BYU vs. Utah: The matchups

Who has the edge in today's rivalry game?

UTAH RUN GAME vs. BYU RUN DEFENSE: The Cougars are one of the best teams in the country at defending the run, giving up just 92.2 yards per game. BYU has held some pretty good running backs to fewer than 100 yards, including New Mexico's Rodney Ferguson (87 yards), UNLV's Frank Summers (50) and Colorado State's Gartrell Johnson (72). In fact, no back has surpassed the century mark against BYU this year. Enter Utah's Darrell Mack, who has six 100-yard rushing games. His ascent to the top of the MWC rushing leaders list has coincided with Utah's rebound from a 1-3 start, and it stands to reason that if Mack and a physical offensive line can produce yards on the ground, the Utes will have an excellent chance to win. BYU will also have to contend with Utah's misdirection plays and the emphasis on involving receivers Marquis Wilson, Elijah Wesson and Jereme Brooks in the run game.

EDGE: Even

UTAH PASSING GAME vs. BYU PASS DEFENSE: This isn't exactly a matchup of the two teams' strengths. The Utes' pass offense is ranked 77th in the nation (205.6 yards per game), while BYU's pass defense is 45th (216.4). Utah quarterback Brian Johnson hasn't shredded opposing secondaries (aside from Louisville), but he's been solid as a field general. And who can argue with the 7-0 record since returning from his injury? He's completed 66.1 percent of his passes for almost 1,500 yards with 10 TDs and seven picks. The loss of injured defensive back Quinn Gooch was a blow to BYU's secondary, which got torched against Tulsa but has fared better in MWC action (fourth-best in conference games only). Keeping up with Utah's quick receivers while accounting for potential gadget plays will be a challenge. The Cougars' linebackers have been excellent and will need to be again to keep Utah's aerial assault and ground game under control.

SLIGHT EDGE: Utah