The 2026 college football season brings palpable energy to Provo. Head coach Kalani Sitake and his players brought a quiet, powerful confidence to The Star in Frisco, Texas, for the 2026 Big 12 Media Days.
After an incredible 12-2 season in 2025, expectations have reached new heights. The Cougars appeared in the Big 12 Championship Game and defeated Georgia Tech in a thriller at the Pop-Tarts Bowl. With a stellar 23-4 record over the past two years, BYU is no longer just competing in the conference—they are aiming for the top.
A Loaded Backfield
The hype surrounding BYU begins with the return of their offensive core. Remarkably, the Cougars did not lose a single major starter to the transfer portal. The biggest win was retaining star running back LJ Martin. As the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, Martin is the physical heart of the team. He is closing in on all-time rushing records and has two years of eligibility left. Coach Sitake praised Martin’s unselfish, team-first attitude.
He is joined by sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Coming off a sensational true freshman year, Bachmeier threw for over 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns. He spent the offseason mastering the playbook to better anticipate offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick’s calls. Coach Sitake noted that the next step is for Bachmeier to manage the game rather than feeling the pressure to do everything himself.
Solving the Wide Receiver Puzzle
While the backfield is a proven strength, the wide receiver room is the team’s biggest question mark. The Cougars lost significant talent in the offseason: Chase Roberts moved to the NFL, Parker Kingston left the team, and Cody Hagen retired due to medical reasons.
Despite these losses, the locker room remains optimistic. “I have all the confidence in the world in our new group of pass catchers,” Bachmeier said. He believes the team possesses explosive athletes ready to surprise opponents. To fill the void, BYU added 6-6 transfer Kyler Kasper from Oregon. They also brought in talented true freshmen like Terrance Saryon and Jaron Pula, who are expected to contribute immediately alongside veteran JoJo Phillips.
Targeting the Postseason
The goal for BYU is clear: win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff. Coach Sitake supports the expanded playoff model, noting it provides a fair shot for deserving teams in today’s landscape.
Last year, the 12-win Cougars were painfully left out of the at-large playoff field. This year, they are leaving nothing to chance. Driven by experienced coaching, an elite running game, and a developing quarterback, BYU is a top contender for the conference crown. The message from Frisco was clear: this team is built to win now, and they are ready for the challenge.
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Yashpal Singh brings readers closer to the action with coverage of sports news, game updates, athlete stories, team developments, and major moments from the field. From local matchups to broader sports headlines, his reporting focuses on the stories fans care about most.