Four things to know about TCU football’s next opponent, No. 12 BYU
After a disappointing 20-17 defeat to Iowa State, TCU football must travel to one of the most intimidating environments in the Big 12 with a matchup at No. 12 BYU at 9:15 p.m. Saturday.
The Cougars are also coming off a loss, 29-7 at No. 8 Texas Tech, and will surely be motivated to keep their Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff chances alive.
The Horned Frogs aren’t mathematically eliminated from the Big 12 title game, but TCU would need a lot of help. The first step for an improbable run to Arlington is to upset the Cougars in Provo, Utah, which is easier said than done.
Here are four things to know about BYU:
Freshman phenom
Most teams that lose a veteran quarterback like Jake Retzlaff months before the regular season would be hard-pressed to find success, as quarterback is the most important position in college football. Yet, not only has BYU replaced Retzlaff, the Cougars may have even upgraded at the position with the emergence of freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Maybe the most underrated quarterback in the country, Bachmeier has thrown for 1,881 yards, 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions while posting an ESPN Total QBR of 77.1, good for 21st in the nation. Bachmeier is also a dual-threat quarterback with 420 yards on the ground and nine more touchdowns.
Bachmeier threw for 351 yards against West Virginia and 307 against Iowa State during Big 12 play as he continues to gain confidence as a passer. Texas Tech shut Bachmeier down last week in Lubbock, but there’s no shame in that against the Red Raiders’ elite defense.
TCU’s secondary will have its hands full Saturday.
Elite defense
The Horned Frogs will have to try and overcome their offensive road woes against one of the best defenses in the Big 12.
The Cougars allow only 18.3 points per game and rank in the top five in the league at stopping the run and pass. BYU has also been elite at getting off the field, with opponents converting only 32.5% of their third-down opportunities.
The unit is led by Faletau Satuala, a playmaking safety who leads the team in tackles (59) and also has two interceptions, including a pick-six. In the middle, BYU defensive tackle John Taumoepeau has been a steady presence and is one of the better run stoppers in the Big 12.
The linebacker duo of Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker is also among the best in the league. Kelly leads BYU with seven sacks, and Glasker has 44 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and two interceptions.
The Cougars present a versatile scheme that has flustered many offenses this season.
Dynamic rushing attack
One thing that has allowed Bachmeier to flourish this year is a potent run game led by LJ Martin. Martin ranks second in the conference with 824 yards and has five touchdowns. He averages 91.6 yards per game, and BYU averages 200.0 rushing yards as a team.
A strong offensive line led by center Bruce Mitchell serves as the catalyst for the run game. Mitchell, a redshirt junior, is the highest-graded center in the league, according to Pro Football Focus. The rest of the offensive line is experienced, too, made up of seniors or redshirt juniors.
Texas Tech had the most success shutting down BYU, as the Cougars managed only 67 rushing yards. Stopping the run has been one of TCU’s strengths this season, but will the Horned Frogs be able to hold up against BYU?
Underrated receivers
TCU’s Eric McAlister and Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson have earned most of the headlines for wide receivers in the Big 12, but the Cougars also have one of the league’s best wideouts, as Chase Roberts is tied for fourth in the conference with 652 yards and has five touchdowns.
The 6-foot-4 senior could be a matchup problem for a TCU secondary that has struggled against bigger, physical receivers. As good as Roberts is, TCU won’t be able to solely focus on him, as Parker Kingston has 559 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Tight end Carsen Ryan is the only other receiver with more than 100 yards this season (292). BYU doesn’t have a ton of depth at the position, but that hasn’t been an issue so far, with the exception of Texas Tech.
This story was originally published November 11, 2025 at 4:30 AM.
