Utah vs. No. 25 BYU: Complete Game Preview

Douglas C. Pizac-US PRESSWIRE

Yes, it's that time again. The "Holy War," is it has been called, between BYU and Utah is right around the corner.

But no, it isn't November. In fact, this could be the last time that the two teams meet on an annual basis. And for the first time in the history of the program, the Cougars' first road game of the season will be a 44-mile trip up to Salt Lake.

Just because this is a first and a last in several different aspects doesn't mean that it won't be a great game. Sure, it will have a new feel to it, but the Cougs will want revenge for their embarrassing loss last year and the Utes won't want to lose back-to-back games.

So, here is a complete preview for a game that will be one definitely worth watching.

Game-Day Information

stadium.utah.edu

Who: BYU vs. Utah

When: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. (MDT)

Where: Salt Lake City, Utah

Stadium: Rice- Eccles Stadium (46,178)

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KSL Radio 1160 AM, 102.7 FM and ksl.com

Internet Stream: ESPN3 (www.espn.go.com/watchespn)

Depth Chart for BYU

Riley Nelson
Douglas C. Pizac-US PRESSWIRE

Offense

QB—Riley Nelson

Backup: James Lark

 

RB—Michael Alisa

Backup: David Foote

Third-string: Iona Pritchard

 

Slot Receiver: JD Falsev

Backup: David Foote

 

Wide Receiver: Cody Hoffman

Backup: Skyler Ridley

 

Wide Receiver: Ross Apo

Backup WR: Dallin Cutler

 

TE: Kaneakua Friel

Backup tight end: Austin Holt

 

Left Tackle: Ryker Mathews

Backup: Michael Yeck

 

Left Guard: Houston Reynolds

Backup: Famika Anae

 

Center: Blair Tushaus

Backup: Houston Reynolds

 

Right Guard: Braden Hansen

Backup: Brock Stringham

 

Right Tackle: Braden Brown, Sr.

Backup: Manaaki Vaitai

 

Special Teams

Kicker/ Punter: Riley Stephenson

Long Snapper: Reed Hornung

Holder: JD Falslev

 

Defense

Left End: Eathyn Manumaleuna

Backup: Mike Muehlmann

 

Nose Tackle: Romney Fuga

Backup: Simote Vea

 

Right End: Russell Tialavea

Backup: Ezekiel Ansah

 

Strong-Side LB: Spencer Hadley

Backup: Alani Fua

Mike Linebacker: Uona Kaveinga

Backup:  Zac Stout

 

Buck Linebacker: Brandon Ogletree

Backup: Manoa Pikula

 

Weak-Side Linebacker: Kyle Van Noy

Backup: Jherremya Leuta-Douyere

 

Field Corner: Jordan Johnson,

Backups: Micah Hannemann and Robbie Buckner

 

Boundary Corner: Preston Hadley

Backup: Skye PoVey

 

KAT Safety: Daniel Sorensen

Backup: Craig Bills

 

Free Safety: Joe Sampson

Backup: Mike Hague

 

Special Teams

Punt Returner: JD Falslev

Kick Returners: Cody Hoffman and JD Falslev

Depth Chart for Utah

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Offense

Quarterback: Jon Hays

Backup: Travis Wilson

 

RB: John White

Backups: Jarrell Oliver, Kelvin York

 

HB: Dallin Rodgers

Backup: Max Moala

 

WR: D. Christopher

Backup:  Kenneth Scott

 

WR:  Dres Anderson

Backups: Geoff Norwood, Luke Matthews

 

TE: David Rolf

Backups:  Jake Murphy, Westlee Tonga

 

OT: Miles Mason

Backup: Jeremiah Poutasi

 

OT: Percy Taumoelau

Backup: Kala Friel

 

OG: Jeremiah Tofaeono

Backup:  Latu Heimuli

 

OG: Sam Brenner  

Backup: Siaosi Aiono

 

C:  Tevita Stevens

Backup: Vyncent Jones

 

Defense

DE: Nate Fakahafua

Backups:  Trevor Reilly, Thretton Palamo

 

DE: Joe Kruger

Backup: Trevor Reilly

 

DT: Dave Kruger

Backup: Tenny Palepoi

 

DT: Star Lotulelei

Backup: Viliseni Fauonuku

 

LB: Trevor Reilly

Backup:  Jason Whittingham

 

LB: V.J. Fehoko

Backup: Dave Fagergren

 

LB: Jared Norris

Backup: LT Filiaga

 

CB: Moe Lee

Backup:  Wykie Freeman

 

CB: Ryan Lacy

Backup: Tyler White

 

S: Quade Chappuis  

Backups: Terrell Reese, Michael Walker

 

S: Eric Rowe ,T. Morris-Edwards

 

Special Teams

K: Coleman Petersen    

P: Sean Sellwood

LS: Patrick Greene                         

H: Sean Sellwood | 6-3, 203, SR

KR: D. Christopher | 6-1, 200, SR

PR: Charles Henderson | 5-9, 182, RS FR

What Happened to the Cougs Last Week

Last Saturday, BYU easily handled FCS foe Weber State in Provo, with the final score being 45-13. Senior quarterback Riley Nelson threw for 244 yards and a touchdowns in the first half, while backups Taysom Hill and James Lark added one passing and two rushing touchdowns in the second.

Wide receiver Cody Hoffman was also a big key in the win, with 115 yards and a touchdown. The defense continued to impress, limiting the Wildcats to 254 total yards. The Cougar D is second in the nation in sacks thus far in the season with nine, six of which came in that last week's game.

What Happened to the Utes Last Week

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Utah had a much more exciting and thrilling game than the Cougars' last week, but the outcome wasn't nearly as grand. Despite a 96-yard rushing performance by senior running back John White, the Utes fell short to Utah State 27-20 in overtime on Friday.

The game was terrifyingly familiar to some Ute fans; similar to last season, starting quarterback Jordan Wynn left the game with a shoulder injury early on, leaving the reins to backup John Hays. Unfortunately, Wynn announced his retirement from football yesterday, which means that Hays will start the rest of the season.

John Hays didn't play terribly; he finished with 154 yards and a touchdown in just over a half of play. Defensive tackle Star Lotulelei had a good, but quiet, game, finishing with four tackles.

"It's devastating, because we lost to a team that's not even in the Pac-12," said White via ESPN.com. "To lose to Utah State is horrible."

What This Game Means to Both Teams

Douglas C. Pizac-US PRESSWIRE

Utah

Winning this game means keeping a spot in the running for the Pac-12 South. Sure, you could make the argument that last week's loss to Utah State completely diminished any hopes, but quality wins later in the season could rekindle that possibility. A loss on Saturday leaves the Utes with practically no shot of appearing in the Pac-12 championship, and as much as they may deny it, until the game is over they are still BYU's rival.

 

BYU

The Cougars really need to get rid of the sour taste in their mouth after last year's bitter loss. If they can come up with a big win, BYU fans, players and coaches alike may be able to forget about that bitter loss. Also, a loss here could jeopardize their season (the Cougs travel to Boise next week). If they lose to Utah, that could mean going 2-2 and falling out of national polls.

Key Player for BYU

George Frey/Getty Images

Riley Nelson is the center of BYU's offense. If he has a bad game, then so do the receivers and tight ends, and all of the offensive pressure falls on the rushing game.

And the Cougars simply don't have running backs strong enough to carry the offense.

Sure, you could make the case that Taysom Hill and James Lark are perfectly capable of stepping in, but neither of them have enough experience to lead the offense to a win. Both of them can handle cleanup duty and 4th-and-short plays, but I can't see either of them being the longtime solution.

In last year's matchup against Utah, the offense struggled early on, which led to 3rd-and-outs. Since the offense was barely on the field, the defense had to stay on for forever and soon gets tired, which led to easy points for the opponent. So, if BYU wants to win, they need Riley Nelson to play well.

Key Player for Utah

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

John White already has 215 rushing yards in only two games, and has been called repeatedly been called the most consistent aspect of Utah's offense.

But if he gets limited playing time or doesn't play at all (because of an injured ankle from Friday's game), the Utes will be in trouble. He is the offense. Without Jordan Wynn, the rushing game will be turned towards to get the offense going.

Until the passing game picks up in Saturday's contest, John White will need to step up. If he can't do that, the Utes will not be in good shape.

The Cougs Will Win If...

George Frey/Getty Images

...they get off to a good start. The first two games, BYU's offense didn't score until its second and fifth possessions.

If the Cougs don't strike quickly against the Utes, it may be tough to get back on top.

Utah has won the past two games that it scored first during, and lost the past two games that it fell behind early during.

So, to say the least, BYU needs to strike first in order to win.

The Utes Will Win If...

Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

...they score first and John White has a 100-plus yard performance.

Like I said in the previous slide, Utah has won the past two games they have scored first in. Like the Cougars, if they want to win, they had better score first.

Secondly, John White needs to run for 100 or more yards. In the nine games that White has rushed for that many, the Utes have won. When he hasn't, they lost.

Final Prediction

George Frey/Getty Images

BYU has one of the superior defenses in the country, and it should be able to control John White's and the Ute offense's productivity. If the Cougar offense can also produce, I could see BYU slipping away with this one.

My prediction: BYU wins, 24-17