BYU Looks Ahead After Playoff Snub, Updates on QB Bear Bachmeier

BYU’s dream of a College Football Playoff spot ended in disappointment, but the Cougars are moving forward—and they have one major question looming: the health of freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier.

The blow came in Texas Tech’s 34–7 victory over BYU, a game that didn’t just crush the Cougars’ playoff hopes but also pushed Notre Dame out of contention. Miami swooped into the final CFP slot, leaving BYU to settle for the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Meanwhile, Notre Dame opted to skip bowl season in protest, saying the playoff was “stolen” from their players.

BYU finished the regular season 11–1, with both losses coming against Texas Tech. Notre Dame finished the season with an 11–2 record, suffering losses to Miami and Texas A&M. Many analysts, including Stanford’s Steve on ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, argue BYU had the stronger résumé. Their signature win—a 24–21 victory over Utah in the Holy War—featured a 22-yard touchdown run from Bachmeier, showing off his dual-threat talent and putting BYU’s résumé in strong light.

Fans and players alike were frustrated by the committee’s decision. Wide receiver Parker Kingston called it unfair that the conference championship effectively hurt their playoff chances. Many drew comparisons to past snubs, like Florida State in 2023 or the 2014 TCU/Baylor controversy, arguing BYU was overlooked despite its impressive record and ranked wins.

Adding to the drama was Bachmeier’s injury. He rolled his ankle early in the Big 12 title game against Texas Tech but continued to play. He finished 16-of-27 for 115 yards, with two interceptions and no touchdowns, clearly limited by the injury. Sitake, however, downplayed the injury as the sole reason for the loss, noting it affected his QB but didn’t define the outcome.

Bachmeier’s freshman season was remarkable—2,708 passing yards, 527 rushing yards, and 25 total touchdowns. Scouts still see him as one of the most polished true freshmen in the country. With BYU now set to face Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the question is whether he’ll be fully healthy to lead the team, giving the Cougars a chance to finish the season on a high note.

Even with the playoff disappointment, BYU has plenty to build on, and all eyes in Provo will be on Bachmeier as the season closes.

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