BYU -2.5 2.2% Play
Previously BYU did not view this game as a rivalry game, but this is one of the games they circled on their calendar in the off season. It seems like everyone is on Utah State and their video like numbers, but they have had a very weak schedule so far this season while BYU has had a very challenging schedule facing 4 power 5 opponents in Washington, Wisconsin, Arizona and Cal, and 3 of those 4 were some of the best defenses last year. BYU is also getting two defensive starters back in LB Anderson and S Ghanwoloku who missed last week so the defense should be able to stop the running game of Utah State that they have relied on so much scoring 17 TD's. Utah State has simply dominated in the red zone this year, but again their opponents are not very talented on the defensive side of the ball besides Michigan State who may have been looking past them.
In last year's loss, BYU actually held Utah State to 288 yards. They actually led 21-7 in the 2nd quarter before their backup QB Beau Hoge was lost for the game. In comes the offensive coordinator's son Koy Detmer, and he throws not 1, not 2, but 3 six picks and Utah State wins in very misleading fashion 40-26. I think BYU has proven more this season in wins over Arizona and Wisconsin that they are a much improved team. I don't really know what Utah State has proven up to this point. They are coming off a bye, but they are going on the road so I think those two things even out. With the two defensive returners returning for BYU, I expect a win by a TD or more.
