Utah Vs BYU: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction

Nov 9, 2024, 3:00 AM | Updated: 9:45 am

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY— Kyle Whittingham and his Utah football program are all set to take on the bitter rival, Kalani Sitake and his No. 9 BYU Cougars.

This season has not gone according to Utah’s plan. Meanwhile, BYU is riding high on an eight-game winning streak and the No. 9 playoff ranking. Utah has been searching for answers or at least progress and has not made much headway during their four-game losing streak.

However, an opportunity to upset the Cougars would mean a lot for Utes.

Utah vs BYU

Television: ESPN

Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV

Radio: ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM

Utah vs BYU Records

Records: Utah (4-4, 1-4); No. 9 BYU (8-0, 5-0)

Last Week: Utah bye week; BYU bye week

Series History: BYU and Utah haven’t played since 2021, when the Cougars won in Provo. That ended Utah’s streak of nine straight wins in the matchup. The all-time series is 59-32-4 in Utah’s favor.

Three Game Day Thoughts

1. The mindset of an underdog

BYU is ranked No. 9 in the country and undefeated in November. Going 8-0 is no fluke, the Cougars are playing good, complementary football.

They are balanced offensively and are as opportunistic as they are tough defensively.

Utah has lost four straight. They’re searching for answers on offense while trying to elevate their level of play on defense.

There isn’t much that points to Utah as an advantage on paper. They are a genuine underdog in this matchup.

The collective identity of an underdog often becomes a rallying cry. Players and coaches alike buy into the notion that they are fighting for something bigger than themselves.

Underdogs are scrappy, determined, and willing to fight through adversity. Utah’s struggles have not come from a lack of effort or fight, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

There are little to no expectations for Utah in this game, which can be freeing. Utah will need a tremendous effort against the Cougars, and the underdog mentally will be key to that.

2. This rivalry is among the best in college football

For all the headaches each fanbase provides the other, this week served as a good reminder of how special this rivalry is.

Respect and even friendships exist among players, but during game week, they are all tossed aside. At the same time, there is an ever-present genuine disdain for the other.

There is a deep, deep archive of memorable moments on and off the field. The list of headline-grabbing quotes seems to grow every time this game is played.

Though both sides have had periods of dominance, this rivalry game has been fiercely competitive for most years.

The fact that this game is a conference game again only adds to the intensity of this game.

3. Show up early and be loud

Utah Athletics has stressed to fans the importance of getting to the game early, and they should.

Even during BYU’s nine-game losing streak, their fans continued to show up, even in their down years.

This rivalry has taken on new significance, becoming a conference game in a power conference.

Fans need to get to their seats early and show up on this stage.

Two Questions For The BYU-Utah Rivalry Game

1. Who runs the ball better in this one?

Both teams emphasize the ground game, particularly on early downs, to get into manageable situations on conversion downs.

Given BYU’s offensive balance, Utah’s defense will face a greater challenge. They currently average roughly 4.0 yards rushing on 1st and 5.0 yards per rush attempt on 2nd.

This will largely be on the Utah defensive front to shrink those averages. Given BYU’s balance, Utah cannot load up against the run to minimize it.

Utah must keep BYU behind the chains and in more predictable passing situations to improve its chances of pressuring the quarterback.

Meanwhile, Utah’s offense must find a way to overcome the growing difficulty it’s encountered running the ball.

BYU can crowd the box because Utah has yet to show the ability to throw the ball efficiently enough in the last four games.

The run game will be important in this one; in fact, it could very well determine who wins.

2. How different does this team look since the last we saw?

There are a few different angles to that question.

First, what is Utah’s body language and enthusiasm level?

It sounds like Utah genuinely had good, energetic practices the last two weeks. We will learn just how good those practices were tonight.

Second, coming off of the bye week, what is the health status of the squad, and who returns from injury?

Whittingham revealed earlier this week that Michael Mokofisi is out for the rest of the season, but that discussion/decision actually came prior to the Houston game. However, Utah is expected to welcome back a few big bodies along the defensive front.

Third, we saw new faces the last time out, will we see a few more take the field tonight?

There’s more than a decent chance we will see some new faces. All eyes are on the quarterback position, and we will probably see a new face start the game. At receiver, snaps are available to distribute among guys who haven’t played much this season.

Lastly, what sort of schematic changes might we see on both sides of the ball?

Score Prediction for BYU vs Utah

Utah does not have the margin for error that BYU has coming into this one. It feels like Utah has to grind its way to a win, and that’s its only way to victory.

Maybe things get whacky, which isn’t foreign to this game, but given the way BYU has played all season long, it’s hard to count on that.

This will require Utah’s best, most disciplined defensive effort, improved offensive production, and a minimum of 20 points.

Utah 20, BYU 19