A romp through Big 12 peer Colorado in the Alamo Bowl laid down the final jigsaw piece, we can finally look back on the full image of the 2024 BYU football season.
11-2. That's a full eleven wins as a member of the Big 12 conference, and if honestly could have been at least 12, 13, even 14 had the team managed one more score against Kansas, or two more yards against ASU. This program was a legitimate playoff contender for the entire season--reaching as high as 6th in the College Football Playoff rankings.
After blowing through a Colorado team that was dubbed the pregame favorite, more discourse surrounding the Cougars' playoff snub will no doubt follow.
It was an incredible year to support BYU football--equal parts cardiac and therapeutic. But in a few years, how will history remember this team? What seeds were planted in 2024 in hopes of more sprouts in the coming years?
Here are four takeaways from the 2024 BYU football season. May the record books indicate as such.
Jay Hill's defense is elite
Swarming, aggressive defense has been every BYU fan's dream since the "bend, don't break" era of defending under Tuiaki's reign as defensive coordinator. When Sitake brought in Weber State head coach Jay Hill to take over the BYU defense, it was a match made in heaven. This season, the pieces clicked into place, and we witnessed something truly special.
The national leader in interceptions, and top 25 in nearly every other major metric (sacks excluded), the Cougar defense was straight out of a horror film. Relentless, aggravating, and omnipresent, this unit terrorized opposing offenses all season.
Even the Colorado offense, led by two players that many consider to be top 5 selections in the upcoming NFL Draft, tosses two interceptions and scored only one non-garbage time touchdown against Jay Hill's platoon. In their defense, it's really hard to succeed in a game where you only ran for 2 yards.
Kalani is the guy for BYU
Last season's underwhelming campaign brought plenty of naysayers out of the woodwork to direct their anger at head coach Kalani Sitake.
This season, Coach answered any skepticism aimed in his direction with 11 wins, a share of the Big 12 regular season crown, and a plethora of incredible moments from what was an unforgettable year.
A great leader and a better human being, AD Tom Holmoe knew that he had found the man to represent Brigham Young University, both on and off the field.
Said Deion Sanders of Sitake following the Alamo Bowl: "If I'm going to get my butt kicked, I'd rather get my butt kicked by that coach. I love him to life--he's a good man."
“If I’m going to get my butt kicked, I'd rather get my butt kicked by that coach (Kalani). I love him to life. He's a good man."
— Brigham's Brigade (@BrighamsBrigade) December 29, 2024
-Deion Sanders on Kalani Sitake and BYU.#ValeroAlamoBowl #BYUvsCU #CoachPrime pic.twitter.com/gGhwjVD8Cx
High praise for the head of the BYU football program, and that bleeds down to every level of the organization.
BYU is the best football program in the state
This goes beyond the simple truth that the Cougars won this year's head-to-head matchup with their neighbors from the North, BYU is set for future success in ways the Utes and Aggies are not.
Owning the strongest record in the Beehive State, BYU football won convincingly against ranked opponents, Kansas State and Colorado. The Cougars took down an SMU team that would later earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Cougars may have the best coaching staff from top to bottom in the state, though Utah and Utah State alike have loaded up their coaching rooms with New Mexico refugees. BYU has the best quarterback, best defense, best special teams (including a first-team All-American return man). If this season is an indicator for future success, BYU football is in a terrific spot.
Jake Retzlaff could be great next season
During the Alamo Bowl broadcast, the commentators mentioned how BYU's staff believes Jake Retzlaff could be a top 5 quarterback in the nation next season, if he continues to improve at this rapid pace.
After being one of the worst quarterbacks at the power level last season in his four starts, Retzlaff was picked to be the worst signal caller in the entire Big 12 entering the season. It didn't take long to shut up the doubters.
Does he still struggle with occasional inaccuracy problems? Sure. Does he still force his fair share of needless interceptions? Yeah. But the arm talent and decision-making has undeniably improved over the year. The "BYJew" showed tremendous leadership after a quarterback battle that lasted well into the preseason.
Is he the best gunslinger in football? Probably not, but after taking so many steps this year, who knows how much more he could improve with another year?