Yards per attempt is everything

That pipeline requires consistent top-25 recruiting classes, which they haven't cracked in a decade

Stars still matter in the Big 12, and their 2024 class ranked 9th in the conference

That's a bold claim but the numbers don't support it. Texas is currently sitting with a top 5 recruiting class nationally and their average commit rating is significantly higher than BYU's. The Cougars' class is solid, ranked in the 40s, but the gap in talent acquisition is measurable and wide. Texas has locked down their state exceptionally well this year, and their NIL collective is operating at a different financial tier. While BYU can absolutely pull an upset on the field, flipping a major Longhorn commit requires overcoming a massive resource disparity. Recent history shows Texas losing real few in-state battles once they're this deep into a year. The Cougars' pitch is unique, but the raw recruiting metrics and financial firepower heavily favor Texas holding onto their top guys.