www.thestar.com - RSS Results of type article
· collected 2026-08-21 · by John Coon The Associated Press
BYU returns with a strong team, ranking No. 14 in the AP poll, after finishing as runner-up in the Big 12 last season. The key players to watch are quarterback Bear Bachmeier and running back LJ Martin, who led the Big 12 in rushing yards last year. BYU's defense is also deep and experienced, returning two top linebackers and many playmakers in the secondary. However, the team has weaknesses on offense, particularly at wide receiver, where several freshmen and unproven transfers will be expected to step up.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
BYU, ranked 14th, is expected to contend for the Big 12 title again this season. The team returns Bear Bachmeier at quarterback, who had a breakout freshman campaign, and LJ Martin in the backfield after leading the Big 12 in rushing yards last season. The Cougars also bring back two of their top three linebackers and many key players in the secondary. However, finding reliable targets for Bachmeier is a concern, and there's uncertainty about the defense under new coordinator Kelly Poppinga. BYU finished as runner-up behind Texas Tech in the Big 12 last season with a record of 12-2, and this year's schedule includes notable games against No. 4 Notre Dame at home and No. 21 Utah.
Written for “BYU Football Title Contender” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 1896 · logged 2026-08-28
No. 14 BYU
PROVO, Utah (AP) — 2025 record: 12-2
Expectations
BYU finished as runner-up behind Texas Tech in the Big 12 last season and is in good shape to contend for a league title again.
asserted
BYU → finish → title
Bear Bachmeier returns at quarterback following a breakout freshman campaign.
asserted
Bachmeier → return → campaign
LJ Martin rejoins him in the backfield fresh off leading the Big 12 in rushing yards.
asserted
Martin → rejoin → yards
On defense, the Cougars return two of their top three linebackers and many top playmakers in the secondary.
asserted
Cougars → return → secondary
“We feel like we need more than 11 starters in all three phases and we feel good about our depth,” BYU coach Kalani Sitake said.
asserted
Sitake → feel → depth
Finding reliable targets for Bachmeier is a concern.
asserted
Finding → find → Bachmeier
There’s also a question if the defense will take a step back under first-year coordinator Kelly Poppinga after Jay Hill left for Michigan.
asserted
Hill → ’ → Michigan
The schedule will offer multiple chances to make noise nationally, including a home matchup with No. 4 Notre Dame, and it does not include fellow Big 12 contenders
asserted
it → offer → contenders
. 23 Houston and No. 12 Texas Tech, which handed BYU both of its losses a year ago
asserted
which → hand → losses
Strengths include quarterback, running back, linebacker, and the secondary
Bachmeier and Martin have the potential to be the top QB and RB duo in the Big 12.
asserted
Bachmeier → include → 12
Martin rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while averaging 5.5 yards per carry.
asserted
Martin → rush → carry
Bachmeier added 527 yards and 11 scores on the ground and threw for 3,033 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes.
asserted
Bachmeier → add → passes
Isaiah Glasker, Evan Johnson, and Faletau Satuala headline a deep and experienced defense that is proficient in forcing turnovers.
asserted
that → headline → turnovers
The Cougars ranked second in interceptions among Big 12 teams last season, picking off 17 passes.
asserted
Cougars → rank → passes
Johnson tied for first in the league with five interceptions.
asserted
Johnson → tie → interceptions
Satuala is BYU’s top returning tackler (84).
asserted
Satuala → return → ?
California transfer Cade Uluave joins Glasker and Siale Esera at linebacker after 100 tackles for the Bears last season.
asserted
Uluave → join → Bears
Weaknesses include wide receivers and special teams
BYU’s top three receivers from a year ago are gone and the Cougars will rely on several freshmen and unproven transfers at receiver and tight end.
Jojo Phillips, the top returning wide receiver, just had 161 yards on 14 catches while missing half the season with injuries.
asserted
Phillips → include → injuries
BYU is counting on transfers like Walker Lyons (USC) and Kyler Kasper (Oregon) to emerge as reliable targets for Bachmeier.
asserted
transfers → count → Bachmeier
Special teams will see a complete turnover at kicker, punter, and returner from last season.
asserted
teams → see → season
Replacing Will Ferrin at kicker will be especially tough.
asserted
Replacing → replace → kicker
Ferrin made 58 field goals over three years in Provo and set a school record with 25 straight makes.
asserted
Ferrin → make → makes
He also made 120 consecutive extra points.
asserted
He → make → points
New faces
LB Cade Uluave (transfer from California), TE Walker Lyons (transfer from USC), OL Junior Soa (transfer from Utah State), OL Paki Finau (transfer from Washington), WR Legend Glasker.
Key losses
LB Jack Kelly (NFL), K Will Ferrin (Graduated), WR Chase Roberts (NFL), TE Carsen Ryan (NFL), WR/PR Parker Kingston (dismissed).
Biggest games for the Cougars
at TCU (Oct. 3), vs. No. 4 Notre Dame (Oct. 17), at No. 21 Utah (Nov. 9).
__
asserted
faces → graduate → Utah
