BYU Cougars at TCU Horned Frogs

Injuries noted

BYU Cougars: Jonathan Kabeya (out) — Cornerback; initial TCU-game designation reiterated October 2; condition unspecified.; Raider Damuni (out) — Safety; condition unspecified in the availability list.; Sione Moa (out) — Running back; condition unspecified.; Siale Esera (out) — Linebacker; remains sidelined following injury against Arizona.; Caden McKee (out) — Offensive lineman; condition unspecified.; Andrew Gentry (out) — Starting right tackle; recovering from surgery earlier in game week.; Ethan Thomason (out) — Offensive tackle; injury unspecified; a return later this season is expected.; Brody Laga (out) — Kickoff specialist; condition unspecified.; Kevin Doe (probable) — Cornerback; condition unspecified.

TCU Horned Frogs: Michael Short (out) — Linebacker; initial BYU-game report, condition unspecified.; Devondre McGee (out) — Cornerback; condition unspecified.; Joe Pitchford (out) — Running back; condition unspecified.; Kyle Lemmermann (out) — Kicker; condition unspecified.; Devan Robison (out) — Offensive lineman; condition unspecified.; Creece Brister (out) — Offensive lineman; condition unspecified.; Cooper Reid (out) — Wide receiver; condition unspecified.; Zach Chapman (questionable) — Edge rusher; Dykes expressed optimism about playing, but the report remains questionable.; Perry Cole Jr. (questionable) — Defensive tackle; condition unspecified.

QUARTERBACK

• Jaden Craig is TCU's confirmed starter

  9.16 Y/A

  Jaden Craig is TCU's confirmed starting quarterback. TCU's October 1 preview for the October 3 BYU game explicitly identifies Harvard transfer Craig as its starting quarterback. 2026 line: 1209 passing yards, 68.2% completions, 9.16 yards per attempt, 7-3 TD-INT over 4 games.

• Bear Bachmeier is BYU's confirmed starter

  10.35 Y/A

  Bear Bachmeier is BYU's confirmed starting quarterback. KSL's September 28 report reproduces BYU's TCU-week depth chart, listing Bachmeier first at quarterback without an OR designation. 2026 line: 642 passing yards, 71.0% completions, 10.35 yards per attempt, 6-1 TD-INT over 3 games.

TRENCHES

• BYU: 262.7 rushing yards per game to TCU's 138.8

  123.9 YPG

  BYU is running for 262.7 a game, but that comes from just 3 games, against 178.1 last season. TCU at 138.8 over 4 games sits close to its 131.4 from last season. BYU's run game should still be the stronger unit on the road, but expect its pace to settle closer to last season's level.

PACE & SCRIPT

• BYU: 44 points per game to TCU's 29.3

  14.8 PPG

  BYU is scoring 44 a game, but that comes from only three games, and last season it sat at 31.4 over 14. TCU is at 29.3, almost exactly last year's 30.7, so its number looks steady. Expect BYU's scoring to drift back toward last season's level on the road, which makes the full-game total and BYU team total the places where the early number can mislead.

MISMATCH

• BYU: 262.7 rush yards a game to TCU's 138.8

  262.7 VS 138.8

  BYU is running for 262.7 a game over 3 games, well above last season's 178.1, while TCU sits at 138.8, close to its 131.4 from last season. TCU's number looks like who they are, and BYU's three-game surge is likely to cool some. If BYU can still lean on the run on the road, they control the clock and keep TCU's offense waiting on the sideline.

COVERAGE

• TCU: 24.5% third downs allowed to BYU's 43.6%

  19.1 PP

  TCU allows opponents to convert 24.5% of third downs over four games, while BYU allows 43.6% over three. TCU gets off the field, and BYU has struggled to. BYU's number comes from only three games, so it could shift quickly with one strong outing. At home, TCU's third down edge could mean more possessions, which is a useful way to think about drives and the total.

REPLACEMENT

• Cooper Reid (WR) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Wide receiver; condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Jonathan Kabeya (CB) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Cornerback; initial TCU-game designation reiterated October 2; condition unspecified. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02)

• Raider Damuni (S) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Safety; condition unspecified in the availability list. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02)

• Sione Moa (RB) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Running back; condition unspecified. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02)

• Siale Esera (LB) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Linebacker; remains sidelined following injury against Arizona. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02) KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Caden McKee (OL) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Offensive lineman; condition unspecified. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02)

• Andrew Gentry (OL) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Starting right tackle; recovering from surgery earlier in game week. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02) KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Creece Brister (OL) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Offensive lineman; condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Ethan Thomason (OL) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Offensive tackle; injury unspecified; a return later this season is expected. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02) KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Brody Laga (PK) is out for BYU

  OUT

  Kickoff specialist; condition unspecified. BYU Sport Nuts: BYU's Eight Absences Create Three TCU Pressure Points (2026-10-02)

• Michael Short (LB) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Linebacker; initial BYU-game report, condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Devondre McGee (CB) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Cornerback; condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Joe Pitchford (RB) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Running back; condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Kyle Lemmermann (PK) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Kicker; condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

• Devan Robison (OL) is out for TCU

  OUT

  Offensive lineman; condition unspecified. KSL Sports: BYU football availability report entering road clash at TCU (2026-09-30)

SITUATIONAL

• BYU has 7 more days of rest

  14d vs 7d

  BYU had the bye and comes in on 14 days of rest, while TCU is on a normal 7-day turnaround and gets to stay home. That extra week lets BYU heal up and prepare specifically for TCU, which offsets some of the burden of playing on the road. The two edges pull in opposite directions here. Weigh BYU's rest against TCU's home field rather than leaning on either alone.

• BYU: 61.3% third-down conversion rate to TCU's 43.4%

  17.9 PP

  BYU is at 61.3% third-down conversion rate over 3 games; TCU is at 43.4% over 4 games. Those are this season's games through Oct 2. Last season BYU was at 42% over 14 games and TCU at 47.4% over 13 games.

TEAM RECORD

• Big 12 game: BYU 1-0, TCU 0-1 in conference

  CONFERENCE

  These two share the Big 12. BYU is 1-0 against it, TCU is 0-1. 2026 standings through 2026-10-03.