Cougar Insiders

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...

Deseret News writers Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney break down BYU's season-opening victory over Arizona, and discuss why it may well be the biggest victory since the Cougars went independent. The Insiders also discuss why signature wins over teams like Arizona (and yes, Utah) are so critical to the Cougars' recruiting efforts and they check in on a couple of hot high school recruits who are off to solid starts. Lastly, they turn their thoughts to the challenge ahead: the Cal...

Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney run the gamut in this week’s Cougar Insiders podcast, discussing, among other things, Tanner Mangum earning the nod at starting quarterback (not to mention the curious way BYU announced it), the NCAA’s ongoing investigation of the men’s basketball program, and freshman tight end Dallin Holker, who has been turning heads throughout fall camp. Might an NFL career be in the offing once his BYU days are done? They’ll also offer the requisite predictions...

With BYU’s opener at Arizona nearing, the Deseret News’ Cougar Insiders explore fall camp position battles, areas of concern, and a position where the Cougars have surpassed expectations (hint: the big guys who block and catch passes). Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney cover the bases. They also weigh in on the Merril Hoge flap, and — wait for it — make one bold prediction.

Cougar Insiders podcast: Mangum or Wilson? That’s not the only quarterback question at BYU. Two weeks into fall camp and still no starting quarterback. But Deseret News BYU beat writers Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney will tell you that’s not the only quarterback question worth discussing. What about the merits of keeping the decision under wraps until taking the field in the Cougars’ opener against Arizona? Or the battle for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart? Word is that...

In this kick-off episode, veteran Deseret News sportswriters Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney talk about the quarterback competition heating up in Provo, the potential impact of Kalani Sitake's staff changes in the offseason and what fans can expect for the 2018 campaign. They also wade into basketball recruiting news. Join our Cougar Insiders as they talk all things BYU.