U vs. Y '12

[PaloAltoCougar]

BYU will win unless the Cougars are -2 or worse in turnovers. Given that BYU has been that bad multiple times in the series, my confidence level isn't as high as the current state of things should otherwise suggest.

Saturday evening is the adult session of our stake conference. When it was announced, I turned to my wife and she whispered, "Yeah, I know, "snowball and a propane torch...." Even better, she's visiting grandkids this weekend so I can tune in without a hint of guilt. If anyone wants to join me, do call. I don't have a big screen of Haddowian proportions, but the setting is nice, and good eats will be provided.

[TripletDaddy]

Game Notes up:

http://byucougars.com/m-football/byu-utah-game-notes-game-3

Full PDF

BYU will hit the road for the first time in 2012 to take on the Utah Utes on Saturday, Sep. 15 in the Deseret First Duel rivalry game. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. MT and will be broadcast live from Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on ESPN2 and KSL Radio 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and ksl.com.

Fans should tune into the live Countdown to Kickoff pregame show at 7 p.m. MT on BYUtv and BYUtvsports.com. Also tune in to BYUtv and BYUtvsports.com for the live postgame show following conclusion of the game. Pregame radio coverage will begin at 6 p.m. MT on KSL Newsradio 102.7 FM/1160 AM and BYU Radio (SiriusXM channel 143).

BYU (2-0) at Utah (1-1)
Sep. 15, 2012 8:15 p.m. MT
Rice-Eccles Stadium
Salt Lake City, Utah

SERIES INFORMATION
This is the 88th game in the BYU-Utah series and the sixth of the Deseret First Duel. The Cougars trail in the series 31-52-4 but since 1978 lead the series 20-14. Last year the Utes defeated BYU in Provo 54-10.

WINNING STREAK
Bronco Mendenhall and the Cougars have won six consecutive games dating back to 2011. It is tied for third-longest streak in the nation behind TCU (9) and Baylor (7). BYU’s longest streak in program history is 25 games, spanning from 1983-1985, including the 1984 National Championship season.

VS. THE PAC-12
Under Mendenhall, BYU has gone 9-5 against the Pac-12, most recently defeating Washington State in the 2012 season opener. The Cougars will play three Pac-12 opponents in 2012 including Washington State, Utah and Oregon State later in the season.

SENIOR QUARTERBACKS VS. UTAH
With a senior BYU quarterback, the Cougars have won 10 of the last 11 games against Utah. A senior under center has helped BYU put up an average score of 38-19 against the Utes. The Cougars have won the last three over Utah when having a senior signal caller.

RECEIVER STREAK
BYU wide receiver Cody Hoffman has a reception streak of 21 games and counting, tied for the 19th longest streak in the nation. Hoffman has caught a pass in 27 of 28 career games to date. Utah’s DeVonte Christopher has caught a pass in 12 consecutive games.

RIVALRY TIES
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham played linebacker at BYU from 1978-81 and also worked as a graduate assisnt in 85-86. Defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake played fullback at BYU in 94,97-00 and was a GA in 02. Utah receivers coach Aaron Roderick played at BYU in 97-98 and then worked as a GA from 99-01. Cougar defensive line coach Steve Kaufusi was at Utah from 1994-2001 as a GA, DL coach and DE coach. Former Ute defensive lineman Jason Kaufusi (2000-03) is now a BYU defensive GA.

BRONCO'S DEFENSE
Since Bronco Mendenhall has taken over the defensive coordinating duties again (22 games dating back to 2010), BYU has allowed an average of 93.5 rushing yards per game. That mark is bested by only one other team, Alabama.

WATCH OUT HERE I COME
BYU and Utah have at least one player on these award watch lists: Biletnikoff (WR, BYU-Hoffman/Utah Christopher), Lombardi (Line or LB, BYU-Hansen, Van Noy/Utah-Lotulelei), Maxwell (Outstanding Player, BYU-Nelson/Utah-White), Nagurski (Best Defensive Player, BYU-Van Noy/Utah-Lotulelei), Doak Walker (RB, BYU-Alisa/Utah-White), Outland (Lineman, BYU-Hansen/Utah-Lotulelei) and Ray Guy (P, BYU-Stephenson/Utah-Sellwood). BYU has players on the following lists: Butkus (LB Kaveinga) Davey O’Brien (QB Nelson)while Utah has players on the Rimington (C Stevens), Bednarik (Defense, Lotulelei) and Walter Camp (Best player, White).

[BoylenOver]

Utah's going to win this game. The defense is still very good; they'll be able to move the pocket with Hays/Wilson and create spaces in the secondary; White will break at least one 30+-yard run en route to over 120 yards; and the team as a whole will be perfectly balanced between focused and energized.

[DU Ute]

Utah's going to win this game. The defense is still very good; they'll be able to move the pocket with Hays/Wilson and create spaces in the secondary; White will break at least one 30+-yard run en route to over 120 yards; and the team as a whole will be perfectly balanced between focused and energized.

Testify!

[Omaha 680]

Utah's going to win this game. The defense is still very good; they'll be able to move the pocket with Hays/Wilson and create spaces in the secondary; White will break at least one 30+-yard run en route to over 120 yards; and the team as a whole will be perfectly balanced between focused and energized.

If I counted correctly just now, this senior class has allowed only nine 100 yard rushers over the past 3+ seasons. What makes you confident a hobbled White behind Utah's current OL will be #10?

[BoylenOver]

If I counted correctly just now, this senior class has allowed only nine 100 yard rushers over the past 3+ seasons. What makes you confident a hobbled White behind Utah's current OL will be #10?

Because he's already done it once. And Utah will put themselves in good 2nd and 3rd-down situations, keeping those talented LB's guessing.

[TripletDaddy]

Utah's going to win this game. The defense is still very good; they'll be able to move the pocket with Hays/Wilson and create spaces in the secondary; White will break at least one 30+-yard run en route to over 120 yards; and the team as a whole will be perfectly balanced between focused and energized.

You don't really believe what you posted but it was a valiant effort.

Two things that gave it away: the use of the phrase "perfectly balanced" and any prediction involving John White playing.

[PaloAltoCougar]

From the game notes, it's surprising to say the least that BYU has the third longest winning streak in the nation. May it continue.

[Omaha 680]

Because he's already done it once. And Utah will put themselves in good 2nd and 3rd-down situations, keeping those talented LB's guessing.

I don't see how that happens with White's and the OL's current condition. This game may be close, but if so it will be because BYU's offense makes big mistakes or can't run, not because of White causing problems.

It's been a while since Utah has been the 3rd best team in the state. We understand how it feels from recent experience and will therefore be able to offer much empathy and support.

[Surfah]

From the game notes, it's surprising to say the least that BYU has the third longest winning streak in the nation. May it continue.

There ain't no may about that.

[YOhio]

I love you Y-ohi...

Thanks, bro. That is a very sweet thing to say.

[Cougarmandias]

Better try something else. Those of us who are LDS Ute fans are accustomed to making sports fan choices that are displeasing to deity.

No, no, no. The Big Guy is actually quite happy with your choice to tithe for the Cougars.

[UtahJazzFan88]

Utah wins 24-21. My hope is Wilson gets the start, but Whit will start Hays as he likes him for some reason, and Hays will be a decent "game manager", while John White runs for 100+ yards, and the main difference in this game is the turnover differential, I see Utah getting the turnovers. While Friday night was a bad loss to the Aggies, Hays & the Utes did almost come back from a 13 point deficit. The o-line did look better with Hays than Wynn.

Of course, this is if White is playing.

[Portland Ute]

And for the record, there are few places on earth more glorious than Lake Powell in September. Crowds are gone. Temps are down. FUNKY FRIDAY ALREADY!

On this, I agree with you whole-heartedly. Let it never be said that we never see eye to eye on anything!

[BoylenOver]

You don't really believe what you posted but it was a valiant effort.

Two things that gave it away: the use of the phrase "perfectly balanced" and any prediction involving John White playing.

all I've seen is twitter conjecture to suggest White isn't playing.

Of course, the longest thread on this board is comprised of twitter conjecture.