When No. 10 BYU faces TCU, it will be clash of strengths vs. strengths (+predictions)

When No. 10 BYU faces TCU, it will be clash of strengths vs. strengths (+predictions)

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When No. 10 BYU faces TCU, it will be clash of strengths vs. strengths (+predictions)
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) dives for a first down during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) dives for a first down during a football game against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
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Lukas Katilius, Deseret News

No. 10 BYU ventures out to a restless, ornery and motivated TCU football team in Fort Worth and will battle rainy weather. Utah State, relishing its first win of the season, travels to Boise State’s blue lagoon turf, while No. 13 Utah rests its explosive, unique offense with a bye weekend.

The Cougars should defeat TCU. Boise State will give USU another loss. And Utah will hope AP voters don’t penalize them like they did BYU for taking a week off from all the gridiron drama.

BYU will be without offensive tackle Andrew Gentry, who was injured in the Colorado State game. In his place, offensive line coach TJ Woods will turn to freshman Bott Mulitalo.

BYU has lost about 1.5 starters to injuries per game, if you count games missed by guard Kyle Sfarcioc, who will return to action Saturday, tight end Roger Saleapaga, also expected back, linebacker Siale Esera (out), safety Raider Damuni (out), and kickoff specialist Brody Laga.

Staying healthy and potent while extending a 3-0 record at 2-2 TCU must be a goal for Kalani Sitake and his staff this week.

This game will feature strength against strength — BYU’s offense against TCU’s stout, No. 3-ranked Big 12 defense; the Cougars’ ability to run the ball with LJ Martin and Bear Bachmeier against a Frogs unit known for limiting rushing yards.

TCU is by far the best defensive team BYU has faced this season. The Frogs are giving up just 2.8 yards rushing per attempt and allow opponents just 86 yards rushing per game.

BYU’s top seven rushers are averaging more than seven yards per carry, led by reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Martin.

Sitake knows TCU’s head coach Sonny Dykes, a legacy coach with Texas coaching roots.

He told Jim Rome this week Dykes will have his team ready.

“You can never assume anything other than Sonny will get his guys ready to play,” said Sitake.

“They are looking for an opportunity. We are coming in as a ranked team, and the last time we went out there, it wasn’t a great show out for us. We are a different team and a different program now and we are looking forward to the matchup.”

BYU’s offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick knows he will have to get “clean” play out of his offense this week — limit penalties, don’t turn the ball over and be efficient. His offense is one of the country’s most successful at running the ball and getting to third downs with short yardages remaining to convert.

“They are the biggest, most physical, most athletic team we’ve played yet,” Roderick told reporters of TCU.

BYU’s businesslike execution in four games gives the Cougars an edge over a TCU team that has experienced inconsistencies with turnovers and penalties. While Jaden Craig has been effective at throwing the deep pass, he’s also struggled to execute at a high level for multiple drives and games.

According to a post from voice of the Cougars Greg Wrubell, BYU is 26-4 in its last 30 games and 14-1 in its last 15 away night games, with eight consecutive wins there. The Cougars have outscored opponents 87-24 in the first half of games this season and have scored in every quarter.

In his Tuesday media availability, Dykes heaped praise on BYU’s sophomore quarterback Bachmeier.

“He has just a sense of calmness and confidence. He’s really dialed into what they’re doing and how they’re doing it and has made plays for them.

“He can run the football and he’s a big, strong runner. He’s also a really good thrower, and they’ve got more speed at wide receiver now than they’ve had in the past, and they’re getting the ball down the field and taking shots down the field.

“He’s been really accurate on their shot passes, and that’s created a lot of big plays. He’s a guy right now that’s just dialed in, playing at a really high level, executing about as well as you can, and playing with a ton of confidence.”

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TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes looks on before the game against BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

This week’s picks

  • Houston 28, UCF 21
  • Kansas 24, Middle Tennessee 10
  • West Virginia 31, Iowa State 24
  • BYU 28, TCU 13
  • Texas Tech 31, Colorado 17
  • Arizona State 34, Baylor 28
  • Arizona 33, Cincinnati 31
  • Notre Dame 34, North Carolina 16
  • Mississippi State 24, Alabama 21
  • SMU 35, Boston College 21
  • Minnesota 24, Michigan 21
  • Ohio State 38, Iowa 21
  • Florida 42, Missouri 14
  • Tennessee 24, Auburn 21
  • Miami 37, Clemson 21
  • Boise State 34, Utah State 24

Last week: 9-7; overall 46-14 (.766)

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