On the outside of the NCAA Tournament looking in — for the fourth year in a row — the BYU basketball program and its fans are left to wonder what went wrong. Cougar Insiders Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney discuss what may be ailing the program — and in particular what went wrong against San Diego at the West Coast Conference Tournament. They also talk spring football ahead of Saturday’s annual spring scrimmage, and discuss the BYU women's basketball team that is enjoying an outstanding season — on...
Mar 20, 2019•20 min•Ep. 31
With the BYU basketball team nearing the end of its regular season, eyes are already turning to the future. Last year, BYU star Elijah Bryant left the program after his junior season to pursue a professional career, as did Eric Mika before him. Now, much of Cougar Nation is wondering if junior Yoeli Childs will do likewise. Insiders Jeff Call, Dick Harmon and Brandon Gurney debate the possibility. They also look back at last week’s setbacks to San Francisco and Gonzaga and ahead to the WCC tourn...
Feb 27, 2019•19 min•Ep. 30
With prior recruits returning from church missions and 2019 commits preparing to embark on them, sizing up BYU’s recruiting classes can be a challenge. Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney take a look at the issue and weigh in on what they know regarding the latest batch of BYU commits. They also examine why so many of the state’s top high school players opt to play out of state. Finally, they look ahead to BYU men’s basketball games this week at San Diego (Thursday) and Loy...
Feb 13, 2019•25 min•Ep. 29
Last week, BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe held his annual roundtable Q&A session with members of the local media. Since you didn't have a seat at the table, here is what Holmoe had to say. See our website for privacy information.
Feb 06, 2019•53 min•Ep. 28
With Super Bowl Sunday fast approaching, Cougar Insiders Dick Harmon, Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney discuss why New England, and its defensive scheme, is so well-suited for Kyle Van Noy’s skillset. They also debate what it would take for BYU to pull a rabbit from its hat when the Cougars host No. 4-ranked Gonzaga Thursday night. Lastly, with National Letter of Intent Day nearing, they question why such the buzz over preferred walk-ons. That and more on this week’s Cougar Insiders podcast. See our...
Jan 31, 2019•21 min•Ep. 27
With NFL conference championship games set for Sunday, these are heady times for BYU faithful. From Taysom Hill (Saints) to Kyle Van Noy (Patriots) to Andy Reid and Daniel Sorensen (Chiefs), there are storylines aplenty. Insiders Jeff Call and Brandon Gurney take a look at those participating this weekend with ties to the Cougar program, discussing, among other things, whether Hill was properly utilized at BYU. They’ll also address what Ryan Pugh’s departure means to the BYU football staff and b...
Jan 17, 2019•22 min•Ep. 26
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 the p...
Jan 03, 2019•27 min•Ep. 25
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. See our website for privacy information.
Dec 26, 2018•23 min•Ep. 24
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. See our website for privacy information.
Dec 18, 2018•26 min•Ep. 23
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. See our website for privacy information.
Dec 05, 2018•29 min•Ep. 22
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. See our website for privacy information.
Nov 28, 2018•24 min•Ep. 21
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. See our website for privacy information.
Nov 23, 2018•11 min•Ep. 20
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. See our website for privacy information.
Nov 22, 2018•11 min•Ep. 19
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. See our website for privacy information.
Nov 21, 2018•15 min•Ep. 18
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. See our websit...
Nov 20, 2018•35 min•Ep. 17
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. See our website for privacy infor...
Nov 19, 2018•15 min•Ep. 16
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. See our website for privacy information.
Nov 14, 2018•27 min•Ep. 15
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 hig...
Nov 06, 2018•30 min•Ep. 14
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 other pod...
Oct 31, 2018•23 min•Ep. 13
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 (Utah's bi...
Oct 24, 2018•21 min•Ep. 12
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 some ...
Oct 16, 2018•25 min•Ep. 11
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 work ...
Oct 09, 2018•21 min•Ep. 10
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 horizon...
Oct 02, 2018•29 min•Ep. 9
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 in th...
Sep 24, 2018•33 min•Ep. 8
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. See our website for privacy information....
Sep 17, 2018•20 min•Ep. 7
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 Hall of...
Sep 11, 2018•31 min•Ep. 6
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 Bears. C...
Sep 04, 2018•26 min•Ep. 5
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 head...
Aug 28, 2018•36 min•Ep. 4
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. See our website for privacy information.
Aug 21, 2018•27 min•Ep. 3
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 sleeping on ...
Aug 14, 2018•23 min•Ep. 2
