Patrick Kinahan: Mission for BYU coaches doesn't change with Big 12 affiliation

PROVO — In a real sense, this week's impending transition to the Big 12 doesn't much change the mission for the BYU football staff.

For sure, going from being an independent into a Power Five conference drastically alters the dynamics around the program relative to factors such as recruiting, more prestigious bowl games, and general fan interest. But for the coaches, the objective remains the same: win as many games as possible each season.

It's the reason why coach Kalani Sitake adamantly reinforced the same thought during Monday's informal gathering with media members. Don't forget, he said, his team opens with three nonconference games before launching BYU's inaugural Big 12 schedule on Sept. 23 at Kansas.

Sitake makes a strong point in the face of all the excitement surrounding the overall BYU athletic department. Struggling in the Big 12 doesn't ease the disappointment.

But the conference affiliation is a game changer for the football players, even if the pressure to win remains the same. The opportunity to finally compete for a championship means more than 12 games as an independent.

"There's going to be things riding on every game where not necessarily in the past that was the case," said BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill

Think back to the three primary constants on BYU's schedule the last 12 years as an independent: Boise State and Utah State were right behind Utah as BYU's rivals, adding a bit more excitement each time the Cougars played those three games.

Going forward, instead of one or two games each season, rivalries with several teams will build over the years in the manner BYU had for decades in the Western Athletic and Mountain West conferences. The carryover from year to year, which was noticeably absent as an independent, will as the stakes increase.

"We're playing for something," said Hill, who was the head coach at Weber State the last nine seasons. "The last couple of years in independence, if you lost a game or two you were out of the College Football Playoffs and you pretty much knew the bowl game you were going to. Now, there's so much you're playing for."

For all practical purposes, the football program has been part of the Big 12 since beginning winter workouts last January. Regarding recruiting new players, the conference affiliation dates back almost two years to when the Big 12 extended the invitation.

During the offseason training, the players openly talked about the implications of joining the Big 12. The chance to win a conference championship and earn all-conference honors matters.

"Having that goal at the end of the season to win a conference championship, that obviously brings something a little bit different as you're going through the season — a different energy, different intensity of trying to work toward that goal and you can kind of look where you stand week by week," said offensive lineman Connor Pay.

"Obviously, (the first game against) Sam Houston is our focus right now, but everyone is excited that now we can put up on the wall that one of our team goals is to win a conference championship. We want to be a team that can compete for a championship, so you have work like a championship team every day. We've talked about it a lot."

In three weeks, after the Big 12 preseason poll is released during its two-day media festivities, the Cougars will have more to discuss among themselves. Outside expectations are low for BYU, with predictions likely ranging from 10th to last place (the conference will have 14 teams for the upcoming season, after which Texas and Oklahoma will join the Southeastern Conference).

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