Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball

Quarterback play stands at center stage as the BYU Cougars prepare to take on Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, with Bear Bachmeier and Haynes King poised to be the decisive factors in Orlando. Both teams showcase balanced offenses built around potent rushing attacks—Georgia Tech leans on King’s dual-threat dynamism, as he leads in passing and rushing, while BYU turns to L.J. Martin and, when needed, relies on Bachmeier's mobility and arm. With Martin’s health still a question, will the Cougars hand more responsibility to their freshman phenom under center? Can BYU’s offense sustain its rhythm if forced into a quarterback-led ground game, and will the experienced King be too much for a defense that must adjust on the fly? Jake Hatch breaks down BYU’s keys to victory, spotlighting the offensive chess match and playmaking potential at quarterback. He also highlights Georgia Tech’s backfield depth with Malachi Hosley and Jamal Haynes, and explores how strategic advantages, experience, and health could define the bowl outcome. As the season finale looms, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is set to deliver one of the most intriguing non-playoff clashes this year, with both programs eager to cap their campaigns on a high note. Off the gridiron, BYU basketball captures headlines as 6-foot-10 former G-League center Abdullah Ahmed is set to make his much-anticipated debut against Eastern Washington. Jake Hatch discusses Ahmed’s G-League experience and the impact his interior presence could bring to the Cougars’ frontcourt as Big 12 play nears. Will Ahmed solidify BYU’s depth and rebounding just in time for a rugged conference schedule? Plus, with Keba Keita’s health in question and recent illness affecting the rotation, the added size and skill could become a difference-maker for Kevin Young’s squad. Roster moves remain a focal point as BYU’s staff eyes the transfer portal. Sione Laulea—former Oregon Ducks cornerback and BYU recruiting target—hits the portal with one year of eligibility. Does his size, experience, and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints connection make him the perfect fit for Jay Hill’s defense? Jake Hatch examines how relationships and opportunity may draw Laulea to Provo, and what his arrival could mean for BYU’s pursuit of Big 12 contention next fall.

Playoff disappointment casts a shadow over the BYU Cougars as they gear up for the Pop-Tarts Bowl against Georgia Tech. Jake Hatch raises tough questions: does being snubbed two years running from the College Football Playoff sap motivation for both coaches and players, despite their confident public statements? BYU’s resume—highlighted by 11 wins and a Big 12 title game appearance—stacked up with the nation’s elite, but the playoff selection committee once again left the Cougars on the outside, prompting concerns about lingering frustration affecting bowl game readiness. Are players like Isaiah Glasker poised to use this as fuel, or will disappointment linger when they clash with the Yellow Jackets in Orlando? Shifting to basketball, AJ Dybantsa’s singular run turns heads on a national stage as TNT brings Grant Hill, Andy Katz, and Brian Anderson to Provo for the BYU Cougars’ matchup with Abilene Christian. Dybantsa’s string of games—over 100 points, 30+ rebounds, 20+ assists, and zero fouls—has never been seen in Division 1 hoops over a four-game span, making him a potential top NBA draft pick and the focus of NBA scouts and broadcasters alike. Jake Hatch highlights how Coach Kevin Young’s savvy, year-by-year roster construction ushers in a new era of BYU hoops, drawing national media and raising questions about how the Cougars will balance one-and-done stars with long-term program culture. Listener mailbag brings additional intrigue, with hot topics ranging from Bear Bachmeier’s transfer status and Will Ferrin’s NFL future to an early win-loss predictions for next football season and how NIL-fueled roster turnover will shape BYU athletics. Jake Hatch breaks down positional battles, the impact of top transfer recruits, and what it will take for BYU to remain a force in the Big 12. With high-profile matchups, looming transfer decisions, and dynamic talent on display, BYU fans will want to catch all the analysis and insider perspectives shaping Cougar athletics. Will the Cougars turn frustration into fuel and capitalize on their growing national spotlight?

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham emerges as a likely candidate to take over at Michigan, setting off one of the most unexpected coaching carousel moves in recent college football history. Can Whittingham’s approach and legacy translate to success in Ann Arbor, and would his staff follow him or remain tied to Morgan Scalley? The crew breaks down the drama, and questions abound over Michigan’s future roster, leadership, and the impact on Big 12 dynamics. BYU fans are fired up as Notre Dame is accused of dodging the Cougars in bowl matchups, sparking talk about underdog narratives and college football prestige. Deion Sanders’ transformative effect on Colorado—on and off the field—is spotlighted, alongside concerns about his longevity and succession plans with rising assistant Brennan Marion. Plus, the panel debates Texas high school football recruiting, scandals, and which coaches truly fit Michigan’s high-pressure program. Will Sanders build a lasting legacy in Boulder, or is another seismic shift on the horizon?

ACC chaos strikes BYU football, jeopardizing the Cougars’ 2026 College Football Playoff ambitions and sparking outcry—can Kalani Sitake’s program find a solution before it’s too late? Jake Hatch breaks down how the ACC’s unbalanced conference schedule forced Cal to cancel its much-anticipated home-and-home series with BYU, leaving the Cougars without a Power Four opponent just nine months ahead of the 2026 season. With College Football Playoff selection hinging on quality non-conference wins and the Big 12’s strict expectations for scheduling, BYU faces an uphill battle to keep its postseason hopes alive. Will ESPN’s legendary game arranger Dave Brown orchestrate a strategic fix? Could the Big 12 offer a waiver or manufacture an intra-conference non-conference matchup? Jake Hatch explores these possibilities while highlighting how timing, uncoordinated conference decisions, and scarcity of available Power programs threaten to derail BYU’s aspirations. Turning to the gridiron, Jojo Phillips offers exclusive insights after his long road back from injury. The star wide receiver opens up about regaining confidence after his collarbone setback against Stanford, the steady leadership of Kalani Sitake, and the unwavering bond within the BYU locker room—even during distractions like coaching rumors. Phillips details his mentality approaching the Pop-Tarts Bowl versus Georgia Tech, his focus on ending the year with momentum, and the sense of urgency as transfer portal season approaches. His candid reflections reveal the challenges and resilience needed to thrive at the highest level. The transfer portal drama continues as Walker Lyons, USC tight end and brother to BYU commit Ryder Lyons, emerges as a priority target for the Cougars. Jake Hatch assesses Walker’s USC impact, family connections to Provo, and the real possibility of the Lyons brothers becoming a BYU tandem. Listeners get an inside look at BYU’s evolving portal strategy, roster implications for 2026, and why the Cougars remain a compelling destination for high-profile talent. Can BYU’s staff turn adversity into opportunity and solidify their spot among college football’s elite? Don’t miss this comprehensive analysis and exclusive player perspective.

The BYU Cougars dominate Pacific Tigers 93-57 on the hardwood, but the real fireworks ignite after the game with Pacific AD Adam Tschuor’s headline-grabbing rant. Tschuor calls BYU “walking bags of cash,” criticizing the new NIL era and the financial dynamics of college athletics. Does this social media dust-up signal deeper tensions between mid-majors and Power 4 programs, or is it simply sour grapes after BYU’s resounding victory? Jake Hatch breaks down the implications of Tschuor’s comments, exploring the evolution of athlete compensation and how the Cougars are navigating the ever-changing college basketball landscape. The episode spotlights breakout performances in BYU’s victory—Rob Wright, Richie Saunders, and AJ Dybantsa each score 22+ points, marking the first time in 15 years that three Cougars achieve this feat in a single game. Defensive improvement is clear as BYU’s bench depth shines, with Tyler Mrus stepping up in place of Aleksej Kostic. As Big 12 play looms, the Cougars are building momentum, but are they prepared for tougher competition ahead? Shifting to football, Jake Hatch unveils BYU’s transfer portal power rankings and the strategic priorities for roster upgrades. Defensive line stands tall as the top target, inspired by Texas Tech’s $7 million unit that stifled the Cougars on the field. Running back depth is critical with LJ Martin’s NFL future undecided, while offensive line holes, receiver roles, and linebacker depth round out the must-address positions. Hatch highlights Joshua Dye, Southern Utah’s record-setting running back, as a transfer prospect who fits BYU’s need for a dynamic ground threat. Listeners get exclusive insights on BYU’s NIL resources, culture fit challenges, and the portal’s ever-evolving impact. Is BYU flexing enough muscle to compete in the Big 12 arms race? Will new recruits like Dye fill the gaps and elevate the program in 2025? Catch every angle as Jake Hatch delivers essential analysis for Cougar fans tracking basketball blowouts, football rebuilds, and the future of college athletics.