Heading into the 2025 college football season, BYU finds itself slipping to No. 60 in Fox Sports analyst RJ Young’s Ultimate 136—a notable drop from last year’s ranking of 48 . This preseason assessment offers a mixed bag of context, expectation, and implicit challenge for the Cougars.
Young’s methodology is straightforward: he asks himself, “Who do I think is good? Why do I think they’re good? What are the chances they’ll finish above or below my line?” .
Why the Slide?
The most glaring reason for BYU’s tumble is the loss of Jake Retzlaff, who was expected to deliver a breakout season after guiding BYU to an 11-win campaign in 2024, including a peak ranking of No. 6 in the CFP standings. He threw for 2,947 yards with 26 total touchdowns and 12 interceptions—impressive numbers that fueled high expectations .
But when a civil suit—later dismissed—accused Retzlaff of rape and violated university honor code standards, he opted to leave the program. That departure leaves head coach Kalani Sitake facing the daunting task of proving that BYU’s success isn’t one-quarterback dependent .
BYU’s Strengths Still Stay in the Spotlight
Despite offensive uncertainties, the defense remains a cornerstone. BYU’s defensive unit ranked first in the Big 12 last season in points allowed per game (19.6), turnovers forced (29), and total yards given up per game (308) . That performance anchors hopes for consistency in 2025.
With a shaky QB room—none having more than 1,400 career passing yards—Young predicts that RB LJ Martin could become a focal point on offense, especially early in the season. Martin was a dual-threat dynamo in 2024, finishing fifth in the Big 12 in passing yards (3,071) and second in passing touchdowns (28), becoming just one of 21 FBS players to pass for 3,000+ yards alongside 25+ passing TDs . His versatility might offset the quarterback void.
What It All Means
Being ranked 60th isn’t a death sentence. Rather, it encapsulates a narrative of cautious optimism mixed with understandable skepticism. Young’s ranking essentially conveys:
The defense is solid and continuing to lead the Big 12.
The program faces significant uncertainty on offense, particularly in the quarterback room.
LJ Martin’s role is elevated, and his early-season performance could set the tone.
Coach Sitake’s leadership will be under scrutiny—can he keep the team competitive amid key losses?
Final Thought
In summary, BYU’s drop to No. 60 in RJ Young’s Ultimate 136 is less a condemnation and more a litmus test. It reflects respect for the defense’s prowess, skepticism about the offense, and intrigue about how the team will navigate its quarterback crisis. If Martin can carry the offense early, and if defense continues its stingy ways, the Cougars have plenty of opportunities to exceed expectations.
