BYU's Big 12 Championship Game Loss to Texas Tech: A Disappointing End to a Historic Season
BYU's football team faced a disappointing end to their season, losing the Big 12 Championship Game to Texas Tech by a score of 34-7. Here are three key takeaways from the game:
Offensive Struggles: BYU's offense struggled throughout the game, with a strong start quickly fading away. The Cougars managed just 110 yards on their next 12 possessions after scoring on their opening drive, and turned the ball over four times. An early injury to quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who appeared to hurt his ankle, may have contributed to the team's struggles.
Defensive Dominance by Texas Tech: Texas Tech's defense dominated the game, holding BYU to just 60 rushing yards and 2.1 yards per carry. The Red Raiders' defensive front seven was particularly impressive, with linebacker Ben Roberts grabbing two interceptions and defensive lineman AJ Holmes forcing a fumble that essentially iced the game.
Playoff Hopes dashed: BYU's loss to Texas Tech all but ended their hopes for a College Football Playoff berth. The Cougars were ranked No. 11 in the College Football Playoff rankings before the game, but the 34-7 loss prevented them from being part of the final bracket reveal. Despite a strong season, BYU's playoff dreams are now dead.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, BYU can still take pride in their accomplishments. The Cougars won 11 regular season games in a Power Four league and reached a conference championship game for just the third time in program history, with a true freshman quarterback who didn't commit to the program until May. The team has set a new standard and can look forward to future success.
