When it comes to the College Football Playoff rankings, there’s a lot at stake for many teams, but for Kalani Sitake, the head coach of the No. 8 BYU Cougars, there’s a singular focus that overshadows it all: preparing for their highly anticipated clash against No. 9 Texas Tech. As the first CFP rankings of the 2025 season are set to be unveiled on Tuesday night, Sitake appears unfazed, prioritizing the immediate and vital task ahead of them.
"We’re not concerning ourselves with the rankings right now," Sitake remarked during his press conference on Monday. "Our sole focus is to ensure we are mentally prepared and to minimize distractions as we gear up for our game against Texas Tech this Saturday in Lubbock."
This matchup is historic; it will be the first time in BYU's history that two top-10 programs face off. Scheduled for a 10 a.m. MST kickoff at Jones AT&T Stadium, this moment is not just significant for the teams but also for the fans and observers of college football, especially with ESPN’s "College GameDay" broadcasting live from the venue starting that morning.
With both teams entering the game with impressive records—BYU standing strong at 8-0 and Texas Tech at 8-1—there’s a palpable excitement surrounding the encounter. However, it’s worth noting that despite their ranking advantage, BYU is considered the underdog, with Texas Tech favored by 10.5 points. Sitake acknowledged their formidable opponent after reviewing game footage, saying, "Texas Tech has shown why they should be respected in the rankings. Our mission is to focus all our efforts toward being ready for this opportunity. I’m looking forward to the atmosphere at their home stadium. It’s always thrilling to compete in an environment like that."
The two programs are currently even in their all-time series, each having won once; BYU took the victory in their last contest two years ago while Texas Tech prevailed back in 1940. This game carries additional weight not only for the rankings but also for Big 12 title implications, representing the first time since 2021 that two top-10 teams have met within the Big 12 Conference.
Sitake continued to emphasize that the mounting pressure of conference standings does not dictate their game preparation. "We don’t focus on rankings or standings; my priority is to ensure our players improve each week and give their best performance each game," he stated. He expressed pride in achieving an undefeated record so far, although he believes there are still improvements to be made.
In terms of player roster health, there remains concern for a couple of key players. Star running back LJ Martin, who left the game against Iowa State with an injury, is working hard in practice, demonstrating progress, while linebacker Jack Kelly's status is similarly uncertain. Sitake noted, "We’re keeping an eye on their recovery and will provide an update based on their practice performance leading up to kickoff on Wednesday."
Additionally, the return of receiver JoJo Phillips appears promising, as he has resumed practice after an extended absence. In contrast, running back Sione Moa has not yet made enough progress.
On a personal note, Sitake also spoke warmly of Texas Tech’s head coach, Joey McGuire. He described their friendship, sharing his respect for McGuire's ability to foster culture and morale among players. "Every interaction I’ve had with Joey has shown me how much he cares about his team. They’ve displayed so much confidence throughout this season—their progress is evident," Sitake observed.
As these two exciting programs prepare to clash, what are your thoughts on the implications of this game for both BYU and Texas Tech? Do you see this matchup as merely a stepping stone in the grand scheme of postseason eligibility, or is it indicative of a larger trend in college football? Let's spark a discussion!
