Anonymous Coach Calls BYU ‘Legit Power’ in the Big 12
The respect for BYU football continues to grow across the Big 12 landscape, and now it’s coming from a surprising source—behind the curtain.
In a recent anonymous coaches roundtable conducted by a national outlet, one rival Big 12 coach didn’t hold back in praising the Cougars, saying, “BYU is a legit power now in this league. They’re physical, well-coached, and tough to beat when they’re rolling.”
That kind of praise, especially from an anonymous peer, speaks volumes about how far BYU has come since joining the Big 12. While the Cougars faced growing pains in their debut season, they’ve quickly adapted and proven they can hang with the best the conference has to offer.
The same coach went on to note BYU’s unique strengths, citing its maturity and discipline: “You know what you’re getting when you play them. They’re older, stronger, and play clean football. That’s a headache for a lot of teams.”
These comments reflect a growing sentiment around the league that BYU isn’t just another newcomer—they’re a real contender.
Head coach Kalani Sitake has built a consistent, competitive program rooted in player development and toughness. With increased recruiting access and Big 12 visibility, BYU is better positioned than ever to chase conference titles and playoff aspirations.
For fans in Provo, the recognition is long overdue. And while the Cougars still have much to prove on the field, being labeled a “legit power” by a conference rival means the respect is real.
The message is clear: BYU is no longer building toward Big 12 relevance—they’ve arrived.
