The BYU Cougars had a bit of a darling season in 2024, winning 11 games and gaining some real national relevance. Unfortunately, they are due for a major regression for several reasons. CBS Sports analyst Chris Hummer thinks so, anyway.
The Cougars lost 12 starters from 2024, including eight from their really stout defense. That alone suggests that they can't possibly reach that height again, but they also had a lot of luck that won't transfer. They won four games in 2024 by one score, something they won't replicate in 2025.
But the biggest thing is the now-gaping hole at quarterback. Jake Retzlaff violated the honor code by admitting to having premarital sex as part of a lawsuit. He was going to be suspended, so he decided to transfer to Tulane. "That change makes BYU's already perilous path to nine wins more difficult," Hummer said.
Plus, their schedule is very difficult. "The Cougars travel to Colorado, Iowa State and Texas Tech in conference play in addition to home games against TCU and Utah. There's also a tricky Week 2 visit to East Carolina," the analyst noted. That's not a recipe for an 11-win season or anywhere close to it.
Hummer did admit, "The Cougars had some encouraging transfer additions. But a transfer class ranked No. 82 nationally doesn't seem like it'll scale the gap between departing production and the nine-win barrier the program much reach to make this a moot exercise." Look for the Cougars to take a major step back in 2025.