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2026 BYU Cougars Football Predictions with Betting Odds and Best Bets

by Ryan Cobbett - 8/4/2026

BYU Cougars football predictions Bear Bachmeier

BYU burst onto the scene last season, dominating their schedule and putting themselves in a playoff bubble spot. However, two losses to conference rival Texas Tech ultimately kept them out of the playoffs. Kalani Sitake has established a strong winning culture, and one that he believes in as he turned down any interest in the Penn State job. Now, it is up to him and his team to elevate their status from emerging Big 12 competitors to a playoff threat. They have some veterans returning at key positions, and the Cougars have a lot to like about their quarterback situation. Sitake and company need to get over the Texas Tech hump this season as the two are the strongest candidates to return to the Big 12 Championship, where a playoff spot will once again be on the line.

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BYU Cougars Summary of Last Season

The BYU Cougars put together an extremely efficient start to the season as they sprinted to an 8-0 start. This winning streak included wins over Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Unfortunately, they met their match against Texas Tech as they fell 29-7 in their first and only regular season loss. The Cougars went on to win the final three games against TCU, Cincinnati, and UCF, winning by an average margin of 21 points. Unfortunately for BYU, they met their match again in the Red Raiders, losing 34-7 in the Big 12 championship game, and with the loss BYU was eliminated from the playoffs. They did however rebound nicely and took down Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl with a 25-21 win.

The BYU offense ranked in the middle of the Big 12 in offense. They finished the season just south of 400 YPG (399.5), and they averaged 31.4 PPG. Bear Bachmeier finished the season with 3,033 passing yards while completing 64.9% of his passes. He also added 15 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing touchdowns, and 527 rushing touchdowns. LJ Martin was the leading back for the Cougars, finishing with 1,305 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. Parker Kingstone was the team’s leading receiver with 928 receiving yards, and he also recorded five receiving touchdowns. Chase Roberts finished with 802 receiving yards and led the team with six receiving touchdowns. Carsen Ryan finished third on the team with 620 receiving yards, and he added another three receiving touchdowns.

As for the Cougars’ defense, they were the strength of this team. They held opponents to 332.4 YPG, and they held opponents to just 19.1 PPG. Faletau Satuala (84) and Tanner Wall (71) finished first and second on the team in tackles from the safety position. Satuala also recorded a sack, four pass deflections, three interceptions, and forced two fumbles. Wall added another four interceptions and he forced one fumble. Jack Kelly led the team with 10 sacks, and he also forced two fumbles and has one pass deflection. Evan Johnson led the team with five interceptions and with seven pass deflections.

BYU Cougars Key Additions/Losses

The Cougars rank 18th in the country in returning production. The majority of the returning production is on the defensive side of the ball as they rank sixth in the country with a defensive returning production rate of 69%. They lost Kelly (sixth round) and Ryan (seventh round) in the NFL draft. They also saw key defensive pieces in linebacker Max Alford (Michigan) and cornerback Tayvion Beasley (South Florida) leaving via the transfer portal. BYU also lost a pair of offensive tackles as Jake Griffin transferred to Arizona and Ikinasio Tupou transferred to San Jose State.

BYU did fill some holes with some key additions from the transfer portal. They added linebackers Cade Uluave from California and Jake Clifton from Kansas State, as well as cornerback Jayven Williams who came over from Mississippi State. The offense also reloaded at some position as the Cougars added tight ends Roger Saleapaga II (Oregon) and Walker Lyons (USC), offensive lineman Paki Finau (Wasington), Zak Yamauchi (Stanford), and Jr Sia (Utah State), and wide receiver Kyler Kasper (Oregon).

2026 BYU Cougars Schedule Breakdown

Last season, the Cougars started the season 8-0. This season, they will not be able to achieve the same feat. They open up with two home games against Utah Tech and Arizona, before heading on a two-game road trip with stops at Colorado State and TCU, and then they will return home to clash with Iowa State. After that, they have their biggest regular season test. On October 17th, the Cougars will play host to national championship contending Notre Dame. After that, the remainder of their schedule includes road games against UCF, Utah, and Kansas as well as home games against Arizona State, Baylor, and Cincinnati. BYU will remain one of the favorites in this league thanks to the ease of the schedule, however, they still have to go out there and play in order to avoid a number of trap games that can pop up with their pesky, shootout-minded Big 12 opponents.

2026 BYU Cougars X-Factors/Big Questions

Is BYU the best value pick in the Big 12?

Yes. At +550, the Cougars provide tremendous value to win the Big 12. They have a legit chance of going undefeated in conference play as they avoid Texas Tech, Utah, and Kansas State. They still have to go into Utah to knock off their biggest rival in hostile territory, but if they can do that, the rest of the schedule is light. Now, this still means they will have to beat the Red Raiders in the conference championship game, but in the event, it is not Texas Tech, or they don’t look as strong as last year thanks to all their NFL draft turnover and offseason quarterback drama, BYU has a strong chance to take the Big 12 crown.

Is Bear Bachmeier a playoff caliber quarterback?

Bachmeier burst on the scene last year as a true freshman. He dominated at times and showed flashes of his potential. He will now look to lead BYU even further in year two. Bachmeier carries beneficial experience and another year of growth and maturity at the position. I expect big things from the quarterback in Provo. He is a playoff caliber quarterback, and he will lead the Cougars to the playoffs before he departs.

2026 BYU Cougars Notable Odds:

National Championship: +10000

Big 12 Champion: +550

Heisman Winner- Bear Bachmeier: +5500

Predicted Win Total: 8.5 Games

2026 BYU Cougars Predictions:

Sitake and company lost some key pieces from last season, but the defense and a strong sign of improvement from Bachmeier could lead the Cougars to a perfect conference record and a strong 11-1 showing. Notre Dame and their road game against Utah will be tough games, but I think BYU is better than Utah and they should steal a win against their rivals. Even if they lose both of those games, and have another trip up game, they will still hit the over on the win total. Taking the over on the 8.5-win total projection is one of the easiest selections in the country. Don’t overlook them winning the conference either, at +550. There are a lot of variables in play that could lead to BYU quickly becoming conference favorites. Don’t sleep on the Cougars.

Prediction: Over 8.5 Wins, -134

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