Stanford & Cal | 2:02 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
I now live in the state of Utah where I graduated at BYU 1985. I have seen all the Rivalry in those two schools while at BYU. Mark Wison, Jimmy Mac, Steve Young and Robbie Bosco and they were all winners than this one in the Bay Area. BYU and Utah Rivalry are far different breeds than Stanford and Cal. I use to live in the Bay Area during my young days and hardly do I know or seen anything about or even mentioned about rivalry in the Bay Area. I love it here. Michigan & Ohio State are boring and some others. Go Cougars!
cougarfan | 5:13 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
we are lucky to have a rivalry this strong. i look forward to throwing back all the smack into ute fans' faces after the game. byu by 4. oh, and collie is still open!
"Austin Collie?" | 6:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Doug,

Do you mean Austin Collie?
Comments continue below
Oprah | 6:33 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Would you say it's bigger than Oprah?
Confident | 6:37 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
As a Cougar fan, I'm quite confident in my team. BYU will play looser for the simple fact is that Utah has more to lose than BYU. 17 million at stake. We have Las Vegas Bowl or Las Vegas Bowl. All the pressure is on Utah. If they lose, the world will know they were a hoax. If they win, they will learn in the BCS game that Utah isn't a top 7 team.
Old Solomon Levi | 6:58 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
This should be an easy win for Utah. Almost everything is in their favor:

-undefeated
-higher ranking
-at home
-better team speed
-better defense
-good offense
-better special teams
-more on the line

Since everything points to Utah, I'm predicting:

Utah 27
BYU 38
coach carter | 7:36 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
here is a few stats for you, utahs offense has scored 401 points this season and has given up 183. byu has scored 400 points and given up 206. cougar fans argument that they have a vastly superior offense is a joke. utah by 10 31-21
RockOn | 7:47 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
No confidence in any predictions. Yes, Utah should, by all measures, win. Likely by 4-10.

But... don't get too uppity. And filled with bravado. Smugness kills.

BYU's offense IS superior to Utah's offense, but BYU's offense isn't playing Utah's offense. While the U's D is very good and defense wins championships usually, in big games they tend to win the first half and the best offense wins the 2nd half and games. But, with BYU's defense being up and down, who knows.

Fortunately they play the game on the field, not in the press.
The Sage | 7:49 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
BYU does have a superior offense to Utah's, but both teams are capable of making big plays.

Still, when all is said and done, Max and company will find a way to win this one.

BYU 31
Utah 24
Re: Coach Carter | 7:59 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
You have forgotten all the times that BYU sent in the 2nd stringer and "called off the dogs". If that were the case the Scores could have been much higher
Spoiler Alert | 8:18 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
BYU 34
Utah 27
Brilliant | 8:32 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Great predictions. You Kittens are brilliant. Was it a vision you had? Will you discipline yourself if you are wrong or will it just be the "bad refs" like always that eases your mind from falsehoods.

Here is a prediction: It will be a great game.

Here is a hope: I hope no player or fan is seriously hurt or such.

Here is a fact: Predictions are dilusional and luck.

With that said. Good luck to both teams.

GO UTES.... Win or lose "A Utah Man AM I"
Utah Man Sir | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Seriously, who can doubt this prediction?

Utah 98743140
BYU 0
Disco Vega | 9:48 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Don't worry my fellow Ute fans...the School of the Prophets will prevail. BYU has always been a "wantabe" and will continue to be so.
Cheese! | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Go REFS!!!!!
Jolly Utah Gang Man | 10:07 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Latest, Most Accurate Poll:

Red 173
Blue 365

Even SLC was blue in 2008?

Utah 17
BYU 37
Its the Nastiness | 10:19 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Having grown up in Utah, graduated from USC, and lived in Ohio, I must say that the Utah/BYU rivalry is by far the nastiest. At USC, we hated UCLA and Notre Dame, but the intensity of rivalry between the fans was much lower. Ohio St./Michigan is intense and nasty, but your brother, brother-in-law, neighbors, ward members, co-workers, etc. were overwhelmingly on your own side of the fence. Utah/BYU is nasty because the fan rivalry is silly intense AND you have to live with the knuckleheads from the other side for the rest of the year. Ugh! Throw in the petty childishness factor of a lot of the fans and it turns the nasty up another notch. I'd say only Auburn/Alabama can probably match this one. To the fans of the winning team, try to show some class this year...yeah right.
1Yfan | 10:21 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Nice comment Disco Vega.... BYU has always been a "wantabe"? That's why the Y has a national championship! The Utes haven't even sniffed one!
Big D's second cousin | 10:22 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Brig Young Academy 07
Univ of Deseret 37

1984 Holiday Bowl | 10:27 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Go cougars!!! I predict the score
BYU: 20
Utah:19
California Ute | 10:36 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Biggest game ever and I can't even have a game day party. If we want respect then the conference needs to drop this contract with the Mountain. What a shame! This game should be on ABC or ESPN.
Re: Jolly Utah Gang Man | 10:42 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Wow, that is a lot to say for a pitiful Cougar fan that voted for McCain, and still hopes the underdog wins in this one too!!!
It's just that easy | 10:46 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Univ of DI 12
All Hallows 36
Points Scored | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
The BYU offense is superior to the U offense. 63 points against San Diego, and a couple of those touchdowns were pick 6's. Your memory of last week is about as good as it over the last two years.
Cougars win.

Re.Utah man, win or lose I don't doubt you are a Utah man, but if it is a loss, you are a significantly less rich Utah man with no BCS berth.
re: JUG Man | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Who said anything about McCain?

The numbers referred to cans of pork & beans collected for the annual food drive.

And, of course, a prediction of some game connected to the food drive.
re: JUG Man | 11:03 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
who cares, why bring McCain into this rivalry!!! Let's see what happens on Saturday!!! GO UTES!!!
BIG Show | 11:06 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Truely a GREAT rivalry...but a narrow view of college football. ARMY - NAVY and HARVARD - YALE are much more steeped in tradition. Just GO to either of those games and you will see QUALITY rivalries regardless of records!
SEC FAN | 11:08 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Utah 37 BYU 3. The "QUEST FOR PERFECTION" is moving North. BYU's pathetic defense is not going to be more than a speed bump for the Ute offense. Hopefully this game will not get out of hand before halftime. Asiata and Mack should have a nice second half while running out the clock, saving some face for our little bro's down south. Ute fans start scheduling time off from work so you can enjoy a SECOND BCS bowl win. Don't worry coug fans, you are a cute little team, you should match up well against Arizona in the Vegas Bowl. We know you love Vegas. Remember 1984, what, me neither. Next year's BYU theme, "THE NEED FOR SPEED."
quality | 11:11 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
You will always see quality with the BYU-Utah rivalry. What more could you want than last minute drives that make the game. It is much more fun to watch these teams play that have an impact on the national rankings and BCS system!
RE: Jolly Utah Gang Man | 11:13 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
LOL, what a unique way to predict the score! And it's as accurate a way as any.

Anyone who thinks they can predict this game is just guessing or hoping. In the last 15 years, picking the winner has only been a sure thing three times: Utah in 2004, BYU in 2001 (which they almost lost!), and BYU in 1996.

BYU has played some games at full potential and other games they have faltered. Utah has played pretty much perfectly. So it all depends on which BYU team shows up tomorrow, which I don't think anyone here can predict. In other words, will the real Cougars please stand up?

RISE AND SHOUT!
AGREE | 11:21 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
I totally agree that this is the biggest game ever. Just remember the last time both teams were ranked going into the game, UTES WIN!!!
RE: SEC FAN | 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
>> running out the clock

Your coach has not heard of running out the clock. If he wants to turn over a new leaf, fine, but he won't get a chance tomorrow. Maybe when he's almost done winning the TimsTires.com Bowl--or almost done losing the Fiesta Bowl--Whit can figure out how running out the clock works.

>> Ute fans start scheduling time off from
>> work so you can enjoy a SECOND BCS bowl win.

TODO: insert gratuitous joke about the difficulty of getting time off at Albertson's or McDonald's.

>> Remember 1984, what, me neither.

Well, you're the one who mentioned 1984. Think about that for a moment.
RE: Old Solomon Levi | 11:31 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Are these the reasons why Utah will win? Don't make me laugh!!!

-undefeated = Only thing that matters is the here and now.

-higher ranking = With this logic there would never be upsets. Rank does not guarantee good performance.

-at home = you need to read this article again, especially the part about the visiting team...

-better team speed = but BYU is bigger, more talented in several key positions. speed is not everything! BYU's all time record against TCU is 5-3, 2-2 in recent years (in which TCU was also extremely fast). If speed was everything then why doesn't TCU and Utah just beat the Cougs every year?

-better defense = I'll agree, however, we know Utah can stop the run, but can they stop the pass? They have not done extremely well so far against teams that pass the ball decently.

-good offense = BYU has a better offense!

-better special teams = where is your advantage, in punting and field goals? Just in case you did not see last week, the Cougs have a field goal kicker too.

-more on the line = more reason to be nervous and make many mistakes!
Rivalry | 11:32 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
re: Big Show. Being "steeped in tradition" during the 1800s does nothing to make a rivalry great. Harvard v. Yale is as much of a football rivalry as is a Duke v. UNC football game....Yawn!

One of the biggest reasons this is a great rivalry is that the schools share EVERYTHING (unlike Notre Dame-USC, or Ohio St- Michigan, or almost any other "big" rivalry.)

Both schools and fans share:
1. All the same media outlets (radio, TV, Nespapers).
2. The same founder
3. The same airport
4. The same recruiting base

Fans have to sit beside each other at church the next day, shop in the same store, ski the same lifts, read the same paper, watch the same Sportsbeat show etc.

It's one thing to hear about your loss to Michigan for 1 week after and then resume business as usual, and entirely another to have to bear seeing the U on the mountain everytime you fly out of SLC, or listen to their fans on call-in shows.
doug | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Hey Doug,

How entertaining is it to see BYU-Utah fans battle it out on the comment page from your article? Just wondering?!?!?!
re: Old Solomon Levi | 11:31 | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 21, 2008
You didn't read the predicted score did you?
Advantage BYU | 12:13 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
I think BYU clearly has the advantage in this game. Not only have they beaten utah 2 years in a row so they know they can do it but their "weak" D will be good enough. And utah will be nervous about losing their chance for a BCS bowl game.

Does anyone except for some delusional utah fans really believe utah's D will shut down BYU's offense? They probably think that will be the case because of how well TCU did against BYU. Problem with that theory is BYU went into the TCU game unprepared mentally and TCU was very pumped up for it. And the game was at TCU. Utah held TCU to 10 points but TCU is not nearly as strong on the road as they are at home.

The Cougars will be pumped and ready for the game unlike at TCU and they've had good success at RES (except for when Crowton tanked the program). I'm not worried about our chances tomorrow. The utes should be worried about their chances though.
Not Worried | 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Utah definitely has the advantage in this game!!!! I don't think Coach Whittingham allows for the team to be focused on worrying about the possibility of being nervous about losing their chance for a BCS bowl game. Coach Whittingham will have this team so prepared defensively. Will they shut down the BYU offense? NO, not a chance, but they will do enough to win this game. I think you can expect a high scoring, close game, but expect the Utes to come out on top!!! (They have proved that they can do it this season over and over again (ex. TCU game), even if they have been outgained yardage-wise) What matters in the end is the score!!! GO UTES!!!!!
RE: Advantage BYU | 12:34 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
>> The Cougars will be pumped and
>> ready for the game unlike at TCU
>> and they've had good success at RES

What do you mean by "RES?" Don't you mean LES North? :-)
Perspective | 12:37 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Utah is a fine team; BYU, too.

Love, Peace.

T-ball player to coach: Did we win?
Coach to T-baller: Did you have fun?
T-baller: yes
Coach: Then you won

Here's to hoping that everyone wins on Saturday!
Anon | 12:41 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
I think that it will end the same way it did when they were both ranked the last time, only that it will be BYU 34 Utah 31
umm. . . | 12:43 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
how far down will BYU drop in the national polls after the loss to the UTES??? Doesn't matter the Utes go BCS bustin' again!!!!
RE: Anon | 12:44 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
So that wouldn't be the same!!!!
AzByuFan | 12:48 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Those other rivalries are based on which side of the dirt you live on. With BYUTah throw in religion, the dividing of families, neighbors, ward congregations. The other rivalires are light in comparison. They just don't like the guys on the other side of the tracks. If the Utes lose I hope they know where to go to take care of their mental health needs. Utes, avoid the game if you have high blood pressure. The Ute fans are more ornery and bitter than ever. The Utes are more passionate rooting against BYU than rooting for their own team. We have heard that before.
BYU has the edge, though not significant, on offense. The U has a definite edge on D.
I will score it Utah 35 BYU 24. I hope I am wrong. The consolation prize is the Utes may come down here to the Fiesta though it sounds like they will probably go to the Sugar. BYU and other MWC teams will cash in if the Utes win.
Nice Weather | 12:58 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
It was a nice run while it lasted, but look on the bright side, San Diego is usually a lot warmer in December, plus, they have Sea World and a really great zoo, and, less stress in planning because you can stay in the same hotel you stayed in last December.
84 Championship | 1:04 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
When Utah wins tomorrow they could play an 8-4 ACC team for a BCS game and as pathetic that it is it is still better team than the team you played in 1984.
If only we could get Texas, Oklahoma, TT and everyone else ahead of us this year not want to play us we could be champions too!!
That Michigan team you beat in 84 isn't any better than the Michigan team we beat this year!!!
GO UTES!!!
umm. . . drum | 1:09 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
umm. . . drum

drumming on a drum.

irrelevant question

the question should have been: How far will BYU rise in the polls after another heart-stopping win in RES?

Probably 2 places this week; maybe 4 or 5 by the time the final BCS rankings are released.

Whatever it is, it will be enough to get into a BCS bowl once Boise State loses.

How far will Utah drop?

Probably just below TCU, to about 15th.
Joke-Lighten up | 1:15 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
Bronco Mendenhall, after living a full life, died. When he got to heaven, Heavenly Father was showing him around when they came to a modest little house with a faded Cougars flag in the window.

"This house is yours for eternity," said Heavenly Father . "This is very special, not everyone gets a house up here."

The coach felt special, indeed, and walked up to his house. On his way up the porch, he noticed another house just around the corner. It was a 3-story mansion that had a 50 foot tall flagpole with an enormous UTES flag, and in every window was the UTE logo.

The coach looked at Heavenly Father and said, "Heavenly Father , I'm not trying to be ungrateful, but I have a question. I was a good coach. I went to bowl games, sent a bunch of my players on to the pros, and I turned around the entire BYU football program."

Heavenly Father said, "So, what's your question?"

"Well," said the coach, "Why does Kyle Whittingham get a better house than me?"

Heavenly Father responded, "Oh that's not Whittingham's house, that's mine".

Go UTES !!!!!
Headline on Sunday | 1:19 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
BYU beats Utah. Boise State Wins!!
TCU REVISITED | 1:27 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008
BYU was pumped, primed and really ready for the TCU Frogs, they just couldn't measure up. If you don't believe me, go ahead and re-read the pregame articles. It will be the same ole story on Saturday afternoon. Utah is the better team and they will win by 14.

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The battle between Red and Blue may never have been so intense, nor so defined, as it is this year when the 11-0 Utes host the 10-1 Cougars.

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