It’s a Red and Blue Thing

Unless you have spent a considerable amount of time in Utah, you cannot begin to understand the deep 'party' lines that divide this State at the close of each football season. Its been called the Holy War and is (in mind) the most heated rivalry in the nation because of the animosity cultivated between both players and fans since the very first meeting between the two universities back in 1922.

Utah still has a sizeable margin in the victory column with 50 wins to BYU's 29 and unless the Cougars can make notable improvements on defense, the Ute's may be celebrating victory number 51 tomorrow night on their home turf.

Though ranked in the top 20 throughout the season, the Cougars have been absolutely lethargic since their big win over UCLA and a follow-up victory over Wyoming a week later. But suspect performances over Utah State and New Mexico in early October and then the embarrassing loss to TCU has Cougar fans wondering what happened to the team that pulled off that (controversial) last second win against Washington early in the season?

The Ute's on the other hand have quietly moved up in the polls and have felt that they have been on a mission to prove that they are a legitimate BCS contender after pulling off a big upset against Michigan in their opener. Since then, they have dominated the teams that BYU has struggled against and they beat another out of conference opponent in Oregon State, a team that has a real shot at the Rose Bowl.

Anyone who has been a fan of either team will tell you that this game means more than any other game in the season. If these teams came into this game with a losing season this would still have a Super Bowl atmosphere. But, given the fact that a BCS berth is on the line and at the very least a potential big sponsor, big money bowl for the loser, both teams will have to play their hearts out to walk away with the win.

If BYU’s defense shows the same spirit and effort they did against Washington and UCLA, this will be a defensive battle. Utah’s defense is solid but its their offense that will concern BYU most. With Brian Johnson at the helm of the Utah offensive attack, you have a very quick, mobile quarterback that can beat you with his arm or his legs. Matt Asiata and Darrell Mack are a potent backfield that will test BYU’s defensive front.

The Cougars have to do more than just rely on Tight End Dennis Pitta and Wide Out Austin Collie. Max Hall has other options and he’d better use them tomorrow to keep Utah’s secondary honest. Fui Vakapuna may need to get the ball more to punish Utah’s talented defensive unit but Harvey Unga needs to finally have that break out game the Cougars have been waiting for all season.

Prediction: Utah 33 – BYU 28

Good video preview here for the game from CBS Sports but where does this fool (Horowitz) get "this may be biggest in the rivalry's history that date's back to 1896." ??? Try 1922!