BYU Football's 5-0 Start: What Iowa Fans Can Learn From the Cougars' Dominant Win Over Iowa State

BYU improved to 5-0 with a 14-point win over Iowa State on Saturday, but the Cougars' performance left many fans grumbling. On paper, BYU dominated the Cyclones, outgaining them by 300 yards. On the scoreboard, the game looked closer than it should have been. For Iowa fans, the game offers a clear look at a top-10 team that wins with defense, efficiency, and a quarterback who can do it all.

Here are five takeaways from BYU's win over Iowa State, and what they mean for the Cougars' upcoming showdown with Notre Dame.

1. BYU is winning ugly, but that's a sign of a top-10 team

BYU controlled the game from start to finish, but sloppy plays in key moments kept the score closer than the action suggested. The Cougars became just the sixth team this season to outgain a Power Four opponent by 300 total yards. The average margin in those other five games was 49-7. Saturday marked the first time in program history that BYU gained 500-plus yards while allowing 200 or fewer against a Power Four opponent.

Advanced stats tell the same story: BYU posted a +21% success rate and a .352 EPA per play. They also recorded 7 tackles for loss to Iowa State's 1, and 16 quarterback pressures to the Cyclones' 2. This wasn't a lucky win. It was a dominant performance that happened to include a few unforced errors.

2. This is the best BYU defense in a generation

BYU's defense ranks 12th nationally in yards per play (4.4) and 10th in scoring defense (15 points per game) against FBS opponents. Those numbers look even better when you consider that those same opponents average 6.4 yards per play and 34 points per game against everyone else.

Iowa State managed just 200 yards and 10 points, the second-lowest totals BYU has allowed to a Power Four opponent in recent memory. The Cougars did it without forcing a turnover, recording a sack, tackle for loss, or pass breakup on nearly one of every three defensive plays. Senior defensive lineman Keanu Tanuvasa led the way with two tackles for loss and two batted passes.

3. BYU's red zone issues are fixable

BYU entered Saturday ranked 7th nationally in red zone touchdown percentage but converted just 2 of 5 trips against Iowa State. The struggles weren't due to poor play calling. Three of the four failed plays were run plays that netted 5 yards, and two of the three incompletions hit receivers in the hands.

The Cougars miss running back LJ Martin in short-yardage situations, but the bigger issue is execution. Those are correctable mistakes, not structural problems. If BYU cleans up those miscues, the offense should be fine.

4. Bear Bachmeier proved he can carry the offense

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier accounted for 438 of BYU's 506 total yards, throwing for 329 and rushing for 109. He became just the third BYU quarterback ever to post a 300/100 passing/rushing performance. Bachmeier completed 83% of his throws and was perfect on passes of 20 yards or more.

His performance was especially encouraging after a rough outing against TCU. With Martin out, Bachmeier will need to be a dual threat against Notre Dame. If he gets time in the pocket, he has the tools to keep BYU in the game. The offensive line has allowed him to be the second least-pressured quarterback in college football.

5. BYU fans should enjoy this run

BYU is 5-0 against the spread and has won four of five games by double digits. The Cougars are 28-4 since 2024, their best 32-game stretch in program history given the competition. Saturday they host their first home top-10 matchup ever, with College GameDay in town.

Whatever mistakes BYU made in the first five games won't matter on Saturday. All that matters is one game against Notre Dame. With Bachmeier playing at this level and the defense dominating, why not BYU?

For Iowa fans, the takeaway is simple: BYU is a legitimate national contender, and the Cougars' formula of defense, efficiency, and a dynamic quarterback is one to watch.