I believe Utah was the favorite to win the conference that year too. But then it was BYU who rose to the occasion, climbed into the top 10 rankings, undefeated in conference play (and would have been undefeated overall if not for the slip up at Washington) and so it was BYU that entered that game with all the pressure to win to advance to the conference championship and keep their hopes for a prospective Alliance Bowl berth alive. (Even though they were eventually snubbed anyway)

Well, they took care of business and beat Utah at RES pretty handily, 37-17, giving them a healthy dose of Brian McKenzie and Ronnie Jenkins as they rushed for well north of 200 yards.

I could see this year's game going on a similar manner. Maybe Utah draws first blood, but BYU's grit and determination storms back with a vengeance. I could see BYU being able to wear down Utah's will as the game goes on leading to a 200+ total yard performance by Martin and Ropati. My score prediction is 31-17, BYU. A close first half to keep things interesting and nervous for us BYU fans. Utah probably gets a turnover in there to help with one of their scores. Bernard breaks free for another big run in there somewhere to help with another score.

But BYU shuts them down in the 2nd half and pulls away with a few more scoring drives.

As for KU, I think that depends on how things go with them in their matchup with Iowa State the week before. Lose that game and their bowl prospects are toast. And if that ends up being another close battle they lose on a final play like so many other games they've lost now, that could be the straw that breaks their back. Hard to see them having the will and motivation to come into Provo and play a spoiler role when they have no prior beef with BYU and nothing else to play for when BYU could have everything to play for.

But they could also experience a low even if they were to beat Iowa State as that would be a huge win for them emotionally and they may find that hard to sustain coming into Provo as well. But they would at least be able to keep playing for bowl eligibility, so there's that.

These next couple weeks will indeed tell us a lot more about both BYU and KU.