Episode Details

The BYU Cougars are once again fighting for the respect and recognition they’ve earned on the gridiron. Despite an impressive 23-4 record over the past two seasons and multiple close calls with the College Football Playoff, the BYU football program opens the year at 19th in FanDuel’s playoff odds, trailing behind programs like Big 12 Conference rival Texas Tech and even Penn State under new head coach Matt Campbell. Jake Hatch breaks down what these odds say about the persistent national perception of BYU and the Cougars’ battle against Big Ten and SEC favoritism. He highlights pivotal matchups, including a potential Big 12 title game clash with Texas Tech and a mid-October home showdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish that could define BYU’s playoff destiny. The discussion zeroes in on whether Kalani Sitake’s squad has the roster depth and top-end talent to finally shatter the glass ceiling and force national media to take notice.

Switching focus to BYU Basketball, attention turns to the roster’s NBA potential under head coach Kevin Young. Jake Hatch explores why The Athletic praises Collin Chandler as an ideal transfer portal fit for BYU, spotlighting his three-level scoring ability cultivated at Farmington High and honed further at Kentucky. The episode draws intriguing parallels between Chandler’s anticipated leap and Richie Saunders’ meteoric junior-year rise, both shaped by Young’s player development philosophy. Listeners get an insider’s view on how Chandler, Rob Wright III, and five-star recruit Bruce Branch III could form a dynamic trio, potentially correcting last year’s issues with overlapping on-ball talents.

Transfer portal action intensifies as Julius Halaifonua, a 7-footer from Georgetown, enters the mix as a prized big-man target. Jake Hatch outlines Halaifonua’s Power Five production at Georgetown in the Big East Conference, his fit as a potential BYU version of Steven Adams, and how his New Zealand roots might connect him to BYU’s broader mission linked with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With the cost of adding elite centers skyrocketing, BYU’s recruiting strategy adapts, aiming to stockpile proven frontcourt talent for the grind of Big 12 play. Can Young’s aggressive approach in the portal build a Big 12 contender and unleash Chandler’s full potential?

Tune in for a comprehensive breakdown of BYU’s quest for national relevance in football and the mounting excitement around its basketball rebuild.

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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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