After years of yearning for a power conference invitation, Brigham Young University's (BYU) Cougars have finally found their rightful place in the Big 12. In their second season as part of the prestigious league, the Cougars have emerged as a force to be reckoned with, defying expectations and positioning themselves for a potential berth in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

Seizing the Moment: BYU's Big 12 Ascension

A Long-Awaited Invitation

BYU's pursuit of a power conference affiliation dates back decades, with the school engaging in discussions with various leagues, including the Southwest Conference, Big Eight, and Big 12. However, their efforts were often met with lukewarm responses, leaving the Cougars to compete as an independent program in football and the West Coast Conference in other sports. The turning point came in 2016 when BYU's delegation, led by athletic director Tom Holmoe and head coach Kalani Sitake, made a compelling pitch to the Big 12 during its expansion evaluation. Though the conference ultimately passed on expansion at the time, Holmoe sensed that the Cougars were close to securing their long-sought invitation. "We got together and said, 'Let's just keep going,'" Holmoe recalled. "We came out of there stronger than when we went into that presentation. I think that was a turning point in BYU athletics."

Seizing the Opportunity

The opportunity finally arrived in 2021 when the realignment carousel was set in motion by the news of Texas and Oklahoma's departure from the Big 12. Holmoe recognized this as the moment BYU had been waiting for, and the Cougars were promptly extended an invitation to join the conference."It was like the writing was on the wall," Holmoe said. "After all that waiting, who now can deny BYU belongs?"

Embracing the Big 12 Challenge

BYU's debut season in the Big 12 in 2022 was not without its challenges, as the Cougars finished with a 5-7 record, failing to qualify for a bowl game for the first time since 2017. However, head coach Kalani Sitake, a BYU alum himself, saw this as a valuable learning experience for his team."I don't mind looking at the past, because I think there's a lot to learn from it," Sitake said. "There's always opportunities to learn, whether you're winning or losing, and when you learn you get better. I've been focused on that the entire time."

Reclaiming the Cougar Spirit

Sitake's "love and learn" leadership style has been instrumental in fostering a strong team culture at BYU, one that harks back to the glory days of the LaVell Edwards era. The coach's deep-rooted connection to the university, dating back to his childhood as a BYU fan in Hawaii, has inspired the Cougars to embrace their heritage and play with a renewed sense of purpose."Since I was born, I loved BYU," Sitake said. "I was in Hawaii growing up. There were people in my neighborhood, in the North Shore and Laie that played for BYU. I wanted to be just like them."

Complementary Football and Emerging Leaders

BYU's success this season has been built on a foundation of complementary football, with the offense and defense working in tandem to overwhelm opponents. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff, a unique Jewish player thriving at the flagship university of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has emerged as a leader, inspiring his teammates with his "competitive edge" and "passionate" approach."I just love the guy," said senior defensive lineman Blake Mangelson. "He's a passionate leader."

Positioning for the Playoff

With an 8-0 record and a No. 9 national ranking, BYU is in prime position to represent the Big 12 in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Despite being snubbed in the initial CFP rankings, the Cougars remain focused on the task at hand, knowing that a conference championship would secure their spot in the postseason."This is a dream come true for us," Sitake said. "I'm happy for our players, and I'm really happy for our BYU fans. They get to (connect) with all these other amazing fan bases that are in the Big 12. It's pretty cool."As the Cougars continue their quest for a national championship, their journey has captured the hearts of college football fans across the country, who can't help but admire the resilience and determination of a program that has finally found its rightful place among the elite.