​BYU’s 23-4 record over the last two seasons is the program’s best back-to-back combo since 1984-85 when the Cougars went 24-3, dominated the WAC and won the national championship.A big difference between then and now is Kalani Sitake’s squads are winning in the Big 12 and consistently on national television. His Cougars are 16-4 against conference foes over the last two years and BYU is expected to contend for the Big 12 title again this fall.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIf the Cougars are truly at or near the top of the hill, which of those 16 wins stands alone as the defining one that got them here?Here are the candidates:BYU 38, No. 13 Kansas State 9 (Sept. 21, 2024): The Cougars exploded for 31 unanswered points during the last 2:10 of the second quarter and the first 4:15 of the third quarter to stun the Wildcats in Provo 38-9. The win catapulted BYU (4-0) into the AP Top 25 at No. 22.BYU 22, Utah 21 (Nov. 9, 2024): Will Ferrin kicked a 44-yard field goal with three seconds remaining to lead No. 9 BYU past Utah 22-21 in Salt Lake City. Ferrin’s kick capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive that included a defensive holding call against Utah to extend the Cougars game-winning drive.BYU 36, No. 23 Colorado 14 (Dec. 26, 2024): LJ Martin rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns and BYU’s defense stifled Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Helped by the hype of Buffalos coach Deion Sanders, an Alamo Bowl record 8 million people watched on ABC as the No. 17 Cougars (11-2) rolled 36-14.BYU 33, Arizona 27, 2 OT (Oct. 11, 2025): BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 19 seconds remaining to force overtime in Tucson, Arizona. In the second OT, Bachmeier ran for a 7-yard touchdown and No. 18 BYU’s defense stopped the Wildcats on downs to win 33-27 to remain undefeated (6-0).BYU 24, No. 23 Utah 21 (Oct. 18, 2025): Martin rushed for 122 yards and Bachmeier bulldozed 22 yards through the Utah defense for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give the No. 15 Cougars a 24-14 lead and seal their third straight victory over the No. 23 Utes in Provo.BYU 41, Iowa State 27 (Oct. 25, 2025): Junior receiver Parker Kingston caught seven passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns as No. 11 BYU rallied from a 24-10 deficit to stun the Cyclones 41-27 in Ames, Iowa. Sophomore safety Faletau Satuala sealed the win with a 40-yard Pick-Six in the fourth quarter to keep the Cougars (8-0) unbeaten and push them into the top 10.BYU 25, No. 22 Georgia Tech 21 (Dec. 27, 2025): Beating the Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl wasn’t a Big 12 matchup, but it showed the country that even undermanned, the Cougars could still hold their own against a top-25 team from the ACC. With Bachmeier slowed by a sprained ankle and Martin sidelined after shoulder surgery, No. 12 BYU rallied to beat Georgia Tech 25-21. Junior cornerback Evan Johnson ended the game with an interception in the end zone with :06 rema