The BYU Cougars football team is the college football program representing Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah. The Cougars began collegiate football competition in 1922, and have won 23 conference championships and one national championship in 1984. The team has competed in several different athletic conferences during its history, but since July 1, 2011, they have competed as an Independent. On September 10, 2021, the Big 12 Conference unanimously accepted BYU’s application to the conference. BYU will begin Big 12 play in the 2023-24 season.