Prime-Time Déjà Vu: BYU’s Familiar Script on Network TV’s Biggest Stage
Brigham Young University (BYU) football has long held a unique place in college football. With a rich history of explosive offenses, dramatic finishes, and national television exposure, the Cougars have built a reputation for delivering excitement when the lights shine brightest. However, their performances in prime-time matchups on major networks have often followed a familiar script—one that blends flashes of brilliance with frustrating inconsistency.
The BYU Brand in Prime Time
Over the years, BYU has found itself frequently featured in high-profile games, especially since their days as an independent program before joining the Big 12. The program’s national following, bolstered by the influence of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has made BYU a reliable draw for television networks. But beyond just viewership numbers, the team has developed a pattern in these marquee games—one that often leaves fans feeling a sense of déjà vu.
BYU enters these matchups with anticipation and excitement, often carrying the underdog mentality. Whether facing a ranked opponent, a Power Five powerhouse, or a historic rival, the Cougars have built a reputation for rising to the occasion early, often playing with aggression and emotion. Their offenses, particularly in years with standout quarterbacks like Ty Detmer, Steve Sarkisian, Zach Wilson, and Jaren Hall, have often started strong, showcasing dynamic playmaking and creativity. However, maintaining that level for a full four quarters has often been their Achilles’ heel.
A Familiar Script: Fast Starts, Second-Half Struggles
One of the most frustrating patterns for BYU fans in prime-time games is the tendency for the team to start strong but falter in the second half. Against marquee opponents, BYU has frequently played above expectations early, only to be undone by critical mistakes, lack of depth, or questionable coaching adjustments as the game progresses.
For example, in recent years, BYU has had matchups where they’ve jumped out to early leads against more talented teams, only to watch those advantages slip away due to turnovers, missed assignments, or fatigue. The offensive creativity that shines in the first half often fades late, leading to stalled drives and over-reliance on big plays. Defensively, the Cougars have struggled with adjustments, particularly against teams with elite speed and physicality.
This pattern is not exclusive to any single era but has been a recurring theme for decades. Even during BYU’s undefeated 1984 national championship season, close calls against inferior opponents highlighted this tendency. In modern times, as the level of competition has increased with Power Five schedules, the struggle to finish games strong has remained a sticking point.
Can BYU Flip the Script?
With the move to the Big 12, BYU has an opportunity to break this cycle. Increased competition will force the program to improve in areas where it has historically struggled, particularly in depth, conditioning, and defensive adjustments. New coaching philosophies and player development will determine whether BYU can finally put together complete performances on college football’s biggest stage.
Until then,
