BYU has Big 12 championship aspirations this season.

But the Cougars have an even bigger goal on their mind — a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff after knocking on its door the last two years.

Will this finally be the year that the Cougars go dancing? Maybe. But let’s start with fall camp first. Here are the three biggest questions facing BYU before the season starts.

Can Bear Bachmeier take that ‘next step’?

In his first season in Provo, quarterback Bear Bachmeier looked the part.

He finished the year with 3,033 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Bachmeier was also dominant on the ground, carrying the rock 147 times for 527 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The signature moment of his freshman season came when he pillaged through Utah’s defense — trucking and dragging multiple players along the way — for a late touchdown in BYU’s win over the Utes last October.

What can he do for an encore in his second season in Provo? Bachmeier is now a young veteran for the Cougars. He knows offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s playbook better. That comes with heightened expectations.

If Bachmeier can take that next step — throwing the ball with better accuracy, making tougher throws and more — the rest of the Big 12 could be in danger.

How will BYU’s defense survive without Jay Hill?

BYU’s former defensive coordinator Jay Hill was widely viewed as the engine of BYU’s defense.

Last season BYU was third in the Big 12 in total defense. The year before that, the Cougars were first in the entire conference.

But Hill is now gone after joining Kyle Whittingham at Michigan. How will newly elevated defensive coordinator Kelly Poppinga fill his shoes?

The Cougars aren’t short of defensive talent. Isaiah Glasker is a versatile senior linebacker who looks to carry on BYU’s strong tradition at the position.

Cornerback Evan Johnson, safety Faletau Satuala and defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa are all back. BYU also added linebacker Cade Uluave in the transfer portal after an All-ACC season at California.

Poppinga will have plenty to work with. Now it’s just about putting it all together.

How will BYU replace Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston at WR?

BYU’s biggest question mark on offense is at the wide receiver position.

Chase Roberts is in the NFL, and Parker Kingston is no longer on the team. Now, the Cougars will need someone to replace their receiving stars from last season.

Two names automatically come to mind: Jojo Phillips, a 6-foot-5 redshirt junior, and Oregon transfer Kyler Kasper, a 6-foot-6 target on the perimeter.

Both are likely to step into larger roles, but can they repeat the production that Roberts and Kingston had a season ago?

That will be the defining question of BYU’s offense as it opens camp next week.