP round)
Opponent: Ohio State

Schlabach disagrees with Bonagura and predicts BYU will be the No. 4 seed if the Cougars become Big 12 champions. Here was his rebuttal to Kyle Bonagura:

Action Network – Brett McMurphy

Prediction: First playoff round
Opponent: Penn State

Brett McMurphy has BYU as a No. 11 seed playing at No. 6 Penn State in the first round. As matchups go, this is one of the better ones for BYU. The Nittany Lions have one win against a ranked team: Illinois.

CBS Sports-Jerry Palm

Prediction: First playoff round
Opponent: Alabama

CBS Sports’ Jerry Palmer, who isn’t usually bullish on BYU, wants BYU to go big in the CFP. Palm projects BYU as a No. 9 seed. The Cougars would travel to Alabama to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round. The winner would face Texas in the quarterfinals.

247Sports – Brad Crawford

Projection: Fiesta Bowl (second CFP round)
Opponent: Texas

Brad Crawford of 247Sports has been predicting BYU for the CFP for the past few weeks. Crawford wants BYU to win the Big 12 and face Texas in the quarterfinals.