BYU football faces another difficult Big 12 schedule

Cougars coach Kalani Sitake needs to show progress in BYU’s second year in the Big 12.

After missing a bowl game for the first time since 2017, the Cougars are betting that continuity is the key to six wins. BYU used the transfer portal lightly this offseason. Sitake said there were too many new faces a year ago — with more than 20 transfers — to gain any sort of momentum.

This year’s schedule, however, will be even more treacherous than a season ago. Here is a schedule breakdown of the Cougars’ 2024 opponents.

(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Jake Retzlaff (12) runs the ball as he looks for an opening during their NCAA college football loss to Iowa State 45-13 on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Provo, Utah. (Francisco Kjolseth/)

Aug. 31 — vs. Southern Illinois

Game time: 6 p.m. MT

TV: ESPN+

Series history: Never played

Last meeting: N/A

Last year’s record: 8-5

About SIU:

BYU struggled with its lone FCS opponent last year. While the scoreboard might have read 41-16 against Southern Utah, the T-Birds held the Cougars to just 46 yards rushing. It was an early indicator of what was to come: Even SUU’s coach was worried about BYU’s run game going into the Big 12.

This year, the FCS test for the Cougars will be Southern Illinois. A program in the Missouri Valley Conference, the Salukis are starting a transition period. They have a new quarterback and are replacing a number of key cogs on the defensive line. The Cougars should have better success running the ball, especially with a retooled offensive unit. If not, they could be in for a long year.

SMU's Camar Wheaton, center, is tackled by BYU's Logan Pili (46) and Matthew Criddle, right, during the first half of the New Mexico Bowl NCAA college football game in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP) (Chancey Bush/)

Sept. 7 — at SMU

Game time: 5 p.m. MT

TV: ESPN2

Series history: 4-0, BYU leads

Last meeting: 24-23 BYU, 2022 in the New Mexico Bowl

Last year’s record: 11-3

About the Ponies:

SMU is going into its first season as a Power Four member — and is backed by a strong NIL war chest and an abundance of athleticism.

The Mustangs have been building a pseudo-Power Four roster for years. Starting back when Sonny Dykes roamed the sidelines, SMU’s strategy was to mine the transfer portal for all Power Four washouts who wanted to come back home to Dallas. And since its recent ACC affiliation, it is starting to get a higher-level Dallas recruit straight out of high school.

This should be the most difficult early season test for BYU. SMU returns quarterback Preston Stone from a year ago and multiple offensive playmakers. Under third-year head coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU’s defense has greatly improved. It isn’t the same SMU under Dykes, which often neglected that side of the ball.

Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda looks to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas) (Michael Thomas/)

Sept. 14 — at Wyoming

Game time: 7 p.m. MT

TV: CBSSN

Series history: 46-30-3, BYU leads

Last meeting: 38-24 BYU, in 2022

Last year’s record: 7-6

About the Cowboys:

Back-to-back road games are not typical for Power Four teams this early in the season. Yet, that is what BYU’s athletic department tasked its head coach with.

Not only that, but the second game of the back-to-back is a rivalry with Wyoming. The Cowboys don’t often lose at home. Power Four teams who test that theory often get a rude awakening. Just ask Texas Tech last year.

Wyoming isn’t exactly loaded this season. They have a new head coach in Jay Sawvel. But don’t count out the Cowboys, especially not with BYU coming to town. The fan base has been waiting for a night game in Laramie against the Cougars.

Sept. 21 — vs. Kansas State

Game time: TBD

TV: TBD

Series history: 4-4

Last meeting: 39-0 BYU, in 1977

Last year’s record: 7-6

About the Wildcats:

Kansas State kicked its longtime quarterback Will Howard to the curb this offseason. He entered the transfer portal and now the Wildcats are all in on highly touted playmaker Avery Johnson.

Johnson is gifted but largely unproven (aside from the Pop-Tarts Bowl). BYU will be his first real Big 12 test.

Outside of quarterback, K-State is projected to be one of the better teams in the league this season. DJ Giddens might be the second best running back in the conference after Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon III. And defensively is where the Wildcats have hung their hat on in recent years.

After Texas and Iowa State, K-State gave up the fewest yards in the Big 12 a year ago. It returns several pass-rushing options.

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