"I think it's probably the most important game in this rivalry, and not only in football," Mills said. "This game is bigger than any game the two schools have played in basketball, baseball or any other sport. I think this will be the game of the century."

Smoot knows BYU can win, but he said the Cougars will have to throw to do it, like they did in 2006 with Beck-to-Harline and the stunning fourth-and-18 play last season.

"It was passing last year, and it was passing the year before," Smoot said. "Utah has a good run defense, so it probably will have to be passing again this year."

Mills, 76, jumped in the car with his cat, Squawky, on Thursday to drive down for the game. He maintains a home behind the state Capitol but spends most of his retirement in northern Idaho — until the Utes play. Wherever they play. He has followed them to Michigan, to the Fiesta Bowl in 2004 and the basketball team to the Final Four in San Antonio in 1998.

The South High grad attended most games with his sister, Carol, but she passed away in 2006, and he missed games that year and last. Now he's back to making the trek from his home on the Nez Perce Reservation in Kamiah, Idaho.

One of his treasures is a quilt his sister made of Ute T-shirts purchased at bowls and tournaments. It's a tender reminder of the games they attended together all the way back to when he began donating money to the Crimson Club — before it was even known as the Crimson Club.

Smoot's ties to BYU are even stronger. Brigham Young himself sent Smoot's great-grandfather Abraham O. Smoot to Provo, where he played a key role in the establishment of BYU. For many years, he was the mayor of Provo, president of the LDS stake in the city and president of the board of trustees of what then was known as Brigham Young Academy.

A.O. Smoot's money helped build and preserve BYA's Academy Square building. Doug Smoot helped raise the money to save the building 100 years later. Need more? One of the four daughters born to Smoot and his season-ticket companion and wife, Marian, is Michelle Smoot Hyde. In 1981, Michelle served as Miss Provo, then Miss BYU and finally Miss Holiday Bowl.

"Our blue blood goes far beyond football," Smoot said.

For a brief moment, Smoot joined Mills in red. A grandson swam for the U., and when Smoot agreed to give a donation to the swim team, he suddenly found himself on a Crimson Club list. Don't expect a repeat, he said with a big smile, but he does understand both sides.

Smoot has served as a bishop and stake president in congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for both Edwards and former BYU player Kyle Whittingham, who is now Utah's football coach. Whittingham's mother still lives three houses down from the Smoots on the Provo bench.

"If Utah wins, I'm happy for Kyle and his mom," Smoot said. "I'm pained and suffering, but I'm happy for them."

Mills, of course, believes Utah will win and go to the Sugar Bowl or Orange Bowl. Several people have told Smoot that would be better for the Mountain West Conference. Smoot doesn't buy it.

"I don't want the best team to win," Smoot said. "I want BYU to win, whether they're the best team or not."

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E-mail: twalch@desnews.com