Episode Details

LJ Martin’s preseason All-American nod sets the stage for the BYU Football program’s ambitions in the Big 12 Conference, but is one Cougar star enough to satisfy the fanbase in this heated Utah-BYU rivalry? Jake Hatch and JT Wistrcill kick off this crossover episode by analyzing Martin’s Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year status and questioning which other BYU and Utah players—like Bear Bachmeier of Cade Uluave—deserved a spot on the Associated Press lists. Does the AP’s limited roster leave Big 12 standouts underrated, and can Utah’s Devon Dampier crash the postseason All-American conversation with a breakout season?

The debate intensifies as BYU edges Utah in the preseason AP Top 25, with BYU ranked 14th to Utah’s 21st. Jake Hatch calls this the "Goldilocks zone" for the Cougars and explains how Kalani Sitake can use this “under-respected” status as motivation on the campaign for a College Football Playoff berth. Meanwhile, JT Wistrcill pushes back, arguing that Utah—whose quarterback situation feels more secure than Tennessee’s—could outperform its ranking by season’s end. Both hosts agree that making the Big 12 title game is no small feat, but punching a ticket to the College Football Playoff remains the real goal for both programs.

With the rivalry game on the horizon, attention turns to whether the Holy War could tip playoff scales for either squad. A convincing win at Rice-Eccles Stadium could catapult either Utah or BYU into a two-team Big 12 playoff scenario, but both teams know that winning isn’t enough—they need statement victories to sway national perception. Jake Hatch and JT Wistrcill weigh whether fans would rather take extra losses and a rivalry win, or endure defeat to their rival in pursuit of playoff glory, inviting listeners to join the debate.

Off the field, the drama is equally intense. Kalani Sitake’s pointed comments about resource gaps ignited a firestorm around BYU athletic director Brian Santiago, echoing the public fallout Utah just experienced between Mark Harlan and Kyle Whittingham. The hosts dissect how AD-coach power dynamics play out, the unique pressures on BYU’s leadership pool, and why public opinion often aligns with the football coach in moments of institutional strife. As both programs navigate these controversies, one question looms: whose athletic department can weather the storm and deliver on championship aspirations? Don’t miss this comprehensive breakdown of both the on-field battles and off-field intrigue shaping Utah and BYU’s 2026 seasons.

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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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