BYU Cougars enter Big 12 media days as hunted team with eyes on title

BYU Cougars arrived at Big 12 media days as a hunted team for the first time in their league tenure.

What happened at Big 12 media days?

Kalani Sitake led BYU Cougars into Frisco, Texas, for the fourth straight year at Big 12 media days. The 50-year-old coach faced a packed room of reporters on ESPNU’s main stage before fielding questions from every podcaster and radio host in sight. Isaiah Glasker, the star linebacker, and Keanu Tanuvasa, the senior defensive tackle, drew crowds eager to discuss a defense replacing Jay Hill. LJ Martin, the reigning Big 12 offensive player of the year, and Bear Bachmeier, the starting quarterback, split time between interviews and photo ops.

Deion Sanders, now coaching Colorado, stole the show with his trademark energy. He dabbed up the room and embraced Sitake and Texas Tech’s Joey McGuire before his TV panel. Bruce Mitchell, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound center, grinned during his first visit to the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility. The fifth-year senior from South Summit High School said he’s “very fortunate” to wear the Cougars uniform.

Why it matters for BYU Cougars

For the first time, BYU Cougars entered media days as a favorite instead of a hunter. Sitake’s squad posted 23 wins and just four losses over the past two seasons. Glasker brushed off the hype, saying the team focuses on internal improvement. “People who buy into the outside noise are as successful as they want to be,” he said. “For us, it’s about what we can do as a team and how we can be better.”

The Cougars face a brutal slate: road trips to TCU, Utah and Kansas, plus a home date against Notre Dame on October 17. A win there could push BYU into the College Football Playoff conversation. The next step is the Big 12 title game on December 4 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

What comes next for BYU Cougars

BYU Cougars open the 2026 season on September 6 against Utah Tech Trailblazers. The game kicks off a schedule that includes marquee matchups and a chance to validate their new status as league favorites. Sitake’s staff will lean on Bachmeier and Martin to set the tone early. The defense, now without coordinator Jay Hill, must gel fast to match last year’s success.

The Cougars’ media-day energy mirrored their on-field approach: humble, hungry, and ready to prove doubters wrong. With expectations higher than ever, the margin for error shrinks. BYU Cougars aim to turn hype into hardware.