URGENCY: BYU Football & Bear Bachmeier Must Rectify Errors to Salvage College Football Playoff Hopes

BYU football’s heartbreaking loss to Utah has Cougar Nation questioning if College Football Playoff dreams have slipped away—or if hope still lingers amid a chaotic season. The conversation focused on BYU's dual mandate: correct glaring mistakes and win every remaining game to keep their postseason aspirations alive. Bear Bachmeier endured his worst outing as a Cougar, throwing four interceptions and struggling against relentless pressure from Utah's defense. However, confidence remains in Bachmeier’s resilience given his history of fourth-quarter comebacks, with optimism that he—and Brigham Young University as a whole—can bounce back stronger. One concept discussed was the defense’s need for improvement, especially in critical moments. Missed opportunities, such as Isaiah Glasker’s inability to secure a decisive sack on third down, compounded BYU’s issues, while gaps in assignment discipline allowed Utah’s Devon Dampier to exploit open lanes. The discussion explored how defensive coaches Sione Po'uha and Chad Kauha'aha'a must urgently address these technical lapses, especially with a mobile quarterback like DJ Lagway looming on the schedule. A key theme that emerged was the importance of BYU correcting its tackling and alignment to avoid similar breakdowns moving forward. Offensively, flashes of promise appeared through rushers LJ Martin and Sione Moa, both trending toward full health, which could reinvigorate the BYU Cougars' ground attack at a critical juncture. The need to maximize mismatches by featuring playmakers like Legend Glasker became a focal point, with a call for their expanded presence on the field down the stretch. Several points were raised, including the impact of turnovers on BYU’s fortunes, why the Big 12 Conference title remains possible if Baylor, Kansas, and Cincinnati fall, and how the playoff committee might evaluate BYU’s quality loss to Utah and marquee win over Notre Dame. The discussion explored the wider Big 12 landscape with a “3 Up, 3 Down” recap, spotlighting Arizona, Texas Tech, and UCF for gritty late-game heroics, while Kansas State, Kansas, and Colorado face uphill battles to salvage their seasons. Questions swirled about Deion Sanders’ future at Colorado, Baylor’s momentum since their coaching change, and the resilience required for teams fighting for bowl eligibility. The conversation highlighted how, if BYU runs the table and chaos continues in college football, Kalani Sitake’s squad may yet carve out a path to the playoff. The stakes are simple: win out and let the chips fall where they may, as the Cougars embrace a playoff mentality for the remainder of the season. Support Locked On Cougars: Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms and on YouTube! Join the NEW Locked On Cougars Everydayer Club by clicking here! If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub Jake Hatch brings you daily coverage of the BYU Cougars with the Locked On Cougars Podcast. Locked On Cougars brings BYU fans the latest news and comprehensive coverage when it comes to the BYU football and basketball programs as well as a look at the other teams in the BYU athletic department. Jake gives you his unique insights and insider information about the Cougs as they continue "on the trail to fame and glory" every weekday, along with interviews with players, coaches, experts, and alumni that you will not find anywhere e

URGENCY: BYU Football & Bear Bachmeier Must Rectify Errors to Salvage College Football Playoff Hopes | Big 12 3 Up & 3 Down