No. 2 BYU heads into Saturday with a perfect record, a fresh wave of national attention and a coach who wants no part of the hype.
The Cougars, 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big 12, travel to Orlando to face UCF in a conference matchup that pits BYU’s momentum against a Knights team coming off a bye and looking for a homecoming upset. BYU moved up six places in the Associated Press Top 25 after its 28-24 win over then-No. 2 Notre Dame, the program’s highest ranking since the 1984 national championship season.
Kalani Sitake made it clear Monday that the ranking means nothing inside the building.
"Never cared about it before, so why would I start now," Sitake said Monday when asked about the ranking. "... Just keep the rat poison away from the boys."
BYU has started 6-0 for the third year in a row, something no team in program history had done before. With that run, the Cougars have put themselves in the mix for the Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff spot.
A big reason for the surge has been quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who earned Associated Press National Player of the Week and Big 12 co-Offensive Player of the Week honors after his four-touchdown day against Notre Dame. Bachmeier passed for 224 yards and a score, ran for 45 yards and two more touchdowns, and even caught a 15-yard touchdown pass in the win.
BYU’s front also drew praise from the conference after the Cougars went a second straight game without allowing a sack. Against a Notre Dame defense that came in surrendering a national-best 214 yards per game, BYU still piled up 360 yards.
Linebacker Cade Uluave shared Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors after logging nine tackles, three quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss.
UCF comes in at 3-3 and 1-2 in the Big 12 after two straight losses to ranked teams, then a bye week meant to help the roster reset. The Knights’ most recent outing was a 42-28 loss at Oklahoma State on Oct. 10, when they were outscored 21-7 in the second half.
Quarterback Keyone Jenkins completed 30 of 42 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in that game, while Duke Watson added 79 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Scott Frost said the open week was used to get healthier after a first half filled with injuries.
"We kind of made the decision that the best way to help our team for the stretch run was to try to be fresh," Frost said Monday.
Alonza Barnett III, who has been out since September with a hamstring injury, is working his way back. ESPN reported Tuesday that Jenkins is expected to make his fifth straight start against BYU, though Barnett has not been ruled out.
Saturday’s game will bring the highest-ranked opponent ever to UCF’s home stadium. The previous high-water mark was No. 6 Texas in 2007.
Frost said BYU presents a tough matchup across the board, pointing to the Cougars’ size, length and physical style, as well as Bachmeier’s play.
"They're big and long and physical. They've got a really good quarterback.
There's no holes," Frost said. "It's an awesome opportunity for us on homecoming to go shoot our shot, and I think our kids will be excited."
In Other News...
BYU Could Get A Big Backfield Boost Against UCF
BYUs backfield could get an important lift this week with running back Sione Moa no longer on the injury report for the matchup against UCF. Moa is medically cleared to play, giving the Cougars a potential boost in a spot where depth always matters, even if his actual workload will still come down to how confident and ready he feels once game day arrives.
The rest of BYUs report is relatively light, with right guard Kyle Sfarcioc and safety Tommy Prassas still listed, while UCF is dealing with a much busier set of availability questions. The Knights have starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III marked questionable and five players already ruled out, including offensive lineman Owen Spell and linebacker Lewis Carter, setting up a game where both teams will be watching the injury situation closely right up to kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Suddenly Has A Backfield Question That Could Shape Everything
Bear Bachmeiers national recognition and Cade Uluaves Big 12 honor gave BYU plenty to celebrate after the win over Notre Dame, but the Cougars also left that game with a reminder that depth across the roster is still going to matter. With LJ Martin and Sione Moa sidelined by injuries, backup backs Preston Rex and Journee Tonga were thrown into meaningful work and helped stabilize an offense that needed them to hold up their end of the bargain.
That leaves the backfield in a familiar but delicate spot for Kalani Sitakes staff. Sitake praised the way the running backs have developed and contributed, but BYU is still evaluating Moas readiness to return after an injury history that has complicated his availability. How that shakes out could shape the balance of an offense coming off one of its biggest wins of the season. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Just Added A New Threat To Its Big 12 Push
With the Big 12 at its midpoint and three teams still unbeaten in league and overall play, BYU has already done enough to make the conference race feel crowded. The Cougars win over Notre Dame, pulled off despite injuries, has only sharpened the sense that this team belongs in the conversation with the leagues best, especially with several ranked teams still sorting out their own issues and identities.
What makes BYUs position even more interesting is how much turbulence sits around it. Houston has gotten a big lift from Conner Weigmans passing, Texas Tech has found more rhythm on offense, and other contenders have run into problems, from Oklahoma States defensive struggles to Baylors offensive issues and Arizona States in-game quarterback change. For BYU, the next stretch will say plenty about whether its fast start is a real Big 12 platform or just the opening chapter of a tougher climb. [Read more 🡒]