It finally happened. For decades, the burning question for fans in Provo wasn't just "Can we win?" but rather "When do we actually get invited to the big kids' table?" If you’ve been living under a rock or just haven't kept up with the chaotic game of musical chairs that is modern college realignment, here is the short answer: Yes, BYU is officially in the Big 12.
But honestly, the "yes" is just the tip of the iceberg.
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Joining a Power Four conference (yeah, it's Power Four now, RIP Pac-12) isn't like switching a cell phone provider. It’s a total identity shift. BYU spent over a decade as a football independent, wandering through a landscape of odd-hour kickoffs and games against Liberty or East Carolina just to fill a Saturday. Now? They’re hosting Kansas at the Marriott Center and trading blows with Oklahoma State in late November.
The Long Road to the Big 12
Basically, BYU officially joined the Big 12 on July 1, 2023.
They didn't come alone, either. The conference brought in a whole "expansion class" including Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF. It was a move born out of necessity for the Big 12, which was staring down the barrel of losing its two biggest cash cows, Texas and Oklahoma, to the SEC.
You've gotta understand how weird the timing was. For years, BYU was the school everyone thought should be in a major conference, but there were always "concerns." People talked about the "Sunday play" rule—since BYU won't compete on Sundays for religious reasons—and the logistics of flying teams out to Utah.
When the Big 12 finally pulled the trigger in September 2021, it felt like a massive exhale for Cougar Nation. Tom Holmoe, BYU’s athletic director, had been playing 4D chess for years, keeping the program relevant during independence specifically for this moment.
It's Not Just Football (But Mostly It's Football)
When people ask "is BYU in the Big 12," they’re usually thinking about the 12-game grind on the gridiron. And man, the transition was a wake-up call.
In their inaugural 2023 season, the Cougars finished 5-7. It was a reality check. The depth required to play a Big 12 schedule is just different. You can't just have a great starting eleven; you need three-deep monsters at every position because, by November, half your roster is held together by athletic tape and prayer.
Recent Success and the 2024 Breakout
Fast forward a bit. 2024 was where things got wild. Kalani Sitake’s squad didn't just "compete"; they turned into a legitimate threat. BYU actually finished that season 11-2 and found themselves tied for first in the conference standings during the regular season. They even punched a ticket to the Big 12 Championship game in December 2024 against Texas Tech.
- The BYU vs. Utah Factor: One of the biggest wins for the Big 12 wasn't just getting BYU; it was the eventual addition of Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, and Colorado in 2024.
- The Holy War: This is huge. The BYU-Utah rivalry is now a conference game. That's a massive deal for TV ratings and honestly, for the sanity of fans in the Beehive State who missed having that game mean something on a national scale.
Basketball in the Big 12: A Different Beast
If football was a wake-up call, Big 12 basketball is basically a nightly fistfight. Most experts agree the Big 12 is the toughest basketball conference in America. Period.
BYU entered the league and immediately proved they belonged. Under former coach Mark Pope and now Kevin Young, the Cougars have turned the Marriott Center into a fortress. During the 2024-25 season, they actually made a Sweet 16 run. Think about that. Their first few years in the league and they’re already taking down giants like Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
As of early 2026, the Cougars are a Top 15 staple. Senior guard Richie Saunders has been tearing it up, recently bagging Big 12 Player of the Week honors after dropping a career-high 31 points against Arizona State.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Membership
There's a common misconception that BYU is in the Big 12 for "most" things. Actually, they’re in for nearly everything.
- The Sunday Rule: The Big 12 officially accommodates BYU’s policy of not competing on Sundays. This was a hurdle for the Pac-12 for years, but the Big 12 basically said, "Cool, we’ll just schedule around it."
- The "Non-Big 12" Sports: Not every BYU sport is in the conference, but that's only because the Big 12 doesn't sponsor them. For example, Men’s Volleyball still plays in the MPSF. Why? Because the Big 12 doesn't have enough teams with men's volleyball to form a league.
- The Money: This is the part nobody talks about enough. The jump in revenue is staggering. We're talking about going from a few million a year in TV rights to a slice of a $2.3 billion deal with ESPN and Fox. That money goes straight into facilities, recruiting, and keeping coaches like Kevin Young from jumping to the NBA.
Why This Matters Right Now
We’re currently in the middle of the 2025-26 athletic cycle. If you’re checking the standings today, you’ll see BYU at the top of the heap in several categories.
The Cougars aren't just "happy to be there" anymore. They are a "powerhouse" in the making. The 2024 football season proved they can handle the physicality of a 9-game conference slate. The basketball team is currently on a double-digit win streak as of January 2026.
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The move to the Big 12 saved BYU from becoming a "mid-major" relic. Instead, they’re now a central pillar of the most stable (and arguably most entertaining) conference outside of the "Big Two" (SEC and Big Ten).
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Check the Schedule: If you’re planning to visit Provo, Big 12 home games sell out almost instantly now. The "Cougar Pass" or season tickets are basically a requirement.
- Watch the Rankings: Because the Big 12 is so deep, even a two-loss BYU team in football or a five-loss team in basketball will likely be ranked highly due to strength of schedule.
- Follow the New Rivalries: While the Utah game is the "Holy War," keep an eye on BYU vs. Baylor and BYU vs. TCU. These "private school" matchups are becoming some of the most heated games on the calendar.
The era of independence is a memory. BYU is a Big 12 school, and based on the last two years, they aren't going anywhere.