With less than 100 days until BYU opens their 2026 college football season, it's a good time to take a look at the Cougars schedule. BYU's roster is, overall, even better than the 2024 and 2025 teams that went 11-2 and 12-2. While some units aren't as strong as they have been, or don't have a lot of proven depth, there is talent everywhere. Here's how the season should play out for the BYU Cougars.
Game 1 vs. Utah Tech
Coach Kalani Sitake is 10-0 against FCS teams; he'll be 11-0 after BYU opens their season against Utah Tech. It should be a layup game for BYU, but it will be one they need as they get some new guys all-important in-game experience as Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. BYU will need a repeat of their FCS opener last year when they routed Portland State, 69-0. They'll get a similar win over the Trailblazers to open this season. Record: 1-0.
Game 2 vs. Arizona
BYU is 14-12-1 against the Arizona Wildcats. Coach Sitake is on a five-game winning streak against the boys from Tucson. Last year's double-overtime classic will be tough to top, but a 12-2 team against a 9-4 team should be a good fight. Look for BYU to win more confidently at home and behind a more experienced Bear Bachmeier. BYU opens Big 12 play with a W. Record: 2-0.
Game 3 at Colorado State
The last time these two teams played was in 2010, when they were both in the Mountain West Conference. Now, Colorado State is in the Pac-12 and BYU is in the Big 12. CSU will try to get their first win against BYU since 2003. BYU will try to get their win streak against the Rams to seven games. This is a decent road opener against a team that should be solid but that you should defeat. BYU wins over CSU. Record: 3-0.
Game 4 at TCU
This matchup has had one team routing the other lately. Last year, BYU won 44-13, and in 2023, TCU won 44-11. Of the 13 games these two teams have played, only two of them have been decided by a single score, the most recent being back in 2007. If Josh Hoover hadn't left to try to be the next Fernando Mendoza at Indiana, TCU would be much more dangerous. But breaking in a new quarterback will be too much for Sonny Dykes' team this early in the season, and BYU will get the win. Record: 4-0.
Game 5 vs. Iowa State
Iowa State will be bringing a lot of new faces with them to Provo this fall. Matt Campbell and Rocco Becht, who were part of teams that crushed BYU in Provo in 2023 and gave them all they could handle in Ames, Iowa, in 2025, are in the Big Ten now. LaVell Edwards Stadium and the ROC will be difficult for ISU to deal with on a Friday night. BYU comes out on top. Record: 5-0.
Game 6 vs. Notre Dame
BYU has had tremendous success in non-conference games against power conference opponents under Kalani Sitake. They've beaten Michigan State, Mississippi State, Wisconsin, USC, Tennessee, Washington State, Arkansas, Stanford, SMU, and Georgia Tech under him. But this Notre Dame program is a different animal. Both BYU and Notre Dame are on a higher level than they were when they battled back in 2022 in Las Vegas. This game will be epic on a colossal scale, and the margin of victory razor-thin. I'll probably change my mind a million times between now and then, but I believe Notre Dame will win. Record: 5-1.
Game 7 at UCF
The Cougars will take a trip to sunny Florida to take on Scott Frost's UCF Knights. Last year, LJ Martin went off on the Knights and ran in three touchdowns. This four-game stretch against Notre Dame, at UCF, against ASU, and at Utah will be where LJ Martin makes his case for his legacy as one of the best running backs to ever play at BYU. Martin will rumble BYU to victory. Record: 6-1.
Game 8 vs. Arizona State
For the first time since Arizona State stole one in Tempe, BYU will battle ASU. The last time they faced off in Provo, Tyler Allgeier had an all-time hustle play. Expect more of the 2021 game, where Allgeier helped carry BYU to victory, and less of the 2024 game, where BYU got down early and had to leave the running game behind. Kenny Dillingham has a lot of antics, but he wins, so this will be a battle. BYU prevails at home behind strong running from Martin and Bachmeier. Record: 7-1.
Game 9 at Utah
Back in Utah but not at home, BYU will be in Salt Lake City. BYU will try to win their fourth straight in the Holy War against Utah. So many key pieces from last year's win are now gone. It will be up to new players to rise to the level of Jack Kelly, Tanner Wall, Chase Roberts, and Carsen Ryan. Martin and Bachmeier will lead the way, but players like Kyle Kasper and Cade Uluave will make their names known and be needed for a win. Defense stars like Therrian Alexander III, Evan Johnson, Faletau Satuala, and Isaiah Glasker will be the reason BYU wins. Kalani Sitake gets his fourth win against the Utes. Record: 8-1.
Game 10 vs. Baylor
From one of the bitterest rivalries to one of the friendliest. Baylor will surprise people this season. They're going to be better than expected, and this will be a trap game for BYU. BYU and Baylor have had some great games, and know each other well, so Baylor will be poised for an upset after BYU just fought in the Holy War against Utah. This is where veteran leadership in coaches like Sitake, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick, and players like LJ Martin and Isaiah Glasker will be crucial. Experience will power BYU to a win. Record: 9-1.
Game 11 at Kansas
In their last road trip of the regular season, BYU will battle Kansas in Lawrence. BYU will have extra attention on this game, especially the upperclassmen and all the players who saw Kansas upset them at home in 2024. That loss kept BYU out of the Big 12 Championship and out of the College Football Playoff. This team will be aware of the similar stakes at the same time of the season, and they'll endure the Jayhawks' onslaught. Record: 10-1.
Game 12 vs. Cincinnati
BYU will clash with Cincinnati in their final regular-season game of the year, and it will be in Provo. The Cougars will need to avoid looking past UC. Their game in 2025 was much closer than the final score indicated, and Cincy will be dangerous. They'll either be in the best season of their coach Scott Satterfield's tenure, or they'll be looking for his replacement. Either makes them dangerous, but BYU will win at home. Record: 11-1.
Game 13 Big 12 Championship
Yep! I'm going there. I believe BYU will be good enough this season to get back to the Big 12 Championship Game. It'll be a rematch game for the Cougars, too. They'll either see Texas Tech again and try to avenge 2025, or they'll fight in the second Holy War of the 2026 season. After having been so close the previous two seasons, BYU will have the poise and focus required to win the Big 12 title and secure the Cougs spot in the College Football Playoff. This will be the best three-year stretch in program history and will prove that BYU is as good as they have always believed themselves to be. Record: 12-1, and CFP bound!
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