BYU's defense matches up with Utah's offense very well when you look at the averages across the board.

Utah averages 19 pt/game, BYU gives up about 20
Utah gains 356 yds/game, BYU gives up about 345
Utah scores .27 pts/play, BYU gives up .287
Utah runs for 146 yds/game, BYU gives up 149

The key will be whether or not BYU holds Utah to their average on 3rd down.
Utah converts 29% of the time, BYU allows 3rd down conversions 41.5% of the time.

Utah's issue is that they can't string drives together consistently. If BYU prevents that, Utah won't score much.

Utah will try and get BYU riled up emotionally. The Read option will be run to see how disciplined BYU is. If we contain Bernard, BYU will force Utah to throw... which plays into BYU's hand. Once Utah starts dropping back more, I see BYU controlling the LOS and putting a lot of pressure on Rose.


Now on the other side

BYU averages 34 pts/game, Utah gives up 18.9
BYU gains 393 yds/game, Utah gives up 325
BYU scores .531 pts/play, Utah gives up .293
BYU gains 6.1 yds/play, Utah gives up 5.1
BYU converts 3rd down 32.9%, Utah gives it up 25%
BYU runs for 167/game, Utah gives up 141

BYU I think will need to be very physical inside the tackles this weekend, and be stubborn doing it. Scattebo beat Utah up inside, and I think LJ and Ropati will be able to find some success.

Utah has not been Sack lake City this year, our OL last time overpowered their DL. That needs to happen again.


Teamrankings.com has this as a 22-18 type of game. Points will be at a premium I think, but if BYU can score over 20, I think it's a win... my guess is something similar to 26-17