Welcome to Too Optimistic Tuesday! This weekly column reminds BYU fans why they should count their many blessings and have an abundance of hope. Every season in every sport is full of both ups and downs. This column will amplify the "ups" and help fans quickly recover from the "downs". So put on your blue-tinted goggles and just enjoy your BYU fandom for a moment.
This may be the apex of BYU sports history...for now
For most BYU sports fans, the vast majority of our passion is poured into football and men's basketball. These two sports are by far the most prominent, influential, and relevant in the college sports world on the whole.
And with that in mind, this week - right here, right now - very well may be the apex of BYU sports history.
Kalani Sitake's 8-0 football team is ranked tied for 10th in the country after their impressive 14-point win at Iowa State. Kevin Young's basketball team is coming off a Sweet 16 season last year and reloaded with the No. 4 recruiting class in the country. BYU's men's basketball team is ranked No. 8 in the preseason polls.
It is the first time in BYU history both the football and basketball teams have been ranked in the Top 10 at the same time.
The Cougars are currently the only program in the country to have Top 10 teams in both premier sports. Texas Tech is close with the No. 10 hoops team and No. 13 football squad. Alabama is knocking on the door as well with the No. 4 football program and No. 15 basketball team, but only the Cougars are in the top 10 in both sports.
This is an absolutely magical time to be a BYU fan.
And freshmen shall lead them....
And what's even more impressive is BYU has achieved this lofty status largely behind the prowess of two incredible true freshmen.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been a revelation on the football field. His intellect, poise, and decision making is years ahead of where it should be for a teenager. Bear's play is closer to NFL caliber than high school. Despite not joining the team until this past June, he has somehow completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,693 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He has bulldozed his way for 408 rushing yards and an incredible nine touchdowns. What he is doing is simply remarkable.
Plus, Bachmeier's presence on the roster gives Cougar fans an abundance of hope for what's to come over the next few seasons. If he's this good as a freshman, how dominant will he be as an upperclassman?
On the basketball side, AJ Dybantsa is a freshman sensation like BYU has never seen before. He is widely considered the best player in the class of 2025 and could be the No. 1 overall pick in next year's NBA Draft. Dybantsa's impact could lead to the Cougars to the Final Four for the first time in program history, but his presence could also have a generational impact by showing elite five-star players that Provo is the place to prepare for their NBA careers.
AJ Dybantsa with a MONSTER dunk against UNC. pic.twitter.com/sqIaJzPg3c
— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) October 25, 2025
There is so much to be optimistic about that it's hard to figure out what it means to be "overly optimistic" as a BYU fan right now.
BYU's football team is in the driver's seat to appear in the Big 12 conference championship game with just four games left. We can almost taste the College Football Playoffs as the calendar turns to November.
BYU's basketball team is getting set to tip off the most anticipated season in its history. The Cougars are currently ranked in the Top 10 in the two sports that matter most.
What a time to be alive!