BYU wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) catches a pass under pressure from Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson (3) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Lawrence, Kan.Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
BYU Football is halfway through the 2023 Big 12 Inaugural season. So far they are 4-1 and have shown what they can against some big opponents. They are 1-1 in Big 12 play and are heading into the biggest part of their season with TCU next Saturday.
Midseason awards
Offensive Player
Chase Roberts WR
He has 24 receptions for 358 yards and three touchdowns. Roberts has been a game-changer for the Cougar offense this season. He has turned this season into one that scouts will look at to send him to the next level potentially. If he continues playing, he will set more personal and team records to keep his name on many scouts’ lists.
Defensive Player
Ben Bywater LB
Bywater is the tone-setter and a big leader for this Cougar defense. He came out swinging and hasn’t been stopped when he takes the field. Bywater has 32 tackles, one sack and one pass deflection. He will need to continue to put up big games and big hits to help the Cougars have a big season.
Special Teams Player
Ryan Rehkow P
He has punted 28 times for 1,373 yards and has put 10 within the 20-yard line. Rekow has been flipping the field all season long. His long was 66 and he averaged 49 yards per punt. Rehkow doesn’t see the field much but when he does he is one of the game changers for this Cougars football team.
Biggest Surprise
Offense: LJ Martin RB
Defense: Ethan Slade S
Special Teams: Marcus Mckenzie CB/ST
Best Offensive Play
Chase Roberts’s catch against Arkansas
Best Defensive Play
Jakob Robinson’s INT against Cincinnati
Best Special Teams Play
Ryan Rehkow’s biggest punt against Cincinnati
How has it gone so far
Offense
BYU’s offense has 1,593 yards, 311 total plays, and 155 points this season. They have seen the run game struggle more than anyone thought it would this year. It is starting to see improvements but still isn’t at game-winning caliber yet. The passing game has been just good enough to win games but nothing that would shock the world.
Defense
This BYU defense has been the one to win games this year and make some big plays in order to put the Cougar’s offense back on the field. They have 340 tackles, seven sacks, 15 pass deflections, six interceptions, five fumbles, and one touchdown. They have set the tone all season long and have shown that they are Big 12 ready.
What the rest of the season could look like
TCU
BYU comes out of their BYE week to take on the Horned Frogs who are 3-2. The Cougars are going to get this win as they have had time to get some bigger-name players back and are hungry for another Big 12 win. TCU has beaten Nicholls State, Houston, and SMU so far this year with losses to Colorado, and West Virginia.
Texas Tech
The Cougars will have beaten TCU and stayed healthy while doing it so they will also take down Texas Tech who is 2-3 on the year. The Red Raiders have beat Tarleton State, and Houston with losses to Wyoming, Oregon, and West Virginia.
Texas
No matter what happens the two weeks before BYU will not get the upset against the Longhorns. The Cougars have seen some magical games before against them but Texas is back and they are too strong for BYU to beat. Texas is 5-0 on the season with wins against Rice, Alabama, Wyoming, Baylor, and Kansas.
West Virginia
BYU will get a win over the Mountaineers who are 4-1 on the season. This will be a hard-fought win and will come down to the final minutes. They have beaten Duquesne, Pittsburgh, Texas Tech, and TCU with their only loss to Penn State.
Iowa State
The Cougars will come out swinging this week and not look back to beat the Hawkeyes. Iowa State is 2-3 on the year with wins over Northern Iowa, and Oklahoma State and loses to Iowa, Ohio, and Oklahoma.
Oklahoma
BYU will be at home for Senior Night when they take on the Sooners. Oklahoma will get the win on that chilly night in Provo, Utah, and put BYU at 9-3 on the season. The Sooners are 5-0 with wins over Arkansas State, SMU, Tulsa, Cincinnati, and Iowa State.
Oklahoma State
The Cougars will close out the 2023 regular season with a loss to the Cowboys. They are 3-2 on the year with wins over Central Arkansas, Arizona State, and Kansas State and losses to South Alabama and Iowa State.
