BYU football: Three things to know for the Utah Utes

No. 2: It will be a close game

This Holy War will be a close game, simply because they always are.

Since 2000, 13 games have been decided by a touchdown or less between the Utes and Cougars. Over the last four games, the average margin of victory is 4.5 points.

This is one of the reasons I still have some hope for a BYU football victory. Because rivalry games are dogfights, and anything can happen.

Last year, the Cougars lost by just one point. Taysom Hill threw a pick-six to start that game. In 2015, during the Las Vegas Bowl, BYU lost by seven. But in that game, BYU spotted Utah 35 points in the first quarter.

So, all you need to do is avoid a horrendous, terrible, worst-case scenario start. If you do that, you’ve got a puncher’s chance at a win.