College Football's WILDEST Upset: BYU SHOCKS UCF On Road, National Media Broken, Big 12 Needs Help

BYU football has a rich history as one of college football’s most successful programs outside of the traditional Power Five conferences, earning recognition for its high-powered offense, quarterback development, and national accomplishments. The Cougars, with a storied legacy dating back to their early successes under LaVell Edwards, have consistently showcased elite-level play, highlighted by a national championship, top-tier quarterbacks, and numerous conference titles.

The program’s golden era began in the 1970s and 1980s under legendary head coach LaVell Edwards, whose revolutionary passing offense put BYU on the national map. Edwards transformed BYU from a regional program into a powerhouse by implementing a pass-heavy offensive scheme that was rare at the time, allowing the Cougars to put up record-breaking numbers. This approach also helped produce some of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history, including Jim McMahon, Steve Young, and Ty Detmer, who went on to have successful NFL careers. In 1990, Detmer won the Heisman Trophy, solidifying BYU’s place among elite programs.

BYU’s crowning achievement came in 1984 when the Cougars went undefeated and captured the national championship after defeating Michigan in the Holiday Bowl. This feat was groundbreaking, as BYU became the first team from outside a Power Five conference to claim a national title, setting a precedent for teams outside the traditional powers to aspire to top-tier success.

In recent decades, BYU has continued to be highly competitive, earning numerous bowl appearances and producing NFL-caliber players. The Cougars’ 2023 move to the Big 12 solidifies their status as a major program with a historic foundation. Their accomplishments, loyal fan base, and knack for developing NFL talent make BYU one of college football’s most respected and historically elite programs.

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[tmtSHD]

More impressive than the BYU win, the fans showed up like the game was at their backyard.

[MrHarmertime]

I played on the 96-97 BYU football team. We went 13-1, Coach Edwards flew out to NYC as the bowl selection committee was meeting to make their choices. Coach Edwards said everyone came up to him and told him with hugs and handshakes and smiles “I am voting for you.” He had hope…for a while.

As the votes started to roll in Coach Edwards saw that no one was voting for us, no one. He politely and sternly (as only he can do) left for the airport to catch an early ride home. He told us the story, (our brotherhood enacted) we played on New Year’s Day in the Cotton Bowl and beat Kansas State. 14-1….I think most teams played 12 games that year.

Later I attended the Senate Judiciary Hearing where BYU and Notre Dame testified about this problem.

It has only taken close to 30 years to make things better and Drake…they are still the same.

We had a lot of players go to the NFL that year. Almost all of us get back together to cheer the Cougars onward. We always will.

[jasonford]

BYU fans need you, Drake! They need someone just like you to tell them to take confidence in their team. This BYU program is legit.

[jeoffbenzos]

Utah would be ranked top 4 with an identical resume as BYU.

[teti_]

They never respected us and they never will. From my dad's time there with Jim McMahon up until when my brother Harvey and I played there and we beat #2 Oklahoma in Arlington with a lot of 2nd string guys and killed it that season, until now. No respect lol but it's all good. As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we're used to the hate and disrespect. It builds grit and tenacity being the underdog. Just like we like it. Go Cougs. Just keep winning quietly.. 🔵⚪️🐾💯

[virsad]

The answer: BYU has never gotten respect from the national media, including in 1984. "That religious school" can't possibly play at the level of the "legacy schools." Yet, 1 year after joining the Big XII, we are dominating it.

[thegoondockswarcouncil]

Okay, to be fair…Utah is ALWAYS a hard game for BYU. Doesn’t matter who is “better” that year, it’s what’s hard.

[ryanchristensen]

That last line “if religiously appropriate cigars, if not… cougars tails” 😂 😂Cougar tails it is then haha!

[PatrickJBradford]

I like this guy. He speaks common sense. I don’t think most of media has a lot of that

[krankdatRuGBY]

BYU doesn't "travel" well, we jus have fans everywhere 🤙🏽

[spencerbrady]

It’s 1000% religious bigotry. People can’t imagine a world where people that believes in a funny Jesus could be good at football. It’s almost like if we are ranked higher than other teams it implies our God is better than your God. People like that Mormons are ‘weird’ and don’t want them to be accepted into the cool kids club.

This issue runs WAYYYY deeper than football.

[FalconFastest]

Sounds like you are getting your first taste of the disrespect BYU has endured for decades, the same disrespect that prevented us from joining a Power 5 conference until now. Football may be a sport but to the South, it is nearly a religion, or at least a source of cultural pride for many evangelical Christians, and historically Evangelicals are very hostile and biased against Latter-Day Saints. LDS are aware of this even though we've never really understood it, but I suspect the bias is deeply entrenched within many southern schools who don't want to ever see BYU succeed. Sorry that you are now tasting the prejudice as well. Also we don't smoke, but thanks. Well happily share a cougar tail with you ;)

[SingleatChurch]

off topic, but 8-0 Indiana getting NO love either (not a Indiana fan) While Texas gets tons of love despite a weak schedule.

[clayfullmer]

BYU we figure we'll get half win loss record. That's the norm. Beat some people we shouldn't and lose to some people we shouldn't.

This is a different team than the usual. It's obvious they are killing it in the coaching staff and leadership.

[murdog]

last week, #13 BYU highlights were omitted from College football final. that's how BYU coverage is.

[Travelin_Man]

Okay, I’m convinced. BYU is (and has been for awhile) a top 10 team. Their offense has arrived. Go Cougs!

[tylerransom]

Great video Drake, much love from Cougar nation😎💙

[SpideySense]

You totally nailed the score yesterday

[dalewight]

Maybe because we (Latter-day Saints) are bad for several associated businesses:
• No gambling
• No smoking
• No drinking alcohol

[buddyalam]

Not a Mormon but I graduated from BYU and that was the best part of my life. I would still prefer BYU over an IVY league university. School’s code of conduct matters to me. Spent my youth on both Hawaii and Utah campus and I loved it.