The BYU Cougars continue to fly somewhat under the radar. An idea that might annoy fans but should be welcomed by the players and coaching staff.

They like to view a season from a week-to-week perspective. Phrases like “we’re taking it one game at a time” and “we can only worry about what we can control” often play right into this concept. The football season is a grind and national expectation only brings additional noise.

The Cougars are sitting atop the Big 12 conference with an undefeated record. They are joined at the top by fellow undefeated Big 12 teams Texas Tech and Utah. After a close win over Notre Dame, BYU’s No. 2 position in the AP Top 25 would typically create significant national buzz. The fact that it hasn’t been a significant talking point is good news for the Cougars.

BYU as a team and a playoff threat might not yet be making headlines, but their team leader and starting quarterback is. At 6’2 and 230 pounds, Bachmeier is almost prototypical size. His toughness, dual threat capability and ability to extend plays were attributes of almost any quarterback prospect.

Bachmeier now finds himself on two interesting, if not important lists heading into week 8. As of this week, the BYU quarterback is 8th in the current Heisman trophy odds. A list he was not on before the Notre Dame game. In addition to the Heisman odds, CBS Sports has also placed him fifth on their College Football Quarterback Power Rankings list.

The Heisman Trophy is the most coveted college football award. Desired by any player at any position, but specifically a goal for almost any college football quarterback. The current Heisman projections create an interesting hill to climb. Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith appears to be the front-runner. At the halfway point of the regular season, Smith is 16 yards away from 1,000. However, Ohio State just lost their starting quarterback indefinitely.

The quarterback-specific argument is also difficult. Julian Sayin, Jayden Maiava, Drew Mestemaker, Darian Mensah and Trinidad Chambliss all have significantly more passing yards when compared to Bachmeier. For the immediate future, most of those names will remain the ones people think of first.

Power rankings are fun but tend to be based on momentum or even weighted opinions. However, there is logic to them and inclusion is never a bad thing. What makes CBS’ list even more interesting than the Heisman odds, are the names behind Bachmeier.

Notre Dame’s CJ Carr, Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker, Indiana’s Josh Hoover, USC’s Jordan Maiava and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton are all sitting behind Bachmeier on CBS’ recent quarterback power rankings. All of which are projected to be higher than Bachmeier on the Heisman list.

CBS ranks Bear Bachmeier as the 5th best quarterback in the country. Putting him in a class of players based significantly on how their respective teams are doing. Much less a view of individual stats and highlights, more of an indication of team success. Looking at each of the top 5 names, it included five teams that are all playing exceedingly well with potential playoff goals in mind.

Bachmeier’s goal should be to receive a Heisman finalist invite. There is almost no reality where he would be a Heisman favorite. What he is asked to do for BYU to win is not directly in line with what it would take to win the award. Not to mention a strong east coast and Big Ten-SEC bias that still exists.

Bachmeier and BYU need to simply let their team success speak louder than individual awards or accolades. If they beat the teams they are expected to beat and perform well in the Holy War, the rest will take care of itself. BYU’s football program is not defined by the star power of one and neither will their success.