Unfinished Business: Why 2025 Could Be BYU Football’s Breakout Season in the Big 12
The BYU Cougars are done just trying to fit in—they’re coming for the Big 12 crown. After an up-and-down start to life in their new conference, the 2025 season is shaping up as BYU’s true breakout moment. The pieces are finally in place, the lessons of the past have been learned, and the fire is burning hotter than ever in Provo.
Head coach Kalani Sitake enters this season with a mission: to prove BYU belongs at the top tier of college football. Armed with a maturing roster, a more physical defense, and a quarterback in Jake Retzlaff who’s grown into a fearless leader, the Cougars have what many are calling their most complete team in years.
The offensive playbook is opening up in 2025, with explosive receivers and a bruising backfield led by returners and key transfers. Retzlaff’s improved decision-making and mobility will keep defenses guessing. The offensive line, once a question mark, now looks like a strength thanks to offseason conditioning and added depth.
On the defensive side, Jay Hill’s system is clicking. The front seven is faster, meaner, and more disciplined, with linebackers who fly to the ball and a secondary that thrives on disruption. BYU’s defense won’t just bend—they’ll break opponents.
But it’s not just about talent—it’s about motivation. The sting of missed opportunities in 2023 and 2024 lingers. The Cougars haven’t forgotten the close losses, the media doubts, or the silence when preseason rankings dropped.
This year, BYU isn’t just looking to compete—they’re looking to conquer. With the Big 12 wide open and playoff expansion looming, the Cougars have their eyes on more than just respect.
They want revenge. They want redemption. They want rings. And 2025 might just be their year.
