BYU Football’s Prime-Time Alamo Bowl: A Historic Showdown Against Colorado

A Historic Opportunity for BYU Football in Prime Time

‘Tis the season for firsts, surprises, and record-breaking moments, especially for BYU. After a remarkable month where No. 17 BYU claimed a piece of the Big 12 championship, the basketball program landed the No. 1 prep recruit in the world, and both men’s and women’s cross-country teams swept national championships, yet another historic event is on the horizon—one that’s all about visibility. More people than ever are about to watch the Cougars play football. And it’s no ordinary game; it’s a top-25, prime-time, post-Christmas showdown that has the attention of the entire college football world.

This matchup? BYU vs. Colorado in the Alamo Bowl.

With a prime-time spot on network television, this isn’t just another football game for the Cougars; it’s an opportunity that hasn’t presented itself quite like this in program history.

Why the Alamo Bowl Is Must-See TV

Let’s start with the opponent: the Colorado Buffaloes. Led by none other than Deion Sanders, Colorado has been the ninth most-watched team in college football this season. That’s right—their games have consistently pulled massive audiences. With nine games broadcast on major networks like NBC, Fox, CBS, and ABC, Colorado has drawn millions of eyeballs every single week. Their showdown with Nebraska pulled in a staggering 5.7 million viewers on NBC. Against Kansas? 6.2 million tuned in on Fox.

This isn’t just because of the team’s stellar season record—Colorado also boasts big-name stars like Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. When these guys are on the field, people pay attention.

Add BYU to the mix, and this Alamo Bowl matchup becomes electric. If you need proof, just look at the numbers. Last year’s Alamo Bowl drew 3.93 million viewers as Arizona took on Oklahoma. This year? It’s almost certain to blow past that figure.

BYU’s History on the Big Stage

BYU is no stranger to the bright lights of national television—but this time, it feels different. The timing, the opponent, and the season that led to this moment have all aligned perfectly for BYU to take center stage like never before.

The Cougars’ relationship with TV coverage goes back decades. Forty years ago, in 1984, BYU made history with its national championship run and helped jump-start ESPN’s live football broadcasts. The Cougars kicked off ESPN’s first live regular-season football game against No. 3 Pittsburgh, a moment that cemented BYU as a program to watch.

Fast forward to 1990, when BYU shocked No. 1 Miami and delivered ESPN its largest-ever college football audience at the time, with 3.32 million viewers. More recently, in 2009, 2.8 million people watched BYU upset No. 3 Oklahoma during opening weekend on ESPN.

Even during their independent years, BYU managed to pull in significant viewership numbers:

• 3.75 million vs. Washington (2013)

• 3.7 million vs. Notre Dame (2012)

• 3.68 million vs. Utah (2015)

• 3.25 million vs. Michigan State (2016)

• 3.13 million vs. Nebraska (2015)

• 3.1 million vs. Washington (2019)

What do all of these games have in common? Power conference opponents and prime TV slots. That’s what makes the Alamo Bowl so exciting—it’s BYU’s biggest opportunity to date to shine in front of a massive audience, especially during their first year as part of a power conference.

BYU’s Journey to the Alamo Bowl

This season has been a dream for the Cougars. BYU (10-2, 7-2) delivered one of college football’s biggest surprise stories, finishing tied for first in the Big 12 after being picked to finish 13th in preseason rankings. Colorado (9-3, 7-2) had a similar story, defying expectations after being tabbed 11th and also claiming a share of the regular-season title.

This sets up an epic showdown between two programs with a lot to prove and even more to gain. It’s been 35 years since these teams last faced off, when BYU defeated Colorado in the 1988 Freedom Bowl. Now, with both teams riding momentum and entering the national spotlight, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Yahoo Sports has already ranked the Alamo Bowl as the fifth-best bowl game among the 39 matchups, including the four first-round playoff games. That’s no small feat, and it speaks to how intriguing this game truly is for fans and analysts alike.

A Century in the Making

The timing of this game is poetic for BYU. It’s the perfect capstone to the Cougars’ century anniversary season of football. A hundred years of history and tradition have led to this moment—a chance to showcase BYU football to the largest audience it’s ever had.

Consider this: network television is still king when it comes to college football viewership. Yes, large audiences can be found on any platform if the matchup is right (BYU-Utah drew 2.2 million viewers on ESPN earlier this season), but networks like ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS consistently dominate the ratings. For example, ESPN’s biggest audience of 2024 came from the Florida State-Georgia Tech game, which pulled in 4.99 million viewers. But the 39 most-watched games ahead of that? They all aired on major networks.

BYU’s spot on ABC, in prime time, the Saturday night after Christmas, is a golden opportunity—one that hasn’t happened before. It’s the chance for BYU to “show up and show out,” even if it means riding a bit on Colorado’s media coattails.

The Bigger Picture

While winning the Alamo Bowl is obviously the goal, this game is about more than just the scoreboard. It’s about setting the tone for BYU football’s future. A victory would mean an 11-win season, a potential top-15 finish, and momentum heading into next year. But perhaps most importantly, it’s about the exposure and the message that BYU football belongs in the conversation with the best teams in the country.

Why Fans Should Be Excited

Here are just a few reasons why this game matters:

1. Record-Breaking Viewership – BYU is poised to play in front of its largest-ever television audience.

2. Prime-Time Opportunity – A post-Christmas, prime-time slot on ABC is a rare and valuable platform.

3. A Star-Studded Opponent – Colorado brings massive national appeal thanks to Coach Deion Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Shedeur Sanders.

4. A Century of Football – It’s the perfect way to close out BYU’s 100th season.

5. Momentum for the Future – A win here sets the stage for BYU’s future as a Big 12 powerhouse.

Final Thoughts

The Alamo Bowl is so much more than just another postseason game. It’s a culmination of history, opportunity, and the chance to capture the attention of millions of fans across the country. For BYU, this is a moment to celebrate how far the program has come—and to show the nation where it’s headed next.

For Cougar Nation and college football fans everywhere, this is a game you don’t want to miss. So mark your calendars, because BYU is ready to make history in San Antonio.

Let’s show up and show out.