Rivalry rundown

No. 21 BYU (9-2, 7-0) at Utah (7-4, 5-2)

Saturday, 1:30 p.m.

Rice-Eccles Stadium

TV: CSTV and The mtn.

Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM, 700AM

If the Cougars win on Saturday, BYU would be the first school in Mountain West Conference history to run the table in conference play twice. The Cougars went 7-0 in MWC play in 2001. The past two conference champions, Utah in 2004 and TCU in 2005, have finished undefeated in league play.

UTAH RUN OFFENSE vs. BYU RUN DEFENSE

Statistics suggest this could be a key matchup. Although Utah's rushing offense was heavily criticized after an incredibly unproductive game at Wyoming (33 yards), the Utes have been about average when it comes to running the football. Their 142.1 yards per game ranks fourth in the MWC and 55th nationally. Utah doesn't feature a dominant running back like Quinton Ganther or Brandon Warfield, but Darryl Poston has steadily improved since the Wyoming game. The running abilities of Brett Ratliff and Eric Weddle must also be taken into account. This year, the Utes will face a much-improved BYU defense. Once a question mark, the defensive line has proven capable, and the linebackers are the strength of the defense. The Cougars allow 117.4 yards per game, good for 37th nationally. Last week, however, BYU was unimpressive. New Mexico ran the ball well on the Cougars, with Rodney Ferguson rushing for 138 yards. BYU has proven it can contain the run, but the Utes' versatility makes this a fairly even matchup.

BYU NOTES

QUICK RESPONSE: After BYU's victory over New Mexico last Saturday, several Cougar players made emotional, bold comments about their upcoming showdown with Utah. Those comments have received plenty of play in the media — and at the University of Utah.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall prefers that such talk not come from his players.

"I knew the level of interest would be high right after the New Mexico game. I just didn't know it would slide into Utah that quickly," he said. "Before I had a chance to frame how we would approach the week, there were some things said already that came out with players speaking their mind. But I'd just prefer it to be where you don't say anything and just go play. Eventually, we'll get the program to that point."

Mendenhall downplays the impact of players' pregame commentary.