- Head Coach: Kalani Sitake (10th season)
- 2024 Record: 11-2 (Won Alamo Bowl)
- Strength of Schedule: 64th
- PFF Projected Win Total: 7.0
- FanDuel Win Total: 6.5
2024 Recap
After a 5-7 season in the program's first year as a member of the Big 12 conference, BYU rebounded this past season with an 11-2 record and a No. 13 ranking in the final AP poll. It was the Cougars’ best year since Zach Wilson’s final season in 2020. Like that team, the 2024 version of BYU featured a quarterback who created some magical moments in Jake Retzlaff. However, he left the program during the summer after facing a lengthy suspension for violating the university’s honor code.
The Cougars now have to figure out their next signal-caller, which makes it unlikely that they will reach the same highs as last year. There are still very good players on both sides of the ball who can make sure the program at least goes bowling.
Biggest Strength: Run defense
BYU fielded one of the 25 most efficient defenses in college football last season largely because of stout run defense. The Cougars ranked 26th in the nation with an 88.7 team PFF run-defense grade last year and brought back three defenders who earned 70.0-plus PFF run-defense grades.
Biggest Weakness: A messy quarterback situation
Incumbent starter Jake Retzlaff left the program in late June, leaving BYU with an unexpected quarterback battle with just a couple of months before the season kicks off. The three players fighting for the job are redshirt sophomore McCae Hillstead, redshirt junior Treyson Bourguet and true freshman Bear Bachmeier. Hillstead is the favorite to win the job and posted a 68.7 PFF passing grade as a true freshman in 2023 at Utah State on 193 dropbacks.
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