BYU Cougars Win Total Future: Will Bachmeier Lead BYU Back to Big 12 Championship?
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Update: Wed Jul 29, 2026, 4:54 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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The BYU Cougars might be back. After an 11-1 regular season last year, the Cougars lost in the Big 12 Championship to Texas Tech, but beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, 25-21. Their only losses both came at the hands of the Red Raiders. But this team returns a total of 12 starters, boosted their already stellar defense, and has a much easier conference schedule this year. Will BYU be able to find nine wins to go over their 8.5 win total? Let's find out.
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BYU Cougars Football Team Preview & Schedule
Bear Bachmeier and BYU are the second betting favorite to win the Big 12
Cougars Offense
BYU returns five offensive starters, including running back LJ Martin (1,305 rushing yards, 5.5 YPC, 12 touchdowns), and quarterback Bear Bachmeier (3,560 total yards, 26 total TDs, 7 interceptions). As a true freshman Bachmeier was a stud making plays with his arms and legs. Phil Steele has the Cougars as the best offensive line in the Big 12, so they should have plenty of production on the ground.
They were top 25 in scoring last season, putting up over 33 points per game. This year, they could be even more potent.
Cougars Defense
And the defense is insane. Seven returning starters, including getting Cal's leading tackler last season, linebacker Cade Uluave who was first team all ACC. This unit already was top 20 in scoring last year, giving up less than 20 points per game. The culture is set. Kalani Sitake made it clear that he wants to be here, and has high expectations for this program. BYU could be the top 10 defense in the country by the end of the season. They have the second best D-Line in the conference, with the best linebacker corps and secondary as well.
Cougars 2026 Schedule
- 9/5: vs. Utah Tech
- 9/12: vs. Arizona
- 9/19: @ Colorado State
- 10/3: @ TCU
- 10/9: vs. Iowa State (Friday Night)
- 10/17: vs. Notre Dame
- 10/24:@ UCF (Knights off Bye)
- 10/31: vs. Arizona State
- 11/7: @ Utah
- 11/14: vs. Baylor
- 11/21: @ Kansas
- 11/28: vs. Cincinnati
I'm going to break this down for you very simply. This is an EASY schedule for the Cougars. Simple really. Which is why I see them clearing this win total with ease.
BYU Cougars Win Total Picks and Predictions
LJ Martin rushed for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, adding 255 receiving yards as well
BYU Cougars Record Prediction: 10-2 (8-1)
Best Bet: BYU Cougars Over 8.5 Wins (-130) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I predicted a 10-2 record for BYU, but 11-1 wouldn't surprise me. Starting off against Utah Tech is easily a win, and they should handle Arizona as well. Sure they took BYU to double OT last year in Tucson, but the Cougars are better and the Wildcats are worse. Colorado State is picked to finish last in the new Pac-12, another win for BYU.
At TCU might be their first "real" test, but they are coming off a bye and the Horned Frogs are not, and Iowa State is going to be arguable the worst team in the Big 12. I expect them to be 5-0 before hosting Notre Dame, a game I do not see them winning. However, playing at home helps them out, maybe they can steal it, but we can afford this loss.
In Orlando against UCF and hosting Arizona State should again, be two more easy wins, getting us to 7-1 with four games to go. Playing The Holy War in Salt Lake City this year makes it more difficult. BYU can certainly win, but for the purpose of this exercise, a loss is fine.
They close out the year with games vs. Baylor, at Kansas, and vs. Cincinnati, who are all supposed to be bottom five teams in the conference. Handling business is a priority, but I expect Sitake to have his guys focused through the finish line. There's enough wins with some change for a 10-2 record.
Playing the bottom five teams in the conference (Iowa State, UCF, Baylor, Kansas, Cincinnati) certainly gives me faith in this team to clear their total, and avoiding Texas Tech, Kansas State and Houston makes it easier as well.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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