No. 8 BYU to play No. 14 Coastal Carolina; replaces Liberty
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No. 8 BYU will play at No. 14 Coastal Carolina on Saturday after the Chanticleers’ original opponent, No. 25 Liberty, was hit with COVID-19 issues.
Liberty said Thursday it has paused all team activities and will not play another regular-season game, but does intend to prepare for a bowl game.
The Cougars (9-0) have been looking to add another game to improve their case for a major bowl bid. Meanwhile, the Chanticleers (9-0) have ESPN’s “College GameDay” coming to Conway, South Carolina.
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BYU at Coastal Carolina will start at 5:30 p.m. EST and air on ESPNU.
“It's good to have a partner like ESPN that can help put together such a meaningful game at this point in the season," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement.
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Discussions between BYU and Coastal Carolina began earlier in the week when it became apparent that Liberty might not be able to play because of COVID-19 cases on the team.
The Chanticleers have already earned a spot in the Sun Belt championship game, which will be played Dec. 19, but could still be in play to earn a spot in the major bowl game as College Football Playoff selection committee's highest-ranked Group of Five conference champion.
Coastal Carolina also has one more conference game on Dec. 12 at Troy.
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Independent BYU is not eligible for that spot and is ranked No. 13 by the committee. The Cougars will likely need to move up at least a spot or two to have a chance for a New Year's six bowl bid and the $4 million payday that comes with it.
The Cougars have one more game scheduled at San Diego State on Dec. 12.