Cougar Insiders

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 Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney offer their opinions, which run the gamut. They also discuss whether now is the time to offer football coach Kalani Sitake an extension. What are...

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 Cougars’ FBS counterparts, the Utes and Aggies, locked up, and address what big-name players are still there for the signing.

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 and more on this week’s episode.

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 discuss where you can find former Cougar offensive coordinator Ty Detmer these days. This and more on this week’s episode.

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 direction? The trio also examines the critical December recruiting period, and explains why giving up on Kalani Sitake would be a big mistake.

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 Detmer at his T14 Ranch in Texas while the Heisman winner recounted the memorable BYU victory.

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, and perhaps signalled a turning point in the rivalry.

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 Jenkins, Harvey Unga and Luke Staley and enjoy the trip down memory lane.

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, defense, special teams? What are the X-factors? And finally, does the rivalry game possess the same luster as in years gone by? This and more on this special Rivalry Week Insiders edition.

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 they weigh in, see if you agree with their choices — from a BYU perspective — in the history of the rivalry, which writes a new chapter Saturday at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

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 with special guest Ben Criddle, talk about what the Cougars have to gain from this week’s Senior Day matchup with New Mexico State.

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. They’ll also look ahead to this week’s game against UMass, talk BYU basketball and the Cougars’ opener against No. 7 Nevada, and discuss what hot BYU recruits to have on the radar during this week’s...

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 loss to the Huskies, make their predictions for this week’s BYU-Boise State contest, and revisit the topic of independence. Where does this path lead the Cougars? Find and subscribe to this and...

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 Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney explore the challenges the Huskies present. They'll also discuss rising star Isaiah Kaufusi, what's making the rounds on the college sports message boards...

The much-anticipated debut of Zach Wilson as BYU’s starting quarterback went as scripted during the Cougars’ 49-23 beatdown of Hawaii at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney break down Wilson’s game and discuss what his addition to the starting lineup could mean to the Cougars moving forward. The Insiders also explore the Cougars’ bowl outlook, talk recruiting, and take a look at the BYU basketball team. Could this veteran squad make...

Riding a two-game losing streak heading into Saturday’s game against a surprisingly good Hawaii team, talk of a possible change at quarterback has been making the rounds. Is now the time for BYU to give true freshman Zach Wilson a true shot? Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney debate the pros and cons of such a move. They also discuss what the three-loss Cougars have left to play for as an independent this season, and reminisce about the late Paul James, whose body of...

Still licking their wounds from a lopsided setback to Washington, things don’t get much easier for the Cougars with 3-1 Utah State coming to Provo for a Friday night tilt. Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney break down all that went wrong against the Huskies, and explore what could go wrong against the Aggies — if BYU is not careful. The Insiders also relive some of the more memorable BYU-Utah State games from days gone by — there have been many — and, with basketball season on the...

Riding a two-game winning streak, the BYU football team takes its show on the road to Seattle, where it will face the 11th-ranked Washington Huskies Saturday. The Cougars, ranked No. 20 in this week’s AP Top 25, shocked Wisconsin in Week 3. Could another big upset be in the offing? Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney break down the matchup with Washington, discuss some early surprises on this year’s team, and debate the pros and cons of making scholarship offers early...

Fresh off BYU's stunning upset over Wisconsin, Cougar Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney discuss why the victory may well be the Cougars' biggest in program history (yes, BYU did win a national championship in 1984). They also break down Jeff Grimes' brilliant offensive game plan, reveal two emerging playmakers, and warn against overlooking speedy McNeese State, which will be in town Saturday for a 4 p.m. kickoff at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Should the Cougars switch things up at quarterback? Could two or three plays have changed the outcome of BYU’s loss to California? And what chances — if any — do the Cougars have against heavily favored Wisconsin this weekend at Camp Randall? Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon and Jeff Call tackle these questions, talk about BYU’s “unused weapon” and visit with Deseret News columnist Doug Robinson, who can’t understand how former Cougar great Todd Christensen is not a member of the Pro Football...