I know we said we’d keep the basketball news to a minimum in this newsletter during football season.

But we have to break that rule one more time. (It’s a bye week; cut us some slack.)

As BYU football prepares for Arizona on Oct. 12, the basketball coaching staff is also readying for maybe the biggest recruiting weekend in the program’s history.

The No. 1 overall prospect, AJ Dybantsa, will be in attendance along with his Utah Prep teammate JJ Mandaquit. It will be their first introduction to BYU’s fan base — one they could play in front of in a few short months.

And you could argue that the quality of the football game Dybantsa goes to doesn’t matter. And to some degree, I’d agree.

This will be a basketball decision first and foremost. If BYU football were playing Army and both teams were 0-12, I don’t think it would necessarily be a dealbreaker.

But in this recruitment, every last detail and edge matters.

This is Dybantsa’s first in-person look at BYU’s student section. On his recruitment tour, he’s seen some very good environments. Alabama took Dybantsa around Bryant-Denny when Georgia was in town last week. Tide coach Nate Oats was playing up the fan base in Tuscaloosa.

BYU doesn’t want to underwhelm. And this Arizona game sure did fall into its lap.

At 5-0 and BYU in the heart of the Big 12 race, this should be a very strong showing for the fan base. For BYU, it has to leave an impression on Dybansa — his final visit before he makes a decision in February.

After the Cougars won a nail-biter at Baylor last week, I wrote that Saturday felt like a game BYU would’ve lost a year ago.

BYU saw some crushing leads be taken from it in 2023 — mainly those Oklahoma and Oklahoma State games to end the year.

Now, BYU is making its own luck — leaning on staying aggressive to win games. It’s a skill that has to be learned.

But there’s another reason why BYU is winning close games this year: It has legitimate Power Four depth and physicality now.

Look at the top-rated players from the Baylor game. On defense you have Viliami Po’uha, Aisea Moa, Crew Wakley, John Taumoepeau.

These are not BYU’s opening day starters. These are down in the depth chart guys being asked to contribute in Week 5, and getting it done on the road in the Power Four.

On offense, you could make the same case: Austin Leausa, Sonny Makasini, Bruce Mitchell also getting it done on the offense line.

Last year, BYU couldn’t go down into its depth and expect to compete, much less win. Now the recruiting Sitake has done since 2021 is starting to catch up and build out this roster.

I think back to when BYU played Baylor in 2021. The Bears had their way with BYU and looked more physical in the trenches and had more depth. BYU wasn’t close to the Big 12.

Now, BYU just went into Baylor and made the Bears look like BYU from 2021. It’s quite the reversal. That shows real program growth — and maybe why Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is going to get fired.

I asked Sitake about this on Monday. He seemed to agree.

“We’ve been trying to have a specific effort to get bigger, and more physical and strong,” he said. “If you look at the front, I thought we did that on the O-line and D-line [on Saturday]. I thought the defensive line handled the run really nicely. The front seven was really good against the run.”

It bodes well for the future, and shows Sitake has this program moving in the right direction.

What aspect of this team gives you the most concern at 5-0?

1. Darius Lassiter

Chase Roberts has received the praise as BYU’s top receiver. He is much improved in press-man situations. But Darius Lassiter deserves some consideration.

He had 10-plus targets and eight catches against Baylor for 120 yards. Against SMU and Baylor, he’s gone for over 60 yards. He’s developing into one of Jake Retzlaff’s favorite targets. This is his final year in the program, and may become the second punch BYU needs for a more dynamic passing game.

2. Moa on defense

We talked about Sione I Moa as a running back. But what about Sione Moa and Aisea Moa at linebacker. With Harrison Taggart down and Isaiah Glasker briefly injured, Hill leaned on both Moas to make plays.

You’ll remember Aisea Moa. He was once one of BYU’s top recruits as an edge rusher. After he didn’t pan out, he shed some weight, moved to linebacker and now has a more natural position, Justin Ena told me.

Taggart should be back by Arizona, but it is nice to know BYU has some reserves there.

3. Injuries

Speaking of Taggart, here is the injury list latest. Sione I Moa and LJ Martin are back against Arizona, Sitake said. It’s the first time in over a month BYU will go into a game with both of its top running backs healthy.

The loss that will linger is center Connor Pay. He could miss a few weeks and that means BYU will have to rework its interior offensive line. TJ Woods shuffled those guys around in Waco. But expect to see plenty of Makasini, Leausa and Mitchell in there.

4. BYU’s path to Arlington taking shape

It is too early to start talking about the Big 12 title race? Yes. But will we do it in a newsletter? Why not.

BYU is 5-0 and this Arizona game is shaping up to be its toughest test before Utah. After that, it sees a reeling Oklahoma State team and a UCF group that just lost to Colorado by 20. Nothing will be easy, but if BYU can make it past the Wildcats, you start to look at going into November in the hunt.

Up next

It’s a bye week.

The Cougars host Arizona on Oct. 12.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.