Now that TCU has effectively drubbed both BYU and Utah into submission, we college football fans in the Beehive State can turn our attention to the "Unholy War" which will be played in approximately 12 days. The BYU/Utah down in Provo looks to be a classic. If both teams take care of business this weekend, they will both go into the match up at 9-2 and both will be ranked in the top 20.
So to kick off our coverage of the rivalry lets do the whole comparative scores thing (even though we know it doesn't work out that well). We will list their common opponents and the results of the game and see if we can come up with anything good.
Utah State: BYU won 35-17 Utah won 35-17
Not much of a difference there.
Colorado State: BYU won 42-23 Utah won 24-17
If we do the differential BYU is +12 (Won by 19 versus won by 7)
UNLV: BYU won 59-21 Utah won 35-15
Differential BYU +18. Running differential BYU +30
TCU: BYU lost 38-7 Utah lost 55-28
Differential Utah +4. Running differential BYU +26
Wyoming: BYU won 52-0 Utah won 22-10
Differential BYU +40. Running differential BYU +66
New Mexico: BYU won 24-19 Utah won 45-14
Differential Utah +26. Running differential BYU +40
Those are the common opponents of BYU and Utah to this point. The real crazy scores are the Wyoming and New Mexico games. BYU killed Wyoming while Utah barely scraped by. Likewise Utah killed New Mexico while BYU barely scraped by. TCU meanwhile exposed both teams. BYU's offense was supposed to be their strong point, they only scored 7 against TCU. Utah's defense is their best phase of the game, they gave up 55 points to TCU. I would submit that right now we have no idea which of these two teams is better, although the common opponent comparison leans heavily in BYU's favor. More will be coming on the Unholy War, but for now feel free to disagree with me however you wish.
**Just as a side note going into the rivalry game in 2008, the running differential showed Utah as a +88, in 2007 it had Utah as a +16 and in 2006 it had BYU as a +97**
I agree that no one really knows what is going to happen in this game. We never really know anyways with the holy war. But the numbers don't lie, as of right now byu looks favored to win. This will be argued until the game is over, but with the facts that kyle has given out I'm excited to see a cougar win baby!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, from what I've seen this season, I'd say both teams are pretty even. With that, I'd say look for the U to have the edge (despite the fact the game will be played in Provo). I only say this because I believe Whittingham will have his team better prepared for the game than Mendenhall. Plus the U always brings their A game when playing the Y. I don't know if I have ever seen BYU blow out Utah. When they win, it's close. When they lose, it's usually not so close. I'm just rambling at this point. I'm a Cougar fan, but I'm going to say Utes on this one. Final answer.
ReplyDeleteReally? Matt I'm shocked at you! BYU wins this one. Rarely have I felt so confident about BYU's chances in this game, but I'm willing to take bets if anyone wants to wager. The Cougars simply have more to lose and, therefore, more to play for in this game. Utah is in a down year and if they lose I don't think many people will really make much fuss about it relative to previous seasons. If the Cougs lose I will be pissed....shitty pissed...This is Max Hall's senior day and he'll make it count. I take the Cougs 17-31.
ReplyDeleteMy point exactly Chris. BYU does have more to lose, which is why they'll choke. When have they ever performed well in pressure situations? All I can say is hope for the best, but expect the worst. I really think this is going to be a close one, but it'll be in Utah's favor.
ReplyDeleteFortunately for all BYU fans, the end of the Max Hall era has arrived!!! WHY, you say? Sure, 3 10-win seasons looks great on paper. Max Hall's stats also look great on paper. The only thing all of these stats point to is that Max Hall and the 2009 season are the GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT in BYU history. Max Hall would be LEADING the 2009 Heisman race if he didn't need to wear pull-ups when facing real defensive pressure.
ReplyDeleteThat's why the Utes, in a down year, will beat Max Hall, at home, on his Senior Day. If he pulls it off, good for him. But don't get your hopes up.
Gabe, Gabe oh my misguided friend. When the Max Hall era ends BYU fans will realize how much they mistreated him. He is exactly what he was expected to be. You bring up the big games, and while he hasn't played well in them he is 2-3 against Utah and TCU so far and he has the victory against Oklahoma and the loss to Florida State. So in the "big" games he is 3-4. That is better than nearly every QB that has ever played at BYU. The problem is not Max. The problem is the expectations of the fanbase. Unfortunately the BYU fanbase is dillusional. BYU is as good as it has ever been right now. And the 3 ten win years have been unprecedented at BYU (And of course Utah also). He has been fantastic, BYU hasn't been out of the top 25 for nearly his entire tenure. What more do people want from a kid playing at a school that has the restrictions that they do at BYU?
ReplyDeleteI never saw your response here, so I'll respond now.....
ReplyDeleteMax Hall has put up HUGE numbers. GIGANTIC numbers. HEISMAN WORTHY numbers. You know something is wrong when you are on the Heisman watch list at the beginning of your Junior and Senior years, and then you magically fall off mid-way through each season.
The problem isn't Max's achievments, it's what he's been UNABLE to achieve. A QB as talented as Hall, with the tools he's had around him 2007, 2008 AND 2009, should've been to AT LEAST 1 BCS Bowl in his time......the only reason BYU hasn't busted the BCS is because HALL has been a CHOKE-MASTER vs. TCU in 2008 AND 2009, and vs. UTAH in 2008. Since UNDEFEATED is the only way to get to the BCS, 10-2 is suddenly a depressing number. With Max Hall's talent, BYU should've seen much more than the "Las Vegas Bowl".
In a nutshell, I feel for Cougar fans worldwide. I would be frustrated out of my MIND if I were a Cougar fan. WHY??? Because what the Max Hall era truly represents for BYU Football is a whole lot of UNREALIZED POTENTIAL.
Gabe, I just saw this last comment. What I think you are missing along with anyone who is disappointed in BYU's 10-2 records is that BYU does not and will not ever have the athletes to do what Utah and TCU can. Bottom line that nobody wants to admit is that white mormon kids can not compete consistently with the kids like sean smith and jerry hughes (who would not want any part of the honor code). BYU is the Notre Dame of the non-bcs. Their recruiting restrictions and strict admission guidelines will never allow them to compete with teams like TCU and Utah in the BCS category. Now don't get me wrong, BYU will always be more consistent than either of those programs. Always earning between 8-10 wins, but an undefeated year would be a miracle, regardless of who is behind the center.
ReplyDelete