BYU Aims to Secure Big 12 Championship Berth This Weekend
BYU football is on the brink of a significant achievement this weekend. The Cougars have not participated in a conference championship game since 1998. This could change if they secure a victory against Cincinnati on the road.
Path to the Big 12 Championship
To clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game, BYU needs two key outcomes alongside their victory:
- BYU must defeat Cincinnati.
- One of the following outcomes must occur:
- Colorado defeats Arizona State and TCU defeats Houston.
- Colorado defeats Arizona State and Utah defeats Kansas State.
Current Performance Metrics
ESPN’s analytics and SP+ rankings provide insights into the likelihood of these events:
| Event | ESPN Analytics (%) | SP+ (%) |
|---|---|---|
| BYU win over Cincinnati | 67.5 | 60 |
| Colorado win over Arizona State | 36.8 | 35 |
| TCU win over Houston | 53.2 | 43 |
| Utah win over Kansas State | 88.6 | 86 |
Most Likely Outcomes
The most favorable scenario for BYU hinges on a Utah victory over Kansas State. The Utes are currently heavy favorites in their matchup. Additionally, Colorado needs to win against Arizona State in Boulder for BYU’s path to be clearer.
Despite these scenarios, the simplest route for BYU remains to win all upcoming games, even if it doesn’t guarantee a championship berth this weekend. Head coach Kalani Sitake emphasizes focusing on controllable aspects of the game.
“If we go out there and play at our best, I like our chances,” Sitake stated in a recent Zoom press conference. His message to the team is straightforward: take care of business and focus on one step at a time. This mentality could lead BYU to Arlington, Texas, and a chance at the Big 12 Championship.
