TCU coach Dykes says players held meeting ahead of BYU game as Horned Frogs struggle early in 2026 season

TCU entered Saturday’s matchup against No. 10 BYU after a 2-2 start to the 2026 season, including a loss to UCF in the Big 12 opener and a Week 0 defeat by North Carolina. The Horned Frogs, among the most penalized programs nationally, convened a players-only meeting earlier in the week, which head coach Sonny Dykes said reflected the squad’s own concerns about performance.

"I think those guys took initiative, they felt the same things. They felt like we haven’t performed as well as we need to," Dykes told reporters. "I was pleased that those guys wanted to get together, talk about some things and try to do everything within our power to play better."

Dykes, who has a 38-19 record at TCU and led the team to the 2022 national championship game, acknowledged that confidence has been lacking.

"It’s a little issue. It goes back to coaching. If you’re not playing well, it’s always coaching, and we always have to look at ourselves first," he said.

The Horned Frogs face a BYU squad that is fresh off a bye week and seeking its first win in Fort Worth since 2006. Dykes praised BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, calling the 2026 Cougars "probably his best team" and noting their physical style and improved execution.

"They’ve always had big offensive linemen, they play a physical brand of football, limiting mistakes and running the ball," Dykes added.

Quarterback Bear Bachmeier, now a sophomore, has been highlighted for his accuracy and dual-threat ability, which Dykes said poses a significant challenge for TCU’s defense.

A loss to BYU would drop TCU to 2-3 and jeopardize a bowl appearance, while a victory could revive the season and ease scrutiny of Dykes’ position.

"We’re disappointed, we’re hurt, but sitting around and pouting won’t make it better. We’re evaluating every aspect of our program to figure out why we’re not playing as well as we need to win games," Dykes said.