BYU football: Scouting the Utah Utes

While most other programs are preparing for their second FCS/ “cupcake” game, BYU football will be preparing for their second game against a Top 25 program.

Last week, the Coaches Poll came out for the upcoming football season. BYU football definitely has a lot of tough competition as well as great opportunities to make some noise. In week two of the season they play No. 12 LSU in Houston. If you missed that scouting report then click here. 

The Cougars will enter the third game of the season playing No. 25 Utah. If the Cougars were to beat LSU in week one, then this will be a big nationally viewed game and both teams would likely be ranked.

As we continue this 13 part series I would like to remind you that this is not primarily about game projections or how BYU football will do against them. These articles are more about getting to know who the other team is. By knowing the opponents playing style, best player and which key players are returning from last year, fans can greater appreciate the game.

In the next few weeks, we will be covering every opponent on BYU football’s schedule. We will go into the top players, returning starters, playing style and how BYU can do well against them. This 13 part series continues with the third game of the season when the Cougars host rival Utah in Provo for the first time since 2013.

Utah Utes

Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham (104-50 in 12 seasons)

2016 Record: 9-4 (5-4 Pac 12)

Best Game: 31-27 Win vs. USC

Worst Game: 30-28 lost to Oregon

2016 Season Summary: The Utah Utes season can be described as a roller coaster. Their four losses were by a combined 19 points and all of those games were within one score. They also had four wins that were also within a one score. Utah at one point in the season appeared to be heading towards a possible BCS bowl game berth being 7-1.  The Utes up to that point had wins over USC, UCLA, BYU and Arizona.

The stakes were high when College Gameday came to Salt Lake City to cover the Utah vs Washington game. That game was very close throughout, however a late Washington punt return touchdown ended up being the difference in the game. Perhaps a bit down after that, they lost two of the next three games versus a struggling Oregon team and a very good Colorado team. They won their bowl game against a much less talented 6-6 Indiana team 26-24.

Fun Fact: 12 out of the last 15 Holy War Games have been decided by a touchdown or less. Four of those have been won on the very last play of the game.