Robby: My season preview for the Utah Utes had Utah beating BYU for the third straight year. With a healthy team out there I feel that they have a very good chance. Obviously with the news of Jordan Wynn being done at the U because of more shoulder injuries it changes a lot of things. In last year’s game where the Utes destroyed the Cougars 54-10, Wynn looked very impressive and handled the circumstances of the game very well. To say it’s no big deal that he is out is a lie, the Utes will miss his experience very much. Also if the rumors are true that John White is injured, that will change the whole dynamic of the game. He was Mr. Reliable for Utah last year and if his injury is significant, this once hopeful season could be going down the drain right before our eyes.
BYU comes in at 2-0 on the season with beatdowns against Washington State and Weber State. This team looks very dangerous and seems poised on redeeming themselves from last year’s embarassment. The BYU defense has looked impressive through two weeks and will probably have another strong performance. This year seems like an opportune moment for the Cougars to have a statement win in the rivalry. I feel that if the Cougars don’t win on Saturday it will be an epic fail on their part.
As much as it pains me to say this, I feel that BYU will win this game. My record has been pretty bad at picking winners and I wouldn’t mind being wrong again. Utah’s defense will hold their own and will keep the Utes in the game. Their O-Line through two games has been the weak link and with BYU’s defense I could see it being a problem again. This game will be close like most of them are, but in the end I see BYU walking out of Rice-Eccles with the W. I have BYU winning 21-17.
Chesh: Utah is a mess right now. Nobody believes the smoke screen that’s going on with John White IV. He is injured, and pretty severely. Is there a smoke screen at quarterback too? Are Hays and Wilson both really getting equal 1st team reps? If so, this game could be a nightmare for the Utes. If Hays gets most the reps, they will be more suited for victory. But they have problems all over the field. I think the Cougars win comfortably because of that. Even if Riley Nelson’s back limits him, back up James Lark is very capable to lead this offense. BYU 27 Utah 16
DJ: If Utah had won last week, this game would be much more exciting. I think with the loss of Jordan Wynn, Utah actually gains. Hays isn’t a huge step up, but he at least showed the ability to move the ball against USU. I expect Travis Wilson to take a larger role in this game as well. But the record of 9-0 when White runs for more than 100 yards will prove decisive. If BYU can hold him below, they will likely win. If they let him run all over them (as they did last year) BYU will lose. BYU will have a hard time moving the ball against this Utah defense, and I think it won’t be until the 2nd quarter when they will finally be able to get into any kind of flow. But once they do, I believe the presence of Hoffman, Friel, and Apo will prove too much for the Utah secondary and BYU will pull off the close victory.
BYU 19 Utah 17
Daniel: “Just think that with John White out the Utes won’t be able to get anything going in the red zone, while Riley Nelson and his big receiving options chew up the injured Utah secondary. Utah will also need to keep extra blockers back on offense to hold off Hadley, Van Noy, Kaveinga and company, while Nelson can scramble away from pressure. Will be easier for BYU than people think, and BYU will move close to a top 15 ranking. BYU 21 – Utah 12
