That's what makes this hurt so much. Obviously, we all would have taken 10-2 with a win over Utah if offered it before the season started. But when we started 9-0 with two of the three final games at home, expectations recalibrated. The chances of an appearance in the Big 12 championship game after the win over Utah were probably close to 90 percent. Given this, to not even make the Big 12 championship game is incredibly frustrating. This season will go down with the following seasons as very good, but not special as it was so close to being:

2021: Five wins against the PAC 12 were soured by the loss at home to Boise when ranked number 9, and then a bowl game loss to UAB.

2020: We were ranked number 8 going into the Coastal Carolina game and favored by 9.5.

2001: Undefeated and ranked number 9, BYU got blown out in its last two games to Hawaii and Louisville to finish number 25.

1990: 10-1 and ranked number 4 going into the final regular season game against Hawaii, BYU got blown out by Hawaii and then again in the bowl game by A&M, to finish number 22.

We haven't had a truly special season since 1996. Since then, Utah has had two undefeated seasons and two Rose Bowl appearances, Boise has made three BCS bowl games, Northern Illinois played in the Orange Bowl, Hawaii played in the Sugar Bowl, TCU has made four BCS bowl games and made an appearance in the national championship game, and the list goes on and on for many teams. My point is this felt like it was finally our turn. We were a team of destiny after we found miraculous ways to get wins over Oklahoma St and Utah. And it could have easily continued if not for some incredibly bad luck and poor execution and play calling in the Kansas game.

Sorry, I just need to commiserate with Cougarboard. It's much cheaper than therapy.