Provo, UT – The BYU Cougars achieved a notable feat by securing a 10-win regular season under head coach Kalani Sitake. However, the excitement of this achievement was overshadowed by disappointment as the team was eliminated from contention for the Big 12 championship.

Following a hard-fought 30-18 victory against the Houston Cougars, coach Sitake emerged from the locker room on a chilly night, embodying the bittersweet emotions of triumph and regret. ‘We’re sitting here at 10-2,’ Sitake expressed, ‘But my mind keeps going to what could have been, you know?’

The Cougars’ fate was sealed not only by their own impressive performance but also by the results of other games, namely Iowa State defeating Kansas State. This loss proved devastating as BYU had held aspirations of competing for the title after starting the season with an impressive 9-0 record and reaching as high as No. 6 in national rankings.

Despite the high expectations, BYU faced adversity late in the season, losing two close games that cost them a shot at the title game. ‘Nobody thought we were going to get these [10] wins,’ Sitake noted, highlighting the unexpected nature of their success. Still, the disappointment lingered as they had to rely on tiebreakers after failing to finish strong.

Linebacker Jack Kelly acknowledged the significance of the team’s achievement, stating, ‘In a Power conference that’s a huge thing. It is never very likely to come.’ However, the missed opportunity to advance in the title race weighed heavily on the players’ minds.

Coach Sitake emphasized the need for improvement during the offseason. ‘We’ve got to find a way to get better in the offseason, so that we have a more successful November,’ he remarked, recognizing the necessity for consistency in performance as they prepare for future challenges in the Big 12.

The Cougars will now shift their focus to a bowl game, seeking to conclude the season on a positive note, which remains a rare accomplishment at 10 wins in college football. Despite the challenges faced, BYU’s pathway in the Big 12 suggests that the road to the title will not be easy, and maintaining a successful trajectory will require hard work and determination.