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

The BYU Cougars were pegged to finish 13th in the Big 12 Conference's preseason football media poll Tuesday and Jake Hatch believes it's a fair projection for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program while also arguing it's a perfect spot for Brigham Young University (BYU) to emerge and surprise Big 12 pundits should the hype match the substance on the gridiron.

Jake then talked about senior defensive end Tyler Batty being the lone honoree to make the Big 12's preseason All-Conference team and he argues that Jay Hill needs stars like Batty to really step forward along with other difference-makers to aid BYU's hopes of rebounding from a disappointing 5-7 campaign a season ago and return to the postseason.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a Locked On Cougars insider group question and answer session as Jake addressed the Utah State Aggies' evolving situation as they appear to be poised to need a new head coach, expectations for Kevin Young and the BYU basketball program in the Big 12 and what the biggest recruits BYU might sign this recruiting cycle might be.

The BYU Cougars announced they will don throwbakc uniforms that pay homage to the 1996 BYU football program this fall when they face the Kansas State Wildcats in their Big 12 Conference opener and Jake Hatch explained what he feels about the move and why it means more to him than most seemingly innocuous uniform reveals from Brigham Young University (BYU).

Jake then talked about the commitment of Timpview High School linebacker prospect Taaniela 'Taani' Makasini as he follows his big brother, Sonny Makasini, in making a verbal commitment to Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program and it's just more evidence that BYU has picked up momentum on the recruiting trail this summer and the Cougars are building a great class.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a look at Big 12 Media Days next week and the five players who will represent BYU at the event in Tyler Batty, Connor Pay, Jakob Robinson, Darius Lassiter and Chase Roberts along with head coach Kalani Sitake as they speak with the hordes of media who will be at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

The BYU Cougars have been members of the Big 12 Conference for an entire calendar year and it's been an eventful 365 days for Brigham Young University (BYU) as Jake Hatch aruges that BYU Athletics is in as good of a position as BYU could have ever hoped for even with a lack of hardware in their trophy case from their first run in the Big 12.

Jake then talked about the BYU football program teasing new uniforms that he hopes are paying homage to great Cougars teams of the past rather than messing with the iconic look that Kalani Sitake and BYU have at their disposal currently as the iconic royal blue and white allows them to stand out from the crowd and be identifiable to fans.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a look back at the accomplishments that BYU track and field star James Corrigan has notched in the last six weeks, going from a middle of the pack steeplechase athlete to punching his ticket to the Olympic Games and showing all of Cougar Nation what the "spirit of the games" is all about as he heads to Paris.

The BYU Cougars are in offseason preparation for the BYU men's basketball program but the Big 12 Conference schedule matrix released Thursday is a win for Keving Young and the BYU basketball program as it gives them their toughest games in the Marriott Center and that is a big break for BYU hoops as they seek to contend in the Big 12 next season.

Jake Hatch then talked about the latest commitment to the BYU football program as offensive lineman Andrew Williams announced his verbal pledge to Kalani Sitake's program and it's a notable win as BYU beat out the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas State Wildcats and Iowa State Cyclones for Williams' services and it caps a stellar week and month for the Cougars.

Finally, the show wrapped up with questions from the Locked On Cougars insider group as Jake fielded questions on BYU basketball's fortunes, BYU recruiting, what the elevator pitch for each contender to start at quarterback is and who Jake's favorite character is from "Friday Night Lights," among other topics broached in the weekly Q&A session.

The BYU Cougars have made a number of big moves with Kevin Young and the BYU men's basketball program, but one that will have to wait a year is putting athletes into the NBA via the NBA Draft, but Jake Hatch argues it is only a matter of time before it happens and that KYU will have Brigham Young University (BYU) regularly churning out NBA talent annually.

BYU continued to add to Kevin Young's staff in Provo Wednesday with the hire of former Wisconsin Herd head coach Jordan Brady, who will serve as the director of player development for BYU, and Jake believes it's just another sign that BYU Athletics are finally getting the opportunity to step forward and be a key pillar to promote the university.

Finally, the show wrapped up with notes on some updates coming to LaVell Edwards Stadium for Kalani Sitake and the BYU football program as they continue to invest in their product along with notes on the BYU women's volleyball program's non-conference schedule and a BYU gymnast getting it done both in the classroom and in the gym.

The BYU Cougars got a boost to their fortunes as soon as this fall when the NCAA announced that there were no longer restirctions on how many coaches could coach up athletes on the BYU football program, officially opening the door to allow Chad Kauha'aha'a, Gary Andersen, Al Pupunu and Matt Mitchell, among others, to impart their wisdom to Kalani Sitake's squad.

Jake Hatch then talked about yet another commitment for BYU in Mountain Ridge High School product Kendal Wall, who figures to bring his expansive frame and athleticism to boost the outlook on the defensive line for Brigham Young University (BYU), something that Jay Hill, Kelly Poppinga and Sione Po'uha, among others, are in sore need of as they compete in the Big 12.

Finally, the show wrapped up with a concerning development taking place with the BYU baseball and BYU softball programs as their top-tier talent is headed to the SEC and it leaves big holes in their already-needy lineups for Trent Pratt and Gordon Eakin as they look to improve and compete better as members of the Big 12 Conference.