Cougar Tracks - Daily BYU Cougars Football, Basketball Podcast

BYU football moved down in the latest AP Top 25 poll after not playing a game. Is it a big deal? KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper broke it down and always weighed in on one national pundit who feels head-to-head doesn't matter.

He also gives his Big 12 Power Rankings for BYU football coming out of the bye week.

Then, as always on a Monday, the Cougar Stock Exchange looks at what's trending up and trending down in the world of BYU Sports.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper breaks down the remaining nine games on BYU's 2026 football schedule from easiest to toughest. Every game is discussed, from the upcoming TCU matchup, a home game against Notre Dame, a trip to Utah, and a regular-season finale against Cincinnati.

Also, in this episode, Mitch discusses Robert Griffin III clarifying his commentary about dinners at the Bachmeier household during the BYU-Arizona TV broadcast. Then, finally, new data is coming for the College Football Playoff. It's further evidence that BYU shouldn't be worried about blowing teams out. Just win.

It's hard to believe, but National Signing Day for College Basketball is coming up on November 11 and runs through November 18. The latest on key prospects for BYU basketball in the class of 2027.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

BYU football bye week continues. The Cougars' offensive coordinator, Aaron Roderick, caught up with the KSL Sports Zone to share updates and thoughts on the offense so far, including commentary on BYU starting quarterback Bear Bachmeier.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper shared his takeaways from those soundbites. Also, week four Big 12 football picks, and finally, former BYU star running back Jamaal Williams shared his thoughts on the 2026 team on his podcast. 

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

No. 9 BYU is 3-0 and sitting in the top 10 of both major polls for the fifth time in seven seasons. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper uses the bye week to step back from the game-to-game grind and deliver a big-picture episode — what he's learned about this team through three games.

Mitch opens with his observations from a quarter of the way through the most anticipated season in BYU football history. The Cougars have outscored opponents 132-47 across wins over Utah Tech (63-7), Arizona (28-17), and Colorado State (41-23). They're averaging 44.0 points and 514 total yards per game. But the stats only tell part of the story. Mitch identifies four things he's learned that the numbers alone don't capture.

In the second segment, Mitch explores a question that the Big 12's global expansion has put squarely on the table: Could BYU play an international game in the future? The 2026 Big 12 schedule featured two games on European soil — TCU versus North Carolina in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland on August 29, and the inaugural Union Jack Classic between Arizona State and Kansas at Wembley Stadium in London on September 19. Commissioner Brett Yormark has made no secret of his desire to grow the Big 12's international footprint, and the league's 2026 schedule release emphasized the conference's "global expansion" as a marquee initiative. Mitch makes the case for why BYU would be a natural fit for an international showcase.

Then, finally, we're closing in on a potential vote in the U.S. Senate for the Protect College Sports Act. Would this be a good thing for BYU athletics?

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

No. 9 BYU football enjoys a bye week this week before facing the TCU Horned Frogs on October 3 in Fort Worth.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper discussed potential positions to watch during the bye week for the Cougars.

This will be BYU's only bye this season, before battling through nine straight games.

BYU basketball season is off and running as official practices are underway. Mitch shares his initial thoughts on year three of the Kevin Young era tipping off.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

BYU is 3-0 and sitting exactly where it wants to be. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper opens Monday's show from the other side of a dominant Saturday night in Fort Collins by breaking down what the 41-23 win over Colorado State means for the Cougars as they head into a bye week with momentum, health questions to answer, and a trip to TCU on October 3 looming on the other side.

The final score says 18 points, but it wasn't that close.

BYU raced out to a 21-7 first-quarter lead, extended it to 31-7 by halftime, and scored on the opening drive of the third quarter to push the advantage to 38-7 before Kalani Sitake began emptying the bench. The starters played roughly two and a half quarters of competitive football, and in those two and a half quarters, BYU looked like a legitimate top-10 team. The Cougars rolled up 559 total yards, rushed for 332 on 41 carries — an 8.1-yard average — and scored five rushing touchdowns. The defense held Colorado State to 302 total yards and just 82 on the ground, a 3.4-yard average, against a Rams offense that had been putting up 537 per game. 

In the second segment, Mitch addresses the derogatory chants one final time, then closes the book on it. Before Saturday's kickoff — which was delayed 37 minutes by a thunderstorm — a segment of Colorado State's student section directed anti-Latter-day Saint chants at BYU's players, coaches, and fans. Videos circulated on social media almost immediately.

Finally, Mitch closes the show with the Cougar Stock Exchange heading into the bye — who's trending up, who's trending down, and what to watch for when BYU returns to action.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

3-0 feels oh-so-good for BYU football.

KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper hosts a special postgame reaction show live from Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins after No. 11 BYU overpowered Colorado State 41-23 on Saturday night, moving to 3-0 for a fourth consecutive season and the 20th time in program history. BYU is now 3-0 for the sixth time under Kalani Sitake — and this one was never in doubt.

Mitch opens with the performance that had the CBS broadcast crew running out of superlatives. LJ Martin put on a clinic, rushing for 176 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries — and 173 of those yards came in the first half. On BYU's second offensive play of the game, Martin broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run to set the tone less than a minute into the contest. He followed it with a 2-yard scoring plunge to make it 14-7, then ripped off an 8-yard touchdown to cap a six-play, 73-yard drive and give BYU a 21-7 lead before the first quarter was over. All three touchdowns came in the opening 15 minutes. The reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year carried the ball just once in the second half with BYU up big. 

On the defensive side, Kelly Poppinga's unit held Colorado State to just 302 total yards — more than 200 fewer than the Rams' season average entering the game. CSU managed only 82 rushing yards on 24 attempts, a 3.4-yard average, after coming in averaging 225 per game. The Rams, who had scored 93 combined points in their first two wins over Wyoming and Southern Utah, were limited to just seven points through three quarters. The BYU defense held Hauss Hejny largely in check after CSU's opening-drive touchdown response. Colorado State has now lost 28 consecutive games against ranked opponents — their last win over a ranked team came in 2002 against No. 7 Colorado.

Mitch also addresses a segment of Colorado State's student section that directed anti-faith chants toward BYU's players and fans during the pregame. Colorado State issued a public statement after the game: "Mocking anyone's faith has no place at CSU. It runs counter to our community's values and to who we are. BYU's players, coaches and fans deserved better. We are addressing this with our students." Sitake took the high road in his presser, noting that the chants came from a "mostly minority" of the crowd and that his players are "self-motivated" regardless of the environment. 

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

BYU football players LJ Martin, Legend Glasker, and Evan Johnson spoke with the media after BYU's 41-23 victory over the Colorado State Rams at Canvas Stadium on September 19, 2026.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

BYU football head coach Kalani Sitake spoke with the media after the Cougars defeated Colorado State 41-23, on September 19, 2026, in Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.

It's game day eve. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper delivers the comprehensive breakdown of everything you need to know before No. 11 BYU (2-0) travels to Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins to take on Colorado State (2-0) on Saturday, September 19. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. MT on CBS & KSL NewsRadio.

Mitch opens with the stat matchup that tells the story of this game — and it starts with two of the most efficient offenses in the country crashing into each other under the lights. BYU is averaging 45.5 points per game (28th nationally) on 443 total yards per game (43rd), while Colorado State is putting up 46.5 points per game (23rd) on a whopping 537 total yards per game (13th). Both teams are averaging 225-plus rushing yards per game. Both teams are elite at protecting the football — BYU's turnover margin of plus-5 is fifth nationally, and Colorado State's plus-7 margin is second in the entire country. 

To close the show, Mitch gives his score prediction for the matchup.

Subscribe to the Cougar Tracks Podcast sponsored by Zions Bank to stay up-to-date with all the daily episodes.

Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-tracks/id1146971609

YouTube Podcast: https://kslsports.com/category/podcast_results/?sid=2035&n=Cougar%20Tracks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NCF1KecDsE2rB1zMuHhUh

Download the KSL Sports app

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bonneville.kslsports&hl=en_US

 iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ksl-sports/id143593

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up-to-date on all your favorite teams.