Brigham Young University concludes its 11-win season with a 36-14 victory against No. 23 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

Kalani Sitake, the head coach of BYU, chose not to advocate for greater recognition in the College Football Playoff rankings following the Cougars' decisive 36-14 victory over No. 23 Colorado in the Alamo Bowl. This decision aligns with the principles of the BYU program and the "love and learn" ethos that Sitake has diligently fostered over the past nine years in Provo. He emphasized that focusing on complaints and negativity does not resonate with his philosophy, stating, "I don’t think that’s anything you can campaign for." 

Looking ahead, the Cougars, who have achieved 11 or more wins in 13 seasons—tying them with Nebraska, TCU, and Boise State for the eighth-most in NCAA history—are more concerned with the implications of their impressive performance against the favored Buffaloes (9-4) and the overall season for their prospects in 2025. With the return of experienced quarterback Jake Retzlaff and a strong finish showcased on national television during a period devoid of other significant games, BYU is likely to secure a position in the top 15 of the preseason rankings next summer.

Additionally, they will find it easier to recover from a midseason setback, unlike the situation following their unexpected 17-13 loss to Kansas, which interrupted their 9-0 start on November 16. After that defeat, the Cougars fell from No. 7 to No. 14 in the AP Top 25, and subsequently dropped five more spots after a 28-23 loss to a ranked Arizona State team in Tempe. In retrospect, this drop in rankings appears to have been excessively harsh.

The repercussions for a defeat from the media voters and the College Football Playoff selection committee are unlikely to be as severe next season if the Cougars encounter a similar scenario. The decisive victory over Colorado on Saturday—potentially even more remarkable had BYU not committed three turnovers and missed a certain touchdown pass—will significantly enhance BYU's national standing over the next eight months. "We felt like we needed to make a statement," remarked center Connor Pay, who, along with right tackle Weylin Lapuaho, left tackle Caleb Etienne, and guards Sonny Makasini, Bruce Mitchell, and Austin Leausa, dominated the line of scrimmage throughout the game. Pay has exhausted his eligibility, while Etienne informed the Deseret News that he has yet to determine whether he will utilize the ruling in the Diego Pavia case to return to BYU. "We were the more physical team," stated first-year offensive line coach TJ Woods, who has been instrumental in the turnaround from last year's 5-7 record. While defensive coordinator Jay Hill and special teams coach Kelly Poppinga deserve recognition for their players' efforts in overwhelming the Buffaloes, it is also important to acknowledge how the Cougars effectively managed the clock with a relentless ground game.

Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick executed exceptional play calls during the game. Sophomore running back LJ Martin carried the ball 17 times, accumulating 93 yards and scoring two touchdowns, in addition to making two receptions for 33 yards. "It is incredible to witness our hard work being recognized," stated Martin, who was named the offensive player of the game. "This achievement is also a testament to the ten other teammates who were on the field with me at various moments. Without their blocking efforts, this would not have been possible. Furthermore, the defense's ability to stop Colorado and regain possession was crucial. This success is attributed to everyone involved, including those who prepared us and supported us throughout the game," Martin concluded. Hailing from El Paso, Texas, Martin reflected on his last visit to his home state, where he sustained an injury during BYU's narrow 18-15 victory over SMU in Dallas. That win, which should have highlighted the legitimacy of the BYU team, largely went unnoticed. The victory on September 6 against a team that would not suffer another defeat until the ACC championship game indicated that BYU's defense had the potential to be outstanding, although this was not widely acknowledged at the time, including by myself. The performance from Hill's team on Saturday was similarly commanding, as Colorado was restricted to a mere 210 yards, marking a season low. The previous low was 260 yards in a loss to Nebraska.

The Buffs recorded 15 first downs in their match against Nebraska and in their 37-21 defeat to Kansas. In contrast, they managed only nine first downs against BYU. "Everywhere," remarked CU quarterback Shedeur Sanders when questioned about the team's offensive struggles. "There was nothing that we did exceptionally well tonight." Coach Deion Sanders echoed this sentiment, stating, "Ditto." Conversely, Martin expressed his enjoyment of the victory, stating, "It was just really fun and was everything I imagined it would be." The reserved playmaker is expected to be a crucial component next season, alongside returning receivers Chase Roberts, Keelan Marion, and Parker Kingston. Roberts, who suffered a shoulder injury, was limited to one reception for 11 yards, an injury that may warrant attention in the coming months. "No one expected us to win or dominate as we did, so to go out there and truly compete was our goal, and I believe that is something we can carry into next year," Martin stated, emphasizing the need for the team to earn the preseason respect they deserve.