Daily Herald sports writers Darnell Dickson and Brandon Gurney debated several prominent BYU sports topics in a report published September 30, 2026. The discussion covered football rivalries, roster developments, and upcoming game predictions for the Cougars.
Regarding historical football rivalries, Darnell Dickson expressed a preference for former Mountain West Conference and WAC matchups, such as BYU versus Wyoming or Air Force, suggesting that current Big 12 rivalries feel superficial. Brandon Gurney noted the intensity of old Mountain West environments and stated he misses the rivalry with San Diego State, particularly in men's basketball. Both writers commented on the significance of the BYU-Utah rivalry, noting its historical weight.
In analyzing the football roster, Gurney identified the second and third team units as needing development, specifically highlighting the second-team offense led by senior quarterback Treyson Bourguet. He also noted that backup running backs Journee Tonga and DeVaughn Eka will face tests in pre-snap checks and blocking support. Dickson suggested the defensive backfield backups need improvement after giving up yardage to Colorado State's third-string quarterback, though he noted the potential return of Raider Damuni.
The discussion addressed the impact of losing right tackle Andrew Gentry. Dickson noted that Gentry is an experienced leader whose presence will be difficult to replace, specifically mentioning that Bott Mulitalo and Siosiua Latu-Finau will face challenges against TCU's run defense. Gurney added that Gentry is one of the best run-blocking tackles the team has seen recently, particularly when working alongside Kyle Sfarcioc and Trevin Ostler.
Looking ahead to the matchup against TCU, Gurney predicted a close game with a potential 20-17 BYU victory, noting forecasted rainy conditions. Dickson predicted a lower-scoring 24-14 victory for the Cougars, suggesting the team might pull away in the second half despite the difficulty of winning on the road in the Big 12.
Regarding men's basketball, both writers discussed the possibility of the Cougars winning 25 games. They noted that the outcome may depend on whether Jaxon Kohler remains eligible to play. Other roster changes include players like Rob Wright III, Collin Chandler, and Tyler Betsey stepping into new roles under coach Kevin Young.
