DRAMA: BYU Football Battles Jaylen Raynor, Iowa State Cyclones–Will Bear Bachmeier STEP UP in Provo?

BYU and Iowa State collide under the Friday night lights in Provo with high stakes and plenty of intrigue. Stung by the loss of dynamic running back LJ Martin, the BYU football program is turning to Bear Bachmeier and a reshaped offense to keep their home dominance intact. Meanwhile, the Iowa State Cyclones, led by first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers, have defied preseason predictions to become one of the Big 12’s most intriguing teams—despite massive roster turnover and unconventional offensive stats. Can the BYU Cougars' defense contain Iowa State’s opportunistic attack, or will Jaylen Raynor and Aiden Flora help the Cyclones continue their improbable rise? Spencer McLaughlin and Jake Hatch provide a candid, sharp analysis of each team’s strengths and looming challenges. The conversation explores Iowa State’s statistical oddities—such as averaging under 200 yards both passing and rushing while still scoring over 33 points per game—and how coaching acumen under Rogers has kept the Cyclones cohesive amid chaos. The hosts discuss BYU’s offensive adjustments, from wide receiver performance to potential schematic surprises now that opponents won’t see LJ Martin in the backfield. They examine bets and lines, noting how injuries have shifted FanDuel spreads and where the smart money lies. Forecasting the matchup, Jake Hatch and Spencer McLaughlin both favor Kalani Sitake and BYU by double digits, yet acknowledge Iowa State’s capacity for upsets—especially on a short week with cross-country travel. Key talking points include the weather’s impact on receiver play, the emergence of “Bear Raid” offensive concepts, and why depth across BYU’s roster could be the deciding factor. The hosts end with bold predictions: Will Jaylen Raynor’s risk-taking backfire with a pick-six, or can Iowa State’s discipline steal the spotlight in Utah? Don’t miss the insights, banter, and strategic breakdown shaping this crucial Big 12 Conference clash. If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the NEW Locked On Cougars Everydayer Club by going to LockedOnCougars.SuperCast.com Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://link.chtbl.com/LOCougars?sid=... Locked On College Conferences, HBCU, Basketball & More 🎧 https://linktr.ee/LockedOnCollege 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 else. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download Kalshi and use code Locked On to get $25 when you trade $25. Kalshi. Trade what’s next.  SupplyHouse Visit https://SupplyHouse.com/TM to learn more about becoming a Trade Master.  Use promo code S H 5 College for five percent off your first order.  SupplyHouse. Real people. Real service. Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/COLLEGE ! #squarepod LARINECO Give Larine a try. Right now, Larine Co is offering our listeners up to 50% off at https://BUYLARINE.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE. 5-Hour ENERGY Bring on the sweetness with Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shots—available online now at https:/5hourENERGY.com or on Amazon. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. It’s time to put your knowledge to the test with College Football Pick’Em from FanDuel. Download the FanDuel app and play College Football Pick'Em for free. Only on FanDuel.  Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Follow the Locked On Cougars podcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up-to-date with the latest with regards to the podcast and BYU sports news. You can get in contact by emailing us at LockedOnBYU@gmail.com.