This is BYU’s first appearance in the Big 12 title game in program history. The Cougars joined the league three years ago. After an opening 5-7 campaign in the conference, head coach Kalani Sitake has won more than 10 games in back-to-back seasons. BYU’s 21 wins in the last two years are the most in the conference.

What a regular season it was for BYU. The Cougars defied all expectations to finish 11-1, with the most recent victory coming Saturday against UCF on BYU's senior day. Kalani Sitake's squad will now head to Texas next week for the Big 12 championship game against Texas Tech.

BYU’s talented tailback scored three touchdowns against UCF, coupling the trio of end zone trips with 95 rushing yards and another 35 yards as a receiver. Through 12 games, Martin has run 217 times for 1,229 yards and 11 touchdowns at an average of 5.67 yards per carry.

Bear Bachmeier threw for 289 yards and a touchdown to help No. 11 BYU beat UCF 41-21. LJ Martin added 95 yards and three touchdowns on the ground for the Cougars (11-1, 8-1 Big 12, No. 11 CFP), who clinched a spot in the Big 12 championship game next Saturday.

BYU football will be playing in the Big 12 Championship game regardless of what happens on Saturday against the UCF Knights.

Even if Texas Tech was the eighth-best team in the country, even if it was on the road, even if one of BYU’s stars was hampered, the Cougars were about to be punished by the College Football Playoff committee for dropping its first game of the season. And, accordingly, BYU promptly fell from No. 7 to outside the cutline to make the postseason.

The UCF Knights (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) visit the No. 11 BYU Cougars (10-1, 7-1) Saturday. Kickoff from LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah, is slated for 1 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NCAA football odds around the UCF vs. BYU odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.

The 2025 Big 12 Championship Game is set as No. 5 Texas Tech and No. 11 BYU will battle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday morning. The Cougars and Red Raiders have lorded above the rest of the league all season and formally clinched the matchup after Arizona State lost to Arizona on Friday night.