CougarCast: BYU Sports: Recent Episodes
Keith Shirts
On this week's episode: We've seen 34 games at BYU with Kalani Sitake as head coach. He is 17-17. What do we know about having him at the helm? He is a really good guy. And it is going to be extremely up and down. (2:00) Before Michael Shelton ever sounded off on the quality of BYU Football fans, the conversation on Twitter was about the lack of fans checking out the game against Northern Illinois. Why aren't fans going to game? When they do go, why aren't they passionate? Keith does a deep dive into the recent history of BYU Athletics marketing attempts to influence fan behavior and how it is probably a negative factor. (23:20) Oh yeah, BYU plays Boise State this week. Brett Rypien and the Broncos have -- like always -- a very good football team. BYU's ability to pull off their first victory ever in Boise will come down to their ability to defend the pass. Which is no easy task against BSU. (45:50)
This week's task for BYU Football is to figure out a way to put together more than 20 points. Northern Illinois' offense is really poor. Atrocious even. They are 1/2 a team. The issue is that their defense keeps them in games. So, can Zach Wilson lead the Y to enough points against a stout defense to put the Y over the top?
Here's what we learned for the Hawaii game: Provo, Utah is a house of horrors for the Hawaii football program. The defense had a (small picture) great, but (big picture) frustrating game plan and approach. The offense with Zach Wilson features one distinct advantage over Tanner Mangum and perhaps a psychological benefit. The listeners of CougarCast are smart!
Losing to Utah State is always a big indictment on the BYU Football program. What sort of changes will occur because of it? Zach Wilson vs. Tanner Mangum. The similarities of 2016 and 2018. Hawaii's offense is good. Stopping it is going to be a very difficult task. Does BYU possibly have a way to keep up with their opponents scoring? Or does BYU have a way to slow down their scoring?
On this week's episode of CougarCast, Keith takes a look at how BYU has enough strength to keep up but doesn't have the speed. Plus, DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE AGGIES.
Chris Peterson is one of the 5 best coaches in college football. Why is he so tough to beat? Plus, how my favorite Sushi Chef reminded me and taught me about Tanner Mangum. Can BYU really improve to 4-1 with two road wins over Top 11 ranked teams? Can BYU and its fans really have that many nice things?
It is almost impossible to not be super optimistic about BYU Football. Frankly, fans should be! What's the harm in smiling, having fun, and believing? Nothing. So long as you don't freak out when the Cougars don't have as good of a Saturday as they did last Saturday in Camp Randall. In this episode: What the win over Wisconsin may be able to tell us about the future of BYU Football. A first quarter of the season review. Plus, a look forward at the rest of the schedule. Then a look at what a game McNeese Cowboys team does well and how BYU can avoid being upset. Lastly, a dive into the evolution of the BYU offense and how opponents are going to try to attack it in the weeks to come. Go Cougars!
BE A PART OF THE SHOW! RECORD A VOICE MEMO ON YOUR PHONE AND EMAIL IT TO CougarCast@gmail.com.
The host of CougarCast has some exciting personal news! Plus, is it time to finally sell that property on Tanner Mangum island? Lastly, there probably isn't a good time for BYU to face a Top 10 opponent, but this really doesn't feel like its good timing. However, unexpected upsets do happen, so Keith investigated 4 of the biggest upsets in recent college football history to figure out the anatomy of an upset.
BYU picks up a season-opening victory over the University of Arizona. Let's take a look at the key aspects of the game plans constructed by the Y coaching staff to see how it was done. Plus, a discussion about jet sweeps. Finally, a look into the Cal Bear where Keith slowly talks himself into Cal being trash.
In the season premiere of CougarCast, Keith discusses: -- BYU Football needs a shakeup. What if they tried this wild proposal? (3:30) -- The biggest hurdle and goal for the BYU Football program on the field is beating their rival, the University of Utah. (21:30) -- What every BYU fan who believes in a bounce-back season for the Cougars must believe. (28:30) -- A look into the BYU Defense and what their keys will be to handle the Heisman hopeful Arizona QB Khalil Tate. (37:00) -- If Khalil Tate can pass downfield efficiently, the Y will lose. (42:45) -- I am still on Tanner Mangum island. (49:40) -- BYU's special teams should be improved. (53:35) -- Agree or Disagree? Have thoughts on BYU Football after the game? Go record a voice memo on your phone and email them to me! Be a part of the show! Send your voice memo to CougarCast@gmail.com GO COUGARS!
Keith and Tosh talk about the different angles and challenges of the renewal of the basketball Holy War rivalry.
Happy Thanksgiving! Another season comes to conclusion this Saturday. This year, it is mercifully over. Join Tosh and Keith as they discuss whether or not it matters if BYU stops Diocemy Saint Juste if they can't score any points. Then they talk about whether or not the result of the Hawai'i game should have any implication on potential offseason changes. Plus, Tosh loves pie but has a weird bias against Sweet Potato Pie.
BYU welcomes the Minutemen of UMass to LaVell Edwards Stadium. Can the Cougars pick up a win on Senior Day? Tosh and Keith break it down.
Keith and Tosh discuss the 2017 BYU Hoops season. We know that the Cougars are without Eric Mika. Are they also going to be without Nick Emery? Also, can BYU avoid losing to the teams they are better than?
Tosh and Keith continue to decipher the issues with BYU Football's disappointing season. Can BYU cover up their deficiencies enough to get a win on the road -- without their starting quarterback?
Tosh and Keith are jacked! The Cougars has beaten an FBS opponent! Now, the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Last week, BYU lost it’s “jobber vs. jobber” match against East Carolina. That’s right, Iron Mike Sharpe won! This week, BYU gets another crack at a college football jobber, San Jose State University. This Saturday, Barry Horowitz vs. the Brooklyn Brawler — Card Not Subject To Change (unfortunately). Even still, the energy and passion is still burning inside Tosh and Keith. These longtime friends who bond over BYU sports can still find a way to build on that friendship even in the dark times of BYU football. Take the time to enjoy their conversation about the Cougars before they take on the Spartans. In this episode of CougarCast: The role scheduling may have played in the loss to East Carolina. (1:35) The role poor game-planning played in the loss to East Carolina. (3:40) The role game-planning will play against San Jose State. (6:25) A pro-style offense relies on rhythm and timing to be effective. (8:30) What was behind BYU’s 4th quarter 212-yard passing explosion last week? (10:30) Kalani Sitake has indicated that BYU will start playing “aggressive” football. (14:30) The anatomy of the 2017 San Jose State Spartans football team. (15:30) SJSU LB Frank Ginda and Safety Ethan Aguayo are tackling machines! (17:00) The emotional state of San Jose State could be slightly better than BYU at this point of the season. (18:30) The struggling BYU defense. (21:20) Tosh’s great comparison of BYU’s 2017 trajectory in terms of English Soccer. And the implications of the Cougars standing in the overall college football landscape, and within the fanbase. (22:30) BYU’s off-field woes. (24:10) The role of that fans in the stands will play during the SJSU-BYU game. (29:50) Keith’s game and score predictions. (33:40) Tosh’s game and score predictions. (34:45) Listener email: Quality of players, game plan, execution of game plan, and morale — what percentage of those 4 factors contribute to the troubles of BYU football this season? (36:30)
In this episode: Ball security problems for the Cougars have been a huge part of the rough start. (2:30) BYU’s failure to have successful kickoff returns. (6:06) Which BYU Football player has exceeded expectations? (9:30) Which BYU Football player has regressed in 2017? (10:00) East Carolina team and game preview (12:40) ECU QB Thomas Sirk presents a difficult problem for BYU’s secondary especially when targeting Davon Grayson. (13:20) Watching for “Body Blow Theory” for BYU following a game against a SEC team and the 2nd consecutive week on a cross-country road trip. (15:05) The different reasons for why BYU is 1-6 and why ECU is 1-6. (15:50) Can BYU survive a game that might be a “shoot-out?” (17:15) Tosh’s incredible analogy — the “jobber” vs “jobber” matchup. (20:20) Ten for Tosh! (22:00) Tosh’s game and score predictions (31:15) Keith’s game and score predictions (33:25)
Keith discusses the historically bad run that BYU Football is on. Especially when it comes to passing the ball. Keith discusses how the Cougars get worse as the game goes on and how most every other team in the country has an offensive system that could pass for 200 yards with an average of 28.6 pass attempts in a game. Then, a look into the trouble looming from recruits flipping to the University of Utah. Plus, a discussion about the role of experience for a coaching staff.