Who has advantage? This can go either way

Finally, we can move on from all the insults, one-liners, jokes and toxic passion of this unholy rivalry and arrive at the point where it really counts — the game.

The Utes will win today's game because they've got their mojo going. For a close-knit team on a 7-0 run, confidence is a key word, as Kyle Whittingham has found talent among some reserves and trashed everybody since exiting Las Vegas with a goose egg.

BYU will win today because the Cougars are invincible at home the past two years. They have found a soul since the madness that followed in 2001. They've averaged 19-point victories in Provo this year and have the most balanced offense and best linebacking corps the Utes have faced this season.

Utah will win because the Ute corners can lock up wideouts in man coverage and disrupt the timing routes of BYU's offense. Utah's corners are the best in the league — tall, fast and smart with lightning reaction time.

BYU will win because its offense doesn't just rely on wideouts or even running backs but can shift the attack to very capable slot receivers and tight ends who have proven to be matchup problems for everyone.

Utah will win because field goal kicker and punter Louie Sakoda is the best in the western United States, and if the game is close and comes down to kicks, Utah wins — period.

BYU will win because almost every visitor in LaVell Edwards Stadium the past two seasons has found it tough to mount long scoring drives against the Cougars, and field goals haven't mattered at all.

Utah will win because its offensive line coach, Charlie Dickey, has been a genius at assembling protection and blocking and has the total respect of BYU's defensive coaches. Dickey's Utes almost never miss an assignment, triggering the success of Darrell Mack, a member of the 1,000-yard rushing club.

BYU will win because it has not allowed a back to gain more than 100 yards this year, and the Cougars' active, big, quick linebackers will present Dickey more challenges than he's faced so far this year.

Utah will win because of its penchant for making big plays, especially off trick gadgets.

BYU will win because since leaving Tulsa, nobody's mounted any meaningful success with smoke and mirrors.

Utah will win because the entire Ute machinery seems to invest more emotion into this game than BYU's staff and players. The Utes will come out more fired up, more emotional and more invested in the rivalry with the locker room countdown clock, et al.