Coach Kalani Sitake’s No. 11-ranked BYU football team has done a remarkable job this season of staying in the moment, not looking past opponents, and focusing on the here and now.
But as the Cougars (10-1, 7-1) have prepared for Senior Day on Saturday (11 a.m. MST, ESPN2) and their regular-season finale against always-dangerous UCF (5-6, 2-6), they have talked quite a bit about what happened two years ago two days after Thanksgiving.
Standing at 5-6, BYU went into Stillwater, Oklahoma, needing a win to get bowl eligible on Nov. 25, 2023. The Cowboys, ranked No. 21, needed a win to get into the Big 12 championship game. Playing one of their best games of the season, the Cougars took a 24-6 halftime lead and pushed heavily favored OSU to double overtime before falling 40-34 in the rain and cold at Boone Pickens Stadium.
“We are expecting to get UCF’s best. They are looking to make it to a bowl game,” BYU safety Tanner Wall said. “Flash back two years ago, we were in the same spot going on the road to play Oklahoma State, who was in the running for the Big 12 championship. So, very similar situation.”
The weather is also expected to be less than ideal. Precipitation was not in the forecast as of midday Friday, but the temperature at kickoff is expected to be around 38 degrees, with mostly cloudy skies and a slight breeze.
For what it is worth, temperatures in Orlando, Florida, will be in the 70s on Saturday.
Will the weather conditions favor BYU?
“Sure, yeah, it’s gonna be (unusually) cold for them,” said BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill. “They’re gonna be coming to elevation. That should be advantage us. But we got to handle it ourselves, because it’s gonna be cold for our guys, too. … That’s part of the season at this stage.”
All season, BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has preached offensive versatility and balance, designing an attack that can flourish in all weather conditions. The last time the Cougars played in adverse weather, they edged Arizona 33-27 in overtime in rainy Tucson.
“That’s one thing we talk about a lot as an offense, is that we want to be an offense that can win any type of game,” Roderick said. “There have been games this year where we’ve needed to throw for 300 yards to win, and there’s been games this year like Arizona and Cincinnati where we just decide to be physical and run the ball.
“Most games we want to be balanced, a good mix of either. Our style of play works in cold weather and it works in whatever (weather). We will be ready to play.”
Will UCF be motivated to get to a bowl game?
The Knights’ performances under first-year coach Scott Frost have been all over the map this season, especially on the road. They were walloped 30-3 at Baylor on Nov. 1 and 48-9 at No. 5 Texas Tech two weeks ago. They are coming off a 17-14 win in Orlando over Oklahoma State, a win that kept their bowl hopes alive.
The Knights have never won a football game in the state of Utah, and have not defeated an AP Top 25 team on the road since a 2022 victory at Tulane.
“We are expecting a lot (from the Knights),” Sitake said. “We were in that position a couple years ago, so we know exactly what their mindset is going to be. There’s a lot to play for on their side and also for us.”
Not only is BYU playing for a berth in the Big 12 championship game, it is also trying to go undefeated at home for the first time since 2020, the pandemic-altered season when it was 7-0 at LES.
It is also Senior Day, and BYU will honor 18 seniors playing in their last games in Provo, most notably major contributors such as receiver Chase Roberts, cornerback Mory Bamba, kicker Will Ferrin, offensive linemen Isaiah Jatta, Weylin Lapuaho and Austin Leausa, linebacker Jack Kelly, defensive end Logan Lutui, tight end Carsen Ryan, defensive tackle John Taumoepeau and Wall, the team leader in interceptions.
“The hunger and drive and the desire is there from the boys, and we know we got to go out there and earn this win, and take it,” Wall said. “It is not just going to be given to us. I have seen a lot of focus and a lot of great stuff already from the guys.”
Sitake said this group is mature enough to set aside the emotions of Senior Day and the distractions of the recent holiday and finish the regular season out strong.
“We want to win at home for our fans, but also for our seniors,” he said. “There’s a lot riding on it for us, too. It is a big game for both sides. We’re going to get their best shot.”
Which injured Cougars will play?
BYU is reasonably healthy at this juncture of the season, with one glaring exception. Its best and most productive receiver, Roberts, tweaked a hamstring in the 26-14 win over Cincinnati and was listed as doubtful in the BYU availability report updated Thursday night. Lapuaho, defensive tackle Anisi Purcell (hand injury) and defensive tackle Ulavai Fetuli are also doubtful; Linebacker Max Alford and running back Sione Moa remain out.
“I don’t know if (Roberts) is gonna be ready or not,” Roderick said Tuesday. “We’re trying to get him ready, but he’s definitely … questionable or doubtful or whatever. I think there’s still a chance (he could play), but it is not my decision.”
