BYU didn’t crash the College Football Playoff party this year, but they walked away with something almost as memorable - a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory and a postgame celebration that’s quickly becoming one of college football’s quirkiest traditions. After edging Georgia Tech 25-21 in a back-and-forth battle, the Cougars capped off a 12-2 season by taking a bite - literally - out of the victory pastry.
And while the CFP door may have closed, BYU’s season still ended with a statement.
The win came with more than just a trophy. Players were handed hats and shirts declaring them “the people’s national champions” - a tongue-in-cheek nod to their strong campaign and the growing reputation of the Pop-Tarts Bowl as one of the sport’s most entertaining postseason matchups. For the third straight year, the game delivered drama, energy, and a postgame snack that had players and fans grinning from ear to ear.
Let’s not overlook what BYU accomplished this season. The Cougars finished with just two losses - both coming against No.
4 Texas Tech, including a pivotal defeat in the Big 12 Championship Game. That loss ultimately kept them out of the 12-team CFP field, where a win would’ve locked in an automatic bid and taken the decision out of the committee’s hands.
Instead, BYU landed at No. 12 in the final CFP rankings, just outside the playoff picture but firmly among college football’s top-tier programs in 2025.
Head coach Kalani Sitake, who turned down overtures from Penn State during their coaching search, stayed grounded in the aftermath of the bowl win. When asked about BYU’s playoff omission, Sitake didn’t point fingers - he kept the focus on his team.
“Listen, [the CFP committee] made the decision. We’re fine,” Sitake said.
"If it's not the way you wanted it to go, that's okay. Your reaction is going to be what everybody's going to define you with."@BYUFootball's Kalani Sitake speaks about the opportunity to play in the Pop-Tart bowl after being left out of the CFP this season ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NerHnJtt5o
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 28, 2025
“We got to move on and just keep playing football. I think what the committee did is a hard decision for them to go and put that together.
But, we love football, we’re going to watch the playoffs, we’re going to watch all the bowl games.”
That attitude permeated the program. In an era where opt-outs and transfer portal decisions often reshape bowl rosters, BYU showed up with nearly a full squad. The only players who sat out were those dealing with injuries, and that commitment to finishing the season together spoke volumes about the culture Sitake has built in Provo.
Compare that to No. 11 Notre Dame - widely considered the biggest CFP snub - who declined an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl altogether.
BYU could’ve taken a similar route, but instead, they leaned into the bowl experience. And according to Sitake, that decision paid off.
“These guys came here with a great attitude being here and had so much appreciation and gratitude for being invited to the Pop-Tarts Bowl,” he said. “And then their interaction with Georgia Tech and all the festivities, I was really proud of these guys and that’s how you do things in life.
If it’s not the way you wanted it to go, that’s O.K. Your reaction is going to be what everybody’s going to define you with.”
That’s the kind of mindset that turns a good season into a memorable one - and it’s part of why Sitake will be sticking around for the long haul. After fielding interest from Penn State, the BYU alum reaffirmed his commitment to the program, agreeing to an extension that will keep him in Provo moving forward.
So no, BYU won’t be lifting the CFP trophy this season. But they’ve got 12 wins, a bowl game victory, a coach who believes in the long-term vision, and a roster that played every snap like it mattered. And in a sport that’s often defined by what could’ve been, the Cougars made the most of what was - and had a little fun along the way.