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

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BIG 12 SQUAD - Big 12 REALIGNMENT CHATTER | What will happen to BYU? Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Can the Big 12 survive the power play by the SEC and Big Ten, or is a seismic shift in college athletics imminent? The Big 12 Squad tackles the heated debate over conference realignment, the rumored addition of Louisville, and whether government intervention is the only hope to keep college football from becoming a two-league universe. The hosts dissect Josh Pate’s radical plan to restore conference regionality and question whether historic rivalries and logical geography can ever return to the sport. From heated rants about bubble teams like West Virginia and TCU to frustration over SEC and Big Ten dominance on ESPN and Fox, the panel breaks down the flaws in NCAA tournament selection and the consequences for Big 12 schools. With references to brand power, TV money, and underappreciated programs, this episode is packed with passionate takes and critical questions: Is tradition dead in college sports, or can the Big 12 carve out its own path to respect and relevance?

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Bear Bachmeier &LJ Martin Are Set to ELEVATE BYU Football’s Big 12 & College Football Playoff Dreams | TJ Woods Sharpening 'Tip of the Spear' | BYU Women Chase March Madness Berth Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

The BYU football program enters spring camp with sky-high expectations, anchored by what Jake Hatch calls the strongest quarterback-running back tandem in the Big 12: Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin. Can this duo finally break through for a College Football Playoff berth after two seasons knocking on the door? Despite LJ Martin rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery, all eyes turn to Bachmeier’s hoped-for sophomore leap—armed with a full offseason, additional conditioning, and deeper mastery of Aaron Roderick’s offense. Will BYU’s offense soar to new heights, or is a sophomore slump looming? Hatch breaks down Bachmeier’s impressive freshman campaign, his offseason body transformation, and how continued chemistry with Martin could make Kalani Sitake and the BYU Cougars contenders for both a Big 12 title and a national championship.

Jake Hatch then talked with BYU offensive line coach TJ Woods for an insider look at how he’s revamping the front five. Woods discusses integrating transfer portal additions Paki Finau, Jr Sia, and Zak Yamauchi into a unit that already features returning talent like Bruce Mitchell, Kyle Sfarcioc, and Andrew Gentry. Can Woods find the perfect lineup in this critical spring stretch? Topics include technique blending for new arrivals, cross-training for versatility, and the importance of competition in shaping an elite line to protect Bachmeier and open holes for Martin. Woods emphasizes the value of experience, character, and adaptability, noting Mitchell’s continued growth and Gentry’s potential to become an all-conference player. Hatch highlights the fierce competition and depth on the roster, with young talent ready to push for playing time and possibly surpass past BYU O-lines that sent multiple players to the NFL.

On the hardwood, BYU women’s basketball continues its late-season surge as Delaney Gibb, Olivia Hamlin, and teammates battle rival Utah in Kansas City with March Madness implications. Hatch spotlights their balanced scoring, recent historic Big 12 tournament win, and head coach Lee Cummard’s rapid turnaround in his inaugural season. With the Kevin Young and the BYU men’s program facing its own adversity and senior night approaching, can BYU’s women steal the spotlight with an NCAA tournament bid? This episode delivers strategic insights and bold predictions, analyzing how Cougars football and basketball navigate spring challenges, roster changes, and postseason dreams.

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Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere else.

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BYU Basketball MELTDOWN—Is Kevin Young to BLAME? | Roster Construction Needs Complete Re-Imagining | AJ Dybantsa Teases BYU Return Against NBA Draft Entry Mar 04, 2026

Show notes

BYU men's basketball faces a breaking point as a blowout 90-68 loss to Cincinnati exposes deep roster flaws and defensive shortcomings. Can Head Coach Kevin Young turn the tide, or is BYU already bracing for a quick NCAA Tournament exit? Jake Hatch delivers a candid breakdown of the Cougars’ unraveling season, highlighting the failed transition from preseason Final Four aspirations to a team struggling to show pride and effort. With stars like A.J. Dybantsa, Richie Saunders, and Robert Wright III forming the “big three,” why hasn’t their talent translated to wins—and who bears the blame for a supporting cast that can’t deliver?

Key discussion points include the critical missteps in BYU’s roster construction, from the lack of a true lob thrower to maximize Keba Keita’s skills, to underwhelming perimeter shooting contributions from role players such as Tyler Mrus and Moo Davis. Jake Hatch examines how last season’s tactical platooning and smart recruiting fueled a Sweet 16 run, only for this year’s squad to look “fundamentally broken.” What lessons must Kevin Young and recruiting lead Justin Young learn before rebuilding for next year? The analysis explores whether incoming talents like Bruce Branch and Dean Rueckert can fill the gaps—or if BYU needs a wholesale approach for future success in the Big 12.

Off the court, A.J. Dybantsa’s NBA Draft decision looms large. Could BYU fans dare to hope for a return, or is a top-3 selection—and the lure of a potential $14.5 million rookie deal—too much to pass up? Jake Hatch weighs the reality of NIL money, Dybantsa’s own statements about “unfinished business,” and why risk and reward almost certainly point toward the NBA. Listeners get the full context on BYU’s season trajectory, the roster’s shortcomings, and the coaching strategies to watch as Senior Night and the Big 12 tournament approach.

Stay locked in for in-depth Cougars coverage, as BYU’s basketball future and the fate of its brightest star hang in the balance. Can the Cougars rediscover their fight and fix what ails them—or are Cougar fans witnessing the end of an era before their eyes?