How can BYU rectify its third-quarter struggles?

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier runs the ball down the field during a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. | Tess Crowley, Deseret NewsBYU must play at a higher level during the next three games to finish 10-2. That record could put BYU in position to be considered for a CFP berth. Not promised, not guaranteed, but at least be part of the conversation.There are some experts who believe BYU is not out — although the loss at No. 2 Utah gave BYU a big hit. Not as big a hit as the loss to unranked UCF in overtime. But a hit nonetheless.ESPN’s 960 radio host Ben Criddle postulates the ways BYU can still advance to postseason in a CFP role. Look at this graphic:BYU still has two paths to the playoff (CFP)Win the Big 12 or finish 10-2 and make the case for an at-large bid.Both start with beating Baylor, Kansas and Cincinnati. Get LJ Martin healthy, take control early and put these games away. A healthy BYU team is dangerous. The… pic.twitter.com/7yzlUhoX4U— Ben Criddle (@BenCriddleShow) November 9, 2026Cougar Insiders predictionsQuestion of the week: Once is bad luck, but four times is a trend. BYU football made costly mistakes just before halftime and then struggled in third quarters of games against Notre Dame, UCF, ASU and Utah, with two of those ending in losses. What can the Cougars do to rectify that trend? Predict Baylor at BYU score.Jay Drew: BYU’s lack of a consistent, reliable rushing attack since LJ Martin sustained a high-ankle sprain in the first quarter against TCU has been the primary culprit for the offense’s struggles since then.Quarterback Bear Bachmeier has been asked to do too much — and to do things he’s not comfortable doing — and that has led to the issues that plagued BYU in its two losses.He’s made some mistakes, particularly at the end of second quarters, that have served to slow BYU’s momentum going into halftime. Against UCF, Arizona State and Utah, the Cougars squandered scoring opportunities just before the break that could have put opponents in deep holes.As for its struggles in the third quarter, it’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what is going wrong. Against Utah, the Cougars committed a false start on their first play of the third quarter, but recovered when Kyler Kasper made a spectacular grab on third-and-3.Usually, with a first-and-10 at the Utah 41, Aaron Roderick would have given the ball to Martin for a play or two. But Martin wasn’t totally healthy, and Roderick opted for another pass — which was picked off by Utah defensive end Lance Holtzclaw, who had dropped back into coverage.To rectify the trend of subpar third quarters, BYU has to get its running game going again. Having a healthy Martin back should alleviate those concerns. I also think it needs to be said that BYU misses starting right tackle Andrew Gentry — and his leadership on the field — more than everyone expected.The Cougars’ offensive line won’t get a break this week, either, as Baylor has one of the best defenses in college football.Prediction: BYU 31, Baylor 28Dick Harmon: BYU’s scoring in the third quarter since playing Iowa State has diminished by the game. Against the Cyclones, BYU had seven in the third; zero vs Notre Dame; seven at UCF; zero against ASU and zero at Utah in that quarter.Some may argue that may be due to the after-effect of an adrenaline rush to start a game. Once that two-quarter shot of energy goes through the body, one experiences a letdown, kind of like a carb coma or post-energy drink lull. Others would say it’s a lack of focus or failure by coaches to get players ramped up and ready after halftime.But I agree with Jay. If you can’t run the football effectively in a physical game that is actually an organized fight, it creates an attitude of playing with finesse instead of that bully mode. BYU misses LJ Martin as a hammer tool to push defenses around and make them feel the offensive line leaning on them.Having said that, I do believe Sione Moa is getting his legs back and is becoming a far more impactful runner in Aaron Roderick’s offense. He’s a solid pass blocker, too. At the same time, I think BYU has missed having the option pitch play to Preston Rex the past several weeks. They could have used him against Utah — it would have changed things.BYU has proven to not be a high-level tackling team, even with an impressive 11 TFL effort at Utah. Key missed tackles and sacks on big third-down plays cost BYU during losses at UCF and Utah.Finally, I’ll say BYU has ups and downs with execution. Fix that, play with more consistency and you’d be undefeated.Prediction: BYU 31, Baylor 28.Cougar talesFollowing BYU’s loss at Utah, coach Kalani Sitake explained what he thinks about the expanded college football playoffs and what his squad needs to focus on now. Read his comments in this story by Jay Drew.From the archivesFrom X VerseAidan Mizell leads the Week 10 rankings at 22.1 MPH! The UCLA WR is setting the pace. Who do you think will top the leaderboard next week? #ReelSpeedpic.twitter.com/gNWkBIfdud— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) November 9, 2026Through 9 games, Legend Glasker is at 703 receiving yards this season. He is 69 yards from passing Austin Collie for the most receiving yards in a season by a true freshman at BYU. Collie did that in 11 games. Full list of top five seasons: https://t.co/FbHi9efQU8#BYUFootballpic.twitter.com/SBHn8Wg7tl— Cougar Football Archive (@BYUstatsMAN) November 9, 2026How Well Does Your Defense Tackle? 🏈 % of Tackles Missed | Thru Week 10 🔢 pic.twitter.com/yLPxq54xuK— Cody Nagel (@CodyNagel247) November 9, 2026Extra pointsMuch more for Bachmeier to get done (Salt Lake Tribune)BYU hoops offense explodes (Deseret News)Nacua likely headed for injured reserve (Deseret News)FanalystsComments from Deseret News readers:Frustrated saying this, we’re being outcoached.If BYU is comfortable at halftime they lose momentum. We keep going nice guy vanilla style and we can’t afford to.Saturday was a win when BYU got punched in the face by Utah scoring 2 TDs on 8 plays then adjusting on both sides of the ball and playing well - it was a loss when the Utes adjusted better at half time than we did.We’ve got those games like Arizona where we do better as the game goes on, but when we’re ahead or expect to win we aren’t doing so well. — Josh From LondonBYU has a shot I think. The Big 12 and all of college football is chaos currently. Lots can happen.There are 5 teams tie for 3rd in the Big 12 currently. And Texas Tech could lose to Oklahoma State BYU can beat Baylor and the field stays the same or shrinks.BYU needs Texas Tech to lose another one, or Texas Tech is in for sure. If that happens, I think BYU wins a lot of tiebreakers.Utah could lose to Arizona in Tucson, TCU in Fort Worth and WVU has an incredible offense. So, no easy games left for Utah. That said, I think Utah will make the conference championship game.But, so many scenarios exist where BYU is in the conference championship game. Then it’s a matter of winning that game. Do that, and you are in. Lose to Baylor they are done.Finally, the win over Notre Dame is aging well. And that could help in an at-large bid discussion.It’s not over. — ArizonaUteUp nextNov. 11 | 11 a.m. | women’s basketball | Bethune-CookmanNov. 12 | 6 p.m. | women’s volleyball | @ BaylorNov. 12 | 7 p.m. | men’s basketball | MontanaNov. 13 | 11 a.m. | cross country | NCAA RegionalsNov. 14 | 1:30 p.m. | football | Baylor