has never played this game, let alone “always underperformed” in it. In fact a good 2021 BYU team with a slightly different and less talented coaching staff did not underperform in this game, and that game bucked the trend of the previous 9 in the series.

I think this team and staff is capable of avoiding the same pitfalls that became a staple of this game under Whittingham over the years. I do think it will be a dog fight and significant challenge, but I don’t see see BYU regressing to the deer in the headlights team who Utah could spook into turning the ball over at any given moment.