Sep 14, 2026 · 50 min
BYU’s defense turns Arizona win into a Big 12 statement
BYU Beats Arizona and Climbs to No. 11
The episode tests whether BYU’s national rise reflects a complete contender or a team still chasing Texas Tech in the Big 12.
- 1Bear Bachmeier’s four-touchdown performance gave BYU the offensive edge it needed after Arizona controlled the opening half.
- 2A 14–0 second half, fourth-down stop, interception, and secondary adjustments transformed the game for BYU.
- 3Trevor Matich gives BYU the current Big 12 edge while warning that Texas Tech remains close behind.
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Trevor Matich weighs Bear Bachmeier’s four-touchdown performance against BYU’s second-half defensive shutout and calls the Cougars resilient.
The brief
BYU’s 28–17 win over Arizona moved the Cougars to No. 11 and raised a central question: did Bear Bachmeier’s four touchdowns or the second-half defense decide the game?
Arizona controlled the opening half, but BYU answered with a 14–0 defensive takeover featuring a fourth-down stop, secondary adjustments, and Cade Uluave’s interception.
The offense responded through Bachmeier’s composed decisions, LJ Martin’s running, and Kyler Casper’s impact, giving BYU enough balance to close out a critical Big 12 win.
ESPN analyst Trevor Matich calls BYU resilient and gives the Cougars the conference’s current edge, while cautioning that Texas Tech remains close.
The episode turns next to Colorado State, asking what BYU must prove in Fort Collins after its fastest rise yet in the AP poll.