BYU Cougars

BYU is 6-0 for the third straight season, with wins ranging from a 63-7 demolition of Utah Tech to a 28-24 upset of No. 2 Notre Dame. The Cougars have covered the spread in all six games, a sign of consistent performance relative to expectations. The resume includes a 28-17 comeback over Arizona, a 41-23 road win at Colorado State, a gritty 17-10 victory at TCU, a 24-10 home win over Iowa State, and the landmark win over the Irish. This team has proven it can win in different ways: blowouts, defensive struggles, and high-stakes shootouts.

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been the engine, especially after running back LJ Martin went down with a lower leg injury in the first quarter at TCU. In the three games since, Bachmeier has totaled 66 rushing yards on 15 carries against TCU, a career-best 109 rushing yards and 329 passing yards against Iowa State, and 224 passing yards plus two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown against Notre Dame. He became the first FBS quarterback in 30 seasons to record a rushing and receiving touchdown against an AP Top 25 opponent, and the first BYU quarterback since Steve Young in 1983 to have a passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in the same game. The offense has become more reliant on his legs and decision-making, which raises durability concerns.

New coordinator Kelly Poppinga's unit has been excellent in key moments. The Cougars forced four turnovers in the opener, pitched a second-half shutout against Arizona (holding the Wildcats to 87 yards and minus-2 rushing yards after halftime), limited TCU to 259 total yards, and held Iowa State to 200 yards (its lowest since 2018) with just six yards in the second quarter. The defense has allowed some first-half yardage but has consistently adjusted and closed games. The takeaway ability has been crucial: six turnovers in the first two games, and timely interceptions (Cade Uluave vs. Arizona, Faletau Satuala vs. TCU) set up short fields. However, the unit has yet to face a truly elite offense outside of Notre Dame, which moved the ball well but was stopped at the goal line.

BYU has turned red-zone trips into touchdowns at a high rate (six of eight against Utah Tech) and has converted short fields created by turnovers into points. The kicking game has been solid: Matthias Dunn hit a 49-yard field goal at TCU, and the punting has been mostly positive. But special teams have also produced gaffes: a muffed punt return and a failed fake punt against Notre Dame allowed the Irish back into the game. Against Iowa State, a fumbled punt return led to the Cyclones' only touchdown. Cleaning up these mistakes will be critical as the schedule tightens.

BYU's next test is a 1,903-mile trip to UCF, a 3-3 team with a 4-2 ATS mark. The Cougars are favored by 6.5 points and have a 70% win probability, but travel and a Friday night environment could pose challenges. After UCF, the schedule remains demanding, and the health of LJ Martin is a major question. If Martin returns, the offense regains its balanced attack; if not, Bachmeier will continue to shoulder a heavy load. The defense must sustain its second-half dominance, and special teams must avoid costly errors. With a 6-0 start and a signature win over Notre Dame, BYU is firmly in the Big 12 and College Football Playoff conversation, but the margin for error is thin.