# BYU Football Program Fights SEC HATE as Steve Sarkisian SEEKS to DOWNGRADE His Alma Mater | BYU 'Clear' Big 12 Favorites? | Will Dennis Pitta Get HOF Call?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/byu-football-program-fights-sec-hate-as-steve-sarkisian-seeks-to-downgrade-his-alma-mater-byu-clear-big-12-favorites-will-dennis-pitta-get-hof-call
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/byu-football-program-fights-sec-hate-as-steve-sarkisian-seeks-to-downgrade-his-alma-mater-byu-clear-big-12-favorites-will-dennis-pitta-get-hof-call.md
Podcast: [Locked On Cougars - Daily Podcast On BYU Cougars Football & Basketball](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433)
Published: 2026-06-04T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-cougars/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/63a296/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6/episodes/6bf28326-2410-49e1-abe4-9771a8f51140/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=df3adc55-2f40-437c-852e-1d8b8122e2c6&awEpisodeId=6bf28326-2410-49e1-abe4-9771a8f51140&feed=DzohBBeS
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-cougars-daily-podcast-on-byu-cougars-football-basketball-935433/episodes/byu-football-program-fights-sec-hate-as-steve-sarkisian-seeks-to-downgrade-his-alma-mater-byu-clear-big-12-favorites-will-dennis-pitta-get-hof-call
Duration seconds: 1851

## Resource

SEC bias takes center stage as BYU’s College Football Playoff case sparks controversy and resentment within the Power 4 ranks. Cam Stuart and Jake Hatch unpack the behind-the-scenes dynamics that have SEC coaches—led, surprisingly, by Texas Longhorns head coach and former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian—actively advocation for BYU to be ranked behind SEC teams like Vanderbilt and Texas in College Football Playoff discussions. How did BYU’s 12-2 season get overshadowed by conference politics and narratives prioritizing SEC losses over Big 12 wins? The hosts spotlight the hypocrisy in how conference title game defeats are valued differently by selection committees depending on logo and historical precedent, illuminating why BYU’s presence is rattling traditional hierarchies in college football. Shifting focus to the Big 12 Conference, the episode tackles the fast-evolving battle for conference supremacy. With Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility under intense scrutiny due to his betting history, the door opens for BYU to become the "clear favorite" in the Big 12—at least in Stewart Mandel’s estimation. But can BYU capitalize on this moment, or is Texas Tech, possibly with Will Hammond returning, still a looming threat? Houston’s rise under Willie Fritz, plus the unpredictable elements of programs like Arizona State and Utah navigating massive roster and coaching changes, add further intrigue to what could be a chaotic race for the conference crown. The hosts push back against the notion of “clear favorites” in a league renowned for upsets, unproven quarterbacks, and razor-thin margins. The show also takes a passionate look at college football legacy as Robert Griffin III (RG3) and BYU legend Dennis Pitta headline a loaded College Football Hall of Fame fina…

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