BYU Football has started spring practice and with that, let’s look at the four biggest football games of 2025.
BYU Football has started spring practices. The Cougars look to build off of last season’s success and potentially make a playoff push. The Cougars finished last season with an 11-2 record and an Alamo Bowl thrashing of Colorado. BYU exceeded expectations last year and looks to do it again.
Last season started on a good note with BYU going 3-0 in non-conference play, defeating Southern Illinois, Wyoming, and SMU. BYU then forced three turnovers in a win against Kansas State, barely escaped Baylor, and steamrolled Arizona. The Cougars had a last-second miracle against Oklahoma State. The Cougars looked like a playoff team and reinforced that idea with a dominant win at UCF. The Holy War was next. BYU made another miracle to improve to 9-0. BYU was predicted to have a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
However, back-to-back losses to Kansas and Arizona State put BYU out of the Playoff conversation, and a win against a struggling Houston team wasn’t enough to get the Cougars into the Playoff. They finished tied for first in the Big 12 but the Cougars did not have the tiebreaker. BYU in the end would be selected for the Alamo Bowl against Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. The Cougars would win that game big.
BYU has four games that stand out to me. One is the Utah game, as always. I have circled three others on my calendar. East Carolina is one of them, given the two teams’ history. The third one is the game against West Virginia, a matchup that always provides entertaining football. Finally, I am looking at the Iowa State game. Iowa State was tied with BYU for first in the Big 12 and it should be a great contest. Let’s break it down
BYU at East Carolina
The last time BYU and East Carolina met, the Pirates hit a game-winning field goal in the final seconds. The Cougars lost 27-24. BYU is 1-2 all-time against the Pirates and 0-1 in Greenville. BYU will need to stay aggressive if they want to get their first win in Greenville.
BYU vs West Virginia
BYU and West Virginia is another fascinating matchup. The last time the Cougars met the Mountaineers, they lost 37-3. BYU is 0-2 against the Mountaineers and they have met recently, last playing in 2023. BYU has improved since 2023 and it looks like it will be a closer game this year.
BYU vs Utah
BYU and Utah have a great rivalry. The two teams are separated by just 43 miles and have played some incredible games through the years. The rivalry is also known as the Holy War and has produced exciting moments throughout the 100+ year history. The most recent game was on November 9th, 2024, ending with a Will Ferrin field goal and failed Utah kick return. Both teams are now a part of the Big 12 and that should make it exciting.
BYU at Iowa State
BYU vs Iowa State has not gone well for the Cougars. The Cougars are 0-5 against the Cyclones. BYU’s last meeting with the Cyclones was a brutal 45-13 loss. BYU is going to have to get hot and stay hot to win. It is a road game so it will be tougher, but the Cougars have offensive weapons in Jake Retzlaff, LJ Martin, and Parker Kingston. The special teams magic of Will Ferrin and Sam Vander Haal adds a dynamic edge to BYU.
BYU has an exciting season ahead this year. Every game should be exciting but these four will be extra exciting. BYU Football has potential and last year proved they could compete with the best. Cougar Nation has some high expectations this year and BYU can deliver. The Big 12 title is theirs for the taking and they have a strong argument.
