Adam Breneman Ranked BYU Best in Big 12
The former coach and tight end placed the Cougars at number eight in his latest weekly top 25 poll.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Football
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Analyst Adam Breneman has named BYU the top-ranked team in the Big 12. He placed the Cougars at number eight in his weekly top 25 rankings, positioning them ahead of the number nine ranking assigned by the AP poll.
Why it matters
Breneman highlighted the team's physical size, depth, and overall talent as the primary drivers for his high ranking. His assessment underscores the impact of head coach Kalani Sitake's recruiting strategy, which emphasizes height and length.
Breneman ranked the team 8th overall, while the AP poll placed them at 9th. The current roster maintains an average player age of 20.8 years.
The players
Adam Breneman
He is a former collegiate athlete and coach who currently works as a game analyst.
Kalani Sitake
He serves as the head coach of the BYU football team and directs the program's recruitment efforts.
Bear Bachmeier
He is the quarterback for the BYU football team who has shown improvement in deep ball accuracy.
Legend Glasker
He is a true freshman currently playing on the BYU football team.
The details
Breneman, who previously played as a tight end at UMass and coached at Arizona State, noted that the team's physicality has been a deciding factor in their current success. The squad's development includes improvements in deep ball accuracy from quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who weighs 240 pounds.
Timeline
2017: Breneman played on the UMass team that defeated BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
2021: BYU secured a victory over Arizona State.
2021-2022: Breneman served as the tight ends coach at Arizona State.
September 2026: Breneman released his latest top 25 poll ranking BYU at number eight.
Season Trajectory
This high ranking validates the team's momentum and solidifies their status as a primary contender within the Big 12 standings. Such recognition by analysts like Breneman places the Cougars in a favorable position for potential playoff consideration as the season progresses.
The top-ten ranking serves as a benchmark for the team's playoff math and overall standing within the conference. Continued high placement by analysts and polls increases the likelihood of a high-profile bowl game invitation for the team.
The takeaway
The team's reliance on physical size and length reflects a deliberate shift in roster building that is currently yielding tangible results. Readers can observe how these recruitment priorities translate into on-field performance throughout the remainder of the season.
Further reading
For more in-depth coverage of local university athletics, visit the Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Illustrated.
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