Dear BYU Football Fans: We Need to Talk. | Nightmare Playoff Scenario NOT Unfolding, Remain Calm.

[@ben_is_tall]

As a longtime BYU fan, we’re sad about the loss of our winning streak. But, we didn’t do all this work to get to this point, only to miss out on the championship. We have the weapons to score. Just need to come into Tempe with urgency and execution. It’ll be a great game. Let’s do this!

[@0-0_oOo_0-0]

Losses are better teachers than wins. I genuinely believe that BYU is a better team due to this loss.

[@remorrey]

Agree.

[@commonsense3921]

Coping

[@remorrey]

BYU fan here. Man, you're just the perspective I needed to hear today. I think the team had a real monkey of perfection taken off their shoulders with the necessary loss. You're awesome Drake. Thank you.

[@aarongeorgejohnson3229]

As a BYU and a Utah fan who for so many years has watched my teams working in an environment where one loss ended all hope of a championship/playoff birth, and even where undefeated was sometimes not good enough (2009 Utah), I am stoked to see how the rest of the season plays out for BYU!

[@derrickcox7761]

Stoked

[@austinknighton5319]

Losses are teaching moments, no matter what the hyperbole says. This is a time to teach.

[@johnheath306]

Buffs learned from their NU thumping

[@bqmac43]

Failure is the best teacher. Success is the worst.

[@ashleyh.2523]

Kalani is always talking about being "assignment sound" because when every player does their job, we have an unstoppable team. We as fans need to take coaches' advice and be assignment sound ourselves. We have one job: support the team. Go cougs!

[@beaker8111]

The fire ARod is NOT an over reaction. The dude has no idea when or how to run the ball. His terrible play calling cost us 14 points in that game. They could NOT stop our power run set in this game, but when we needed TDs, he got cute with it and cost us the game. Now my nightmare scenario is on the table. We go 10-2, miss the title game, miss the playoff, and ARod doesn't get fired. Love me some Retzlaff, but he's not a very accurate QB. You'd think our OC would know that... but he's dumb AF, so obviously he's going to call a back corner fade from the 5. Kill me. We had 2 time outs and 48 seconds! RUN THE BALL!

[@jiacheng23]

They aren't going to penalize B1G and SEC teams for the conference championship game. They are absolutely going to penalize anyone else who loses in the CCG.

[@boldnotbald3705]

Thanks for taking the time to talk the BYU fans off the ledge. There are still a number of positives of the season we just need to turn around, learn from the poor play in the last game and put together a solid game tomorrow.

[@Jace28142]

Don’t despair! Saturday against ASU is a new day, new game. Let’s go get those Sun Devil’s💙

[@rickjohnson6559]

Fan since 76. I been through a lot. I was vocal for sitake to be moved to athletic dept. But this has to end. I'll bet a chocolate cougar tail Arizona smokes us ie a 1:00 $ cigar

[@CameronHuff03]

Thanks Drake I needed that

[@dhenderson67]

BYU needs to not think of the Big12 championship, not the rankings, not the CFPs. They have one thing they should concentrate on right now - ASU in Tempe this weekend.

[@LandonYoung-x2z]

ARod's play calling is horrendous.

[@robholcombe3788]

I love this video cause we need to refocus. This is not the BCS. This is not the 4 team playoff. We still COMPLETELY control our own destiny. ASU will be ranked and so will CU. If BYU wins 3 in a row, 2 against ranked teams, they will absolutely be ranked above Boise in the final standings. Remember, we all assumed BYU would be scratching and clawing to try to get into a bowl game this year. We wouldn't have fired A-Rod if BYU wasn't doing amazingly well. I am someone who really doesn't like A-Rod and I have wanted a replacement for years. However, I don't think this is the stage to do that.

[@bradnielson6215]

I don't think anyone means right now. But we've been asking for a new OC for a couple of years. We have won in spite of ARod. His play calling at times is inexcusable. It is wearing on Kalani as well I would guess based on some of his comments.

[@jasongoodrich9055]

It wasn't the BYU fans that were beating our chests. We were happy to not be at the bottom of the conference. We fully expected to be let down this year like normal. We know better than to get our hopes up.

[@Big5Daddy7]

I am a big fan, but this is very typical of many seasons. BYU will play lights out at the beginning of the season then get progressively worse while the rest of the conference gets better. Where is the team we saw the first half of the season? There have been so many seasons where BYU will come out strong and upset a legit top 25 team, only to lose the following week to an unranked team. Yes, they are doing so much better this year than expected but what's happening now has happened so many times before. This is why so many BYU fans are on pins and needles with every game. We never know what team or coaching staff will show up that week. I believe they should have gone undefeated, then they give us what we saw against Kansas. They did not play, nor were they coached to their true abilities the last couple weeks.

[@darrellhunt1094]

Best coverage of the Big 12 Drake! As a BYU fan, you've made it easy to get to know the Big 12 teams and landscape. Keep up the great coverage!

[@BrentNielsen]

I'm a BYU fan. I don't think you overacted. I love how you tell it like it is. no sugar. sugar is bad for you anyway. I'm very happy to be in the big 12!! We are overachieving this year. I'm very happy. I really enjoy watching the other big 12 games. It's been so long since BYU is relevant in football. Loving it. Keep up the great work!! Go Baylor

[@nathanlarkin2980]

As a current student at BYU, a home playoff game would be INSANE. Low key hoping that happens

[@cbphoto87]

I don’t think it will. Boise probably has a ceiling at 10. If BYU finishes ahead of them it’s the bye. If we finish behind but win the CCG, it’s a road game. I can pretty much guarantee a 12-1 BYU will finish ahead of Boise.

[@joshhersom1776]

Thank for your honest comments Drake. I may be one of the few in Cougar Nation that agrees with you. After our loss on Saturday this is what I posted on social media: Cougar Nation lost against Kansas. No more 9-0. And,I have to admit, all season I've been kind of hesitant about going 12-0. Hopeful, but hesitant. Especially the last 3 weeks. I was fully resigned last week against the Utes that we had our first loss, but because of a glorious mistake on their end, and capitalization on our end, we LUCKED out a win. All the analysts and podcasters were speaking my mind for this week's game, and saying that if BYU played like they had been the last 3 weeks against Kansas, they'd lose by 3, and as I sat in my living room and watched these podcasts, I agreed. So am I surprised with tonight's outcome? Nope. I think these boys needed it. It looks to me like they've relied too much on "the magic" instead of creating it like they did early on. This loss is just the wake up call they needed. I also don't think we need to fire A-Rod. We're 9-1, with the potential to go 11-1. National championship contenders? Not anymore. I wouldn't be surprised to see out of the top 10 after tonight's loss. But if we go 11-1, that's still a great record! Especially for BYU and Cougar Nation. Besides, when's the last time Cougar Nation had that record? So, why fire your OC who helped get you there? Despite the loss: GO COUGS! 🤙 #BYU #byufootball #BYUCougars #gocougars #CougarNation

[@greggraham2642]

Ute fan here hoping BYU shakes it off and wins the remaining games. Time for another team in the state to beat Alabama or the likes. Go Big 12. BTW, drove past Baylors stadium last week driving back to Dallas. Dang that thing is nice lit up at night from outside.

[@ThoseOneGuysInc]

I’m sad that we’re not gonna have an undefeated season, but I’m still excited about the season. we still have the opportunity to win a conference championship and go to the playoffs which we haven’t been able to do in years.

[@davin6256]

Go cougars we can finish strong!

[@sarahmccoy1941]

My pick for Nov. 23 games: Colorado 30, Kansas 27 BYU 28, Arizona State 24 Baylor 28, Houston 21 Utah 30, Iowa State 25 Oklahoma State 39, Texas Tech 38 TCU 29, Arizona 18

[@sdot1988]

We’re panicking this is terrible we fumbled the bag 😅only way to redemption is beat Arizona state , Houston and then Colorado to finish it and than beat one team in the playoffs😅

[@og5981]

Drake, love ya! Right on dude! BYU has to win AZ St., Houston, and Big 12 championship and they're in the playoffs. The thing is, and you touched on this, the offense has fallen asleep. You're right on with the last 23 possessions. The offense looks troubled. And why? The play calling has lost what it had in the 1st couple weeks, especially at home against K-State. Coach Sitake needs to fix the offensive play calling now. Something has switched with the offensive play calling. Retzlaff looks apprehensive and hogtied in what he feels he's allowed to do. The saddest thing about this for me as an alum '02 is that this team is one of the most talented teams in college football, both as a team, and as individual players, especially on defense. They had, and I believe, still have legendary player, team chemistry. Meaning, they individually love the game of football and they love each other as brothers. They play for each other as brothers. So, what's wrong? The OC. The coaching. The coaching was superb beginning of season. They allowed the boys to be themselves and play. They supported them, with their natural talent and ability. So, like so often the case with managers and bosses, when employees make managers and owners look good, the management and owners get scared, wig out about losing what the employees/players have given them and they start to micromanage the employees/players, which causes, makes the employees/players tight, up-tight, and doesn't allow them or enable them to be themselves. Solution: coaches, back off and let the players play. Stop worrying about the pundits, the stress, the talk of playoffs, and everything else. Let the boys play the game they love and simply support them like you did in spring ball and at the beginning the of the season. You can win the remaining 2 reg. season games. You can win the Big 12 Championship, even against Colorado. You have the stuff. Especially the defensive stuff. But you gotta let em play. Don't micromanage them. Coaches, don't take your stress out on them, the players. I ache for the boys, the players. Coaches win or lose championships for their boys, at any level. I've seen it many times. Drake, love ya dude, but I do disagree with ya on one point. BYU MUST win the Big 12 championship or they're out. Not that the committee wants them out. It's not that. It's that there are other teams and situations waiting in the wings that really would be more deserving to get the playoff spot over BYU. I love my boys. Like I said, I'm an alum, '02. But I'm also a professional business consultant. Therefore I assess objectively and call a spade a spade. Here, now, BYU has to win out, even win the Big 12 Championship to get in. Otherwise they won't. Personally, I have them ranked around 14 right now. Just outside the playoffs, on the bubble. It's sad to me because if they play like they did at SMU and against K-St., they could compete against any. Coach prime lets his boys do what they do. He lets them play. Sitake needs to do the same. Coach Sitake is saying the right things, but his actions, mannerisms, behavior, and feeling the guys feel from him don't match his words the last couple of games. Coach needs to feel them with a feeling of NO DOUBT! From his heart, not faking it. He need to have them feel he knows without a doubt in his heart they can do this. And if he does, they will. This is the difference between a great coach and a championship coach. It took Andy Ried 30+ years and 3 teams to learn this. And now look at him! Retzaff's INT end of 1st half was not him. It was on the coaches. The way they were running the ball, the play caller should have called creative running plays to score. The RPO is THE best friend of BYU's offense. Guys, we can do this! You did it already at the beginning. It's not that other teams have gotten better. It's that you lost your mojo you had earlier. You can get it back! Just play BABY! You got this! You practice it! It's not a fluke. Trust yourself! Trust each other! And go and do it! You will! I have faith in you. But it's not a matter of faith. It's a matter of the practice and hard work you've put in and will put in this week. Now go and execute it at AZ ST., like you did at UCF, SMU, and Baylor. And yes, drop to your knees and ask the Lord, God, your Heavenly Father, to help you execute what you've practiced. And He will bless you. Like He did in the beginning of the season. Then after, give all glory and credit to him. This is truly how life goes. How life is, even if others don't know or understand it, and don't give glory and credit to God. I've tested this scientifically over and over and over again in my life. It's true. It works. He will bless you for your unselfish efforts to glorify Him. But it's got to be for Him, not you. Only you know that in your heart. And your hearts are there. Why? They were there in the beginning. And Retlaff, well, he's got a strong faith in God his father being a great member of his Jewish faith and community. That's really why we wanted him. We're so grateful to have him among our Christian ranks at the Y. He's wonderful. You do what you do brother Jake. Play your game and you'll be fine. Band together brothers and go win for God and the Lord. It is Their will! Just praise them each step of the way. Prayin for you.

[@jeffersonsharp2292]

As a BYU fan the loss was sad. But, my favorite team is bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. Who's my favorite team you ask? Well, whoever is playing the Utes on any given week. It's possible my team could get 8 wins! That's pretty cool! Go OU (Opponent of Utah)!

[@CodeMonkey76]

When they had 1st down on the 15 with under 2 min and just ran 3 running plays in a row right up the middle for practically no gain (4 yards in 3 plays), they deserved to lose. Their offense had no confidence. Their offensive line can't enforce its will on the defense. Their play calling was horrible and had no creativity.

[@timjacobsen3141]

Needed this...

[@ronk.6226]

Well, I thought almost losing to Utah would scare BYU back to reality and prepare better, but they didn't look prepared, excited to play. And throwing for 8 yards and needing 11, coming in short of the 1st down makes no sense to me. They've done that many times this year. I do hope coach Sitake gets the offense(A-Rod) straightened out for the rest of the games.

[@MrEyeist]

I’d like to see how Bohanon does at qb in the Kansas game. There were 2 touchdowns that didn’t happen when Retzlaff overthrew Lassiter, and Retzlaff threw to the cornerback instead of the tightend in the endzone. Also, one thing Aaron Roderick can do to get more points is to tell Retzlaff to stop doing so many audibles at the line of scrimmage and trust the original playcall. There was something at the end of the game where he could’ve had a pass to Chase Roberts because his defender was 10 yards off of him, but he did an audible and changed it to an option play that went nowhere.

[@johndavidson3881]

Arizona State is going to get that butt this weekend!!! CU will be waiting.... know you hate it

[@s.simpkins98]

Great gameplan by Kansas to put themselves in that situation and great execution on the final defensive stand. Poor Robinson missed the miffed punt which killed us. But the play that bugs me is the fade. I love Retzlaff, but he is terrible at the corner fade. He wasn’t even close. He did that against SMU, but was lucky it didn’t get intercepted and it tipped and our guy got it. He’s tried another time and was short. He also did that against Utah was intercepted very easily. A-Rod shouldn’t have called for him to try that throw as his primary target again. The running game was doing great at that point or passes in the middle probably would’ve got the job done.

[@petervincent3560]

The problem is at the Top. Great coaches know how to make adjustments and understand when to make changes and motivate the players. I remember Lou Holtz coaching Notre Dame and the offense was playing terribly. He did something amazing. Lou called a time out and took the entire first string off the field and lined them up on the sideline. He the walked down the line grabbing each players face mask and ripped each player. He told them how how he didn’t want to see the other team score again. Notre Dame went on to totally dominate the rest of the game. How does BYU’s head coach make adjustments? How does he get the offense to turn it around? He doesn’t! He can’t! It’s not who he is. That just what you have and until you have a sharp intelligent coach who can play winning chess, you will always have these kind of loses.

[@troyhackett]

It's not about throwing in the towel. It's the constant horrible play calling that A-Rod has been calling. Look at the Utah game. He can't make up his mind, play clock runs out and we burn timeouts. Plus you called it that BYU only has a few touchdowns over the past 20 series. That's horrible for a 9-1 team. It's much more than just one lose. It's the whole picture. A-Rod has been bad for years. I'm not saying they will but he needs to go regardless if BYU wins the national championship or not.

[@craiganderson8569]

If Boise State wins out they are in. The question is then, if Army beats ND (not likely, but certainly possible) does the Big 12 champion get left out? It's an unlikely scenario, but it is possible.

[@johndotter351]

Yeah I was bummed about the loss too, but it wasn't the end of world. A loss can be a blessing in disguise. BYU wasn't suppose to even win 9 games. They have surpass what they predicted what they would have won. They still have things in their corner. If they get on the ball take care of business they'll be fine if they win the rest to go the BIG-12 Championship, but they have to win that and their in the Playoff. It's up to the team to do it. Drake has common sense of what he is saying. Take a chill pill and move on.

[@Sirwilliamf]

I hope they learned to run the ball more. O-line's been solid all year.

[@charlesvorones3612]

It's possible that BYU, Colorado, ISU and ASU all finish with 7-2 records. But among all 4 of those teams, only one head-to-head would've happened: BYU losing to ASU. That makes for a very unconvincing and lame tiebreaker procedure to pick ASU's opponent for Big 12 title game. This is the problem when you have gigantic conferences. They should be no bigger than 10, like the old days, when conference members all played each other.

[@shanehurla4619]

With the way Colorado is scoring points and playing the committee would take a 2 loss Buffs team over a 2 loss BYU team all day long and would actually be the best way to get a team into the playoff. As the conference champ and the attention that team gets no way would they hold them out for a 2 loss team from any conference and dare I say they would take them over a 1 loss Boise or even undefeated Army.

[@dostacos1]

I want whatever playoff spot will get us into the rose bowl so we can win it before Utah does.

[@Spenwall]

Arizona will be packed with blue

[@JoshuaLauritzen]

would've been nice if you said something like that about Utah when they went 4-1

[@CharlesKim-ee8ie]

How do you fire an OC that has scored 2 touchdowns in the last 2 games? How do you fire an OC that has been consistently criticized for his inept and predictable play calling by people that have vast amounts of playing and coaching experience? How do you fire an OC that decides running the ball at one of the top ten D-lines in the country were the correct calls. How do you fire an OC that calls the end zone corner route more than any other DC in the country. A route that has a high failure rate. Why is it that I have to sit and listen to every game and hear broadcast commentators question the play calling and read it in the Deseret News as well? Why is he not at Utah any more? Three touchdowns in 26 possessions! If you evaluate those 26 possessions you will find the mind of ARod calling the wrong plays, again. Where are the short passes down the side line or across the middle? Where is the screen pass? Where is the draw play? It seems that ARod has forgotten them all! Please, where is Jeff Grimes when you need him? Grimey, c-mon back here!

[@FalconFastest123]

Retzlaff needs to watch this

[@joshuasmith2689]

It's felt like the sky is falling.

[@davidmitchell3728]

Thanks Drake, I needed to hear that 🥲😂

[@davidmickelle7326]

It isn't that they lost on Saturday it is that they are falling apart...kalani calling a play stupid suggests that some mindset has changed...they aren't in the same place

[@brianday3471]

Welcome to byu football

[@matthewhunter6421]

I'm not blaming refs, but man, they freaking were useless and missed really obvious penalties. I don't even know what to say abvout how bad they were. The whole environment and game felt flat, didn't have the energy of other games, it all just feel meh.

[@sharonhutchinson9604]

To be fair that stadium had to be freeeeeezing at night

[@matthewhunter6421]

Yeah, it was pretty cold. ​@@sharonhutchinson9604

[@brianjohnson9899]

Maybe this podcast will add more breadth after that Brigham Young loss.

[@clanski1634]

Honestly Colorado being in CFP is BIG12 best chance at having better ranking next year and best shot at getting more teams in. If ByU goes we will get embarrassed

[@YOHONOMOTO]

You think CU can’t get embarrassed?

[@davidmickelle7326]

The rest of the year will end the way it went on Saturday

[@bradleyroberts1346]

#preach man

[@brnxbmr]

They have been winning in spite of ARod. Not because of him. I agree, they aren't going to fire him, but he really is a terrible OC.

[@clanski1634]

Best case scenario if ByU plays its vs another weak schedule team.

[@wasatchm]

BYU was living in borrowed time. I knew if they didn't have a lead going into the 4th quarter, they would probably lose. the BYU QB accuracy just isn't good enough for them to win the BIG 12. I put them at #3 behind CO and AZ ST.

[@qm5776]

ASU's gonna roll over BYU. ARod's a mediocre OC. BYU loves to get everyone's hopes up just to choke against a lesser opponent. It's happened many times

[@scottwins2]

Coaching lost this game!

[@staciallen5635]

Didn’t realize this was Locked On BYU now lol. BYU was never the team some people thought they were (and the Big 12 wanted them to be). There’s 4 teams in contention for the conference championship and THREE of them control their own destiny - not just BYU. A Big 12 team is going to go to the playoffs. It might be BYU, it might not. In the meantime just sit back and watch the games and players decide who it’s going to be.. and then root for them. Signed, A Sun Devil fan whose team has lost just 1 more game than BYU (and looked a lot more dominate and impressive against teams we’ve both beaten… Looking at Utah here).

[@JimWhite-c7q]

Don’t give up on us brother. We are still the best team in the conference, we’ll make sure to make you proud in the playoffs. God gave us this game to make sure we stay humble.

[@Wilm-u1q]

It's over

[@officialhamsue]

the fact of the matter is this BYU team isnt as good as we thought they were, and the 3-6 Kansas Jayhawks were not as bad as we thought they were. Kansas has played everyone extremely close all season, a few bounces go there way and they could easily be a 2 to 3 loss team. Good luck in Tempe fellas.

[@MrEyeist]

BYU was playing more uncomfortable as their undefeated season went on. I’m glad they finally lost. They’ll play more comfortably now. You’ll see them win by a few touchdowns at Arizona State.

[@elche1976]

So a team that has struggled the last several weeks to score tds, and had been in the bottom half of the conference in offense all season , is about to just self correct and win by several tds? That's quite the take.

[@MrEyeist]

I know it doesn’t sound right, but we’ll all see it.

[@elche1976]

@@MrEyeist it doesn't make sense because we've all been waiting for weeks. But ok. I like fiction just as much as the next guy.

[@Brutici]

@@elche1976 it won't be fiction when it happens. just wait.

[@elche1976]

@Brutici how many snickers bars do I need? 1? 10? 50?

[@emwa3600]

BYU is a better-than-mediocre team. They lose AT HOME as well - they have no interest in winning AT HOME. At defending home-turf. When is that EVER the mark of a GOOD team?!!

[@thohangst]

Wha' hap'n?

[@danielclark5586]

Come on Drake, you and others have been expecting a loss by BYU for the past four weeks. UCF, loss, Utah, Loss, Kansas, Loss and finally you got your wish. Fortunately they won all those games except Kansas, which is good but BYU should have won. ASU is much netter than Kansas and BYU will lose this game . ASU vs Colorado in the Championship. Been a good year even if most people were waiting for a BYU loss starting with Kansas.

[@jaychapman125]

This loss hurt your whole conference, ROTFLMFAO!!! Well, you can always redeem yourselves in Basketball. 😆😂🤣

[@calvinkeele9317]

Kalni and Kyle should already been replaced Kyle when Chris Peterson beat him on his field bosie state and kalani after costal Carolina

[@guapo1040]

What? Coastal Carolina was ranked. That was a road game for BYU with less than 48 hours to prepare for the game. Why on earth would you fire him for that loss? People go scorched earth when a team takes a loss, imagine how much worse BYU would be if the coaching staff became a rotating door.

[@joshhersom1776]

What are you smokin' brother? Costal Carolina was put on the schedule basically last minute, during the Covid years when another team backed out of playing. Tom Holmoe did a great job in getting another team willing to play on such short notice. So, the Cougs were only given a short time to prepare - just a couple of days, not the usual week. They didn't really get the chance to watch/study film and do all of the typical things a team does because of the short amount of time they had. In addition to that, they had to play against dirty players and refs. And they played their hearts out in that game. So, tell me again why Sitake should be fired? 🤦

[@guapo1040]

@joshhersom1776 nailed it. The team had 0 time to study film because they had to fly literally last minute for the game which btw the bus showed up with equipment just hours before the game started. The odds were so stacked against BYU it's a wonder the game was even competitive. Calling for Sitake to get fired for losing that game is completely irrational.

[@corneliusdansbyjr6165]

BYU this BYU that bro nobody cares except yawl in the Big 12 hell I don't even think they care that's all to talk and complain about just shut up let it go.....let's go Arizona State let's go Houston 😂

[@brettallen1440]

You clearly care because you're here everyday, commenting every time lol.

[@matthewhunter6421]

that was barely intelligible. You should learn English, and punctuation. This is a serious question, not an insult, have you considered being tested for a learning disability?

[@corneliusdansbyjr6165]

@brettallen1440 I ain't talking to you

[@brettallen1440]

@@corneliusdansbyjr6165 You can't defend your position because you know I'm right.

[@brettallen1440]

@@matthewhunter6421 This comment is totally unnecessary.

[@bobdillon3085]

BYU overrated as always