For a change, there should be some genuine suspense - and entertainment - when Utah plays BYU at Cougar Stadium today.
Both teams have explosive offenses; Utah (6-5 overall, 4-3 WAC) is 8th in NCAA Div. I in total offense, BYU (5-4, 5-1) 9th. Both have shown the ability to match an opponent touchdown-for-touchdown when necessary. Both start a quarterback on a roll - BYU's John Walsh has thrown for 1,475 yards his last three games, Utah's Mike McCoy has thrown for 1,318 in his last three.Which probably all means this game will be decided by whichever defense steps up. In all the yard-gaining and touchdown-scoring and general offensive fireworks, it could come down to one or two defensive plays - a key interception, a critical third- or fourth-down play, a blocked kick.
If being accustomed to close games gives an edge, BYU should be a big favorite. While the Utes have had two games decided by four points or less, winning them both, the Cougars have been involved in six games decided by five points or less, going 4-2. In each of those contests, it's possible to point to a play or two that made the difference.
No close win was more important to the Cougars than last week's 45-44 victory over San Diego State, which gave a huge boost to a team that had suffered through an uncharacteristic four-game losing streak. As BYU coach LaVell Edwards said this week, "It's remarkable what a difference one point can make in a guy's life."
Despite all the points and yards the BYU defense gave up last week, that unit may have played its best game of the season, making a number of key plays. It got a big lift from the return of linebacker Nathan Hall, and hopes for a similar lift this week with the return of linebacker Todd Herget (shoulder stinger). Herget practiced all week without pain and will start today.
Edwards said he has watched Utah improve, especially offensively, during the season. "The emergence of McCoy at quarterback has been one of the keys to their success, along with (fullback) Jamal Anderson," Edwards said.
Considering that BYU has the worst rushing defense in the WAC, Anderson could figure prominently. A thick-legged 240-pounder, he could chew up a lot of clock if Utah should manage to put together a lead.
The key for both teams defensively will be putting pressure on the quarterback, to compensate for secondaries that have been suspect. Utah's secondary was expected to be among the WAC's best but has been riddled by injuries, BYU's has been just plain riddled.
Utah is sixth in the conference in passing defense and 9th in quarterback sacks; BYU is 8th in passing defense, 8th in sacks.
Ute coach Ron McBride said the obstacle he has to overcome each week is inexperience. "We have to retrain our guys to play the different coverages in the secondary to play BYU," he said.
Another challenge for McBride is overcoming history. The Utes have not won in Cougar Stadium in the Edwards era, going 0-10 there since 1972.
"We can't worry about our past play down at BYU," McBride said.
OK, then, how about past play anywhere? Edwards has lost to Utah just twice, in 1978 and 1988, giving him a 19-2 record against the archrivals.
One thing that makes this game unlike most BYU-Utah games is that, as happened last year, more is at stake than just in-state bragging rights. The Utes MUST have a win to have a chance at a bowl bid. The Cougars MUST have a win to stay in the WAC title hunt.
The game starts at noon and will be televised live on Channel 5.