Big 12 Momentum: BYU and Utah's Key Wins The 2025 college football season has seen both BYU and Utah secure defining victories, reinforcing their status as formidable contenders in the reshaped Big 12 Conference. For the BYU Cougars, the pivotal moment arrived on October 18th in the emotionally charged Holy War matchup against their in-state rivals. Their narrow 24-21 victory over the Utes, sealed by a crucial fourth-down stop, was not just a win for the season—it was a seismic, statement victory that validated BYU’s early success and provided immense momentum. The game showcased the clutch gene of quarterback Bear Bachmeier and the relentless rushing of LJ Martin, proving the Cougars can win tough, grinding games when the pressure is highest. This rivalry win was essential in establishing their early undefeated record and setting a high bar for the program’s Big 12 aspirations. While BYU’s key victory was highly emotional, Utah’s defining win against Baylor, a dominant 55-28 performance on the road on November 15th, demonstrated sheer physical superiority. After a mid-season slump, the Utes showcased the league’s top rushing attack, racking up 380 yards on the ground. True freshman Byrd Ficklin emerged as a catalytic force, breaking long touchdown runs of 67 and 74 yards. This resounding road victory was critical for the No. 15 Utes, re-establishing their identity as a ground-and-pound power. The margin of victory and the efficiency of the offense and defense ensured Utah remained firmly in contention for the Big 12 Championship race, proving they can bounce back decisively from adversity and control a game through the line of scrimmage. Ultimately, these two wins served different but equally vital purposes. BYU’s victory provided the emotional lift and rivalry bragging rights needed to power their momentum, while Utah’s win provided the decisive, dominant conference victory necessary to sustain their championship hopes. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
