Everything changed for BYU football when their true freshman quarterback, Bear Bachmeier, tweaked his ankle against Texas Tech last Saturday. The team moved down the field with little resistance on their first possession, but failed to put any more points on the board in every remaining possession.
A 13-7 halftime deficit turned to 34-7 by the end of the game, as turnovers piled up and offensive momentum ground to a halt. For the second time this season, the Cougars fell flat on their faces when up against what Kalani Sitake describes as the best team in America in Texas Tech. One can't help but wonder what that second half might have looked like had Bachmeier been at full strength.
But that was then -- it's done. As of now, December 12, Bachmeier's injury is still bothering him, per Jay Drew.
BYU OC Aaron Roderick said QB Bear Bachmeier (ankle) did not practice today as the Cougars began bowl prep for Georgia Tech; However, Roderick said that Bachmeier will play in the bowl game on Dec. 27 and injury is "not severe."
— Jay Drew (@drewjay) December 11, 2025
Bachmeier has been the spiritual backbone of this year's team. An energetic, intelligent, and powerful force from the backfield who's proved capable of delivering a strike downfield through the air one play, and following that effort with a strike on the ground. One bowling ball meeting 10 pins.
With the Pop-Tarts Bowl looming, preparation for a matchup with ranked Georgia Tech will be first priority for the 11-win Cougars. Tech, a team that opened the season 8-0, is far better than their 9-3 record would suggest. Just ask their rival from Athens, who struggled to put away the Yellow Jackets with a final score of 16-7. BYU is not Georgia, nor will they play to the Bulldogs' level if Bachmeier struggles to get off the ground.
Fortunately, Aaron Roderick specifies that Bachmeier's injury is not serious, nor should it spark panic in the lead-up to the season finale. Bear will play, says the Cougars' OC, and GT will be forced to confront BYU at what is essentially full-strength. They'll soon learn why no non-Texas Tech team has managed to take down the Cougars, regardless of how healthy Bachmeier stands in Orlando on December 27th.