BYU football: Cougar players feel they have a lot on the line today, too

Last August, BYU set out on a quest for an undefeated season and a Bowl Championship Series berth.

As the Cougars visit Utah today in the regular-season finale at Rice-Eccles Stadium, those accomplishments are fully attainable — for the No. 8 Utes (11-0).

But No. 16 BYU (10-1) knows that with a victory, it can not only wreck Utah's perfect season and BCS hopes, it can also claim a third consecutive Mountain West Conference championship.

"We have one loss, they're undefeated. Both teams have a lot to play for," said quarterback Max Hall. "We have a chance to win the conference championship and it comes down to the last game against Utah. Utah's still in the BCS hunt, which is great for our conference. It's going to be a great game. Both teams will give it everything they've got."

Wide receiver Michael Reed said his team is motivated by an opportunity to grab a piece of the MWC title. "(Utah has) already earned their share of the conference championship. We've got to go up there and get our share. We know it's not going to be easy. It's not just another game. For those guys, it's about the BCS and an undefeated season. For us, it's about capturing another MWC title and seeing what happens with us. We'd rather win another conference title than get a BCS bid right now."

For the first time since 2004 — also the last time Utah earned a BCS berth with a win over BYU — the Cougars are the underdogs in this annual rivalry showdown. Does the huge national implications facing the Utes mean the pressure is on them?

"This game carries so much pressure, I don't think you can add any more pressure," said defensive lineman Jan Jorgensen. "So I don't think there's more pressure on them or more pressure on us. I think it's very equal. We both have to manage it and the team that manages it the best will end up winning the game."

"We feel like the pressure is on them. The pressure is not on us," said tight end Andrew George. "We want to be conference champions again. We're not the ones to be taken down this year. But we are the conference champions from last year and so they want to get a piece of us. This game has huge implications for us. We just want to come out and play our best game and play like we know we can play."

Senior linebacker David Nixon said BYU respects Utah and what it has accomplished this season. "Definitely there's respect. They've won 11 straight games, so they've shown they can win. We've won 10 games this year, so we've shown we can win. At the end of the day, it's going to be a dogfight. There's going to be a lot of emotions flying. We're excited about the game, no question. We know what's on the line."

THE STAKES: For BYU: A win over Utah would give the Cougars a share of the Mountain West Conference championship and spoil the Utes' perfect season and BCS bid.

THE TREND: For BYU: The Cougars have won four of the last six meetings at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Since 1988, BYU and Utah have each won 10 games.

THE EDGE: BYU will win if ... it can avoid turnovers, give quarterback Max Hall time to throw against a fierce Utah pass rush and the defense can put consistent pressure on Ute QB Brian Johnson and contain Utah's five-receiver sets.

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E-mail: jeffc@desnews.com