PROVO — While last year's BYU-Utah game may have been the most dramatic, and most memorable, contest in rivalry history, today's edition might be the best matchup ever — at least according to the numbers.

Both teams boast eight wins. Both teams are riding seven-game winning streaks.

"Seven consecutive wins by both programs is remarkable," said BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall. "I think both teams, and coaching staffs, should be credited for that. I think the state will receive the benefit of it with a quality football game with two good teams."

Never have the two teams collectively been this hot going into their annual showdown, but they have come close a few times. In 1984, the Cougars owned a 10-game winning streak and the Utes had a three-game winning streak. In 1996, BYU had won nine straight games and Utah had won eight of its previous nine. In 2001, BYU had won 10 consecutive games and Utah had won six of its previous seven. A year ago, BYU had an eight-game winning streak and Utah had a three-game winning streak.

Yet there's more than winning streaks on the line.

With a win today, the Cougars would claim an outright Mountain West Conference championship. A Ute victory, meanwhile, would keep Utah in contention for a piece of the title. Should BYU lose to Utah and next week at San Diego State, the Utes would claim a share of the crown.

"It certainly makes for intrigue with the conference championship implications still unknown," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "History will tell you it's going to be a hard-fought ball game. The last two years, it's come right down to the last play of the game. The fans have certainly gotten their money's worth the last few years. I'm hoping we have another good game this year."

History also tells us it's not all that common for the Cougars and Utes to enjoy successful seasons simultaneously. Since 1980 (spanning 28 seasons), both teams have entered the rivalry game with winning records 15 times.

The last time both teams had at least eight wins was in 1996, when BYU was 11-1 and Utah was 8-2. That's also the year when the two teams had the most combined wins (19). But overall records aren't necessarily an indicator of the game's competitiveness. The Cougars won that season, 37-17, in Salt Lake City. In 1981, Utah was 8-1-1 and BYU was 9-2. The Cougars won, 56-28, in Provo.

Meanwhile, there have been some close, even classic, games between the teams over the years when both teams had winning records. In 1984, BYU (10-0) defeated Utah (6-4-1), 24-14; in 1985, BYU (9-1) defeated Utah (8-3), 38-28; in 1994, Utah (8-2) beat BYU (9-2), 34-31; in 1998, BYU (8-3) downed Utah (7-3), 26-24; in 1999, Utah (7-3) beat BYU (8-2), 20-17; in 2001, BYU (10-0) edged Utah (7-2), 24-21.

What does this all mean for today's outcome? While it's expected to be another nail-biter, it doesn't seem possible that the Cougars and Utes could top last year's 33-31 game for the ages. But who knows?

BYU defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen expressed the opinion of most people either playing in, or watching, the 2007 version of the rivalry.

"It's a lot more fun when both teams are coming in playing well," he said. "It makes this game worth a lot more. It's fun to play in games where there's a lot at stake."

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com