The stakes around Saturday morning’s Utah-BYU showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium are simple enough to feel enormous.
No. 3 Utah walks in unbeaten, armed with a defense that still does what Utah defenses do and an offense that has been far more explosive, aggressive and multidimensional than anyone can ignore.
No. 9 BYU arrives needing to keep its season goals alive after the setback at UCF two weeks ago.
One result keeps the Utes on the inside track to the Big 12 championship game in Arlington and protects their high CFP ranking. The other keeps the Cougars’ path to Arlington and the CFP in play.
That’s what makes this one feel bigger than a normal rivalry game. The balance of power has shifted in the span of two weeks.
BYU was the hunted when it was ranked No. 2.
After the loss at UCF, the Cougars are chasing again, while unbeaten Utah is the team everyone is trying to catch.
The contrast in styles is part of the appeal. BYU plays like a blue-collar, hard-hat team. Utah, right now, looks like football’s Usain Bolt - undefeated, fast and rolling.
Utah’s defense remains what it has long been: tough, stingy and physical. On the other side, the Utes are getting production from runners who break tackles, gain yards after contact and convert third downs at a rate better than all but two teams in the country. Wayshawn Parker is one of the names driving that attack, with the kind of open-field burst that can turn a play into a problem in a hurry.
BYU’s defense will be the toughest Utah has seen so far, but the Cougars have shown cracks lately. Starting with the loss at UCF, they have missed tackles, been out of position and looked vulnerable on the edge.
That said, Utah’s defense is about to face its most consistent offense of the season, even without star LJ Martin. Bear Bachmeier gives BYU a quarterback who can stay composed, extend plays and lead. He’ll need help from a committee of running backs and efficient work from his receivers to score on Utah.
The protection battle matters, too. BYU’s offense ranks first in tackles for loss allowed and No. 4 in sacks allowed. Utah’s defense ranks 98th in tackles for loss and 63rd in sacks.
Rice-Eccles gives Utah the home-field edge, and the Utes will have a crowd eager to see them snap BYU’s three-game winning streak. Utah has the flashier offensive pieces.
BYU may have the advantage in the trenches with its size and depth. Both teams want to win the line of scrimmage, and that’s probably where this game gets decided.
The pressure is real on both coordinators to get their players executing at the highest level of the season. Devon Dampier is the kind of quarterback BYU has already shown it can struggle with - quick, explosive and dangerous as a runner, just like UCF exposed.
All of that points toward a classic.
If it turns into a shootout, Utah should like its chances. If it becomes a grind - a defensive fight decided by a field goal or one last play - BYU may have the edge, because that’s the kind of game the Cougars have been winning over the past three seasons.
Turnovers could decide it, as they often do. Both teams will try to protect the ball and take it away from the other.
At that point, it may come down to a coin flip.
This week’s games
Texas 24, Missouri 21
UCLA 31, Minnesota 27
Baylor 24, Iowa State 21
Oklahoma State 21, Kansas State 19
South Carolina 28, Texas A&M 21
LSU 27, Alabama 24
Ohio State 28, Oregon 21
Houston 37, Cincinnati 17
Washington 24, Penn State 21
Kansas 33, UCF 24
Mississippi State 34, Vanderbilt 28
Boise State 38, Colorado State 17
Tennessee 27, Kentucky 24
Notre Dame 34, Miami 31
Georgia 38, Ole Miss 28
Iowa 24, Northwestern 21
Texas Tech 31, West Virginia 27
Utah State 24, Fresno State 21
BYU 24, Utah 21
In Other News...
BYU Is Making A Visible Helmet Change Fans Will Notice
BYUs football helmets are about to look a little different, with the school and Trucordia announcing an expanded multiyear corporate sponsorship agreement that will put the companys logo on the helmet bumpers beginning Nov. 7. It is a visible addition, one that will be hard for fans to miss once the Cougars take the field.
The move is part of a broader effort to raise Trucordias profile among BYU fans while also providing support for the football program. For a team with a passionate following, even a small change to the helmet carries extra attention, and this one will be part of the look from here on out. [Read more 🡒]
BYUs Utah Hopes Suddenly Center On One Crucial Return
A viral snap from former BYU offensive lineman Connor Pay has given Cougar fans something unexpected to argue about online, with the clip drawing more than 3 million views and turning a routine football exchange into a minor social media debate. The video shows the ball landing in a throwing position with the laces on the fingers, and while some viewers hailed it as a perfect snap, others pushed back on that description.
All the while, BYU is getting ready for Utah with a much more consequential storyline on the field: the possible return of running back LJ Martin from injury. In a rivalry game where every healthy body matters, Martins status could end up carrying far more weight than any viral highlight ever will. [Read more 🡒]
BYU Faces Its Biggest Test Yet With One Major Concern
BYU heads into its showdown with Utah with plenty on the line and just as much attention, as the matchup brings together two top-10 teams in one of the most anticipated games on the schedule. The Cougars have spent the week preparing for a Utah defense that has been sturdy and a Utes offense that presents its own challenges, while offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick is already looking at ways to adjust the running game if needed.
The biggest concern for BYU is the likely absence of key offensive player LJ Martin because of injury, a development that could force the Cougars to lean on depth and creativity in a game where every possession matters. Coaches have talked through the preparation and the strategy, but the real test will come on the field, where BYU will have to find answers against a rival that rarely makes things easy. [Read more 🡒]