‘Consistency is the key’: What to keep an eye on as BYU opens camp ahead of second year in the Big 12

BYU players converge during spring camp practice in Provo on March 16, 2024. On Wednesday, the Cougars will hold their first practice of fall camp in Provo. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo

A little more than eight months ago, BYU’s first season in the Big 12 ended with a heartbreaking 40-34 double-overtime loss in the pouring rain at No. 21 Oklahoma State, a loss that extended the Cougars’ losing streak to five and produced some doubts about whether coach Kalani Sitake’s program could compete in a Power Five conference.

The critics and doubters came out in force, claiming BYU was years away from contending for a Big 12 title.

Through it all, Sitake remained resolute, yet bolstered by a belief that the last two games of the season showed they weren’t that far from respectability.

“I would be completely nervous if we were completely overwhelmed from last year,” Sitake said at Big 12 football media days on July 10. “I know everybody looks at the record (5-7), but we had flashes where we could compete.”

The coach, who is entering his ninth season at the helm in Provo, also said he was “tired of talking about it” and eager to get back on the field and show that the Cougars belong — especially now that longtime rival Utah is in the conference, along with former Pac-12 mates Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State.

Las Vegas oddsmakers are predicting they will only win four or five games, media members who cover the Big 12 have picked them to finish 13th in the now 16-team conference, and ESPN’s College Football Power Index has them as the No. 73 team in the country.

How can BYU improve in Year 2 in the Big 12?

“Consistency is the key,” Sitake said. “After watching everything that happened last year, that’s the issue for us. There were moments when we competed. How can we do it consistently, from the first…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/consistency-key-keep-eye-byu-030000843.html

Author : Deseret News

Publish date : 2024-07-31 03:00:00

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