As 2024 wraps up, it’s time to look back on a year of Cougar triumphs and Ute faceplants. Honestly, is there a better gift for BYU than watching Utah stumble into the Big 12, proclaim they’d 'run the truck stop conference,' and then proceed to miss a bowl game? No playoffs, no Rose Bowl, just a nice, quiet December in Salt Lake. Poetic, really. (Except for maybe the Internet forums panicking about the portal.)

Football: While the Utes were busy embarrassing themselves, BYU was busy exceeding every expectation. Kalani’s crew is heading to the Alamo Bowl to take on Colorado and the Heisman winner. Who saw that coming? (Spoiler: not Utah fans—they were too busy Googling 'wh-what happened?') Our Big 12 2nd year wasn’t perfect, but it was gritty, and it’s clear we belong. Watching the Utes’ hubris get tackled harder than a Gatorade cooler? Chef’s kiss.

Basketball: Kevin Young has BYU basketball doing things we only dreamed of. He locked down the No. 1 prospect in the country and is building a team so stacked, we might need extra security for all the future NBA scouts. BYU as an NBA factory? Yep, it’s happening. Meanwhile, Utah’s basketball program remains as relevant as the fax machine.

Looking to 2025: The future is brighter than a Lavell Edwards Stadium game under the lights. In football, we’re poised to keep climbing the Big 12 ladder. Basketball will (probably) feature non-conference battles with blue bloods like Duke and Kentucky—actual basketball royalty. Meanwhile, Utah’s contribution to 2025 will probably be trying to “restore the glory” in spring ball and bragging about an intramural championship.

In summary, 2024 was the year BYU stepped up, the Utes stepped in it, and Cougar Nation had all the reasons to celebrate. Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and here’s to an even better 2025.

Go Cougs—and let’s extend Whitt and Rising.