Make no mistake, Huge Manatee wants this game BAD. Things have set up really nicely for BYU, and a win here puts us in excellent position to make the CCG. We basically have one game we can lose and still make the championship. Winning this one still allows us a loss at ASU and just requires us to win our two home games against KS and Houston. BYU is relatively healthy. Obviously, we miss Pay, but Mitchell has stepped in admirably.
From Utah's perspective, they are down several players, down to their 3rd QB and also one of their top WR's, but they will most assuredly come out a desperate team. Whit will haver them ready to play. If they lose this game, they are in serious jeopardy of having a losing season and missing out on a bowl game. If they lose to BYU, they would have to win 2 of the following 3:
@CU
vs. ISU
@UCF
Not only that, but a win against BYU to blemish their season would go a long way to satisfy some VERY unhappy fans in SLC. Whittingham is going to go all out to win this and it wouldn't surprise me to know that he spent his entire week of prep for Houston preparing for BYU instead. He knows how important this game is to try to salvage some goodwill for his fans this season.
This game is HUGE for recruiting - Kalani hopefully understands this. WIN BABY WIN