BYU won't have to open its 2017 football season against three straight Power 5 conference opponents after all.
Monday, the Cougars announced that they will open the season against Portland State, an FCS school, on Aug. 26. That's a week before BYU will meet LSU at NRG Stadium in Houston in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff.
After facing LSU, the Cougars return home to host Utah on Sept. 9 and Wisconsin on Sept. 16. Playing Portland State significantly lightens that stretch, and gives the Cougars a tuneup of sorts before they run the Power 5 gauntlet.
The addition means BYU will have 13 games in 2017 as the Cougars take advantage of an NCAA exception rule that allows FBS teams that play in Hawaii an opportunity to schedule a 13th regular-season game.