BYU OFFENSE VS. UTAH DEFENSE

BYU's offense has been very good since the loss to TCU. Austin Collie and Dennis Pitta have been pretty much unstoppable. Max Hall is the obvious choice for MWC Offensive Player of the Year and the running game has been good enough. The big test this week is for the offensive line, which has to give Hall time to throw. Utah's defense is very fast and physical, but they're not TCU.

• Advantage: BYU

UTAH OFFENSE VS. BYU DEFENSE

BYU's defense has had its bad moments this year, but the proof is in a 10-1 record. That's not to say the Utah game will be a breeze. The Utes will spread the field with five receivers, which will make it difficult to get any kind of pressure on Brian Johnson. When he gets time, he's a very good quarterback. Expect some trick plays from the Utes.

• Advantage: Utah

SPECIAL TEAMS

Who wouldn't want a clutch kicker like Louie Sakoda on your side? He's made so many big kicks, it's ridiculous. Mitch Payne is much less heralded, but he's made nine of 11 field goals. He could prove to be a factor in this game.

• Advantage: Utah

INTANGIBLES

This is the great equalizer. Throw out the records, the stats, the comparative scores. What matters is this is BYU-Utah. The Utes have a lot more to lose with a BCS berth on the line, and this isn't the 2004 team. Utah has all the pressure. The Cougars would love nothing better than to spoil Utah's plans. The home field is key, but BYU won in 2006 at Rice Eccles.

• Advantage: Even

KEY MATCHUP: BYU's defensive line vs. Utah's offensive line

Let's go to the trenches. If BYU's D-line can't get pressure on Johnson, he'll have a field day against the Cougar secondary. Utah will spread the field with five receivers, so BYU's blitz packages will be limited. If the front three can get even a little pressure on Johnson, it would be huge.

• Advantage: Even

• Darnell sez: I'm picking BYU because 1) going undefeated is really hard; 2) The rivalry game cancels out any perceived advantages coming into the game and 3) all the pressure in on the Utes. I'm giving BYU a four-point advantage because that won't allow Sakoda to make any magic with his leg.

BYU 27, Utah 23