BYU carries unprecedented preseason playoff expectations

USA TODAY ranks BYU No. 14, several national projections put the Cougars in the 12-team College Football Playoff, and analysts generally place them near the top of the Big 12. The outlook is reinforced by expectations of roughly 10 wins, a Big 12 title-game appearance or a CFP berth, but Notre Dame, Arizona, Utah and the conference championship remain major pressure points.