BYU Cougars Will SHOCK Texas Tech in High-Stakes Big 12 Title Game & Make Their CFP Dreams Reality | Big 12 Postseason Awards & CSC/NIL Madness

BYU Football faces its defining moment as the Cougars prepare to battle Texas Tech for the Big 12 championship in a sold-out AT&T Stadium. A win not only secures BYU its first Big 12 title but could catapult them into the College Football Playoff, challenging a system that’s underestimated their breakthrough season. Can Kalani Sitake’s team seize this generational opportunity and force the playoff committee to reconsider BYU’s national standing?

Jake Hatch spotlights the historic significance of this matchup—BYU’s chance to establish itself as a true Big 12 power just three seasons after joining the league. He analyzes the 30,000-foot stakes surrounding the Big 12 title game, comparing BYU’s journey to previous giants like Penn State and reflecting on the electric atmosphere expected in Arlington. Key matchups include Bear Bachmeier versus Behren Morton and LJ Martin versus Cameron Dickey, with reinforcements like Sione Moa and Justin Kirkland set to boost BYU’s defense. Will returning stars provide the x-factor needed for an upset?

Recognition for the program pours in, as Sitake earns Big 12 Coach of the Year and LJ Martin captures Offensive Player of the Year honors. Bachmeier’s Offensive Freshman of the Year award highlights BYU’s talent pipeline, with Bruce Mitchell, Jack Kelly, and Tanner Wall all named to the All-Big 12 first team. Jake Hatch details how player development and a robust recruiting pipeline are fueling a new era for the Cougars, making them a force for years to come.

Off the field, BYU’s reported $10–$15 million NIL investment raises questions about compliance, competitiveness, and the controversial College Sports Commission agreement. Will BYU navigate NCAA politics without compromising its future? Jake Hatch weighs in on the risks, the poker-like dynamics between Power 4 programs, and the importance of retaining both talent and legal flexibility. With accolades rolling in and the national narrative shifting, Cougar Nation watches as BYU attempts to shatter expectations and write a new chapter in college football lore.

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Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else. 

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