Sizing each other up: The key to stopping BYU

If Utah's defense has its way, BYU's Matt Berry will have a very uncomfortable Saturday at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

"The key to stopping them would be just getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback — making him scramble a lot and making him throw bad balls," Ute safety Dave Revill said. "Hopefully we'll get a lot of turnovers."

And he's not talking about baked goods. The Cougars have turned the ball over 36 times this season.

"It's kind of scary to think what they can do when they don't turn over the ball," Revill added. "We're going to be prepared for the best BYU team to come out."

Utah coach Urban Meyer, whose team can win its first outright conference title since 1957, isn't taking any chances. He and his staff are working hard to ensure the Utes will be in position to make tackles.

"We want to make sure that we just go about our business," defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham said. "Take the same approach, the same mentality that we've taken week in and week out. Just go out, cut it loose and just play ball."

It's a philosophy that has served the Utes well. They've already earned a share of the Mountain West Conference title.

"If we execute the plan that Coach Whit gives us," linebacker Ray Holdcraft said. "Then we'll have a pretty good chance of beating them."

The Utes, no doubt, are hoping to extend their successful second half against Wyoming. The Cowboys managed just 70 yards and three first downs as Utah scored 30 unanswered points to win 47-17.

"The only thing that changed in the second half was everybody's effort," defensive lineman Steve Fifita said. "Every game is different, but it's going to help. It's going to give us a little confidence."

Satisfaction, though, is a different story.

"We've played a lot of good halves," Fifita said. "We haven't played a good whole game yet. So we'll try to put it all together this week."

As usual, Utah plans to get off the ball quickly and provide constant pressure up front.

"Everybody has got to play their hardest every snap," Fifita continued. "I think we're going to be all right. If we just work hard and hustle around the field, it will take care of a lot of problems."

Playing great defense and taking care of the ball are two components Meyer considers crucial. Preparation is paramount.