BYU Football: The Big 12's New POWERHOUSE & TOP PROGRAM With Big Hopes & Dreams| BYU Cougars Podcast

BYU should be considered the top team in the Big 12 Conference coming out of the 2024 season due to their consistent competitiveness against Power 4 opponents, demonstrated throughout the year and being capped with a blowout of the Colorado Buffaloes. Their strong recruiting efforts have brought in top talent, bolstering their roster. Kalani Sitake has fostered a winning culture and possesses the experience to navigate the challenges of Big 12 play. Furthermore, BYU enjoys a passionate and loyal fan base that creates a significant home-field advantage and provides unwavering support. While the Big 12 is competitive, BYU's combination of factors positions them as a strong contender for the conference title and College Football Playoff.

Following a successful 2024 season, BYU Athletics enters 2025 with high expectations. The football program, having achieved a strong finish in the Big 12, aims to build upon that momentum with a focus on continued improvement and a potential push for a conference title. Key areas of focus will likely include developing young talent, strengthening the offensive line, and maintaining defensive dominance.

Beyond football, other programs are poised for success. Men's basketball, with a talented roster, will look to compete at a high level in the challenging Big 12. Women's basketball, volleyball, and other sports will also strive for continued improvement and conference recognition.

The 2025 season presents exciting opportunities for BYU Athletics to capitalize on recent successes and establish a consistent standard of excellence across all programs.

Naki Tuakoi and Max Alford are two highly touted recruits who have the potential to make a significant impact on BYU football in 2025. Naki Tuakoi is a four-star linebacker with elite athleticism and instincts. He has the potential to be a dominant force in the middle of BYU's defense, providing strong run support and making impactful plays in coverage. His addition will bolster a unit already known for its physicality.

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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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[MrPerfesser]

It's easy to underestimate just how powerful the Alamo Bowl performance and BYU's internet presence - especially The Cut - will be as recruiting tools. Recruiting has always been a 24/7 business, but now the transfer portal has brought it to an ever higher level. Let's all just sit back and hope and wait for some pleasant surprises because the Cougars are in the spotlight and that means top recruits and top transfers are in play for BYU.

[TheBraziliancougar]

Let's not hype BYU now. Let them stay humble and hungry

[dfausti]

I believe that momentum from football to basketball this season will build value going into football and basketball next season.

[JaredWillis-od]

To all those saying BYU needs to continue to be If you want a top-notch successful program. You are going to have to win when you are expected to.

You have to figure out how to keep kids just as focused, when you are expected to win by 30 as when nobody gives you a chance. You can't have trap games, or a let down after a huge win.

And especially now with NIL and the transfer portal. BYU has no chance if they aren't a top end big 12 program consistently.

[johndotter]

I have confidence in BYU for 2025, but also respect for other BIG XII Programs too!

[dougb]

I feel that if BYU ended the season playing like they played vs Colorado…they would have made it.

Their last three games were trending that BYU was fading, not peaking.
So, the committee overlooked them.

Then, Colorado happened.

The committee didn’t know, but they found out.

[thomasgibbons]

Time for BYU fans to put aside our “humble” outlook! No more “waiting to be let down” comments and junk like that….lets just embrace this time and live in the moment!

[ChrisTurner-bg]

KState, ISU, ASU and TCU all return QBs and had good to great seasons. BYU has competition.

[howdoyouknow]

I love the guy. He improved a ton! But the season hung on QB play, in my opinion. Next year will depend mostly on JR putting in serious WORK on his game this off season. You’ve got to have a great QB to win the games that BYU fans want to be in.

[Blueskies-cu]

I’m so excited about not only this season, but really looking forward to next year! Will miss Conor though!

[teti_]

Its true. BYU plays ASU again and BYU is whoppin that ass. They went into that ASU game with everyone injured and almost won. With everyone back and healthy, different story. Too bad we don't play again till 2026 but by then BYU will absolutely insane as most the guys on this years team will be seniors in 2026. 💯🫡

[PerryMitchell-rl]

Please rank BYU last. They thrive on disrespect 😊

[bdphourde]

The strength of any conference rides on the success of each team. The more teams that have winning records, the stronger that conference appears. In my opinion, that could have spoken volumes about the B12 (16) in the 4 way tie for first place in the conference. If you are hyped to the top with braggadocio, then you are a huge target that motivates all teams to get a bullseye. And if they do (and they can) you look the fool. Did it not work in our favor that we were ranked next to last in the B12 and finished near the top? Surprise everyone week by week during the season. In my opinion, for this Church's team, humility is the winning strategy.

[rconger]

_"..Out of obscurity.."_
Isaiah 29: 18
is _why_ I watch BYU sports.

[malaw]

Given how Moa entered the transfer portal, I think maybe he knows the lb room is too crowded and wants a shot to get significant minutes elsewhere, obviously not the only reason but it could be a good sign that Jack is Back.

[PerezVorborg]

The video content is very worth learning!I'm a little confused:I have an okx wallet with usdt in it and I have recovery phrases.:(laugh nominee buzz game expose field wash shoe world sadness bicycle grain).:How do I extract them?

[DGZGSGEGIGKG]

A higher preseason ranking will immunize the Cougs against a late season loss (or any loss in general) and help them get closer to the playoffs.

[Goobertronic]

Byu will be good next year but the whole conference has a ton of talent. It’s about how the team played together. They gotta do that again next year. K state will be dangerous with Avery Johnson improving. ASU will be good. Utah I think will do well now that they have a QB. And who knows, there may be a few other teams that show up in big 12 fashion.

[dfausti]

Jake, let's learn from the narrative of what Utah was giving the Big 12 at the beginning of this last season and not repeat it. I believe it is better to give a chip on the shoulder of our BYU football team than to presume we need to be the top of the conference. We perform better when our team is not respected. You know this and I know this! While I agree that we should be preseason picked number one, I would still have a preference for not be respected and prove our dominance on the field. Wouldn't you? So, I am picking BYU to take fifth place in the Big 12 next season.

[marcsanders]

Jake, two questions. Didn't the linebacker that transferred from Stanford have a teammate that was supposed to come with him? I can't remember his name. Do you know what happened to him? Also, do you think Jake will be working out with John Beck again this year to help sharpen his skills?