Keys for BYU to win rivalry game, from those who won it – Deseret News

BYU brings more to the table than ever before in Saturday night's rivalry game. The no. 9 Cougars are not only undefeated (8-0) and in first place in the Big 12 (5-0), but they are also projected to make the College Football Playoff.

That's a lot for any team to handle, let alone a team that just a few months ago was expected to win four games and finish at the bottom of the conference in the 16-team conference – but here they are she.

When BYU and Utah faced each other as conference opponents, their respective seasons, including championships and bowl games, often hinged on the outcome. It was a win at Utah in 1984 that catapulted the Cougars to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, which led to them winning the national championship.

As a testament to BYU's track record so far in 2024, none of that is at stake on Saturday.

A win will continue the Cougars' unprecedented journey, but a loss will not end it. Whatever happens, BYU will get back on the bus and still be in first place and in the driver's seat heading to Arlington, Texas, for the Big 12 championship game in Provo – a destination it never even dreamed of in August.

With the bigger picture implications largely kept secret, the only focus can be on what means so much to so many – beating the Utes to beat them. Nothing more, nothing less – and the Cougars conquering them before was the key to beating Utah again.

Gary Sheide Quarterbacked the Cougars to victories in 1973 (46-22) and 1974 (48-20). He combined for six touchdowns and ran for another.

• Stay focused and focused
• Have a short memory when bad things happen
• Dominate the line of scrimmage

Gifford Nielsen was the signal caller when BYU defeated Utah in 1975 (51-20) and 1976 (34-12). Nielson threw four touchdown passes and ran for two more during his two wins.

• Embrace the moment
• No turnovers (especially on defensive touchdowns)
• Hold Utah to under 100 yards rushing
• Control the attack line (run the ball)

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Ty Detmer In his three wins against the Utes in 1989 (70-31), 1990 (45-22) and 1991 (48-17), he totaled 14 touchdown passes and two touchdown runs.

• Limit big plays early
• Resist Utah's emotions
• Grind it up

National champion Robbie Bosco Quarterbacked the Cougars to victories in 1984 (24-14) and 1985 (38-28), throwing four touchdowns in both games.

• Win the revenue battle
• Field position (getting Utes to sustain long drives)
• Put pressure on your quarterback

quarterback Brandon Doman scored the game-winning touchdown to defeat the Utes in LaVell Edward's final game in 2000 (34-27), and he defeated Utah again in Gary Crowton's first season in 2001 (24-21).

• Win the revenue battle
• Scoring in the red zone
• Special teams

quarterback John Beck threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns in BYU's last win at Salt Lake City in 2006 (33-31).

• Make the barrel
• Expect Utah's best performance
• Create sales

Tight end Johnny Harline caught seven passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner as time expired in 2006 (33-31).

• Perform on both sides of the ball
• Maintain the mental edge

quarterback Max Hall beat the Utes in 2007 (17-10) and 2009 (26-23). The 2007 game was climaxed by the fourth-and-18 pass he completed to Austin Collie that set up the game-winning touchdown. Two years later, Hall's 25-yard touchdown pass to Andrew George beat the Utes 26-23 in overtime.

• Let the ball run
• Defensive ball losses
• Score touchdowns in the red zone

Tight end Andrew George caught two passes for 43 yards, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime in 2009 (26-23).

• Stop the run; Keep the Utes under 100 yards
• Win the line of scrimmage
• No sales

Hall of Fame tight end and Super Bowl champion Dennis Pitta caught three passes for 35 yards (17-10) in 2007 and two passes for 31 yards (26-23) in 2009.

• Take away (Micah) Bernard and Utah's rushing attack
• Protect the football
• Put pressure on Utah's quarterback

Run back Tyler Allgeier ran for 101 yards in BYU's 2021 win (26-17). As a team, BYU outscored Utah 231-193 and dominated time of possession for nearly 11 minutes. Allgeier will reunite with former Cougars Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams on Sunday when his Falcons play the Saints.

• physicality. Be the more physical team
• Treat the noise
• Play our football. Make your 1/11

Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” on ysguys.com and is the author of the children's book “C is for Cougar”, available at desertbook.com.