In a surprising turn of events, the BYU Cougars triumphed over the Colorado Buffaloes in the Alamo Bowl with a decisive 36-14 victory, disrupting what many anticipated to be a celebratory finale for Colorado's star players, Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. BYU's running back L.J. Martin spearheaded the win with two touchdowns and 93 rushing yards, complemented by Sione I Moa's additional rushing touchdown.

The game broadcast, however, drew criticism from viewers who felt the coverage disproportionately favored Colorado. This sentiment was echoed by BYU offensive lineman Connor Pay, who reportedly urged broadcasters to give more attention to his team. Commentator Dave Pasch acknowledged the request during the fourth quarter, mentioning Pay's plea and the Cougars' dominant performance. Fellow broadcaster Dusty Dvoracek concurred, noting that BYU had certainly provided ample material for discussion.

While Colorado's Sanders and Hunter are projected as top NFL draft picks and coach Deion Sanders has revitalized the program, BYU's impressive 11-2 season, their third with 10 or more wins in five years, marks a significant achievement. Coach Kalani Sitake has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround, leading the team to a bowl game after a five-win debut season in the Big 12 Conference the previous year. This victory also extends Sitake's bowl game record to 5-2 since assuming the role in 2016.