Brandon covers sports for the Deseret News, with an emphasis on the University of Utah and the NFL.
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During Week 3 of the college football season, only three Associated Press Top 25 teams lost — No. 12 BYU and No. 13 Miami fell to other Top 25 programs (No. 25 Oregon and No. 24 Texas A&M, respectively), while No. 11 Michigan State was upset by unranked Washington.
Considering the Cougars lost by the largest margin of the three — 21 points, at 41-20 — and BYU’s fleeting hopes for a New Year’s Six bowl took a big hit with the blowout, are the Cougars the biggest losers of the week?
National experts weighed in on what they saw from Oregon’s dominant win over the Cougars. Here’s a sampling.
“Despite BYU closing the lead to 10-7 early, it was never in doubt afterward. While quarterback Jaren Hall made some plays, the Cougars looked woefully out-manned by a Pac-12 opponent that has stacked quality recruits throughout the past few classes,” Bleacher Report’s Brad Shepard wrote.
“... The Cougars are a good team capable of beating Power 5 teams most weekends, but the Ducks were just too talented and had no trouble proving their opponent was simply ranked too high.”
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Ben Bywater (2) and Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Malik Moore (12) tackle Oregon Ducks running back Jordan James (20) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The fourth down was converted and lead to a touchdown. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) is mad after having to call for timeout at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU with fans walk into Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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BYU fans watch pre game warm ups at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Jackson Kaufusi (13) throws the ball to fans during pre game warm ups at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake yells to the crowd upon entering the field at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Max Tooley (31) tackles Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (22) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars tight end Isaac Rex (83) celebrates his touchdown against he Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Kody Epps (0) and Oregon Ducks defensive back Trikweze Bridges (11) compete for the ball in the end zone at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. The pass was incomplete. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars defenders try to block an extra point at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Kody Epps (0) is brought down by several Oregon Ducks defenders at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) is hit by Oregon Ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus (3) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. No foul was called. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) is sacked by Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) throws at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) runs against Oregon Ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus (3) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars tight end Isaac Rex (83) runs for a touchdown at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) is helped up after being knocked down at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars fullback Masen Wake (13) runs against Oregon Ducks linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (33) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Christopher Brooks (2) celebrates a touchdown with Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Clark Barrington (56) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake watches the end of the game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake acknowledges fans after the game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars offensive line lines up at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Connor Pay (70) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) throws at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars place kicker Jake Oldroyd (39) kicks an extra point at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars place kicker Jake Oldroyd (39) kicks off at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (22) is tackled by several BYU defenders at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Max Tooley (31) tackles Oregon Ducks running back Noah Whittington (22) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars punter Ryan Rehkow (24) punts at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars running back Christopher Brooks (2) runs against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jaren Hall (3) is hit by Oregon Ducks defensive end Brandon Dorlus (3) at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. No foul was called. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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F-38 fly over at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (27) runs after a catch at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars enter Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars huddle prior to the game with Oregon at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
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Brigham Young Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake applauds against Oregon at Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
On BYU’s postseason prospects taking a hit
“Beating Oregon would’ve given BYU two wins against teams that may end up winning a Power Five championship, joining last week’s double-overtime victory against No. 19 Baylor,” USA Today’s Paul Myerberg wrote.
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“That would’ve sent the Cougars rising up the Coaches Poll and in position to crash the College Football Playoff with an unbeaten regular season, especially with high-profile games still to come against Notre Dame and Arkansas. While still in range of a nine-win season, BYU won’t be a factor in the race for the top four.”
“Oregon physically demolished BYU’s impressive front, rushing for 212 yards. BYU quarterback Jaren Hall played well, but the Cougars could not create any other opportunities outside of the short passing game,” CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah wrote. “The Cougars had a real shot to run the table and compete for a College Football Playoff spot, but those dreams are over now.”
On Oregon looking better than previously thought
“The Ducks scored on their first six possessions and denied BYU on all four of its fourth-down tries. They bottled up BYU’s rushing game, and their only turnover was a fourth-quarter interception — long after things had been decided, and thrown by (Bo) Nix’s backup,” The Washington Post’s Patrick Stevens wrote.
“There was 60 minutes of evidence earlier this month that Oregon wasn’t as good as Georgia. But the Ducks very well may be better than a lot of other teams, as the last two weeks suggest. The way back into the national conversation was by pounding one opponent at a time. Oregon seems to have put the philosophy into practice.”
From the Twitterverse
Oregon just hit BYU in the face with a shovel. Goodness! What does this say about The Georgia Bulldogs? I think they are pretty good.
