Unfinished Business: Why 2025 Could Be BYU Football’s Breakout Season in the Big 12
As the 2025 college football season approaches, BYU fans are filled with a renewed sense of optimism—and for good reason. The Cougars are entering their second full season in the Big 12 with a chip on their shoulder, a deeper roster, and a hunger that stems from what they view as unfinished business. After a rocky transition year in 2023 and a year of adjustment in 2024, 2025 could very well be the breakout season BYU has been building toward.
The program’s entrance into the Big 12 was met with enthusiasm but also skepticism. Could BYU compete with Power Five talent week in and week out? The 2023 season answered that question with growing pains, as the Cougars struggled to adjust to the depth and physicality required in one of college football’s most competitive conferences. The 2024 season showed signs of growth: close games, flashes of brilliance, and a few key wins that hinted at the program’s upward trajectory.
Now, in 2025, the pieces finally seem to be in place. Head Coach Kalani Sitake has recruited aggressively, bolstering both sides of the ball with talent capable of matching up against the best in the conference. The defense, once a weak spot in BYU’s early Big 12 days, now looks faster, stronger, and more disciplined under new defensive leadership. The linebacker corps is deep and experienced, while the defensive backfield boasts rising stars who have already made names for themselves with clutch performances.
On offense, BYU is poised for a breakout campaign. Quarterback Ryder Lyons, a former top recruit, returns with a full season of starting experience under his belt. With improved protection up front and a dynamic receiving corps led by veteran playmaker Keanu Hill and sophomore standout Jace Beck, Lyons has the tools to light up scoreboards across the Big 12. The run game, anchored by bruising back LJ Martin and a reshaped offensive line, is expected to provide much-needed balance.
Perhaps most importantly, the team’s mindset has changed. Gone is the wide-eyed approach of newcomers trying to prove they belong. In its place is a confident, battle-tested group determined to compete for a conference title. Every returning player seems to have bought into the idea that 2025 isn’t just another step in BYU’s Big 12 journey—it’s the year they announce themselves as contenders.
The schedule won’t be easy, but that’s to be expected. Matchups against Texas Tech, Kansas State, and UCF will be key indicators of just how far the Cougars have come. If BYU can stay healthy and maintain consistency, there’s every reason to believe they could finish near the top of the standings—and perhaps even push for a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game.
With talent, leadership, and experience finally aligning, 2025 may go down as the year BYU Football shed its underdog label and fully embraced its new Big 12 identity. The Cougars have unfinished business—and they’re ready to handle it.
