The unexpected departure of starting quarterback Jake Retzlaff from the BYU football program, triggered by an Honor Code violation and a civil lawsuit (which was later dismissed with prejudice), leaves a significant void for the Cougars just weeks before the 2025 season. However, this situation also presents an opportunity for other quarterbacks on the roster to step up.

While Retzlaff was the incumbent, his on-field performance in 2024 was often inconsistent. His ESPN QBR of 57.1 for the non-conference portion of the season placed him near the bottom of Big 12 starting quarterbacks. This metric suggests that despite some "big-time throws," his overall decision-making and efficiency were often below average, leading to concerns about turnovers and consistency.

With Retzlaff now out of the picture, the quarterback competition for BYU's offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick is wide open. The primary contenders, all of whom have the potential to be more consistent or offer a higher ceiling than Retzlaff's 2024 performance, are:

McCae Hillstead: A transfer from Utah State, Hillstead brings some prior FBS game experience. He showcased flashes of his talent in 2023, throwing for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns in limited action for the Aggies. Hillstead is known for his mobility and ability to extend plays, which could be a strong asset in Roderick's offense. Some analysts believe he has the "best deep ball" among the remaining QBs.

Treyson Bourguet: Another transfer, Bourguet comes from Western Michigan, where he started eight games over two seasons, throwing for over 1,300 yards. He possesses solid arm talent and has been in BYU's system longer than true freshman Bear Bachmeier, giving him an advantage in terms of playbook familiarity.

Bear Bachmeier: The true freshman is arguably the most intriguing prospect. A former four-star recruit who initially enrolled at Stanford, Bachmeier has elite raw talent, a strong arm, and dual-threat capabilities. While he lacks college experience and has only been with the program for a short time, his high ceiling and physical tools make him a compelling option. He reportedly competed for the starting job at Stanford in spring camp, indicating his readiness to push for playing time. Some experts believe he has the highest ceiling of the group and could ultimately be the best quarterback on the roster.

BYU's immediate challenge is managing the lack of depth, as they are down to four quarterbacks, including two true freshmen. However, the unexpected change forces them to give extensive looks to players who might otherwise have been backups. This could lead to one of these younger, talented quarterbacks seizing the opportunity and potentially providing more consistent and higher-level play for the Cougars in 2025 than Retzlaff demonstrated in 2024. The long-term future still looks bright with 5-star Ryder Lyons committed for 2027 after his mission.

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The idea of Washington State and Oregon State, the "Pac-2" holdovers, eventually becoming viable Big 12 expansion candidates is a widely discussed topic in college football realignment, especially with the current state of the Pac-12. While they've recently rebuilt their conference with Mountain West additions and a new media deal, many analysts see this as a temporary arrangement, setting the stage for future moves.

Here's why Washington State and Oregon State could eventually be attractive Big 12 expansion candidates:

"Power Four" Status and Proven Competitiveness:

• Despite the mass exodus from the Pac-12, both Oregon State and Washington State have consistently demonstrated their ability to compete at a "Power Five" (now "Power Four") level in football. They've produced NFL talent, had strong seasons, and boast respected coaching staffs. Adding them wouldn't dilute the Big 12's competitive product; in fact, it would enhance it.
• For example, Oregon State had a strong 2023 season, and Washington State has often proven to be a tough out, even against top-tier opponents.

Geographic Expansion and Media Market Foothold:

• Adding WSU and OSU would give the Big 12 a true coast-to-coast presence, expanding its geographic footprint into the Pacific Northwest. This could tap into new media markets and fan bases, potentially increasing overall viewership and value for future media rights negotiations.
• Having teams in the Pacific time zone allows for valuable late-night television inventory, which can be attractive to broadcast partners like ESPN and FOX, who already carry the Big 12's primary media rights.

Recruiting Territory Access:

• The states of Washington and Oregon, while not as talent-rich as Texas or Florida, consistently produce solid high school football talent. A Big 12 presence in these states could provide better access to those recruiting grounds for all conference members.

Financial Disparity as a Driving Force:

• This is arguably the most critical factor. The "new" Pac-12, even with its recent additions and a new media deal with CBS Sports, is projected to pay its members significantly less than the Big 12.
• Estimates for the new Pac-12 media deal (starting 2026) suggest payouts between $7 million and $12 million per school annually.
• In contrast, the Big 12 is expected to pay its full members around $50 million per school annually starting in 2025.
• The massive difference (a potential jump from ~$10 million to ~$50 million) creates an almost irresistible financial incentive for Oregon State and Washington State to eventually seek an upgrade to a Big 12-level conference if the opportunity arises.

Seeking Long-Term Stability:

• While Oregon State and Washington State have valiantly rebuilt the Pac-12, the long-term stability of this new configuration remains a question mark, especially as the major conference media rights deals (Big Ten, Big 12, SEC) expire around 2030-2031. If the current Pac-12 media deal doesn't grow significantly by then, its members, including WSU and OSU, will be looking for more financially robust and stable homes.

In summary, while Washington State and Oregon State are currently committed to rebuilding the Pac-12, their strong athletic programs, geographic location, and the vast financial chasm between their current media deal and the Big 12's make them highly viable candidates should the Big 12 look to expand further in the future. The question is less about if they're viable, and more about when the circumstances align for such a move.