No. 1 Utah
Surprise, surprise. Okay not really, but hear me out. This is the biggest rivalry game since at least 2008, and possibly even longer.
BYU is trending in the right direction, and Utah is trending in a relatively flat direction. These two teams didn’t face off in 2020, and they won’t face off in 2022 or 2023. At this moment it feels like BYU and Utah are at an intersection right now as the “better school” and the winner of this game will take big lead. If BYU is able to take down Utah and end the streak, I believe that it will have implications on the team for the next three years.
If BYU loses this game, I think that it brings BYU back to where they have been for the majority of their time in Independence and puts the momentum back in Utah’s favor. Cougar fans will have to live with another loss and it will sit there for the next three years.
I truly believe that the winner of this game will get the better in-state recruits and the overall tone around football in Utah will favor the team who wins this game.
BYU has the weapons and ability to beat Utah, but Kyle Whittingham seems to always find ways to beat his alma mater. This game is going to be the home opener for BYU and I believe it will be first time we see the Cougars unveil their new uniforms.