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

BYU Football looks to make waves in the Big 12, driven by a reenergized defensive line led by Keanu Tanuvasa and Justin Kirkland. Could this be the year that the Cougars’ defensive tackle duo establishes itself as the conference’s finest? Tanuvasa returns for his final season after tough NFL feedback and a “disgust” with leaving unfinished business on the field. He shares his motivation to run it...

The BYU football program's wide receiver room enters a season-defining crossroads as Josiah “Jojo” Phillips is challenged to become the offense’s game-changer after a string of departures left more than 2,300 receiving yards up for grabs. Jake Hatch spotlights why Phillips, blessed with elite size and athleticism at 6'5” and 205 pounds, is under pressure to lead Bear Bachmeier’s aerial attack—if h...

Kalani Sitake's commitment to BYU football just sent shockwaves through Cougar Nation. Despite tempting overtures from Penn State and eye-popping contract rumors topping $9 million a year, Sitake doubled down on his vision for the Cougars: national prominence and a real shot at the College Football Playoff. Is BYU now one of the Big 12’s teams to beat, and what does Sitake's loyalty mean for the p...

The BYU Cougars and Utah Utes baseball and softball programs are reaching a turning point as financial realities and shifting priorities could threaten their future. Jake Hatch and Drake Toll spotlight how, despite top-tier facilities like Miller Park and Gail Miller Field, BYU and Utah lag behind Big 12 powerhouses—especially Texas Tech, where targeted $2 million donations have reinvigorated the...

BYU Cougars’ quarterback Bear Bachmeier draws national attention as former Utah head coach Ron McBride boldly declares him “in a league by himself”—even calling the BYU signal-caller better than recent first-round NFL draft prospects. Can Bachmeier’s elite poise, anticipation, and chemistry with teammates elevate BYU to new heights in the Big 12? Jake Hatch breaks it down, dissecting if this extra...

Big 12 teams unanimously reject Brett Yormark’s $30 million private equity offer—does this signal deeper issues within the conference’s financial strategy? The Big 12 Squad tackles the fallout from the Big 12’s capital proposal, exploring why schools like BYU, Colorado, and Houston turned down “free money.” The crew debates risk vs. reward, hidden contract fine print, and whether teams should gamb...

The BYU Cougars claim their defensive tackle duo of Keanu Tanuvasa and Justin Kirkland could be the most dominant in the Big 12—a bold assertion that sets the stage for a pivotal season in Provo. Is the BYU football program finally positioned for a return to defensive prominence after years scraping for depth in the trenches? Jake Hatch breaks down how BYU’s interior line, headlined by Tanuvasa’s...

The BYU Cougars defy long-standing media skepticism as Jon Wilner—once known for downgrading BYU—now ranks them atop his Big 12 power rankings, signaling a seismic shift in expectations for Kalani Sitake’s program. With veteran leadership from quarterback Bear Bachmeier, explosive running back LJ Martin, and a proven offensive line, BYU is positioned as the most complete team in the conference, ev...

Brigham Young University’s principled stand against debt is sending shockwaves through the Big 12’s financial playbook as RedBird Capital offers a game-changing $500 million private equity package. Jake Hatch and Drake Toll spotlight how the BYU Cougars’ deep-rooted commitment to fiscal discipline—anchored in the ethos of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—has made them one of the fir...

Utah Jazz face a pivotal moment as the NBA Draft approaches, with AJ Dybantsa emerging as the potential hometown hero BYU basketball fans are desperate to see in Salt Lake City. Can Ryan Smith and the Jazz front office, led by BYU legend Danny Ainge, swing a deal to secure Dybantsa, leveraging their impressive war chest of first-round picks and young talent, or will BYU Cougars faithful need to pi...

Bear Bachmeier’s meteoric rise has BYU Cougars fans buzzing with visions of a new golden era at quarterback. After arriving from Stanford and leading BYU to a stunning 12-2 finish with over 3,500 total yards, Bachmeier is now set for his first full offseason in Provo. Can his rugged running style, fullback mentality, and deeper knowledge of Aaron Roderick’s high-powered offense propel the Cougars...

Special teams could define BYU Football’s season as the Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars undergo a near-total transformation in this crucial third phase of the game. After several years of standout performances and game-changing moments from names like Will Ferrin (kicker), Sam Vander Haar (punter), and star return man Parker Kingston, BYU now hands the keys to a fresh group of specialists. With...

The Arizona Wildcats’ dominant frontcourt sets them apart—are thye the archetype and model for BYU men's basketball to follow? Jake Hatch & Leif Thulin dissect Arizona’s impressive rise under Tommy Lloyd, focusing on the massive impact of retaining key talents like Mo Krivas, who is touted as an All-American candidate and possibly the best player on next year’s roster. The conversation spotlights...

The BYU Cougars’ national championship hopes face a fascinating twist as two offensive stars vie for major hardware—but could their dominance actually hurt each other's chances for the Heisman Trophy or Doak Walker Award? Jake Hatch explores whether LJ Martin’s explosiveness or Bear Bachmeier’s quarterback leadership will earn the national spotlight, spotlighting the potential risk of hurting each...

Big 12 powerhouses rethink private equity as BYU and Houston reject RedBird Capital’s $30 million offer—could financial strategy shape the new conference elite? The Big 12 Squad dissects what BYU’s debt-averse philosophy means for their future, why Houston’s leadership is pressing pause, and whether Oklahoma State or Iowa State are positioned to take the risk, aiming to leap ahead in the evolving...

College Football Playoff expansion takes center stage as a proposed 24-team format raises questions about the sport’s competitive future. Is this massive playoff the answer to more inclusion or merely a ploy to pad resumes for Power Four coaches and programs on the fringe? Jake Hatch and Spencer McLaughlin dissect the AFCA board’s ambitious recommendations, spotlighting the motivations behind expa...

The BYU Cougars are renewing their fierce rivalry with the Utah State Aggies, but the much-anticipated basketball series comes with a twist: no true home-and-home showdown. Jake Hatch dissects BYU’s strategic move to keep the first game in Provo’s Marriott Center and push the so-called “return” game to the neutral Delta Center in Salt Lake City. This setup stirs debate—does BYU’s insistence on avo...

The BYU Cougars find themselves at a pivotal crossroads, with national eyes on Kalani Sitake's team as they confront high expectations and pointed criticism. College football analyst Josh Pate directly challenges BYU, arguing that despite strong performances, the Cougars “didn’t really win anything” last year—but can the BYU football program's returning core silence the doubters and make a legitim...

The BYU Cougars make headlines as Ryan Wooten Jr., a highly-rated 6'2", 175-pound defensive back from Jersey City, New Jersey, committed to bringing his talents to Provo. Could this major recruiting win signal the start of a new era for Kalani Sitake’s program as they chase national relevance in the Big 12 Conference? With proven versatility and size perfectly suited to combat today’s bigger, stro...

Big 12 supremacy is up for grabs as BYU and Arizona square off in a pivotal Week 2 clash that could dictate the conference’s tone for the entire season. Will Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin propel the BYU Cougars to the front of the Big 12 race, or can Noah Fifita—Arizona’s reigning conference quarterback of the year—lead a Wildcats squad on the rise and prove they’re not being overlooked? Jake Hatch...

The BYU men's basketball program's search for a starting center intensifies as another high-profile target, Obinna Ekezie Jr., opts for Louisville, adding pressure on Kevin Young and his staff to secure a vital piece for next season’s roster. With top stateside names dwindling, BYU pivots its focus overseas, targeting promising international prospects like Michael Ružić—a 6'11" Croatian standout w...

BYU running back LJ Martin stands on the edge of history, poised to become the BYU football program’s all-time leading rusher while also carrying the title of reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. His journey is one marked by grit, ambition, and a hunger to elevate both his personal game and the fortunes of the BYU Cougars. Facing tough decisions after a breakout season, LJ Martin opens up...

Utah Tech is set for a high-stakes football campaign, launching their season with a daunting schedule highlighted by a marquee clash against BYU. Trailblazers head coach Lance Anderson offers a candid look at the strategic and cultural challenges his FCS program faces in the age of NIL and the transfer portal. How does a team like Utah Tech compete as standout players are routinely plucked by FBS...

The BYU Cougars stand on the brink of Big 12 history, poised to make consecutive championship game appearances while traditional powers stumble. With Texas Tech’s star quarterback Brendan Sorsby facing major eligibility setbacks, all eyes turn to Bear Bachmeier and BYU’s window of opportunity. Can the Cougars capitalize—and does Tech have enough firepower left with Will Hammond coming off injury?...

As the BYU Cougars brace for a pivotal campaign as all eyes turn to Sione Moa—the under-the-radar linchpin whose health could tilt the balance of the entire backfield. While LJ Martin sits within striking distance of breaking the program’s all-time rushing record, BYU’s postseason hopes rest as much on the durability and availability of supporting backs as on Martin’s star power. After injuries to...