BYU Cougars Pursue Big 12 Championship Dream Amid Recent Setbacks

TEMPE, Arizona – The BYU Cougars remain in the hunt for a spot in the Big 12 conference championship game, yet their path has been complicated by recent setbacks. Currently standing with a 9-2 overall record, the Cougars are set to face the Houston Cougars (4-7, 3-5) this Saturday at 8:15 p.m. MST. To secure a place at the championship in Arlington, Texas, on December 7, BYU must win this upcoming game. Moreover, they need either a victory from Kansas State against Iowa State or an Arizona win over Arizona State to advance further.

Earlier in the season, the Cougars had a promising start with a 9-0 streak. However, subsequent losses to Kansas and Arizona State diminished their control over their own fate. BYU’s head coach, Kalani Sitake, admitted that since the beginning of this month, the team’s performance has been lacking. «I just want to get points on the board,» Sitake stated, reflecting on the need to correct mistakes and recognizing the talent of their opponents.

These on-the-field struggles come despite strong individual efforts, such as Keelan Marion’s kickoff return and Will Ferrin‘s game-winning field goal against the University of Utah. Nonetheless, issues such as dropped passes, questionable play calls, and poor defensive execution have plagued the team.

The matchup against Arizona State highlighted these issues. Although Arizona State’s rushing game was not overwhelming, with an average of 3.5 yards per carry, their ball control was pivotal. Cam Skattebo‘s performance, with 147 yards and three touchdowns were significant. In contrast, BYU managed to enhance their rushing attack in the second half of that game, achieving 4.1 yards per carry.

BYU offensive lineman Connor Pay remarked on the team’s need for improvement, expressing a desire to elevate performance and avoid moral victories. «That was definitely a lot better than if we laid down and got blown out,» Pay commented on the team’s second-half performance against Arizona State. Pay noted that week, preparation had been solid, but mistakes marred their performance.

Chase Roberts, a BYU receiver, emphasized the importance of execution, particularly in critical moments, as demonstrated in the final drive mishap that led to an interception by Arizona State’s Javan Robinson. «You wish you could have played different in that first half so you didn’t have that moment,» Roberts expressed.

As the BYU Cougars gear up to face Houston, both teams are on a mission to turn their fortunes around. Although Houston is out of bowl game contention, pride is at stake. Meanwhile, BYU is not only hoping for a victory but also relying on outcomes from other games to potentially shape their postseason destiny. The results of «Farmageddon» between Kansas State and Iowa State, as well as the Arizona-Arizona State clash, are pivotal in this equation.

The Cougars must reclaim their «BYU football» identity, according to Roberts, by dominating opponents and avoiding high tension endings. Whether they advance to the championship game depends on their performance and a combination of other team’s game outcomes.

The game against Houston will be broadcast from LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, on ESPN, with radio coverage on KSL Newsradio. The stakes remain high as BYU seeks a strong finish to their season.