BYU Cougars
· 2026-07-13
BYU Cougars enter the 2026 season as the Big 12’s preseason favorites after dominating the public-relations battle this summer.
The Cougars closed 2025 at 12-2 and return a loaded roster, including Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin. BYU also inked the highest-rated recruiting class in program history and locked in Kalani Sitake on a long-term deal. At Big 12 Media Days, Stewart Mandel of The Athletic labeled BYU the No. 1 brand in the league entering its fourth year in the conference.
Martin headlines a returning core built for contention. The senior running back earned Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors, vaulting him straight into Heisman and Doak Walker conversations before Week 1. His 2025 production—1,600-plus yards and 18 touchdowns—set the bar for Big 12 backs this fall.
Bruce Mitchell anchors a rebuilt offensive line as a senior center and preseason All-Big 12 pick. His job is simple: protect Bear Bachmeier and open lanes for Martin. Bachmeier, the 2025 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, threw for 3,200 yards and ran for 500 more while leading BYU to 12 wins. Now he’s the favorite for league Offensive Player of the Year.
Defensively, Faletau Satuala returns as BYU’s leading tackler with three interceptions, including a 40-yard Pick Six at Iowa State in 2025. A foot fracture sidelined him in spring drills, but he’s on track to play the opener against Utah Tech on September 6. Cade Uluave, a Cal transfer and preseason All-Big 12 linebacker, steps into the void left by sixth-round NFL pick Jack Kelly.
Keanu Tanuvasa chose to return for a fifth year, bulking up to 300 pounds to anchor an interior line that helped BYU post a 23-4 record over the past two seasons. His presence gives the Cougars a clear edge up front as they chase another conference title run.
Preseason buzz shapes everything from poll position to TV windows. BYU’s 2026 schedule includes seven home games and a marquee tilt against Notre Dame on October 17. Strong starts against Utah Tech and at Houston will set the tone for playoff hopes.
The Cougars’ PR machine is firing on all cylinders. Martin’s early Heisman buzz and Bachmeier’s national spotlight mean BYU won’t lack for attention even if it stumbles out of the gate. The real test begins September 6 against Utah Tech, the Cougars’ first real obstacle on the road to the College Football Playoff.
BYU opens at Utah Tech on September 6, a game that could decide early-season momentum. The Cougars then host Notre Dame on October 17 in a clash that could swing poll votes and TV contracts. Every win from here on out will ripple through the playoff rankings.
The Cougars’ 2026 slate also includes road trips to Kansas State and Cincinnati, two games that will expose flaws if BYU’s rebuilt line can’t hold up. Still, the hype is real. Martin and Bachmeier are must-watch stars, and BYU’s roster is deeper than at any point in the Kalani Sitake era.
The question isn’t whether BYU can contend—it’s whether the Cougars can handle the weight of expectations. The first answer comes on September 6 against Utah Tech.