It had been seven long years since Utah beat BYU in football (30-12 in Provo in 2019) and boy, did the Utah fans celebrate.

Saturday’s 28-20 Ute victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium was typical of the rivalry, with huge swings in momentum, one final possession to decide the outcome and tons of emotion.

As I approached the media entrance before the game, a Utah co-ed yelled some profanity at a group of BYU fans. One of the stadium workers protested, “Hey, they are our guests!”

Experiences at the stadium varied for BYU fans (if posts on social media can be believed) but they can certainly empathize with Utah supporters. The Utes won nine straight rivalry games before the Cougars won the past three (2021, 2024 and 2025) and everyone involved knows what it’s like to have to put up with being on the wrong end of the Holy War for an entire year until the next opportunity.

Tyler Tate, AP Photo

Now it’s time for Perfectly Rational Overreactions (PROs).

PRO No. 1: Bear Bachmeier has lost his mojo.

Yeah, it was a tough day for Bachmeier. The Utes fooled him plenty and three of the four interceptions were simply amazing plays by Utah defenders. The one right before halftime, where BYU could have gone up two scores, was tough, but the one in the fourth quarter from the 2-yard line was devastating. You’d like to think with a healthy LJ Martin, the Cougars would have just handed him the ball on third and even fourth down to get into the end zone. Or in hindsight, just send the 230-pound Bachmeier at the goal line and see what happens.

Speaking of Martin and Bachmeier, those two were a fantastic combination last season. Martin was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Bachmeier seemed to do no wrong. With Martin out the past four games due to injury, there was a lot more on Bachmeier’s shoulders and I think it’s weighed pretty heavily on him, especially after the Notre Dame game. Without a running game, Bachmeier may be putting too much pressure on himself to perform and mistakes are happening.

Three games left and if Martin can round into shape, I think you’ll see a different kind of Bear.

PRO No. 2: BYU’s chances of making the college football playoffs are history.

The Utah loss cuts Cougar fans to the bone, no doubt. Losing to the No. 3 team in the country on the road by one possession is nothing to be ashamed of, but losing to a mediocre UCF two weeks ago is far more damaging to BYU’s playoff outlook. Last year, the CFP Committee picked the Cougars’ two losses to a top five team (Texas Tech) as their main talking point to keep them out of the playoffs. This year, it will be that puzzling loss in Orlando.

BYU fans probably feel a little better after Notre Dame was able to take down No. 1 Miami on Saturday, but with two losses the Cougars really no longer control their own destiny. They’ll need some help to make the Big 12 Championship Game or an at-large invite to the CFP. The parity in college football would lead you to believe there’s still a chance for the Cougars to make it, but they have to win their next three games (Baylor, Kansas, Cincinnati) to have a shot. BYU will surely be favored in every one of those games, but can’t take anything for granted now.

PRO No. 3: BYU’s awf-ense is awful.

The defense can certainly take a lot of the blame for BYU going 1-2 after beating Notre Dame, but the Cougar offense has been equally as frustrating. BYU hasn’t scored more than 30 points in regulation in any Big 12 game this season (31 in the overtime loss to UCF). We knew going into the season there were some questions to be answered, especially at receiver and tight end. While freshman Legend Glasker has been fantastic, the performances of Kyler Kasper and Jo Jo Phillips have been hit and miss. Aside for some key drops, Walker Lyons and Roger Saleapaga have been pretty good at tight end. Without Martin, the running game has struggled and remember that the offensive line lost starting right tackle Andrew Gentry for the season in Game 3. There have been some terrific moments from the offense — the second quarter against Utah was really, really good — but the consistency just isn’t there.

After scoring on four straight possessions in the first half against the Utes, BYU’s offense produced the following: Six plays (punt), two plays (interception), one play (kneel down), four plays (interception), three plays (punt), three plays (punt), 13 plays (goal line interception), six plays (interception).

And finally, PRO No. 4: It’s time to make some changes.

Ah, yes, the armchair general managers are in full scream after the loss to Utah. Aaron Roderick needs to go as offensive coordinator, Kelly Poppinga doesn’t know what he’s doing as defensive coordinator, etc. The coaches need to shoulder some of the blame for BYU’s struggles, don’t they? The past three weeks Kalani Sitake has repeatedly said it’s his responsibility to get his team prepared to play well and he needs to do a better job. But a team is only as good as its execution. How many times have BYU defenders been in the right spot to make a tackle or a sack and couldn’t do it? How many times has a receiver been open and Bachmeier has missed his target or been intercepted?

Play calling is only one part of the equation. The players have to execute and right now, the Cougars can’t execute on either side of the ball consistently enough. It’s too late in the season to make big changes. BYU just has to do what they do better.

Who Carried the Boats and the Logs?

Senior defensive tackle Bodie Schoonover was a menace with a career-high six tackles, two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Glasker was targeted ten times, finishing with seven catches for 118 yards and a gorgeous 75-yard touchdown reception. BYU tried to get him the ball with fly sweeps and quick passes but Utah did a pretty good job of containing those attempts. Maybe throw deep to him a couple of more times?

What’s in a name?

I was truly shocked on Thursday when BYU honored women’s soccer legend Jennifer Rockwood for her 32 years as head coach … and didn’t finish with officially renaming South Field “Jennifer Rockwood Stadium.” Maybe the administration is waiting for some big donor to step forward or something, but it seemed like the perfect opportunity. I mean, who doesn’t want to see the ROC at “The Rock?”

Have fun storming the castle

I had to laugh while listening to the coin toss before the BYU-Utah game.

Once the particulars had been sorted out, the official ended the session with, “Let’s have a great Holy War.”

Reminded me of an old comedy bit (by a comedian who shall remain nameless) called, “Toss of the Coin,” which was about a fictitious coin toss between General Custer and Sitting Bull before the Battle of Little Bighorn. Look it up, it’s quite funny. I mean, I think it’s still politically correct. Maybe I should listen to it again to make sure.

Down and out

A lot of frustration from BYU fans after the loss to Utah and you understand why.

The Cougars appear headed for a 10-2 regular season, which some fans try to tell you is great. Others are ready to give up on their fandom because BYU just can’t seem to duplicate what Utah has done twice and are on its way to doing a third time: Go undefeated.

We’ve seen 10-2 before. Is that the ceiling for Sitake and his program? Moving up to a power conference, spending obscene amounts of money to retain Sitake and get better players, and it’s the same old results?

Up next for the Cougars is Baylor, which has scored 83 points in its past two games, both wins, after firing Dave Aranda.

Hooping it up

Congratulations to Delaney Gibb for her triple-double against the Montana State with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. She could have had 20 assists because she was setting up her teammates all game long. Her improvement in taking care of the basketball (only two turnovers) is impressive. The last triple-double by a BYU women’s basketball player was 40 years ago by 6-foot-7 Tresa Spaulding Hamson, though hers was points, rebounds and blocks.

I play volleyball occasionally with Tresa. She’s still tall.

Get off my lawn

With the help of a very handy neighbor (thanks, Layne Izzat) I was able to install a new hot water heater last week. Our old one gave up the ghost after 20 years. I mean, why can’t they last forever?

That’s all for now, but for this: Every time you clean something you make something else dirty.

Have a terrific week and keep it clean.