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BYU Football: The blueprint for knocking off Utah

By Shaun Gordon

PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 9: The Utah Utes mascot Swoop applauds a play during the Utes game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
PROVO, UT - SEPTEMBER 9: The Utah Utes mascot Swoop applauds a play during the Utes game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /
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BOISE, ID – OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck #82 of the Boise State Broncos makes a defensive play knocking away a pass interception by defensive back Troy Warner #11 of the Brigham Young Cougars during first half action on October 20, 2016 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – OCTOBER 20: Wide receiver Thomas Sperbeck #82 of the Boise State Broncos makes a defensive play knocking away a pass interception by defensive back Troy Warner #11 of the Brigham Young Cougars during first half action on October 20, 2016 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Win the Turnover Battle

  • -1
  • -5
  • -2
  • -1
  • -5
  • +3
  • -1

No, that’s not an exceptionally good golf score. It’s BYU’s turnover margin in their seven straight losses to Utah.

It’s no wonder they’ve lost seven in a row, since they’ve lost the turnover battle in six of those seven games. And in two of them they practically gift-wrapped the ball and presented it to the Ute defense over and over.

One of the biggest keys to pulling off an upset is to win the turnover battle. That’s why Utah has won games in this streak where BYU was the better team, and why BYU hasn’t been able to do the same when the Utes are better.

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So far this season the Cougars have been decently good at avoiding turnovers, only coughing it up 15 times in 11 games. However, they haven’t forced many either, only taking it away 16 times.

On the other side, Utah has turned it over 16 times but forced 18 takeaways.

Two years ago, both teams were among the nation’s best at forcing turnovers. This year they’re both middle-of-the-pack.

There’s a decent chance that the turnover battle will be pretty close to even, but in the Holy War anything can happen. Unfortunately, those bounces have been going Utah’s way during their win streak, and that will have to change for the streak to end.

If the Cougars win the turnover battle on Saturday night, they’ll put themselves in position to win the rivalry and snap the streak.

If Utah wins the takeaway battle it’ll be another year of bragging for the fans in red.

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