Cougar Tracks - Daily BYU Cougars Football, Basketball Podcast
Published on Aug 31, 2026, 12:19:41 PM
Total time: 00:26:50
The wait is over — BYU Football game week is officially here.
KSL Sports BYU Insider Mitch Harper opens today's show buzzing with energy as No. 14 BYU enters the final countdown to Saturday's season opener against Utah Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium (6 p.m. MT, ESPN+). After a 12-2 campaign in 2025, this is one of the most anticipated season openers in BYU's modern era, and Mitch sets the table for what's ahead.
First up, Kalani Sitake revealed the 2026 Team Leadership Council on Monday morning — a 20-member group voted on by the players, featuring eight captains and 12 co-captains. Returning as captains for the second straight year are running back LJ Martin and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa. Joining them on offense are sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier, senior center Bruce Mitchell, and Oregon transfer tight end Roger Saleapaga II. The defensive captain group rounds out with linebacker Isaiah Glasker, Cal transfer linebacker Cade Uluave, and cornerback Evan Johnson. The transfers earning captain nods before playing a single snap as Cougars is a notable storyline, and Mitch breaks down what it says about the locker room culture. The 12 co-captains include repeat selections Raider Damuni and Andrew Gentry, plus standouts like Walker Lyons, Jojo Phillips, Bodie Schoonover, Therrian Alexander III, Hunter Clegg, and kicker Matthias Dunn.
Mitch also makes the case to get an invite to Influencer Night in 2027 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The uniform combo for week one also dropped Monday, and BYU is going with an all-royal-blue helmet, royal-blue jersey, and white pants for the opener — the first time this combination has been worn in the Big 12 era. BYU also shifted to a weekly uniform reveal approach this season instead of releasing all 12 combos before kickoff. A new Entrata sponsorship patch will also make its debut on the jerseys. To close out the show, Mitch runs through the Cougar Stock Exchange — who's trending up and who's trending down heading into the opener. What are the reasons you should be excited for BYU football in 2026?
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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.