Cougars coach Kalani Sitake needs to show progress in BYU’s second year in the Big 12.
After missing a bowl game for the first time since 2017, the Cougars are betting that continuity is the key to six wins. BYU used the transfer portal lightly this offseason. Sitake said there were too many new faces a year ago — with more than 20 transfers — to gain any sort of momentum.
This year’s schedule, however, will be even more treacherous than a season ago. Here is a schedule breakdown of the Cougars’ 2024 opponents.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) runs the ball as he looks for an opening during their NCAA college football loss to Iowa State 45-13 on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Provo, Utah.
Aug. 31 — vs. Southern Illinois
Game time: 6 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN+
Series history: Never played
Last meeting: N/A
Last year’s record: 8-5
About SIU:
BYU struggled with its lone FCS opponent last year. While the scoreboard might have read 41-16 against Southern Utah, the T-Birds held the Cougars to just 46 yards rushing. It was an early indicator of what was to come: Even SUU’s coach was worried about BYU’s run game going into the Big 12.
This year, the FCS test for the Cougars will be Southern Illinois. A program in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Salukis are starting a transition period. They have a new quarterback and are replacing a number of key cogs on the defensive line. The Cougars should have better success running the ball, especially with a retooled offensive unit. If not, they could be in for a long year.
SMU's Camar Wheaton, center, is tackled by BYU's Logan Pili (46) and Matthew Criddle, right, during the first half of the New Mexico Bowl NCAA college football game in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Sept. 7 — at SMU
Game time: 5 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN2
Series history: 4-0, BYU leads
Last meeting: 24-23 BYU, 2022 in the New Mexico Bowl
Last year’s record: 11-3
About the Ponies:
SMU is going into its first season as a Power Four member — and is backed by a strong NIL war chest and an abundance of athleticism.
The Mustangs have been building a pseudo-Power Four roster for years. Starting back when Sonny Dykes roamed the sidelines, SMU’s strategy was to mine the transfer portal for all Power Four washouts who wanted to come back home to Dallas. And since its recent ACC affiliation, it is starting to get a higher-level Dallas recruit straight out of high school.
This should be the most difficult early season test for BYU. SMU returns quarterback Preston Stone from a year ago and multiple offensive playmakers. Under third-year head coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU’s defense has greatly improved. It isn’t the same SMU under Dykes, which often neglected that side of the ball.
Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Sept. 14 — at Wyoming
Game time: 7 p.m. MT
TV: CBSSN
Series history: 46-30-3, BYU leads
Last meeting: 38-24 BYU, in 2022
Last year’s record: 7-6
About the Cowboys:
Back-to-back road games are not typical for Power Four teams this early in the season. Yet, that is what BYU’s athletic department tasked its head coach with.
Not only that, but the second game of the back-to-back is a rivalry with Wyoming. The Cowboys don’t often lose at home. Power Four teams who test that theory often get a rude awakening. Just ask Texas Tech last year.
Wyoming isn’t exactly loaded this season. They have a new head coach in Jay Sawvel. But don’t count out the Cowboys, especially not with BYU coming to town. The fan base has been waiting for a night game in Laramie against the Cougars.
Sept. 21 — vs. Kansas State
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 4-4
Last meeting: 39-0 BYU, in 1977
Last year’s record: 7-6
About the Wildcats:
Kansas State kicked its longtime quarterback Will Howard to the curb this offseason. He entered the transfer portal and now the Wildcats are all in on highly touted playmaker Avery Johnson.
Johnson is gifted but largely unproven (aside from the Pop-Tarts Bowl). BYU will be his first real Big 12 test.
Outside of quarterback, K-State is projected to be one of the better teams in the league this season. DJ Giddens might be the second best running back in the conference after Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon III. And defensively is where the Wildcats have hung their hat on in recent years.
After Texas and Iowa State, K-State gave up the fewest yards in the Big 12 a year ago. It returns several pass-rushing options.
Sept. 28 — at Baylor
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 2-2
Last meeting: 26-20 BYU, in 2022
Last year’s record: 3-9
About the Bears:
BYU oddly didn’t play Baylor last year, which felt like a missed opportunity for the Big 12 to keep up a budding rivalry after the programs met several times leading up to 2023. That included the Bears visiting Provo in 2022 for an overtime game on ESPN.
Now, the series will continue in Waco. It will be BYU quarterback Gerry Bohanon’s return game. He won a Big 12 title there in 2021.
Baylor’s trajectory mirrors BYU in several ways right now. Its coach, Dave Aranda, is well liked inside the Waco community. But he needs to show progress to stick in his role after two miserable years. Sitake might not be in quite the same boat, but he too needs to turn things around fast. If there was ever a game both teams absolutely needed to pick up, this is it.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita, right, throws a pass as Colorado defensive end Taijh Alston pursues in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Oct. 12 — vs. Arizona
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 12-12-1
Last meeting: 24-16 BYU, in 2021
Last year’s record: 10-3
About the Wildcats:
Noah Fifita could be the best quarterback BYU sees all year. The freshman burst onto the scene last year after injuries cleared the way for him to start. Even after his head coach, Jed Fisch, left for Washington, Fifita stayed in Tucson and now leads a team that could easily win the conference.
The good news for Fifita is his best target, Tetairoa McMillan, stuck around, too. It gives Arizona a dynamic air attack. The head coaching change is the one element that could give people pause about this group. Other than that, Arizona is set to be a CFP contender.
FILE - Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II (0) celebrates with fans after the team's NCAA college football game against BYU on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Stillwater, Okla. Oklahoma State won seven of its last eight games during sophomore running back Gordon's breakout as the nation's leading rusher and is in the Big 12 title game for the second time in three seasons. (AP Photo/Mitch Alcala, File)
Oct. 18 — vs. Oklahoma State
Game time: 8:15 p.m. MT
TV: ESPN
Series history: 3-0 OSU
Last meeting: 40-34 OSU, in 2023
Last year’s record: 10-4
About the Cowboys:
In a conference full of strong running backs, the Pokes have the best weapon to hand the ball off to. Ollie Gordon III was arguably the best running back in the country last year. The Dallas native was underrecruited coming out of Euless Trinity. Now that is OSU’s gain.
Gordon’s offseason has been turbulent. He was arrested for DUI. His head coach, Mike Gundy, said he will face no punishment from the team.
Central Florida head coach Gus Malzahn watches his team before an NCAA college football game against West Virginia, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Kevin Kolczynski)
Oct. 26 — at UCF
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 2-1 BYU
Last meeting: 49-23 BYU, in 2020
Last year’s record: 6-7
About the Knights:
Of all the newcomers to the conference from 2023, UCF is on the hottest trajectory. The Knights are recruiting at an extremely high level in Florida and Gus Malzahn has made the offense work for him. He also added KJ Jefferson from Arkansas — a quarterback that has given the Cougars nightmares.
Good news for BYU, it will travel to Florida on some extended rest.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utes take the field, before PAC-12 football action between the Utah Utes and the UCLA Bruins, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023.
Nov. 9 — at Utah
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 59-32-4 Utah leads
Last meeting: 26-17 BYU in 2021
Last year’s record: 8-5
About the Utes:
Utah needs no introduction for BYU fans. Cam Rising, Brant Kuithe, Kyle Whittingham. The Cougars know all the characters in this chapter of the rivalry.
BYU and Utah haven’t played in two years, adding to the lead up to this game. Utah is set to come into the Big 12 and possibly win the league. An early game in November could see BYU play spoiler.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels passes the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Nov. 16 — vs. Kansas
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 2-0 KU leads
Last meeting: 38-27 KU in 2023
Last year’s record: 9-4
About the Jayhawks:
The Jayhawks find themselves at a crossroads. On talent alone, they might have what it takes to contend for a spot in Arlington. Quarterback Jalon Daniels is a dynamic runner and passer. He leads an innovative offense. Coach Lance Leipold has a knack for turning fixer-upper programs into contenders.
But talent isn’t everything. Daniels has to stay healthy for KU to have a shot. Daniels missed the majority of the season in 2023. Keeping him upright is the only way for KU to have a shot.
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham shouts to his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Nov. 23 — at Arizona State
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 20-8 ASU leads
Last meeting: 27-17 BYU in 2021
Last year’s record: 3-9
About the Sun Devils:
ASU is going into a second year under Kenny Dillingham and things are not looking great. It is not that Dillingham has coached poorly. But the program keeps having to restart.
Quarterback Jaden Rashada left during the offseason. There aren’t many proven playmakers on this roster. It could be another hard year after a 3-9 season in 2023.
Tulane head coach Willie Fritz calls out from the sideline in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi in New Orleans, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Nov. 30 — vs. Houston
Game time: TBD
TV: TBD
Series history: 3-0 BYU leads
Last meeting: 46-26 BYU in 2020
Last year’s record: 4-8
About the Cougars:
Houston hit the reset button after last year.
Former head coach Dana Holgorsen told everyone who would listen he’d be in Houston for the long haul. His buyout, he argued, was too high to be fired.
Well, Houston found the money and showed him the door. Now Willie Fritz, the former Tulane coach, is coming into the limelight. He is recruiting the Houston area hard.
Not only did UH clean the football house, it also got rid of its athletic director. It needed to level up in the Big 12.
