Reader comments
Utah, BYU football: 60-year vets of rivalry love big-game drama

rvalens2 | 2:39 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

The BIG game's almost here ....

Go UTES! Let's make this a memorable win for the U of U, your fans and the State of Utah.

Cougars ... great season and best of luck in whatever bowl game in end up in.

Thanks! | 5:18 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Great article! Thanks to the writer and to both men and their families. There isn't much news on the rivalry during this week, but this is a great story! Thanks!

Scott | 6:10 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

My heart says "Go Cougars" but my brain says Utah will win.

Comments continue below

Texas fan | 7:50 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Utah has found a way to lose the last 2 games, I see no reason why they won't find a way to lose this one too.

ER in AF | 7:59 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I hope it is a great game. No let downs. If it is a blow out it does not help either school. To the Utes,I wish you the best of luck.

Go Cougars!

Paul | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Go Cougs!

Football Fan | 8:23 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Why don't the powers that be at UTAH/BYU move this gametime up so it's not competing with the Texas Tech vs Oklahoma game that will start 2 hours into the game. Bad move by school representatives. Outside of Utah no one will tune into this game once the BIG 12 power houses are on display. For the record I've got Utah pulling this one out 23-20. Enjoy the show.

TCU Re-Do | 8:39 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Utah by 21! Game over before Texas Tech/OU game starts.

USU/Utah (before LaVell) | 8:53 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Mr. Mills thank you for talking about what was once the big rivalry in the state-- USU and Utah. It probably still would be if the Cougars and Utes had not shut them out of joining the WAC back in the 1960s. While I can appreciate the BYU Utah rivalry...BYU fans need to be aware they weren't always the 800 lb. gorilla in the room.

Great Fans | 9:14 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

These great fans illustrate the heart of this rivalry. It's not a war, it's a contest between friends who love the competition.

I agree that it's sad USU is outside the picture. I've always been a fan of the in-state games.

We BYU fans easily remember when we weren't even a sopping wet chimpanzee in these rivalries. It was only four years ago.

It's exciting to be 10-1, as of now qualified to be an at-large BCS team, and hoping to become a conference co-champion with this great Utah team of destiny.

Scott | 10:12 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Anybody with a brain knows Utah will win. BYU is over rated. They are just NOT a top 10 team... BYU is too slow to keep up with the Utes.... BYU lack of quickness is why TCU utterly destroyed them earlier this season. TCU is fast, BYU is slow. Utah is fast, BYU loses. Utah by 21.

hawaiianWarrior | 10:13 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Sunday's Headlines ...." UPSET OF THE CENTURY : BYU WON RIVAL GAME TO SPOIL UTES' BCS HOPE !"....

re: Scott | 10:33 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Based on the constant mindless blabbering, there appears to be a serious lack of brains there.

Comparative games and circular logic are meaningless.

It'll be quite an eye opener though when BYU's slow, over-rated team pulls another magical jaw-dropping upset in RES. BYU by 11.

Scott | 12:18 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Agreed it would take magic for BYU to win. Cougars couldn't win on merit.

Magic Happens Again | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Saturday, RES, be there!

3rdGenUte | 12:53 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Anybody who has followed this game knows that records and season trends mean nothing. This game is always a tough game and neither team nor any player on those teams can take it for granted. It only takes one player on one play to change the outcome (11 of last 10 games, scores differ by less than a touchdown).

Anybody on either side who says this is a "gimme" is on the hockey score side of an IQ.

Utah, stay focused, play tough, be aggressive (play to win not just to not lose), don't let up 'till it is over and...... WIN!!!!!

Utah by 5.

3rdGenUte | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Oooops, 10 of last 11 games.....got lost in the excitement of the upcoming game.

Better Headline: | 1:12 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

This would be a better one: "Hall Throws 4 Interceptions in Blowout Loss". YOU KNOW IT!!!!!

RealRedSkin n AZ | 1:16 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I appreciate the fooseball of both programs, re: brainless scott comments, who's the fastest creature in State of Utah? A running ute being chased by a cat. Zoo by a touchdown.. Go Blue!!!

bakerb | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

One of the reasons that BYU lost to TCU in Dallas/Ft Worth this past Fall was that BYU did not properly prepare for the team speed of TCU. That is only one of several reasons.

However, ever since Lavell Edwards began coaching the Cougars in 1972, critics have stated that BYU simply could not recruit the quality athletes required to compete with the bigger, faster opponents. If history teaches us anything, it is that BYU has done fairly well over the years with those average athletes.

The truth of the matter is that BYU probably has better athletes now than at any time in their history.

Does UTAH have better team speed? Probably. Yet, they always have. So has TCU. BYU has held up pretty well to both teams.

Both teams have the athletes capable of winning. Which team has the coaching, heart, emotion to win?

We will know on Saturday.

Scott | 2:14 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

It was not lack of prepartion why BYU got crushed by TCU. The main reason BYU got destroyed by TCU is simple. TCU has a FAR SUPERIOR football team than BYU....

The Quest has moved North | 2:20 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Haha you can say anything you want but BYU lost to TCU and Utah beat TCU.... Utah Has the players to win....
BYU can't Piggy Back on Collie and Hall for this game.... if the rest of the players step up than yeah i believe that BYU will win.... but will they??

like you said bakerb, we will know on saturday.

GO UTES!!

rac | 2:24 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I see this as a hard fought game. I believe it will come down to who makes the most mistakes and whether the other team can capitalized on those mistakes. Most of the BYU loses have been on account of their own mistakes. Their big wins have come from taking advantage of the other teams mistakes. Thus, if BYU forces some Utah turnovers, then they will have the greater chance to win. The same goes for the Utes.

tcu | 2:29 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

BYU would have done just fine if they didn't run to the outside, if BYU runs up the tackles on Saturday, there run game will be good, but it BYU tries to run outside like they always do, Utah will dominate the run game.

byu better than weber | 4:04 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

can byu top what weber did in salt lake this year vs the utes?

400+ yds, 21 pts, QB had 300+ yds passing

TCU couldn't do it, Oregon St did.

BYU wont!

BYU would lose to WEBER | 5:06 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I don't think BYU can compete with Weber State this year. You will see it tomorrow. The writing is on the wall.

Anonymous | 5:58 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

UTES will dominate!
From the mouth of a very wise father.......BYU, BYU where the girls are girls and the boys are too!

casual fan | 6:49 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I think Yale will beat Harvard this year.

Oh gee | 8:47 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Smooty my old friend, obviously BYU will throw the ball, they are a pass based offense, but to say that they won't be able to run the ball is ridiculous. The pass game will open the run game up, maybe not a ton, but enough for it to be a part of the offense.

You know what would be really funny is if BYU's DB's pick of Brian Johnson 4 times, THAT would be great! They have been scrutinized all season. It happened last year, Corby Hodgkiss did it, and of course coach Whittingham was like "well, when you have a good front 7, bla bla," I really think BYU's DB's have a lot more play making capabilities then they get credit for. Obviously they aren't the best but like I said they can make plays at critical times.

Interesting game | 10:21 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

I think that the only way BYU wins is if Utah's offense makes mistakes and BYU's offense plays flawless.
Utah's defense is more likely to slow down BYU's offense than BYU's defense to slow down Utah's offense.
Utah has the advantage on special teams.
Utah's hatred for BYU could cause them to make mistakes. It is going to be very interesting to see how this one turns out. BYU's below average defense is decimated by injuries so it could get ugly.

William McGuire | 4:01 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Dear Reader

I have been watching BYU & Utah and Utah State football for 64 years. Back in the beginning and for many years both Utah and Utah State used to mop up the field with BYU. Then in 1972 Lavelle Edwards became the head Coach at BYU and the tide turned against the Utes and the aggies From 1972 through 1992 BYU won 19 games while Utah one 2. During the period from 1975 through 2008 BYU has won 24 while the aggies have won 2. Bronco Mendenhall is an outstanding head football coach and he has an excellent coaching staff. Together they are recruiting a very steady and substantial number of high school and Junior College blue chip players. If Bronco Mendenhall remains with BYU for the next 30 to 35 years. Scores between BYU and their in state rivals Utah and Utah State will become more lop sided in favor of BYU than they ever were before. This past 10 year period has been just a changing of the guard. A mistake was made with Gary Crowton. Bronco Mendenhall will build on Lavelle's foundation and take the cougars to national prominence. BYU will become better than ever.

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