With the new regulations for the ACC’s scheduling process, the Cal Golden Bears needed to free up another slot in 2026 and 2027 for an extra conference game. That required the series between BYU and Cal to be canceled. The Bears were set to visit Provo next season and the Cougars were to return the trip to Berkley in 2027.
Now, roughly nine months before that game was set to take place in Provo, BYU needs a new opponent. The wrinkle is, the Big 12 Conference also has scheduling requirements of their own. One of them being each member must play an out-of-conference power conference opponent. Cal met that requirement for BYU the next two seasons.
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Unless some movement happens elsewhere on BYU’s schedule, the Cougars need a new power conference opponent for September 12. Unfortunately, every SEC and Big 10 team already has their schedule set for next year.
If BYU were to schedule a power conference team, it may require some moving around of BYU’s schedule or agreeing to meet with another power conference team on a different week.
The late change will likely mean BYU is not in an optimal position to negotiate a last-minute game with an opponent for 2026.
As of now, BYU only has two non-conference games for 2026. They host Utah Tech on September 5 and then will travel to Fort Collins to play Colorado State two weeks later.
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Perhaps BYU can strike a deal with another out-of-conference Power Four team they have already scheduled later in the future. Boston College is the next non-conference Power Four team on BYU’s list after Cal, for 2028 and 2029. BYU hosts Virginia Tech in 2030 and Michigan State in 2032.
It’s worth noting a few schools have scheduled byes on September 12 that could possibly move it around to schedule BYU. Alabama currently does not have a game on September 12, however their non-conference slate is already full. The Florida Gators host FCS Campbell, a game that could be easily bought out if they agreed to do so. As does South Carolina. Northwestern opens the season on September 12 against South Dakota State.
However it happens, BYU needs another opponent fast for 2026. And per the Big 12 scheduling rules, it needs to be a Power Four team outside the conference unless an exception is made.
The unfortunate part is that BYU was set to have seven home games in 2026, with Cal on the slate. Now, that is in jeopardy.
