## The Cougars and the Red Raiders will define the Big 12 champion in the conference final, repeating the game from four weeks ago.ARLINGTON, Texas – The coach of the BYU Cougars Kalani Sitake, and Joey McGuire, of the Texas Tech Red Raiders they have shared a few meals together and talked about the possibility of their teams reaching the Big 12 championship game.”If you want to see me at my best, Joey understands, it’s usually when we’re eating,” said Sitake, the former Cougars fullback now in his 10th season as coach. “if you want to talk about demonstrating…we talked about facing each other in the championship game. We demonstrated it, and here we are.”
They meet for the Big 12 title on Saturday, when the Red Raiders (11-1, No. 4 in the CFP) are all but assured a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, regardless of the outcome. For the big 12 to get a second playoff team when the bracket is announced Sunday, the Cougars (11-1, No. 11 in the CFP) have to beat Tech this time, something they couldn’t do four weeks ago in Lubbock.
Texas Tech, one of six teams to have participated in all 30 Big 12 seasons, is in the championship game for the first time after spending millions of dollars in the transfer portal; This is the 24th title game, with none between 2011 and 2016. This is also the first in the big 12 for BYU, which joined the league in 2023 after 12 seasons as an independent team. The Cougars’ last conference title game was the 1998 WAC, which they
BYU Football: Coach Kalani Sitake and Quarterback Behren Morton Secure Futures with New contracts
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Recent developments signal a stable future for BYU football, as both Head Coach Kalani Sitake and quarterback behren Morton are poised to lead the team for years to come.Sitake has signed a long-term contract extension, while Morton is reportedly playing at his peak performance level.These announcements come as BYU prepares for future competition within the Big 12 conference.
Coach Sitake Commits to BYU
Kalani Sitake recently agreed to a contract extension with Brigham Young University,ending speculation that he might pursue the vacant head coaching position at Penn State. During his tenure, Sitake has achieved an impressive 83-44 record, including four seasons with 10 or more wins. Deseret News reports that the new deal solidifies his commitment to the Cougars program.
McGuire Receives Contract Extension
Offensive Coordinator Aaron McGuire also received a new contract, set to pay him $6.5 million next season, with annual increases of $100,000, reaching $7.1 million by 2032. Deseret News details that this replaces a previous six-year deal with a lower maximum salary.
Morton’s Performance Fuels Optimism
Coach McGuire highlighted the strong performance of quarterback Behren Morton, stating he “feels as good as he has all year.” Morton’s success is seen as a key factor in the team’s overall performance. A healthy and effective Morton provides a notable boost to BYU’s offensive capabilities.
Big 12 Championship Game History
The Big 12 Championship game has not seen a repeat matchup as the elimination of divisions in 2017. Oklahoma State is the only program to appear twice, losing in both the 2021 and 2023 championship games. ESPN provides a ancient overview of the Big 12 Championship games.
Key Takeaways:
* Stability: BYU football has secured its leadership with contract extensions for both Head Coach Kalani Sitake and Offensive Coordinator Aaron McGuire.
* Quarterback Health: Behren Morton is performing well and is a crucial component of BYU’s offensive strategy.
* Big 12 Competition: The Big 12 Championship game has featured diverse matchups since the elimination of divisions,with Oklahoma State being the only team to appear twice.
Looking ahead,BYU appears well-positioned for continued success in the Big 12 Conference with a committed coaching staff and a promising quarterback leading the way.The program’s stability and focus on key players suggest a radiant future for Cougar football.
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