PODCAST · sports
Cougar Insiders
by Deseret News
Get six decades worth of perspective on BYU sports with the Cougar Insiders podcast.
Episodes
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Why opponents must pick their poison when defending this BYU basketball team
The Cougars took care of business in their regular-season finale at Pepperdine Saturday, earning the No. 2 seed in the WCC Tournament and the three-game bye that accompanies it. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney examine this team heading into postseason play and discuss…
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Revisiting BYU’s big upset win over No. 2 Gonzaga. What it means to the program moving forward
In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon joins Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney in recapping the huge BYU upset over No. 2 Gonzaga last Saturday, and break down what bracketologists and matrix numbers mean for BYU’s NCAA Tournament hopes. The trio look at the standout memories of…
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Why the Cougars have a puncher’s chance against the Zags
A big-time play at the end of the BYU-San Diego game Saturday preserved the Cougars’ six-game winning streak, and two days later BYU found itself in the AP Top 25 for the first time in nine years — checking in at No. 23. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney break down last week’s road…
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Would Mark Pope be wise to borrow page from Rick Majerus’ playbook?
BYU basketball coach Mark Pope called his team “dangerous” following last week’s victories over Portland and San Francisco. Whether the Cougars are or not, is there wisdom in underpromising and overdelivering? Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney also talk about Gavin Baxter’s return to…
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Bracketology, ‘Super’ Cougars and how a former Ute running back could help the BYU football team
It was a big weekend for BYU basketball guard TJ Haws — first taking the game-deciding shot against Saint Mary’s then welcoming his first child into the world. Needless to say, both deliveries were a success. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jay Drew break down last week’s two BYU victories and...
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Three losses that could come back to haunt BYU basketball team
Last week was a puzzling one for the BYU basketball team, with an impressive victory at Pacific followed by a disappointing loss at San Francisco. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney look back at the Cougars’ split and debate how damaging the loss to the Dons was. They also...
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What was learned about Cougars vs. No. 1-ranked Gonzaga
Key lessons were learned in BYU’s loss at No. 1 Gonzaga, but how will the Cougars fare during a five-game stretch in which they should be favored in each contest? In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney discuss those topics as well as the possible...
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Yoeli Childs’ hard-luck year continues
After missing the first nine games of the BYU basketball season due to an NCAA rules infraction, Yoeli Childs was back in street clothes on the BYU bench last week, this time due to a dislocated finger. Despite his absence, the Cougars fought hard at Saint Mary’s before losing in overtime, then...
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BYU basketball, independence and Taysom Hill’s wild ride
The BYU basketball team, which endured its share of adversity during the offseason, is off to a surprising 12-4 start and is gaining traction as a possible NCAA tourney team — maybe one, should things go right, that could even make some noise. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call, Jay Drew and...
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Why BYU’s trip to paradise will be all business
How important is the outcome of the Sofi Hawaii Bowl to BYU coach Kalani Sitake, his staff and the Cougar players? According to BYU Insiders Jay Drew and Dick Harmon, very important. This will be a business trip, not a vacation, to be sure — especially in the aftermath of the Cougars’…
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Early signing period rumblings, Matt Bushman’s big decision and a quality basketball victory over Utah State
BYU Insiders Dick Harmon and Jay Drew take a look at the upcoming early signing period, which begins Wednesday and runs through Friday. How is the BYU football team positioned, and who are some of the prizes still out there for the taking? They also talk about the big decision awaiting tight end...
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Why BYU feels such a sense of urgency as it prepares for the Hawaii Bowl
Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney look ahead to BYU’s bowl game against Hawaii, the challenges the Rainbow Warriors present, and, more importantly, the sense of urgency the team feels. They discuss the success Kalani Sitake’s team enjoyed at the quarterback position this...
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Would one more win signal successful season for the Cougars?
After a pair of simple victories for the BYU Cougars, things will get more complicated Saturday at San Diego State. The Aztecs’ defense is formidable (maybe second only to the Utes’ defense on BYU’s schedule) and will provide a good measuring stick. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney…
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Why extending Kalani Sitake’s contract was so important for BYU football — especially right now
After T-shirts spotted Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium hinted it was in the offing, BYU made it official Monday morning: Cougars football coach Kalani Sitake is getting a contract extension, one that will extend his stay in Provo through the 2023 season. Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and Brandon...
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Zach Wilson, trick plays and early observations on BYU basketball
The BYU Cougars made it three in a row Saturday against fellow independent Liberty at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Even though the victory may have lacked the “wow” factor, BYU got the job done. Now, with games against Idaho State, UMass and San Diego State remaining, Cougar Insiders Jay Drew and...
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How the upstart Cougars found their groove
Riding a two-game winning streak — both of which came against rivalry teams — the BYU Cougars appear to have righted the ship. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jay Drew take a look at BYU’s victory over Utah State and address the revolving quarterback situation. Starter Jaren Hall, who was knocked...
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Baylor Romney or Jaren Hall? Who will get the nod for BYU vs. Aggies?
Coming off a bye week and heading into Saturday’s game at Utah State, Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney break down this week’s contest — and discuss who will be starting under center come Saturday night in Logan, Baylor Romney or Jaren Hall? They’ll also discuss why…
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When it comes to BYU football, predict the unpredictable
The BYU football team and head coach Kalani Sitake received a shot in the arm Saturday night when the Cougars defeated No. 14 Boise State, snapping a three-game losing streak. Still a work in progress and still sans starting quarterback Zach Wilson, who is nursing an injured thumb on his throwing...
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Is Jaren Hall ready, can run defense finds its groove, and will South Florida game be a dogfight?
Fresh off a bye week, BYU will look to rebound from its setback to Toledo when it squares off against South Florida Saturday. The Cougars will face the 2-3 Bulls with a new starting quarterback in Jaren Hall, who will make his first career start, and a renewed commitment to stopping the run,...
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Questions aplenty as Cougars head into bye week after loss to Toledo
The BYU football team heads into a bye week still hurting from a disappointing defeat to Toledo last Saturday — and the loss of sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson, who left the game late in the contest with an injury to his throwing hand. So where do the Cougars, who fell to 2-3, go from here? And...
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Takeaways and observations from BYU's 2-2 start
A 2-2 record, based on the competition, may be nothing to sneeze at for the BYU football team, but what are the takeaways — good and bad — from the first four games of the season? BYU Insiders Jay Drew, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney take a closer look at the first month of the season, as well as…
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When will we know just how good this BYU football team is?
After two dramatic overtime victories over Power Five teams, the Cougars and their fans are riding high. But do we know how good this team really is? Cougar Insiders Jay Drew, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney examine the topic, and others too — like how big the two wins are to coach Kalani Sitake’s...
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What will the BYU-USC game come down to — and who will prevail?
In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon, Brandon Gurney and Jay Drew weigh in on the outcome of the BYU-USC game. Who likes the Cougars and who likes the Trojans? The crew wraps up the significance of the miracle comeback double-overtime win at Tennessee, and examines the key...
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What is the short- and long-term impact of losing to Utah — and will BYU rebound this week at Tennessee?
In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, we break down the short- and long-term impact of BYU losing to Utah. We also examine Tennessee’s loss to Georgia State in its season opener, and discuss how that might factor into the Vols’ game against BYU this Saturday? And of course, we give you...
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Matchups, storylines and predictions heading into Rivalry Game
In this edition of the Cougar Insiders podcast, Dick Harmon joins Jay Drew and Brandon Gurney in breaking down the key matchups heading into Thursday’s BYU-Utah Rivalry Game. They also discuss what a loss would mean to each team — and place where this rivalry game ranks among others on the…
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Takeaways and surprises from BYU fall camp
The Cougar Insiders welcome veteran sports writer Jay Drew to the Deseret News sports staff. Drew and his fellow Insiders break down the big takeaways from BYU’s fall football camp. From X-factors to an amped-up intensity to unexpected surprises, we cover the bases. These topics and much more on...
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X-factors, concerns and why the opener against Utah is oh-so important
With fall camp opening Wednesday for the BYU football team, Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney break down a few of the more intriguing storylines surrounding this year’s squad. What X-factors could elevate the team? What are the greatest areas of concern? And what about…
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Is BYU’s optimism to be believed? ESPN contract, Wilson’s shoulder, grad transfer running backs and other takeaways from BYU media day
What would a media day — any media day — be without unbridled optimism? Such was the case Tuesday in Provo, where BYU players and coaches met with the media to address all things BYU football. And there was no shortage of optimism. Cougar Insiders Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney discuss the news of...
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Why Mark Pope was the right choice to lead BYU men’s basketball program
Now that the dust has settled and the Mark Pope era has begun, Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney examine the hire, and why, in their opinion, he was the right choice to lead the program moving forward. Boasting a strong NCAA and NBA pedigree, Pope looks to breathe new life into a...
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Making sense of contenders, pretenders in search for new BYU basketball coach
With the search for a new men’s basketball coach in full swing, Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney take a hard look at the leading candidates. From Mark Pope (considered the front-runner and most obvious choice), to Alex Jensen, Mark Madsen, Quincy Lewis, Barret Peery and beyond…
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Taking inventory of BYU basketball program after another NCAA tourney-less season
On the outside of the NCAA Tournament looking in — for the fourth year in a row — the BYU basketball program and its fans are left to wonder what went wrong. Cougar Insiders Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney discuss what may be ailing the program — and in particular what went wrong against San Diego…
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Will Yoeli Childs become the next BYU basketball player to leave early?
With the BYU basketball team nearing the end of its regular season, eyes are already turning to the future. Last year, BYU star Elijah Bryant left the program after his junior season to pursue a professional career, as did Eric Mika before him. Now, much of Cougar Nation is wondering if junior...
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Why gauging BYU’s recruiting class is complicated
With prior recruits returning from church missions and 2019 commits preparing to embark on them, sizing up BYU’s recruiting classes can be a challenge. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney take a look at the issue and weigh in on what they know regarding the latest batch of…
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BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe addresses variety of issues in annual media roundtable event
Last week, BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe held his annual roundtable Q&A session with members of the local media. Since you didn't have a seat at the table, here is what Holmoe had to say. See our website for privacy information.
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Why New England was the perfect landing spot for former BYU star Kyle Van Noy
With Super Bowl Sunday fast approaching, Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney discuss why New England, and its defensive scheme, is so well-suited for Kyle Van Noy’s skillset. They also debate what it would take for BYU to pull a rabbit from its hat when the Cougars host No....
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Was Taysom Hill properly utilized at BYU?
With NFL conference championship games set for Sunday, these are heady times for BYU faithful. From Taysom Hill (Saints) to Kyle Van Noy (Patriots) to Andy Reid and Daniel Sorensen (Chiefs), there are storylines aplenty. Insiders Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney take a look at those participating…
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BYU basketball woes — is problem lack of talent or lack of development?
Sporting an 8-7 nonconference record, the BYU’s men’s basketball team has experienced a mixed bag of results heading into its league opener at Pacific on Thursday night. Victories over Utah and Utah State were offset by losses to Weber State, Illinois State and UNLV. So what’s the problem? Cougar...
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How did BYU football team fare during early signing period?
Recruiting specialists Brandon Gurney and Ryan McDonald take a look at how the BYU Cougars fared during December’s early signing period. Quarterback Jacob Conover was the prize catch, but what other players could be difference makers? What holes are left to fill? They’ll also explore who the...
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Tom Holmoe's puzzling comment, recruiting chatter and why BYU not only needs to win its bowl game, but dominate it
Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney explore a variety of topics on this week’s Cougar Insiders podcast. From Tom Holmoe’s puzzling comments, to how this year’s recruiting class is shaping up, to why finishing 7-6 means so much more than 6-7, the crew offers its takes. That…
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What's wrong with BYU basketball, right with BYU volleyball and new with Ty Detmer
Riding a three-game losing streak into Wednesday’s home game against Utah State, BYU faithful are growing restless. Cougars Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney weigh in on what’s weighing down the Cougars. They also size up BYU's bowl bid to Boise, talk BYU women’s volleyball, and...
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If BYU football were a stock, would you be a buyer or a seller?
Still hurting from watching a third-quarter 20-point lead against Utah evaporate, BYU fans are left wondering what the future holds. Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney debate the question. Did BYU, winner of two more games in 2018 than 2017, take a meaningful step in the right...
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Detmer reminisces about emphatic victory over Utes in 1989
One year after the Utes' blowout victory over BYU in 1988, the Ty Detmer-led Cougars bounced back with a 70-31 drubbing of the Utes, setting a record for most points scored by a winner in the rivalry game. In a salute to the days BYU dominated this rivalry, columnist Dick Harmon sat down with...
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Back-to-back 34-31 games added to BYU-Utah rivaly lore
Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney discuss the impact of the storied 34-31 rivalry games in the '90s, and how those games added spark to the rivalry lore and spotlighted the friendship between coaches LaVell Edwards and Ron McBride. Utah won both games in dramatic fashion,...
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Top individual BYU performances in rivalry history
When it comes to outstanding individual performances in BYU-Utah football games, the Cougar Insiders load up on quarterbacks like Steve Young, Jim McMahon, Ty Detmer, John Beck and Max Hall. Toss in a couple of tight ends like Clay Brown and Jonny Harline and standout running backs like Ronney...
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Does BYU have ANY advantage over Utah?
Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jeff Call join Ute Insiders Dirk Facer and Amy Donaldson to talk shop heading into this week’s Big Game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. What do the Utes and Cougars need to do to prevail? What are the most intriguing storylines? How do the two teams measure up on offense,...
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Many of the greatest games in BYU-Utah history went down to the wire
From last-second touchdown passes in the end zone, to missed field goals with the game in the balance, to sending legendary BYU coach LaVell Edwards out in style, Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney debate their picks as the best five games in BYU-Utah rivalry history. After...
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Why NCAA sanctions against BYU basketball don't fit the crime
Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jeff Call take a look at the NCAA sanctions issued to the BYU basketball program last week, and discuss why the vacating of victories is an excessive and inconsistent punishment. They also explore Matt Hadley’s emerging role on this year’s football team and, along...
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Trying to make sense of futile final series against the Broncos
With the Cougars and their fans still smarting from the way things ended against Boise State, Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney break down the game’s final series — in particular the final play — and hear from offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes about where things went awry....
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Is there a disconnect between Kalani Sitake and Jeff Grimes?
After BYU’s disappointing 7-6 loss to Northern Illinois, head coach Kalani Sitake said he wants to see quarterback Zach Wilson “let it fly.” Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney examine what that statement suggests. They also address the Cougars’ lack of consistency in their...
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What can BYU fans expect in Zach Wilson's encore as a starter?
It's been 10 days since BYU's Zach Wilson led the Cougars over Hawaii in his debut as a starting quarterback, so what can we expect in career start No. 2? How will he respond to a stout Northern Illinois defense, one that sacked Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley seven times earlier this season? Dick...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Get six decades worth of perspective on BYU sports with the Cougar Insiders podcast.
HOSTED BY
Deseret News
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Cougar Insiders have?
Cougar Insiders currently has 61 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Cougar Insiders about?
Get six decades worth of perspective on BYU sports with the Cougar Insiders podcast.
How often does Cougar Insiders release new episodes?
Cougar Insiders has 61 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Cougar Insiders?
You can listen to Cougar Insiders on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Cougar Insiders?
Cougar Insiders is created and hosted by Deseret News.
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