BYU needed a bounce back win Saturday night and they did exactly that in a dominating 44-13 victory over TCU in front of a sold out crowd (64,447) at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

After suffering its first loss of the season to Texas Tech in a Top 10 showdown the prior week — and dropping five spots in the College Football Playoff rankings — the Cougars knew they needed to win big to not only make it to the Big 12 title game, but to move up in the rankings and to secure an at-large playoff spot as well.

BYU’s 44 points are the second most this season and highest against a P4 opponent. Meanwhile, TCU gave up a season high in points, with the previous high being 41 points to Kansas State.

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The Cougars also got another huge performance by the defense with two takeaways — including a pick-6 from senior safety Tanner Wall — but they held the Frogs to less than 300 yards of total offense, and most importantly, to just 13 points for the game — a season low for the Horned Frogs.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier bounced back from his worst game to one of his best games as he threw for 296 yards and a touchdown, and also rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown to give him both a passing TD and a rushing TD for the seventh time this season.

Parker Kingston added 80 yards on five catches. LJ Martin led BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12, No. 12 CFP) with 88 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The Cougars scored on their first seven drives and did not punt until the fourth quarter.

Up next for the Cougars is a showdown against Cincinnati. A win all but secures a Big 12 title appearance — yes UCF is that bad — while a loss likely bumps the Cougars out again just like last year due to the Big 12 tiebreaker rules. The team still controls it’s own destiny and a win next Saturday will all but seal it. Cougar fans just better hope it’s not another 10:00 AM kickoff.

Here’s a look at the reactions from around the country in BYU’s win over TCU:

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