Episode Details

BYU and Utah’s “Holy War” generates major fan backlash after the Big 12 schedules the storied rivalry for a 10 AM local kickoff—raising questions about media priorities, the limitations of existing TV contracts, and whether powerhouse college football programs should explore independent broadcasting. With insider perspectives from the world of sports production, Jake Hatch and Bryan Brown conversation explores the feasibility of BYU and Utah leveraging BYUtv’s state-of-the-art production capabilities to take control of the game’s distribution, possibly netting millions in sponsorships, and reshaping the future of college football rights deals. From market reach to sponsorship strategies and the logistics of producing major games outside traditional networks, the episode asks whether it’s still worth it for Big 12 teams to cede control to ESPN for a guaranteed check—or if the next round of media rights negotiations should empower schools with more flexibility and creative additional revenue streams for marquee games.

Key insights center on how BYUtv’s production facility rivals national broadcasters, the massive corporate sponsorship dollars Brigham Young University and Utah can attract, and the broader implications for conference realignment and college football’s evolving broadcast landscape. How will the next wave of media rights shape programs’ independence and exposure? Will streaming giants like Netflix or Amazon become the new power brokers, granting schools like BYU and Utah direct access to global audiences—and the ability to schedule showcase games on their own terms?

The discussion pivots to on-field strategy as Aaron Roderick’s play-calling for BYU football comes under fire after a controversial late-game sequence against UCF. The chaos of clock management, the risk-reward calculations for teams backed up on their own goal line, and the reality of offensive play design in high-pressure situations are unpacked in detail. Roderick’s reputation as a top offensive coordinator and quarterback architect is examined, with a candid take on how even creative minds need to balance aggressiveness with risk management.

Utah’s position atop the Big 12 standings is scrutinized against a backdrop of intense conference parity and unpredictable weekly results. The path to a Big 12 title is fraught with potential upsets, from gritty road tests at Cincinnati to trap games against surging opponents like Arizona and TCU. As the conference cannibalizes itself, the questions grow louder: can Utah’s culture and depth survive the schedule gauntlet? Can the BYU Cougars regain their footing and stay in the race? And above all, how will off-field innovation and shifting media power shape the destiny of these flagship programs as college football enters its most unpredictable era yet?

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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