BYU Embraces Bowl Season with Eyes on the Future, Not the Exit
In today’s college football landscape, bowl games don’t quite carry the same weight they once did. With the playoff spotlight shining brighter than ever - and expanding to 12 teams - it’s easy to see why some programs and players treat non-playoff bowls like an afterthought.
Top prospects often sit out, protecting their NFL futures. Prestige programs sometimes pass on invites altogether.
It’s become part of the new postseason norm.
But don’t count BYU among the teams dialing it in.
The Cougars are headed to Orlando for a December 27 matchup against Georgia Tech, and if you ask head coach Kalani Sitake, this game still matters - a lot. After falling short in the Big 12 Championship Game with a 34-7 loss to Texas Tech, BYU was the second team left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
A tough pill to swallow, no doubt. But Sitake isn’t letting that disappointment define the end of their season.
Instead, he’s using the bowl game as a springboard for what’s next.
“We’ve got to be thankful for that opportunity,” Sitake said, referring to the bowl bid. “And look forward to trying to do everything we can to get back to that game again next year.”
That mindset is already showing up in BYU’s early bowl practices, which kicked off late last week. For Sitake and his staff, the Pop-Tarts Bowl isn’t just a consolation prize - it’s a critical development window. It’s a chance to get live reps for younger players, deepen the roster, and finish the season with momentum.
That includes valuable time for the Cougars’ rising star under center, freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier. Bachmeier, who’s been sporting a boot on his left foot since the Big 12 title game, didn’t participate in the team’s first bowl practice. But offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick quickly put any panic to rest.
“It’s not severe. He’s fine,” Roderick said. “If we had a game today, he could have gone out there and played.”
That’s good news for BYU fans, considering how pivotal Bachmeier has been to the Cougars’ offense. His poise and playmaking ability as a freshman have turned heads all season, and his presence in the bowl game will give the offense a chance to build chemistry heading into 2026.
And what about potential opt-outs? With NFL Draft declarations looming, that’s always a question this time of year - especially for players like running back LJ Martin, whose stock has been on the rise.
But according to Roderick, the vibe around the locker room is clear: this team wants to play.
“I haven’t heard of any yet,” Roderick said when asked about opt-outs on offense. “As far as I know, everybody is excited to play in this game.”
That enthusiasm has been evident in practice, too. Roderick described a group that’s locked in and eager to compete - bowl game or not.
“These guys like football and they like to play,” he said. “We’ll show up and play anywhere.
Put the ball out there in the parking lot and we’ll come out there and play. That’s been this team’s mentality.”
It’s a mentality that serves BYU well - not just for this bowl game, but for the program’s trajectory in a new-look Big 12 and an ever-evolving postseason landscape. Last year, the Cougars were thrilled to face Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. This year, they’re bringing that same energy to Orlando.
For Sitake and his squad, the Pop-Tarts Bowl isn’t just a final chapter - it’s the first page of what they hope is a bigger story in 2026.