Cougar Tracks - Daily BYU Cougars Football, Basketball Podcast
Published on Sep 8, 2026, 6:24:29 PM
Total time: 00:29:05
The Cougars win by 56 and drop a spot. Welcome to the AP Poll, Cougar Nation. KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper breaks down No. 15 BYU's one-spot slide in Monday's Week 2 AP Top 25 despite a dominant 63-7 demolition of Utah Tech in the season opener.
Next, Mitch dives into the Week 2 depth chart notes heading into Saturday's Big 12 opener against Arizona at LaVell Edwards Stadium (1:30 p.m. MT, FOX & KSL NewsRadio). BYU may be at less than full strength after some bumps from the opener, and the coaching staff hinted at potential adjustments along the lines.
In the fun segment of the day, Mitch plays a game of "Dream for the Big 12" — what if LSU, now No. 8 with five first-place votes and one of the SEC's premier brands, were a Big 12 program? If the SEC really wants to boot the Tigers, bring "the boot" to the MONSTER BIG 12.
And to close the show, Mitch unpacks the quote of the week from Arizona head coach Brent Brennan. When asked about returning to LaVell Edwards Stadium, where his Wildcats were throttled 41-19 in front of 64,000-plus in 2024, Brennan went on the record: "I didn't feel like the crowd was a problem in '24. I felt like we didn't play well. We turned the ball over too many times. I think that's a very separate issue" He also called the environment "great" and said he "respects" the BYU fanbase, but made clear Arizona won't be using the crowd as an excuse this time around. Brennan praised LJ Martin as "a total stud" and called Kalani Sitake "one of my favorite people in this profession." Mitch discusses whether Brennan's dismissal of the crowd will add extra fuel to an already-charged atmosphere for BYU's biggest early-season home game.
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Cougar Tracks is on YouTube every weekday at Noon (MT), and KSL NewsRadio at 6:30 p.m. (MT).
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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.
Cougar Tracks gives you a daily insider look into BYU Cougars football and basketball.
KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper hosts the show. Harper has been covering BYU athletics for more than a decade. He brings you everything from the latest happenings in the BYU football and men's basketball programs, to the latest insight on the recruiting trail.
Cougar Tracks is your go-to podcast for the best daily BYU conversation.