BYU is just over two months away from kicking off the 2025 season against Portland State. They enter their third season in the Big 12.
With that, let’s dive into the five toughest games BYU has on their 2025 slate. That could mean a bitter rivalry game, a matchup with an assumed top team in the conference, or a tricky road game.
5. at East Carolina (Sep. 20)
People might point and laugh at this one. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. The Pirates and Cougars have squared off three times and ECU has come out victorious in two of them, including the last two in a row. BYU’s only trip to Greenville, NC to this point ended in disaster. ECU QB Gardner Minshew threw two fourth quarter touchdowns to send BYU home with a humiliating loss in 2017. Plus, ECU is fresh off an 8-5 campaign with a bowl win over NC State.
4. vs. TCU (Nov. 15)
The Horned Frogs bounced back from a disappointing 2023 with a solid 9-4 mark in 2024. Quarterback Josh Hoover absolutely lit up BYU in his first start in 2023, with 439 passing yards and four touchdowns. This is more about history. History is not on BYU’s side in this matchup, even at home. The Horned Frogs own a five-game winning streak against BYU, as they were once conference mates in the Mountain West (and WAC briefly). TCU overall is 7-5 against the Cougars. This is a chance for BYU to exorcise some demons. They haven’t beaten TCU since 2007.
3. at Texas Tech (Nov. 8)
The Red Raiders are a sleeper Big 12 title pick this season. They are coming off an 8-5 season. QB Behren Morton returns with one of the best transfer portal classes around him. It’s never easy to win in Lubbock. This will be BYU’s second-toughest road test of the season. Head coach Joey McGuire has built a gritty team that’s hard to put away.
2. vs. Utah (Oct. 18)
You could argue this to be No. 1, even if Utah was way down last year. Even if Utah isn’t a top 15 team again this year, this will be a blood bath. This is the classic “toss the records out” rivalry. BYU could be undefeated, and Utah winless, and it will still be fraught with drama. You don’t think the Utes are foaming at the mouth after how last year’s game ended? They would love nothing more than to return the favor at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Plus, don’t look now, but it’s BYU on a winning streak in the Holy War. Making it three in a row will be a fight to the end.
1. at Iowa State (Oct 25)
BYU’s only preseason ranked opponent may be the Cyclones. Not only that, but the Cougars are headed to Ames, IA. Perhaps they can summon some of the magic the basketball team discovered this past season, upsetting the Cyclones on their home court. Iowa State made the Big 12 title game last year and by virtue, was one win away from making the College Football Playoff. They finished 11-3 and 6-1 at home. On paper, this is BYU’s toughest test of the season. There is definitely a scenario where this is a possible de facto Big 12 Championship Game play-in game.
