BYU-Utah head to head

BYU RUNNING GAME VS. UTAH RUN DEFENSE

Utah gives up 158.4 yards per game on the ground, but the Utes' starters have been on the sidelines during the fourth quarters of most games. Defensive tackle Sione Pouha is healthy after missing two games, which alone should make it tough to run on the Ute defense. Utah's defensive front is stingy, and linebacker Spencer Toone (9.3) is tied for third in the conference in tackles per game. Another linebacker, Tommy Hackenbruck, has forced four fumbles this season. It may not be Utah's best run defense in recent memory, but it should be good enough to hold the Cougars in check. BYU's rushing attack fell flat against New Mexico last week, managing just 58 net yards. BYU's offensive line has been better than expected, and Curtis Brown is a talented running back who, despite limited carries, has more than 700 rushing yards this season. But behind Brown there isn't much depth. Fahu Tahi has had trouble holding on to the football, and his fumble last week cost BYU the lead against the Lobos. BYU's rushing offense is dead last in the conference (106 yards per game). Some of that has to do with the opponents BYU has played, and some of it has to do with an overemphasis on the passing game. Still, the Cougars shouldn't count on gaining much ground on Utah.

BYU PASSING GAME VS. UTAH PASS DEFENSE

The Cougar passing game showed flashes during conference play, enough to put BYU at the top of the conference (286.2 yards per game) in passing offense. Todd Watkins, the conference's top receiver, and freshman Austin Collie are difference-makers. But Watkins, who leads the conference with 100.1 receiving yards per game, is also hurting. He wasn't a factor against New Mexico, and the Cougar offense sputtered. BYU's offense works when John Beck can connect with the deep ball — and when the Cougars can hang on to the football. Dropped passes and fumbles have been a problem for the BYU receivers. The Cougars also haven't gotten consistent production from the tight end spot, where preseason Mackey Award candidate Daniel Coats has just 12 catches and no touchdowns. Freshman Dennis Pitta (15 catches, two touchdowns) has been BYU's most productive tight end. Beck also has been sacked an alarming 36 times. Utah is second in the conference in pass defense (197.5 yards per game), despite being somewhat shaky at the cornerback position. Watkins, if healthy, and Collie should have an edge over corners Ryan Smith, Gerald Fletcher and Bo Nagahi. But the Ute safeties are as good as anybody in the country, with Morgan Scalley and Eric Weddle proving to be big playmakers. Scalley leads the conference with six interceptions; Weddle has three.