Wow, Utah Football actually owning up to their new reality ...and I love the new moniker, has a nice ring to it! #destitUTES Good for Utah, these next few years are going to be an uphill battle for them, but I love that they're taking it head on! @Utah_Football @MarkHarlan_AD @Big12Conference #Big12FB #utahfootball

McCae Hillstead @mccaehillstead is likely going to become a much more important topic for @BYUFootball over the coming months. While digging through highlights of his '23 Fr. season at Utah State, I came back impressed with what I saw Lets start this🧵off with a quick intro: #GoCougs

Projected 14th Place- Cincinnati Overview: Usually, when I see a team returning a QB that threw for just under 3,000 yds the year prior, and an experienced Dontay Corleone holding down the DL, I would consider them probably in the top half of the conf. But with the loss of 1000yd rusher Kiner, and an all new WR corp, and gaps in the OL to figure out, Sorsby may be scrambling early. Transfers: 16 incoming, 15 outgoing for a total of 31, one of the smallest transfer classes in the Big 12 (I consider the lower the rank in total transfers, the better, because it probably means there will be more cohesiveness as a roster.) Key departures: WR Tony Johnson to Miami (48 rec in ’24) and Jordan Young, CB to Ark. Key pickups: OT Joe Cotton from South Dakota Offense: Incoming transfer Tawee Walker (Wis) steps in to fill the shoes of Corey Kiner. Sorsby will be hoping incoming WRs, Cyrus Allen (T A&M) and Caleb Goodie (CSU) learn the playbook early. Defense: Cincinnati was middle of the pack last year, and returns several starters but other than Corleone no real standouts. But do keep an eye on Matthew McDoom (one of the better last names in the conference)… he’s a transfer in from Coastal Carolina and had 11 PD and 3 Ints last season. Non-conference P4 games: Cincinnati starts the season off at Arrowhead Stadium in KC vs B1G Nebraska... going to be a tough task early on. Schedule: Throw in vs Iowa St., vs Baylor, @ Utah, @ TCU vs BYU on the schedule and I feel the Bearcats will have their hands full. Summary: I think Cincinnati has some talented pieces, but only enough to keep themselves out of the conference cellar. Projected record 4-8, ceiling 6-6 @GoBearcatsFB @Big12Conference

Projected 2nd Place - BYU Overview: BYU was one of the bigger surprises of the 2024 college football season… until they choked when it mattered (vs Kansas and ASU). This is all to fresh in most of their minds as they return for 2025. And when you have 19 or 20 out of 23 projected starters that were starters or played significant minutes in 2024, they will remember this. BYU has the personnel to right their mistakes, but it will all hinge upon the improvement QB Jake Retzlaff must make to take them to the next level Transfers: Very light portal class with only 11 incoming transfers and 28 outgoing 39 total. This indicates the roster is very stable, and the excessive outgoing players shows they are likely upgrading talent while purging that were likely not going to see the field. Key departures: All-American kickoff man, Keelan Marion (Miami) and Harrison Taggart (LB) to Cal. Key Additions: BYU’s defense ranked in the top 15 nationally in 2024, and #1 in the Big 12, however, their undersized defensive line was an area that struggled to create pressure at times last year. Keanu Tanuvasa, DT is a former starter at Utah and is expected to contribute immediately in a significant way. Same with 340lb Justin Kirkland, NT from Ok St will add needed size. OT Andrew Gentry comes over from Michigan and project to start if off-season surgery heals in time. Carsen Ryan, TE from Utah is projected to start. BYU also picked up two brothers from Stanford (WR Tiger and QB Bear Bachmeier) …Tiger projected to contribute immediately, while Bear may be the heir-apparent to QB Jake Retzlaff after he departs in 2026. While only a small class, it was a strategic one to fill gaps heading into the upcoming season. Offense: BYU’s offense will all hinge on returning QB Jake Retzlaff who was brilliant at times and key contributor, he also made repeated mistakes that cost the team games and possibly a playoff bid. He needs to improve his decision making and accuracy for BYU to really take that next step. LJ Martin returns for year 3 at RB, and could see his first 1000yd season if he can stay healthy. Chase Roberts is WR1 and has a ton of experience and is as sure-handed as they come. However, several other WR’s will need to emerge to assist Retzlaff but new TE Carsen Ryan looked very good during Spring. OL is a bit of a question, while they bring back several very talented starters and key rotational players, they may need some time early to all get in sync as a reworked unit. Defense: DC Jay Hill has brought some fire & grit to the BYU defensive unit it hasn’t seen since the Bronco Mendenhall years. As stated above, BYU’s defense was #1 in the Big 12 in ’24, and I believe it could actually be even better in ’25. All three starting LB’s could very well be playing on Sunday’s within the next few years. Glasker is explosive (14.5 TFLs, 3ints, 4 PDs) Kelly (10 TFLs 5 sacks and 14 QB Hurries) and newly announced starting MLB, Siale Esera may have the highest ceiling of the 3. Tanner Wall FS Tanner Wall returns with a lot of SS talent that just needs reps. Speedsters, Evan Johnson and 6’3 CB Mory Bamba were key rotational players that return to start at CB in ’25. Schedule: Actually seems to be on the softer side compared to some of the other top teams, with road games at @ Iowa St @ Tech @ Colo, with home games vs Utah and TCU Non-conf vs Stanford, but with all the transition there currently, shouldn’t be able to pull that out. Summary: I project BYU’s defense to be even more dominant in 2025 that it was in '24, will their offense catch up enough to get them the title game (and CFP) this go-round? Projected Record: 11-1 with a ceiling of 12-0 @BYUfootball @Big12Conference