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FTC ORIGINALS · AUTHOR

CB

Cody Burdett

Founder & editor

Cody Burdett is a BYU fan, local teacher and the founder and editor of Feed the Cougar. He enjoys technology, hunting and time with family, and built FTC to give Cougar fans a clean daily feed with thoughtful original reporting.

CONTACT THE EDITORfeedthecougar@gmail.comTips, corrections, story ideas and partnership inquiries are welcome.

Published work

66 originals · Updated Oct 16, 2026

Football · Oct 8, 2026

LJ Martin’s Injury Turns BYU’s Run Game Into a Five-Week Management Problem

BYU has enough production behind its star back to survive a Friday night. The harder question is how the Cougars distribute the burden through Notre Dame, UCF, Arizona State and possibly Utah. The numbers suggest BYU has enough running-back depth to survive without its star. The TCU game also showed why the Cougars cannot simply transfer Martin’s workload to Bear Bachmeier.

Football · Sep 24, 2026

What BYU Fans Should Watch in TCU at UCF

Before TCU comes to Provo, its trip to UCF offers BYU fans a valuable scouting window. These are the numbers and matchup clues worth tracking from the couch.

Football · Sep 21, 2026

BYU’s Bye-Week To-Do List: The 3 Numbers That Need Fixing

BYU enters the bye week 3–0 with plenty working, but three defensive numbers stand out: third-down defense, sacks and red-zone efficiency. Here’s where the Cougars are falling short statistically, why those issues matter, and what needs to improve before Big 12 play gets tougher.

Football · Sep 20, 2026

BYU Is No. 9: Too High, Too Low or Just Right?

BYU is No. 9 in both the AP and Coaches polls, but the ranking is debatable. The Cougars’ dominant margins and efficiency suggest they could be higher, while a résumé without a ranked win makes the case they may be too high. Comparing BYU directly with Alabama, Ohio State, LSU and Texas Tech shows why No. 9 may be the perfect middle ground — elite production, but still waiting for a signature victory.

Football · Sep 20, 2026

Why BYU Football's Transfer Portal Strategy Is Different

BYU added just nine transfers while the average Big 12 program brought in nearly 28. Rather than rebuilding through the portal, the Cougars targeted specific needs with high-quality additions while protecting opportunities for developing talent already in the program. The numbers reveal a deliberate strategy built around recruiting, development, retention and selective portal use.

Football · Sep 19, 2026

The Fourth-Quarter Cougar Killers: The Stats Behind BYU’s Late-Game Success

BYU has become one of college football’s best fourth-quarter teams. Since the start of 2025, the Cougars have outscored opponents 145-68 in the fourth quarter, with Texas Tech the only team to outscore BYU in the final period. The numbers show a team that has evolved from surviving close games to consistently finishing them.

Football · Sep 18, 2026

Why 3rd-and-Long Is Fueling BYU’s Defensive Success

Nearly half of BYU’s opponent third downs have required seven or more yards, and the results are dramatic. Opponents are converting 53.8% of third downs under seven yards but only 25% when BYU forces 3rd-and-7 or longer. The numbers show how BYU’s defense is creating its biggest advantage on first and second down

Football · Sep 16, 2026

BYU @ Colorado State: Where Colorado State Can Hurt BYU — and Where the Rams Could Get Exposed

Colorado State’s 2-0 start is easy to dismiss if you look only at the names on the schedule. The Rams opened with Wyoming and followed it with an FCS opponent in Southern Utah, while No. 11 BYU already owns a Big 12 win over Arizona. But treating Saturday’s game in Fort Collins as a simple talent-gap matchup would overlook what Colorado State has actually done well.

Football · Sep 15, 2026

Cardiac Cougars: The Numbers Behind BYU’s Late-Game Nerve

BYU has earned the “Cardiac Cougars” nickname again, going 8-2 in one-score games across 2024 and 2025. With six comeback wins in 2025 and multiple victories decided in the final minutes or overtime, the numbers show BYU has developed a real knack for surviving — and winning — high-pressure games.

Football · Sep 14, 2026

Feed The Cougar Big 12 Power Rankings

A stats-first look at the Big 12 after Week 2, counting down all 16 teams from UCF to BYU using scoring margins, efficiency, opponent strength and early-season results.

Football · Sep 13, 2026

Do BYU fans have a Persecution Complex?

From Mormon pioneers driven west to anti-LDS chants, conference exclusion, postseason snubs and the continuing debate over 1984, BYU fans have a long history of feeling like outsiders. Maybe the persecution complex is real—but so are some of the reasons behind it.

Football · Sep 11, 2026

Why Interceptions Will Decide BYU vs. Arizona

BYU Football has made life miserable for Noah Fifita before. If the Cougars can force another interception or two, their ball-hawking defense could be the difference against Arizona. Arizona Wildcats at BYU Cougars September 12th, 2026

Football · Sep 8, 2026

Vampire Cougs: Why BYU Football Comes Alive After Dark

BYU’s late-night success is more than a nickname. The Cougars’ remarkable record after 7 p.m., combined with dramatic wins over Arizona, Kansas State and Utah, reveals a team that has repeatedly been at its best when games get late, strange and uncomfortable.

Football · Aug 31, 2026

Did TCU Just Get Exposed?

TCU's loss in Dublin gave BYU a clearer look at its October road test. The warning signs were real, even if one game is too little evidence for a final verdict.