After years of trying, the BYU Cougars were unable to make it into the Pac-12 Conference, but now watch as in-state rival Utah State will.
The Cougars notably joined the Big-12 Conference last season and have impressed in a short time. The Cougars defeated #13 Kansas State, 38-9, in not only a major upset but also a beatdown to reintroduce themselves to the conference.
BYU had been an independent program since 2011, after departing the Mountain West Conference in 2010. The Cougars spent 11 seasons in the Mountain West and won four conference titles during that time, including one in 1999 when they first joined the conference.
The BYU Cougars were eager to enter a conference during the realignment talks and had plenty of ties to the Pac-12, Big-12, and former Big East conferences. The Cougars left the Mountain West in search of TV coverage, and signed a lucrative eight-year contract with ESPN for broadcasting rights. Despite the new deal, no conferences opted to pick up the Cougars.
The BYU Cougars have a rich history of being the most successful Group of Five schools, generating an average football revenue of $67 million. The Big-12 officials saw this and extended an offer to the Cougars program to join on for the 2023 season.
You gotta feel for BYU, who tried like 8 times to get a Pac-12 invite and was always rebuffed, and then they just give one out to Utah State.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 25, 2024
Despite joining the Big-12, many opposing fans have poked fun at BYU as the Pac-12 Conference is reforming. The Cougars had tried to become a member of the conference for decades, but now watch as former rivals join the conference.
Regardless, the BYU Cougars fans have taken it in stride and have enjoyed the fruits that the Big-12 Conference has to offer.
As you saw in the BYU game on Saturday, you’ll notice that absolutely no one in Cougar nation cares about the Pac 12. We’re good. Thanks
— Roy (@RoyalCoug) September 25, 2024
BYU is very happy in the Big XII
— Chris Yorgason (@CEYorgason1225) September 25, 2024
They ended up in what is now a better conference lmaooo
— 770LOCKS (@770locks) September 25, 2024
No actually, I think BYU did just fine for themselves 😉😎
— Dan Austin (@aussiedan9418) September 25, 2024
BYU Cougars Enjoying Life in the Big-12 Conference Following Expansion Talks
While some may feel the BYU Cougars failed to make the most of the western United States conferences, the Cougars feel the opposite.
BYU remains one of the top-60 most profitable football programs and has done well for themselves off the field as well. The BYU Cougars football recruiting department has benefitted from the move especially, playing games in recruiting hotbeds now such as Texas and Florida.
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