BYU is strutting into LaVell Edwards Stadium tonight like a team that knows it belongs in the conversation. Hosting the West Virginia Mountaineers for the first time in Provo, the Cougars are riding a 4-0 record while making a statement in Big 12 play. Ranked No. 23 in the AP Top 25, BYU’s showing that their season isn’t a fluke. But the real story is freshman QB Bear Bachmeier quietly rewriting expectations.

Former BYU and NFL player turned pastor Dr. Derwin L Gray liked what he saw on October 3. He shared the message to the world on X saying, “BYU has an exceptional freshman QB. Bear seems to have a level of maturity that is beyond his years.” That’s high praise from someone who’s seen it all. And it showed early. Bear Bachmeier hit the 100-yard passing mark after just three drives, including a 54-yard TD strike to Parker Kingston. Two completions alone accounted for 101 of his 104 passing yards precision under pressure that even seasoned QBs would envy.

BYU’s first-quarter fireworks were statements. Three plays, 57 yards, and a touchdown in 1:16, that’s poise. Bear Bachmeier mixed short throws, 1-yard connections, and scrambles into a fluid rhythm, keeping West Virginia’s defense confused. By halftime, the scoreboard read 28-10. Big plays like an 85-yard connection to Chase Roberts and a 2-yard TD run cemented BYU’s momentum, hinting at what could be a historic season.

The game also shoved Bear Bachmeier past Taysom Hill’s freshman rushing TD record, cementing his name in BYU lore. Not bad for a 6’2, 220-pound kid from Murrietta, California, who showed up with confidence, size, and enough swagger to back it all up. Of course, not everything was perfect. He threw his first two turnovers of his young career. But when you stack 249 yards and a score in just two quarters on top of it, dreams materialize . And with performances like this, the talk of the Big 12 Championship could become a reality. 

Can BYU crash the Big 12 party?

Vegas might still be slow to catch on. They had five programs ahead of BYU who holds +1500 odds to win the conference title. But the Cougars’ path is worth a second look. They dodge Kansas State, Baylor, and Arizona State in league play, all expected contenders. They’ll host Utah and TCU at home, which is always a blessing in Provo. Sure, trips to Iowa State and Texas Tech loom, but compared to the gauntlets some programs face, this looks like a road a freshman QB could actually drive.

Now, while the top-tier contenders slug it out and hand each other losses, BYU has a legitimate shot at sliding under the radar. A September slate that eases the load could allow Bear Bachmeier to rack up live reps without the Cougars falling behind in the standings. By the time November rolls around, if BYU is still in the hunt, those +1500 odds are going to feel like highway robbery. The 4-0 Cougars may not be the betting favorite, but they’re suddenly the program with the most intriguing upside.

And that’s where Bear Bachmeier becomes more than just a freshman storyline. He’s the X-factor who can flip betting slips upside down.