BYU Cougars vs. Utah Utes, 8 p.m. MT

No. 25 BYU (2-0) at Utah (1-1)

TODAY, 8 p.m.

Rice-Eccles Stadium (45,017)

FieldTurf, Salt Lake City

TV: ESPN2

Radio: 700AM, 1160AM, 102.7FM

Weather: Partly cloudy, 77 degrees

Matchup

Preview

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The stakes

For BYU ... The Cougars can avenge last season's 44-point loss at home to the Utes. Their hopes of being a BCS Buster would gain energy with wins at Utah and Boise State over the next five days.

For Utah ...The Utes are looking to avoid an in-state sweep by USU and BYU. Besides playing for pride, they could use some positive momentum heading into their second season in the Pac-12.

The trends

For BYU ... The Cougars are off to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2009. They haven't opened with three straight wins since going 6-0 in 2008. BYU hasn't won at Utah since a 33-31 decision in 2006.

For Utah ... The Utes have won the past two meetings against BYU and four of the last five played up on the hill. Utah's 54-10 win last season in Provo was its largest margin of victory in 89 years.

Player to watch

Riley Nelson, BYU: The mobile senior faces a Utah defense that allowed USU's Chuckie Keeton to rush for 86 yards last week. Nelson also faces a Ute secondary that could be without its two regular safeties.

Key matchup

Utah offense vs. BYU defense: The Utes have yet to score a single point in a first quarter this season. Another slow start could spell trouble against the Cougars. Their defense is giving up just 9.5 points per game.

Injury report

BYU: Wide receiver Ross Apo (hamstring) is expected to play after missing last week's game. Defensive lineman Ian Dulan (sore back) is not expected to play.

Utah: Quarterback Jordan Wynn has retired because of a shoulder injury. Safety Eric Rowe (hamstring) is questionable.

Next up

BYU plays at Boise State on Thursday, while Utah opens Pac-12 play Saturday at Arizona State.

Utah schedule

Date. . .Opponent. . .Time/result

Aug. 30. . .N. Colorado. . .W, 41-0

Sept. 7. . .at Utah State. . .L, 27-20 (OT)

Sept. 15. . .BYU. . .8 p.m.

Sept. 22. . .at Arizona State. . .8 p.m.

Oct. 4. . .Southern Cal. . .7 p.m.

Oct. 13. . .at UCLA. . .TBAOct. 20. . .at Oregon State. . .TBA

Oct. 27. . .California. . .TBA

Nov. 3. . .Washington St.. . .TBA

Nov. 10. . .at Washington. . .TBA

Nov. 17. . .Arizona. . .TBA

Nov. 23. . .at Colorado. . .1 p.m.

BYU schedule

Date. . .Opponent. . .Time/result

Aug. 30. . .Washington State. . .W, 30-6

Sept. 8. . .Weber State. . .W, 45-13

Sept. 15. . .at Utah. . .8 p.m.

Sept. 20. . .at Boise State. . .7 p.m.

Sept. 28. . .Hawaii. . .6 p.m.

Oct. 5. . .Utah State. . .8:15 p.m.

Oct. 13. . .Oregon State. . .TBA

Oct. 20. . .at Notre Dame. . .1:30 p.m.

Oct. 27. . .at Georgia Tech. . .TBA

Nov. 10. . .Idaho. . .TBA

Nov. 17. . .at San Jose State. . .2 p.m.

Nov. 24. . .at New Mexico St.. . .1:30 p.m.