The ink is barely dry on those celebratory newspaper editions honoring Ohio State’s national football championship, and yet it’s already time to take a look ahead to the 2025 season.
Such is the modern-day news cycle — there’s a little time to celebrate, then it’s on to looking toward the future.
For BYU fans, that is a promising proposition.
The Cougars finished the 2024 season ranked No. 13 in the final Associated Press Top 25 rankings released Tuesday, and with a bevy of returning talent — plus some important transfer portal additions already — BYU is being mentioned as a team to watch next season.
That is reflected in way-too-early top-25 rankings being released by several national publications.
Where are the Cougars landing in these rankings?
Here’s a look at 12 perspectives, in order of where BYU ended up ranked.
ESPN
BYU’s ranking: No. 9 (first among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 11 Iowa State, No. 14 Arizona State, No. 16 Kansas State
What Mark Schlabach said about BYU: “If the 2024 season was any indication, you could probably pick any of four teams (or more) to win a Big 12 title. Arizona State, BYU and Colorado were unlikely contenders this past season, and the Cougars are bringing back top playmakers (Jake) Retzlaff, (LJ) Martin, (Chase) Roberts and (Keelan) Marion. There are a couple of starters who will have to be replaced on the offensive line, but reinforcements from the transfer portal should help. On defense, four of the top five tacklers should return, although BYU will have to reload up front. Kalani Sitake has built a solid program that should contend in the Big 12 each season. The Cougars won’t play Arizona State or Kansas State during the regular season, and road games at Iowa State and Colorado might be tricky.”
The Athletic
BYU’s ranking: No. 10 (second among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 9 Arizona State, No. 19 Baylor, No. 23 Kansas State
What Stewart Mandel said about BYU: “BYU spent most of the season in CFP contention, and there’s no reason the Cougars can’t break through and win the Big 12 in 2025. The conference schedule is challenging, with trips to Colorado, Iowa State and Texas Tech. BYU will enjoy continuity on offense, beginning with Retzlaff — who became a cult hero in his first season in Provo — whereas the defense loses much of its leadership. Special teams could be a strength.”
CBS Sports
BYU’s ranking: No. 13 (first among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 16 Arizona State, No. 19 Iowa State, No. 24 Texas Tech
What Dennis Dodd said about BYU: “The Cougars should emerge as the Big 12 favorite after an 11-win season. The league’s best defense remains largely intact. Jake Retzlaff returns after tying for most interceptions in the Big 12 (12).”
Yahoo! Sports
BYU’s ranking: No. 15 (second among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 14 Arizona State, No. 18 Kansas State
What Nick Bromberg said about BYU: “The Cougars were one of the surprises of college football in 2024 as they started 9-0. QB Jake Retzlaff is back and so is leading rusher LJ Martin. WR Chase Roberts is back too; he had 52 catches for 854 yards. The defense, however, is in a much bigger state of flux. But the Big 12 should still be wide open and chaotic in 2025.”
Pro Football Focus
BYU’s ranking: No. 16 (second among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 13 Arizona State, No. 21 Kansas State, No. 23 Iowa State
What Max Chadwick said about BYU: “BYU surprised many this past season with an 11-2 record after failing to make a bowl game last year. The Cougars bring back many key players from that roster, including linebacker Isaiah Glasker, wide receiver Chase Roberts and quarterback Jake Retzlaff. In what should once again be a wide-open Big 12 conference, BYU should be one of the top contenders.”
Sporting News
BYU’s ranking: No. 16 (second among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 15 Arizona State, No. 21 Kansas State, No. 24 Iowa State
What Bill Bender said about BYU: “BYU returns the core from a team that finished strong under Kalani Sitake with a 36-14 victory against Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff and running back LJ Martin and receiver Chase Roberts return. The Cougars have to replace three returning starters on the offensive line and there are holes on the defensive line, but linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Harrison Taggert return to what should be a strong defense. Utah and Stanford are marquee home games, and the road schedule features Colorado and Iowa State. The Cougars will compete for the Big 12 championship.”
Athlon Sports
BYU’s ranking: No. 16 (third among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 13 Arizona State, No. 15 Kansas State, No. 23 Iowa State
What Steve Lassan said about BYU: “After an 11-win season, the next step for BYU under coach Kalani Sitake is to reach the Big 12 championship game in 2025. And with the bulk of the key contributors returning, a Big 12 title is a realistic goal for the Cougars. BYU’s defense led the Big 12 in fewest points and yards per play allowed in ‘24 and brings back one of the nation’s top linebacker units, while a couple of transfers arrive to restock the trenches. Jake Retzlaff returns as one of the Big 12’s top quarterbacks, with leading rusher LJ Martin (718 yards) back to power a ground game that averaged 4.6 yards a carry last season. In a scheduling quirk, BYU will not play Kansas State, Arizona State or Baylor next season.”
USA Today
BYU’s ranking: No. 17 (third among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 10 Arizona State, No. 15 Kansas State, No. 20 Iowa State,
What Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith said about BYU: “If how you finish impacts how you start next season then the Cougars should again be in the playoff mix after blowing away Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. Jake Retzlaff is back for his second full season starting at quarterback and will lead an offense that should be among the best in the Big 12 with quality depth at running back and receiver. The key area to address is the defensive line, which lost several key contributors. But there’s strength in the back of the unit to be good enough to push for double-digit wins again.”
NCAA.com
BYU’s ranking: No. 18 (third among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 14 Arizona State, No. 15 Kansas State, No. 22 Iowa State
What Stan Becton said about BYU: “BYU comes in at No. 18 with quarterback Jake Retzlaff and running back LJ Martin returning. Last year’s top-scoring defense in the Big 12 should be good once again as linebackers Jack Kelly, Isaiah Glasker and more return to the unit.”
Fox Sports
BYU’s ranking: No. 22 (third among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 10 Arizona State, No. 19 Iowa State, No. 25 Colorado
What RJ Young said about BYU: “It will be the Jake Retzlaff Show in Provo next season. He led the Cougars to their first 11-win season since 2009 and the program peaked at No. 6 in the CFP rankings with wins against SMU and Colorado while he threw for 2,947 yards with 26 total TDs and 12 INTs.”
Bleacher Report
BYU’s ranking: No. 22 (fourth among Big 12 teams)
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 14 Arizona State, No. 16 Kansas State, No. 19 Iowa State
247 Sports
BYU’s ranking: Unranked
Other Big 12 rankings: No. 15 Arizona State, No. 17 Kansas State, No. 18 Iowa State, No. 22 Texas Tech
Of note: BYU was among seven teams outside the top 25 who received votes in a survey of several 247 Sports writers for the rankings.
