What We Learned From BYU Football’s State Of The Program Address

PROVO, Utah – When BYU football media day arrives, one of the notable events is the “State of the Program” address. It’s an opportunity for BYU athletic director Tom Holme to address the media, fans, and observers of big-picture storylines.

State of #BYU Football address 🎤 🏈 #BYUFootball #BYUMediaDay #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/Js51cQL8VO

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 22, 2022

Here are some things we learned from Holmoe’s State of the Program comments that aired on BYUtv.

Nine Big 12 Conference Games in 2023

BYU AD Tom Holmoe said that there would be nine conference games in BYU’s first season in the Big 12 Conference. That will leave BYU with three non-conference games. The Cougars already have two games on the slate in Southern Utah and Arkansas.

Tom Holmoe said there will be nine Big 12 Conference games in 2023.#BYUFootball #BYUMediaDay @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 22, 2022

Earlier this month at Big 12 Spring Business Meetings, Holmoe told KSL Sports that adding a third non-conference game wasn’t a worry for him. He shared similar sentiments during his state of the program address.

“It will fit into the schedule well.”

Big 12 Ready?

Is #BYU, “Big 12 ready?”

Tom Holmoe: “I don’t know if we’re ready, but I know we’ve planned long and hard and I think that’s the key.”#BYUFootball #BYUMediaDay @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 22, 2022

Kalani Sitake on whether #BYU is “Big 12 ready or not”:

“I’m not really worried about that as much as I am focused on the team and getting the players all the resources they need to be successful.”#BYUFootball #BYUMediaDay

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 22, 2022

2022: Toughest BYU Football Schedule Ever?

BYU football will play its final schedule as an FBS Independent. The slate features five games against Power Five opponents.

“I think once you get into the season, you see if you can stay healthy. …It’s about the week before you really see what you’re going to get,” said Holmoe.

The latest on BYU-Notre Dame tickets

When asked if he had an update on the ticket status for the BYU-Notre Dame game in Las Vegas on October 8, Holmoe had no new intel.

Tom Holmoe was asked if he has any update on tickets for Notre Dame, he had no new update.

But he did note, BYU vs. Notre Dame is an ND home game as part of their Shamrock Series.#BYU #BYUFootball #BYUMediaDay @kslsports

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) June 22, 2022

He confirmed that the Sin City tilt would be a Notre Dame home game as part of their “Shamrock Series” on KSL 5 TV.

Bowl Situation in 2022

BYU is not an anchor for a specific game in their final season of Independence. However, ESPN will slot BYU in one of their ESPN Events contracted games.

Holmoe said that he and Deputy AD Brian Santiago had a conversation with ESPN on Tuesday about the upcoming postseason situation.

#BYU AD Tom Holmoe on 2022 bowl situation: “It’s going to be open. Through the season, we’ll have conversations with [ESPN]. They will give us feedback during the season and we have to be ready to take any bowl they give us and we hope it’s a great one”#BYUFootball #BYUMediaDay

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 22, 2022

NIL

When asked if Name, Image, and Likeness is “out of hand,” Holmoe said, “Yes.” Holmoe also noted that college sports could use some help from the government.

The 17-year AD also added that NIL is an excellent thing for college athletes, but it’s taken a different turn since BYU announced its deal with Built Bar last August.

“Yes,” said Tom Holmoe when asked is NIL out of hand.

‘There’s a lot of conflicting battles right now and it’s hard to come up with a solution.”#BYUMediaDay #BYUFootball @kslsports

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) June 22, 2022

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.

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