BYU’s 2026 Season: Hype, Praise and the Reality Check

BYU’s football program is buzzing with excitement for 2026, thanks to the return of star quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin. Fans are already calling it one of the most anticipated seasons in school history. A former Big 12 assistant coach, speaking without revealing his name, declared BYU the best team in the conference. He praised their coaching staff, physicality, and balanced play across offense, defense, and special teams. His words are meant to boost morale before the Cougars face Utah Tech on September 5 at LaVell Edwards Stadium. However, other teams in the conference also boast similar strengths. Texas Tech, for example, had a strong showing last year with big wins in Lubbock and Arlington. Their defensive line was especially dominant, showing that BYU’s claim of being the most physical team may not be entirely accurate. The Athlon Sports preview, which allows anonymous commentary from coaches, predicted Texas Tech to win the league and BYU to finish second. The report also noted that BYU would miss starting receiver Parker Kingston and that another key player, Cody Hagen, had retired from football. These changes could affect the Cougars’ performance in crucial games like the Alamo Bowl against USC.Athlon’s All‑Big 12 Preseason First Team includes several BYU players such as center Bruce Mitchell and safety Faletau Satuala, but the publication did not list linebacker Cade Uluave among its top transfers. Four‑star quarterback Ryder Lyons, currently on a mission in Florida, is also highlighted as a future talent to watch. The assistant coach’s high praise may seem over the top, especially after BYU’s 12‑2 record in the previous season and a narrow win over Georgia Tech. He highlighted the program’s financial boost and the arrival of top talent as reasons for an expected breakthrough. Yet he ignored the departure of defensive coordinator Jay Hill and the graduation of key defenders, which could weaken the team’s backbone. The off‑season has also been marked by controversies around Texas Tech’s quarterback situation, with Brendan Sorsby facing eligibility issues and backup Will Hammond recovering from an ACL injury. These uncertainties add another layer of complexity to the Big 12 race, making predictions less certain than they appear. In short, while BYU’s prospects look bright on paper, the reality of conference competition and player turnover suggests that expectations should be tempered. The true test will come on the field, where every team must prove its claims.