It’s a quote from American humorist Arnold H. Glasow from the 1950’s yet is a perfect description of not only today’s social media in general but sports social media specifically.

You have to have a “hot take.”

You can’t just say, “BYU will beat Utah this year,” you have to say, “BYU will beat Utah by 40 points this year and never lose to the Utes again!”

You can’t just say, “BYU will win the Big 12 this year,” you have to say, “BYU will go undefeated and win the national championship this year!”

Fortunately, we’re here to help you understand the difference between hype and reality.

Hype: The BYU defense won’t miss a beat with Kelly Poppinga taking over as defensive coordinator.

Reality: Poppinga has certainly paid his dues, both under Bronco Mendenhall and Kalani Sitake, to earn his first chance at being the play caller. Poppinga says he’s a numbers guy and one of the big ones is points allowed per game. He’s shooting for 19 points or less. Last year under Jay Hill (now at Michigan) the Cougars allowed 19.1. With an offense expected to be pretty good, that number ought to allow BYU to have a chance to win every game this season. But defensive play calling is more than just the numbers. There are nuances, a feeling, an instinct. Hill definitely had those abilities. We’ll see if Poppinga does.

Hype: BYU has learned how to win close games.

Reality: In truth, the Cougars are 8-2 in one-score games over the past two seasons. You know the losses: The crazy bad-bounce-punt game against Kansas (17-13) and the Hail-Mary-is-just-short game at Arizona State (28-23) in 2024. The belief in complementary football (offense, defense and special teams all doing their job) will be tested this year. The Cougars are replacing everything on special teams, from kicker to punter to snapper to holder to returner. Keep an eye on those guys.

Hype: Bear Bachmeier will only get better in his second season as a starter.

Reality: It would seem that this could be true. Remember, Bachmeier won the starting quarterback job as a true freshman after about two weeks of fall camp WITHOUT any spring football. He’s had a year to learn the playbook and get into the weight room. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said Bachmeier is one of the most accurate passers he’s ever coached. Sure, Bachmeier has returning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin behind him in the backfield and the offensive line should be good. There is a lot new with Bachmeier’s receivers, though, and that will bear (a pun) watching. Who will be Bachmeier’s go-to guy? How will the chemistry be, especially late in games?

Hype: BYU should be the favorite to win the Big 12 title.

Reality: That mantle has fallen on Texas Tech, though the Red Raiders lost their best defensive players to the NFL and are still a bit iffy at quarterback. Texas Tech’s schedule is cake, though, and it’s hard not to see the Red Raiders cruising to the Big 12 title game. BYU has to balance focusing on the Big 12 and making the most of a huge opportunity Oct. 17 at LaVell Edwards Stadium against Notre Dame.

The Cougars are one of the most under-ranked teams in the polls, and that’s proven with data. Starting at No. 14 is a big deal. The Cougars seem to have filled whatever weaknesses they had with really good transfer portal pickups and having an experienced quarterback returning is always a plus. BYU’s 23-4 record over the past two seasons shows Sitake has the program moving in the right direction. But the pair of eggs the Cougars laid against Texas Tech last season were hard for national media to ignore.

Hype: BYU found great replacements for Chase Roberts, Parker Kingston and Carsen Ryan.

Reality: The problem with fall camp is the media only gets to see a very small portion of practice. What’s really going on at the receiver spot? According to coaches and players, Jo Jo Phillips and Kyler Casper are the leading WR1 candidates and the tandem of Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga at tight end is going to lethal.

But the production of Roberts, Kingston and Ryan was spectacular last season: 166 receptions, 2,350 yards and 14 touchdowns. Add in Kingston’s punt returning and all three making huge plays on third downs and it’s hard to imagine a world where this year’s group can surpass that. Still, if the running game is strong and Bachmeier is accurate, the offense could still pack a lot of punch.

Hype: This is the year BYU makes the college football playoffs.

Reality: After two seasons falling just short, the Cougars seemed to have put themselves in good position to take a step forward and finally get to the college football playoffs. As we’ve seen the past two seasons, BYU isn’t evaluated like teams from the Big Ten or SEC. The playoff committee seems to apply whatever metric meets their fancy. To get to the playoffs, the Cougars need to win big AND beat Notre Dame. Margin of victory shouldn’t count but BYU getting beaten 29-7 and 34-7 by Texas Tech last season was a pretty big talking point for the committee. Taking the decision out of their hands is the only way to be sure.