In some corners of the college football world, Indiana winning a national championship is reason for hope.

Anyone can win now, the theory goes. You don’t need an SEC logo on your chest or a payroll that would fund a small army.

But BYU coach Kalani Sitake is not looking to the Hoosiers for hope. In fact, he’s not too interested in hope at all.

“Hope is a good motivator, but it is not a good strategy,” Sitake said. “The fact that Indiana was able to do that was great. But we have a system in place now where there is a playoff. So you’ve got to find a way to get there.”

The College Football Playoff has eluded the Cougars since joining the Big 12. They’ve knocked on the door twice: coming up a game short in both 2024 and 2025.

Last year, BYU went 11-2 in the regular season — losing to No. 7 Texas Tech twice — and still didn’t get in.

That’s what keeps Sitake up at night — not thinking about how Indiana could be a blueprint for schools like BYU.

“We were right there within grasp of the playoffs and didn’t get in. There is a reason why a bunch of these guys came back,” Sitake said.

BYU made an increased monetary commitment this offseason to compete in football, mirroring its financial investment in basketball.

The Cougars signed Sitake to a long-term extension that will put him among the highest-paid coaches in the Big 12. His staff and roster also got a significant upgrade.

These are the tangible things Sitake is focused on to close the gap for the playoffs. In a 12-team playoff bracket, the Big 12 may only get one team in. The margin is thin.

“I just want these guys to focus on being at their best. If we perform at our best, I like our chances,” Sitake said. “But it is not like you are all in for one thing only [the playoff]. That causes stress and anxiety. Let’s just focus on being the best that we can. Maybe we can create a competitive gap between us and the other schools. That’s all the stuff we will do in the next few months.”

As for being the next Indiana — a school that seemingly came out of nowhere to win it all — Sitake wouldn’t mind joining that club. But BYU isn’t trying to become the next Bloomington.

“I think it is really cool what [Hoosiers coach Curt] Cignetti and Indiana were able to do,” Sitake said. “The best way for us to get there is to play our best football.