BYU Helps Utah By Playing USC One Week Before Utes
Sep 11, 2019, 12:29 PM | Updated: Sep 12, 2019, 11:35 am
Head coach Kalani Sitake, (L) of the Brigham Young Cougars and head coach Kyle Whittingham, (R) of the Utah Utes talk to each other before the start of their college football game at Rice Eccles Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sitake is in his first year as BYU's coach and was the former Defensive Coordinator under Kyle Whittingham at Utah. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The BYU Cougars host the USC Trojans this weekend. The matchup could lead to some huge benefits for Kyle Whittingham and the Utah Football team.
The Utes and Cougars have already faced off in a season-opening rivalry game. After a lengthy rain delay, Utah came out victorious by a score of 30-12.
In the week following that game, Utah beat Northern Illinois 35-17 at Rice Eccles stadium. The Cougars had a dramatic win against SEC opponent Tennesse. After two overtime periods, the Cougars beat the Vols 29-26.
It's like @19scottmitchell says, "winning is the best deodorant." @KSLunrivaled https://t.co/1VRfTFGkz4
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 11, 2019
This week as BYU prepares for their first Pac-12 opponent Utah has one more non-conference game before they begin prepping for conference play.
Scott Mitchell and Jason Buck, a former Ute and a former Cougar, respectively, agreed on Rivals podcast this scheduling situation heavily benefits the Utes.
Head Coaches & Best Friends
It’s no secret Kalani Sitake, head coach of the Cougars, is friends with Whittingham. Sitake spent the seasons between 2005 and 2014 coaching for the Utes. He spent time as the linebackers coach and the defensive coordinator.
The saying goes, “secrets don’t make friends.” Does this mean Sitake will share some “secrets” or insights about the Trojans?
It's good to get this game in the rearview mirror. – Kyle Whittingham
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) August 30, 2019
“I would assume – wink, wink – Kalani will do extra favors for Kyle because they are friends. I would for you,” Buck told Mitchell.
Game prep work, scouting reports and simply things to look for are all things Sitake could give Whittingham, according to Buck, before Utah faces USC on September 20 at the LA Collesium.
Other Benefits For Utah
You can’t learn everything from film, but you sure can learn a lot, according to Mitchell and Buck. For Utah, having film on USC against a common opponent will be very beneficial when analyzing matchups.
Another benefit for Utah is that they are coming off a game against Idaho State. They are heavily favored to win, which means Utah’s starters may not play the whole game so the team will remain healthy.
Some big upsets over the weekend and some thrilling victories in the Pac-12!https://t.co/iNyjDMVHDj
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 9, 2019
This is a big game for Utah, according to Mitchell, and the Utes haven’t beat USC at The Coliseum in at least 100 years.
“If you are going to win the Pac-12 South … It has gone through USC,” Mitchell said.
More Tips For Whittingham?
This situation will strike the Cougars and Utes again this season with both teams facing Washington.
The Cougars face the Huskies at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 21. The Utes travel to Washington on November 2.
Listen to the full episode of Rivals podcast below.
