BYU joined TCU and Utah in the Top 25 in the USA Today Coaches' Poll, being ranked 24th overall. The Cougars were not ranked going into the season but also received 30 votes in the current AP poll (good enough for 33rd overall.) Sports Illustrated's Andy Staples released his personal poll today and ranked BYU 23rd overall, and also said:
"Maybe the Mountain West brass knew something was up in Provo, because making the Cougars open conference play in Week 2 at Air Force could be considered a near-sufficient punishment for BYU abandoning the conference and going independent. After spending the preseason preparing to stop the possible No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft (Washington quarterback Jake Locker), the Cougars must switch gears and prepare for the Falcons' option. BYU players can't afford to be caught looking ahead to a revenge game against Florida State in Tallahassee in Week 3. Air Force will present enough problems by itself."
Florida State is currently ranked 17th in the AP and 18th in the Coaches' Poll. The Seminoles destroyed Samford 59-6 in Tallahassee. They also annihilated BYU in Provo last September, 54-28.