BYU vs. Portland State: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction
Aug 30, 2025, 12:14 AM
PROVO, UtahĀ – BYU vs. Portland State kicks off the 2025 season for the Cougars.
It’s the second meeting all-time between the two programs. BYU defeated the FCS Vikings in 2017 by a score of 20-6.
The Cougars are looking to cruise past Portland State by a lot more today inside LaVell Edwards Stadium, for what will be a sellout crowd.
BYU was an 11-2 team last season. They enter 2025 as the first team outside of the AP Top 25 poll. In the preseason Coaches’ rankings, BYU checks in at No. 23.
Meanwhile, Portland State is looking to score its first points of the season.
Tarleton State held Portland State scoreless in a season-opening loss, 42-0. That same Tarleton squad knocked off Army West Point on Friday night.
BYU vs. Portland State
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium
Kickoff: 6 p.m. (MDT)
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Radio: KSL NewsRadio (102.7 FM, 1160 AM) — Coverage begins at Noon with Cougar Sports Saturday
Three Game Day Thoughts
1. Time for Bear Bachmeier to make history
True freshman signal-caller Bear Bachmeier is the starting quarterback for BYU football entering the 2025 season. It’s a historic moment for a program that prides itself on strong quarterback play.
Bachmeier is the first BYU signal-caller to start week one as a true freshman.
BYU needs to get Bachmeier comfortable in the passing attack. I’d like to see BYU take some shots down the field early with Bachmeier.
We know BYU’s ground attack will likely have success against the Vikings. PSU gave up 301 yards last week on the ground against Tarleton. You’ll see a solid workload for LJ Martin and Sione Moa, but get Bachmeier settled in and show off his arm by connecting with some of BYU’s top targets in the passing game.
2. BYU’s offensive line
BYU starting left guard Weylin Lapuaho will be out this week with an injury. The Cougars will turn to Sonny Makasini, who was a week-one starter last season, at that spot.
At right guard, BYU likely goes with Austin Leausa, followed by Kyle Sfarcioc.
BYU’s offensive line this year has new offensive tackles, with Isaiah Jatta and Michigan transfer Andrew Gentry.
Both Jatta and Gentry were excellent in camp and will be tasked with protecting Bachmeier’s blindside today.
3. The No. 1 defense in the Big 12 last year has the potential to be better this season
We will get our first glimpse of the BYU defense in action on Saturday.
The Portland State offense shouldn’t cause many headaches, as they had three quarterbacks play last week in their blowout loss. So BYU’s talented defense should cruise on Saturday.
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But what will be notable is seeing the personnel groupingsāthe versatility along the defensive line and at linebacker.
BYU has some star power this season with Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly at linebacker, and Utah transfer Keanu Tanuvasa at defensive tackle. This defense has more depth and high-end athletes than it did last season, but the ceiling is far higher with the 2025 group.
Two BYU vs Portland State Questions
1. What is an acceptable margin of victory?
Nobody from BYU’s fan base will be content with a 20-6 victory, as they experienced eight years ago against the Vikings.
But it begs the question, what is an acceptable margin of victory?
Too close, and people are going to panic as they did with the PSU game in 2017 and Sam Houston in 2023.
BYU is anywhere from a 43 to 44 point favorite in this game. Before Portland State’s blowout loss to Tarleton, the Cougars were a 34-point favorite.
If BYU wins by more than six touchdowns, and they execute without administrative penalties and turnovers, that’s a solid outcome.
Kalani Sitake is never going to run it up to embarrass a team, but if his squad is clicking early and often in the first half and third quarter, his squad will keep playing.
2. How many quarterbacks get some run?
Suppose BYU has a comfortable 40-point lead in this game. Would Aaron Roderick end Bear Bachmeier’s day early and turn to McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourguet, or even true freshman Emerson Geilman to give them some snaps?
BYU left the backup quarterback spot up for debate as Kalani Sitake said he wants to see more competition out of that group.
If the blowout happens as many believe it will, the next signal-caller potentially playing could be a fun storyline to watch today.
One Score Prediction for BYU vs Portland State
BYU cruises to a comfortable win. Bear Bachmeier throws two touchdown passes and completes around 70% of his passes in his debut start at BYU.
Score Prediction: BYU 52, Portland State 3
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE).Ā Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12ā3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter)Ā andĀ Instagram:Ā @Mitch_Harper.
