Like reality shows, BYU-Utah rivalry week is more about hype than truth.

Media members try to bait players into making controversial comments, or twist their words into challenges and guarantees. Fans of the two schools throw out jokes and condescending remarks. Religion plays a part; the game is referred to as the "Holy War."

Even school administrators will take their shots: Nowhere in Utah's game release notes to the media does it mention BYU is ranked No. 21 in the country.

Thankfully (and two days after Thanksgiving) the game will be decided on the field.

It's an event like no other in Utah, a game that splits football fans in this state right down the middle. Red or blue, make your choice, and get ready to hold the victory over your neighbor's head for a year or get ready to hear about your loss for an equal amount of time.

"They (the fans) care for wins and they consider that to have an affect on their lifestyle for an entire year," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said.

Both come in playing well and both teams are already assured bowl bids; BYU has accepted an invitation to the Las Vegas Bowl and Utah will end up at the Poinsettia Bowl or the Armed Forces Bowl.

So the 82nd BYU-Utah meeting is about bragging rights and pride.

"I love it, I love rivalry games," BYU senior linebacker Cameron Jensen said. "I love how people get into it."

Of course, Jensen and his teammates would love it even more if they come out with a victory. Utah has won four straight in the series. BYU's last win came in LaVell Edwards Stadium in 2001, a come-from-behind 24-21 victory.

BYU -- undefeated in MWC play at 7-0 -- would seem to come in as the favorite.

"I would say they're the best team we've seen all year long, based on what I've seen on tape," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said.

The Cougars have dominated MWC opponents, outscoring them by an average of 29 points per game. Last week's 42-17 win over New Mexico clinched the MWC title.

But the Utes always save something special for BYU. Utah has struggled with consistency in 2006 but has won three straight games leading into today's contest. Senior quarterback Brett Ratliff made the first start of his career in last year's BYU-Utah game, running circles around the Cougar defense. He ran for first downs out of passing formation nine times and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime.

"What I have seen is in their losses, they have trouble of ball security, and in their wins they play well and have held on to the football and that has made the difference," Mendenhall said. "The scheme is very similar (to last year) and a little bit different in terms of the run game in losing (Quinton) Ganther from last year. I've seen a lot of similarities from last year and they've been successful with that approach and have been moving the ball and scoring points."

Utah is averaging 27.9 points per game in 2006.

Defensively, the challenge for Utah is to slow down a Cougar offense ranked fourth in the country and coming off a 653-yard performance against New Mexico.

"They throw the ball well," Whittingham said. "They run the ball well. Their special teams are solid. Their defense is playing extremely well. We've got our work cut out for us. They're undefeated in this conference for a reason and they've won eight games in a row for a reason."

BYU admitted that last year's loss was part mental, allowing the rivalry to overcome their emotions. While BYU players did their pregame ritual of dancing the "Haka," Utah players stomped on the field and taunted the Cougars.

So do the Utes respect BYU this yearfi

"I don't know if they do or they don't," BYU quarterback John Beck said. "We won the conference championship so I think the level of respect should be there. But because of the rivalry they could care less. Their not going to change or be intimidated."

Make it personal: BYU freshman receiver Mike Hague played at Brighton High last year with Mike Hicken, now a scout team receiver at Utah.

"He's my best friend," Hague said. "He's been playing really well on the scout team and I'm happy for him. He's called me this week to talk. He's always wanted me to go to Utah but this week he told me, "All right, I guess you can stay at BYU."

War of words: Mendenhall was asked about comments from Utah players that BYU was "arrogant and cocky."

"I would say we're confident and have earned the right to be that way to this point this year," he said. "Each test and each game we play in this league is a test knowing that any team is capable of beating us."

Extra Points: The winner of the BYU-Utah game takes home the Beehive Boot, given annually to the Division I team in the state with the best record against the other state schools. ... BYU is on an eight-game winning streak. Utah has won three straight games over UNLV, Colorado State and Air Force. ... Except for 2004, the past seven meetings between BYU and Utah have been decided by seven points or less. ... BYU's last undefeated mark in conference play was in 2001.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 or by e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.