POLL: 2008 BYU or 2010 Utah?

[BoylenOver]

2008 BYU
Average MOV: 22
Average MOD: 19.67
Total average margin: +12

2010 Utah
(*-yet to play their bowl games)

Average MOV: 25.4
Average MOD: 29.3
Total average margin: +12.77

Both teams turned out to be paper tigers, riding the momentum of early laughers against poor competition. TCU ended up being the humbling force for both, and affected the rest of the season. Both teams needed last-minute escapes against inferior competition, and both teams suffered losses to seemingly lesser teams. Both teams had two blowout losses to great teams.

The case for 2008 BYU:
-Better offense (55 more YPG; 13% better on 3rd down)
-Stronger MWC (worst team was 2-10 SDSU, next-worst was 4-8 Wyoming and UNM; in 2010, four MWC teams were 3-9 or worse)
-Smaller margin of defeat (19.67 to 29.3)
-Undefeated at home

The case for 2010 Utah:
-Better wins (4 bowl teams to BYU's 2, including 9-win SDSU and AFA on the road)
-"Stronger" wins (Utah's close wins were against bowl-bound teams; BYU beat 0-12 UW and 5-7 UNLV by a combined 5 points)
-Better defense (19 fewer YPG; 10% better on 3rd down; 28 fewer rush YPG)
-Rivalry win

[Top Ute]

Good comparison, and one I thought of more than once this year.

I think BYU's personnel was better (especially on offense), but Utah's schedule was better (most noticeably in the middle, both in non-conference and in the MWC) and it napalmed more of the lesser opponents. Slight edge to 2010 Utah.