The BYU Cougars are coming a season in which they surprised the entire Big 12 by finishing in a tie for first place in the league.
At one point, Kalani Sitake’s Cougars were undefeated an in the running to reach the Big 12 Championship game and, by extension, the College Football Playoff. A couple of late-season losses left them just short of the title game, but BYU wrapped up the season with a bowl win over Colorado and finished 11-2, 7-2 in the Big 12.
Now, there are higher expectations surrounding BYU. The Cougars are seen as a favorite in the Big 12. Lindy’s Sports recently published its preview for the Big 12, including the Cougars. Heartland College Sports will weigh in with our previews later this summer.
The magazine pitched BYU to finish fourth in the Big 12. Here are three thoughts on the preview.
BYU’S PENCHANT FOR TIGHT GAMES
Great teams must win close games. BYU played several last year, and it shows how fine the line between winning and losing really is.
Lindy’s pointed out that BYU won four games by a total of 13 points. That includes SMU (18-15), Oklahoma State (38-35), Utah (22-21) and Baylor (34-28).
The publication also pointed out that the Cougars suffered their two losses by a total of nine points. That was 17-13 to Kansas and 28-23 to Arizona State.
Had the Cougars won the Kansas game they would have been in Arlington for the Big 12 title game. Beat Arizona State and it may have been BYU’s Cinderella story we were writing about late last year.
If BYU wants to get over that hump, it will have to win close games again in 2025. No getting around that.
RETZLAFF’S NEED FOR IMPROVEMENT
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff had a tremendous season a year ago, one that came a bit out of nowhere in the context of the rest of the quarterbacks in the conference. He returns this season with a stacked group of returning offensive stars. But there is an area where he must improve.
Retzlaff completed 58% of his passes a year ago. Lindy’s pointed out that it was among the bottom tier in completion percentages among starters. That won’t cut it in FBS. The bare minimum quarterbacks must hit is 60%.
Retzlaff was quoted in the piece as saying his goals are to win the Big 12 and get invited to the Heisman ceremony. He won’t achieve either completing 58% of his passes.
THE DEFENSIVE HOLES
There isn’t much bold on the starting defensive lineup in the Lindy’s preview, as in returning starters. There are only three — linebacker Jack Kelly, linebacker Isaiah Glasker and free safety Tanner Wall.
Those are great pieces. But for this unit to duplicate what it did a year ago — finishing No. 18 in scoring defense and No. 13 in total defense — other names are going to have to step up.
Siale Esera is expected to take on a bigger role at linebacker after a redshirt season. Some players, like Mory Bamba, started a handful of games but don’t meet the criteria of “returning starter” in Lindy’s eyes.
The biggest loss is defensive lineman Tyler Batty, who is now in the NFL. Kelly and Glasker combined for 8.5 sacks last year and are the leading returning players in the category. The Cougars need a defensive lineman that can hit that number. That is defensive coordinator Jay Hill’s biggest challenge entering fall workouts.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
