Arizona Wildcats Missing Koa Peat, BYU Cougars Down Richie Saunders—Is Tonight a NIGHTMARE Scenario? | Who Steps Up & Leads Their Team to Victory? | BYU & Arizona Set Big 12 Tone Early This Fall?
Podcast: Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & BasketballPublished On: Wed Feb 18 2026
Description: The BYU Cougars’ fortunes take a dramatic turn as star shooter Richie Saunders is lost for the season, shaking up the lineup just before a high-stakes battle with Arizona Wildcats in Tucson. Will AJ Dybantsa and Rob Wright—who have both shown they can go for 40 points in Big 12 play—find enough support from a thin BYU bench? Or will Arizona’s physicality and defensive mastery overwhelm BYU, even with Koa Peat out for at least a week? The Wildcats, led by Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley, look to assert themselves and prove they can grind out critical wins even when shorthanded.Jake Hatch and Leif Thulin break down how injuries are affecting both sides, questioning whether BYU can survive their first game without Richie Saunders in the intimidating McKale Center, and how Arizona’s spacing and depth have changed following Koa Peat’s absence. Key topics include leverage shots, the need for BYU’s bench—players like Aleksej Kostic and Tyler Mrus—to step up, and late-game execution as Arizona tries to fix recent slip-ups against Kansas and Texas Tech. The duo explore emotional factors, potential rally cries, and coaching philosophies, asking whether BYU’s lineup adjustments could spark newfound chemistry or simply thin the margin in conference play.The conversation then pivots to football, previewing the Big 12 lid-lifter: BYU vs. Arizona in Provo. Both programs come off strong seasons, returning offensive stars Bear Bachmeier for BYU and Noah Fifita for Arizona, setting up what could be a tone-setting clash for the league. Hatch and Thulin weigh the importance of early-season matchups, strategies for transfer portal usage, and the merits of continuity versus annual roster overhauls. Will Arizona’s defense continue to be opportunistic? Can BYU’s developmental approach push them from playoff flirtation to true contender status?Packed with in-depth analysis, senior leaders, and pivotal matchups, this episode delivers insights for Wildcats and Cougars fans alike. Don’t miss the breakdown of BYU’s and Arizona’s evolving strategies, pressure moments, and what these games mean for the Big 12’s shifting power structure.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/everydayerclubJake 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 Locked On Podcast Network Sponsors!Gametime - Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions applyMazda - This episode is brought to you by Mazda. We put that same drive into every detail. Wins define the moment. Putting in the work – That defines you. Stay tuned for highlights in this week’s “Moving the Game Forward.” There’s more to a Mazda, because there’s more to youFanDuel - Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. It's the last call for football on FanDuel. If you’re a new customer, bet just $5 and get $200 in Bonus Bets if you winTurbo Tax - For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today5-Hour ENERGY - Have your cake & drink it too. Birthday cake-flavor is back, no fork needed. Vanilla-y cakey flavor, caffeinated kick, and no sugar. It's party time. 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