No. 8 BYU survived a scare on the road, but the Cougars' Big 12 title push took a real hit in the process. Running back LJ Martin and linebacker Isaiah Glasker, two of the Cougars' biggest stars, were both ruled out at halftime of Saturday's 17-10 win at TCU, and head coach Kalani Sitake says both are now "doubtful" for Friday's home game against Iowa State.

Martin, last season's Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, managed just two carries for 16 yards before exiting with what was initially described as a lower-leg injury and never returned, according to a Salt Lake Tribune report from Fort Worth. He still leads the team with 344 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the season. Glasker, a 2025 All-Big 12 selection who ranks fourth on BYU's defense with 16 tackles, went down on the same series, hurt while making a hit during a teammate's interception return, and spent the second half on the sideline with a towel over his head.

A third Cougar, defensive back and return specialist Cannon DeVries, also left the game early but is considered more likely to play. With Martin largely out of the backfield, quarterback Bear Bachmeier had to carry BYU's offense on the ground, rushing for 66 yards and two touchdowns — including a go-ahead 21-yard score with 2:06 left — while completing just 11 of 24 passes for 62 yards through the air.

Sitake addressed both injuries two days later, cautioning that the team was still waiting on more information before Friday's home conference game at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"We're still evaluating yesterday and today, and we'll probably get more information, but right now it looks, you know, doubtful for both," Sitake said, per Deseret News.

Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said staff expected more clarity on Martin as the week went on, ahead of BYU's Big 12-mandated availability report. If Martin can't go, it would mark the seventh game he has missed to injury over his college career, a recurring theme for a back who also underwent shoulder surgery last offseason.

BYU hosts Iowa State at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Friday night at 8:15 p.m. MDT, with the Cougars looking to stay unbeaten in conference play. A final word on Martin and Glasker is expected to come with BYU's official injury report later this week, with both players' practice reps between now and kickoff likely to decide whether the nation's reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year suits up.