Episode Details

Welcome into another edition of Locked On Cougars, hosted by Jake Hatch! We have officially reached the midseason mark of the 2026 college football season, and what a thrilling first half it has been for Kalani Sitake’s squad. Sitting at a pristine 6-0 overall and 3-0 in Big 12 play— punctuated by that historic, heart-pounding 28-24 victory over No. 2 Notre Dame—the BYU Cougars have firmly established themselves as national contenders.

On today’s episode, we hand out comprehensive midseason report card grades for every unit on the team. We evaluate Aaron Roderick’s offense as it adapts to a running back committee following LJ Martin’s injury, and we grade Kelly Poppinga’s defense, which continues to pitch masterclasses and clamp down in high-pressure moments. We highlight our midseason standout players, from Bear Bachmeier taking the college football world by storm to defensive stalwarts making game-winning plays.

With a golden 6-0 record in our back pocket, we also take a macro look at where this program stands. We examine the College Football Playoff outlook, the evolving Big 12 championship race, and what the ceiling is for the Cougars as they transition into the grueling back half of the fall schedule.

Finally, we turn our full attention to Saturday’s trip down to Orlando as BYU takes on the UCF Knights at the Bounce House. We break down what to expect from the Knights, how the Cougars must handle a hostile road environment in Florida, and the keys to keeping this magical undefeated streak alive.

Tune in for complete midseason analysis, player grades, and game-planning insights! Make sure to subscribe, rate, and review Locked On Cougars on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform.

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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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