No. 12 BYU vs. TCU: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction
Nov 15, 2025, 12:01 AM
PROVO, Utah – Will BYU vs TCU provide some late-night theatrics on the week 12 college football slate?
The 8-1, 12th-ranked BYU Cougars are hoping to roll to a comfortable victory and get back in the win column. Meanwhile, TCU is looking to get its season back on track after a surprising loss to Iowa State last week at home.
BYU is looking for its first win over a team with a winning record in November since joining the Big 12 in 2023. The final month of the college football regular season hasn’t been kind to the Cougars since moving up into power conference play. They have a chance tonight against the Horned Frogs.
No. 12 BYU vs. TCU
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. (MST)
TV: ESPN
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM)
Three Game Day Thoughts
1. This matchup brings up memories of the Mountain West days
BYU is looking for its first win against TCU since 2007.
The Horned Frogs have won the last five meetings over BYU that span from 2008 to 2023.
BYU and TCU have been conference foes in three different leagues, but their time in the Mountain West Conference (2005-2010) was some iconic matchups and had the makings of a rivalry.
TCU got the upper hand on BYU in four of the six meetings in the MWC era.
2. BYU’s pass defense has to be at its best
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover torched BYU two years ago in what remains a career-high passing day for him. He passed for 439 yards.
Hoover and the TCU offense have no problem relying on the passing attack, with big-play receivers such as Eric McAlister and Joseph Manjack to throw to.
BYU’s secondary has to be on top of its game against TCU tonight.
Starting cornerbacks Evan Johnson, Therrian Alexander, and Jonathan Kabeya, along with safeties Tanner Wall, Faletau Satuala, and Raider Damuni, all have to play at a high level.
Last week against Texas Tech, BYU’s secondary had some lapses, giving up receptions of 37 and 39 yards to the Red Raiders. That has to be erased against a Horned Frogs team that is confident in its ability to get big gains through the air.
3. Return to complementary football
BYU is not a perfect team, but when they play complementary football, they are tough to beat. When a phase of the game is not operating at a high level, it potentially sinks BYU’s chances.
BYU needs to be sound in all three phases. The margins for this team can be thin at times. The special teams unit, in particular, has to get back on track after a tough week in Lubbock.
Two BYU vs TCU Questions
1. How many touches will LJ Martin get?
Last week, BYU running back LJ Martin had 10 carries and six receptions. That’s a total of 16 touches for 64 yards (35 rush, 29 receiving). Anything less than 20 touches for Martin tonight would be concerning, as the Cougars’ championship potential only gets realized if Martin returns to the form of the Big 12’s best running back.
TCU has the second-best rush defense in the Big 12 during league play. Still, Martin must be a tone-setter for BYU’s offense to return to its identity as a team that boasts a physical ground attack.
To me, the minimum amount of touches for Martin should be 25, but again, anything less than 20 would be worrisome.
2. Will BYU bounce back after a tough performance?
That’s been the big question all week. Will BYU bounce back?
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier took last week’s performance personally, but he looks poised to get back on track after a tough showing against Texas Tech.
Last season, BYU dropped a game and stumbled out of the gates on the road against Arizona State. The two losses ultimately kept BYU out of the Big 12 Championship game.
BYU knows that if they win out, they are in Arlington.
Look for a strong performance from a BYU team that has only played two home games in the past nine weeks. It’s good for this group to get back to LES.
One Score Prediction for BYU vs TCU
TCU is likely to hang around in this game, but BYU can establish a ground attack with LJ Martin and Bear Bachmeier, complemented by a few key chunk-yardage plays through the air that swing momentum the Cougars’ way.
BYU gets back on track with a victory over a solid TCU team.
Score Prediction: BYU 27, TCU 21
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
