"My family's always been the supportive type. They always cheer for people, they don't cheer against people," T.J. says. "This just gives them more people to cheer for. Kalani and I have a brother and sister that went to Utah. We've been in this situation before. Even here in Provo, I went to Timpview High and my sister went to Provo High. We always end up on opposite sides. But it definitely makes it interesting."

There is another family connection in this year's Ute-Cougar matchup. Utah quarterback Brian Johnson and BYU wide receiver Michael Reed, who both hail from Baytown, Texas, are cousins.

Of course, Johnson won't play this week due to a season-ending knee injury.

"We're pretty close. We talk two or three times a week," Johnson says. "I try to keep in contact with him to see what's going on and stuff . . . So it's a pretty close relationship between the two of us."

Prior to this week, the two hadn't talked much about this weekend's showdown.

"We've just been kind of taking the season one game at a time," Johnson says. "And now, obviously, I'm pretty sure we'll get a couple of trash-talking phone calls in between during the week. We really haven't talked about the rivalry, but it ought to be a fun experience."

Johnson is hoping that Reed doesn't have a good game this week.

"I don't want to see him do well at all," he says. "That's my cousin, but I do want to see the Utes win."

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Utah - BYU on the air

Utah (5-5, 3-4) at BYU (6-4, 5-2)

Saturday, 1 p.m., LaVell Edwards Stadium

TV: Ch. 14

Radio: 1160 AM, 102.7 FM, 700 AM

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com