BYU-Utah: There Has Never Been More at Stake in This Week's "Holy War"

Rivalry week has finally come in the state of Utah—a week where friendships will be strained, families torn apart, marriages tested, and a state divided. This week the colors of blue and red will be a regular sight to see.

Saturday night, when the "Holy War" kicks off, there will arguably be more at stake than in any other game in the Rivalry's history.

The No. 7 Utah "Runnin'" Utes will try to crash the BCS party for the second time, while on the other side of the field, the BYU Cougars will be looking to grab a share of the Mountain West Championship, making that three in a row for the Cougars—and oh yes, denying the Utes a spot in the BCS.

For the last eight years this rivalry has experienced a huge rise in intensity, with six of the eight games decided on the very last drive. The last two games went to BYU in very dramatic fashion.

In 2006, at Rice-Eccles Stadium, John Beck connected with TE Jonny Harline with no time on the clock. Then last year, at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Max Hall hooked up with Austin Collie to convert a 4th-and-18. That would lead to a Harvey Unga touchdown with just seconds remaining to seal the victory for the Cougars.

This year we all should expect one of the better games in the Holy War's history.

Utah, I feel, has a very distinct advantage this year. They not only are playing at home, but they can also watch film of BYU vs. TCU, the one game the Cougars were unable to win. In fact, BYU just didn't lose—they were taken apart.

All the things TCU did well to win the game, look for Utah to do as well. This includes bringing a lot of pressure off the edge from blitzes and stunts. If they leave Max Hall with time, he will tear their defense apart. Unlike the BYU defense, Utah will not allow that to happen. They also have the athletes on defense to contain the likes of Austin Collie and Dennis Pitta.

On the offensive side for Utah, they are led by QB Brian Johnson, who likes to spread the ball around to all his talented receivers and does so very well.

What I would look for the Utes to do a lot of is the direct snap to Matt Asiata. TCU did that and had huge gains on nearly all of those play types. But with Asiata it will not be speed but power running coming at the Cougar secondary. Darrel Mack has also given the Cougars fits for the last two years.

Now BYU is my team, don't get me wrong, and I hope they go to Salt Lake and win, but I don't see it happening.

The Cougars, ranked No. 14, have one of the most powerful offenses in the country, but with exception to that, Max Hall has to have time to throw the ball or else he tends to force the ball to Collie or Pitta. Also Unga has not been himself for weeks now, and without his power running, look for BYU to look to senior back Fui Vakapuna to carry the load.

Austin Collie now has the most receiving yards in a single season at BYU with still two games to play. Dennis Pitta is as good a tight end as you will find anywhere in the country. He makes catches that just make you say wow, and all seem routine. If Max Hall has time to throw to these weapons, then look for BYU to score in the 30s to 40s.

What concerns me is the Cougar defense. BYU has a tendency to just play a certain defense no matter what is happening on the field. In the TCU game they failed to adjust to what the Horned Frogs were doing well and allowed a 32-point game. Since the TCU game the defense has allowed 28 ppg.

The Utes, I think, will pound the ball with Mack and Asiata and then use a lot of play action and get some big passing plays against the Cougar D.

This game is going to be action-packed, no doubt about it. Don't look for a 13-10 score like the Utah vs. TCU game was. I would say that this game will be 45-35 with Utah coming out on top and earning their second BCS bid.

BYU will then finish third in the MWC and end up in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, with their opponent coming from the C-USA.