The BYU Cougars storm the field before a football game at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. BYU’s first Big 12 football schedule was released Tuesday, as the conference announced its 2023 schedule. Ben B. Braun, Deseret News
BYU has much to look forward to this fall when the season kicks off in 31 days. When the Cougars take the field there will be a whole new defensive look and a new quarterback calling plays. Fall camp has kicked off and they have their first practice today. This will be BYU’s first year in the Big 12 and could be a big year for football but realistically they will go 7-5.
2023 Record: 7-5
Sam Houston State
Saturday, September 2nd
10:15 pm EST on FS1
2022 Record: 5-4
Last Time Played: N/A
The first game of the season will be a win for the Cougars. This will be a great start to the season and a good test for the new guys on the roster including the transfers. BYU will have a lot to show here as they have installed a new defense and want to help them succeed on game day. This will also be the first meeting for BYU against Sam Houston State.
SUU
Saturday, September 9th
3 pm EST on ESPN+
2022 Record: 5-6
Last Time Played: 2016
Game two at home will be a win against the T-birds. This will also be a great time for BYU to show what they have worked on since the 2022 season ended in December. There will be another test for the team to come together and show how dangerous they can be in the Big 12. The last time they met was in 2016 and the Cougars won that game.
Arkansas
Saturday, September 16th
8:30 pm EST on ESPN2
2022 Record: 7-6
Last Time Played: 2022
BYU will lose this game and struggle the rest of the season with the rest being Power 5 opponents. This game will show the Cougar’s true colors as they fight to win this game but will lose in the fourth quarter. The last time BYU met them was last year and they lost that game.
Kansas
Saturday, September 23rd
TBA
2022 Record: 6-7
Last Time Played: 1992
This will be lost number two for the Cougars. BYU will continue to struggle to finish games and come together in the fourth quarter. This game will also be the Cougar’s first game against a Big 12 opponent. The last match-up was in 1992 so it’s been a while since these two teams met on the gridiron.
Cincinnati
October Friday 2nd
10:15 pm EST on FS1
2022 Record: 9-4
Last Time Played: 2016
The third win of the season will come against Cincinnati and will be a big boost for morale in the Cougar locker room. The defense will make that step up and give the Cougars the ball to come back and win this game. The last meeting was in 2016 and the Cougars won that game.
TCU
Saturday, October 14th
TBA
2022 Record:13-2
Last Time Played: 2011
BYU vs TCU has had some great matchups over the years and this one will be one for the ages. The Cougars will come away with the win and it will put the Cougars at 4-2 on the season. 2011 was the last time these two played a game.
Texas Tech
Saturday, October 21st
TBA
2022 Record: 8-5
Last Time Played: 1940
Another loss for BYU this fall will be hard for fans and the team but this isn’t an easy jump for the Cougars. With this loss, they will be at 4-3. This won’t be a close loss either it will be one that will be lost in the first half. In 1940 was the only time the Cougars met the Red Raiders on the Football field.
Texas
Saturday, October 28th
TBA
2022 Record: 8-5
Last Time Played: 2014
BYU Football will beat Texas and will continue a great matchup against the longhorns. The Cougars will be the Longhorns in a big way and do it in fashion as well. BYU will be 5-3 on the season and 3-2 in the Big 12.
West Virginia
Saturday, November 4th
TBA
2022 Record: 5-7
Last Time Played: 2016
BYU Football will win this game West Virginia isn’t that good this season so this should be a nice win for the Cougars. They will finally have their feet underneath them to play all four quarters of football in the Big 12. The last matchup against the Mountaineers was in 2016 and BYU lost.
Iowa State
Saturday, November 11th
TBA
2022 Record: 4-8
Last Time Played: 1974
This will be another almost easy win for the Cougars in the Big 12. It will put them at 5-2 in the Big 12 and 7-2 on the season. This win won’t be a walk in the park but the Cougars will come out of half time and the Cyclones won’t be able to stop them. 1974 was the last game between these two.
Oklahoma
Saturday, November 18th
TBA
2022 Record: 6-7
Last Time Played: 2009
The final two games of the season will be hard-fought losses. Senior Night will be hard and cold for Cougar fans to watch in Lavell Edwards Stadium. The Cougars have the Sooners on the gridiron several times and have either come up short or have figured it out and the end of regulation. This game will be nothing less than fun but the Cougars efforts won’t be enough for them to come away with the win.
Oklahoma State
Saturday, November 25th
TBA
2022 Record: 7-6
Last Time Played: 1976
The final game of the regular season for BYU Football will end in a loss as the Cowboys hold strong in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. BYU will end the season at 7-5 and be awaiting the Bowl Game in late December.
