BYU at Utah – Preview and Prediction
UTAH 3 BYU (44.5)
Implied Projected Score: Utah 23.75 BYU 20.75
MEGALOCKS LINE – Utah 3
The Game
It’s another edition of the Holy War as BYU and Utah hook up in a Saturday slugfest. When we last saw these two teams match-up, Utah managed to hold on to a 35-0 lead to win by a TD and secure a rare MEGALOCKS 2015 Bowl Season win. Bravo. This is usually must-see TV as both teams will play like their hair is on fire until the final whistle.
The Match-Up
BYU offense vs Utah defense
It is great to see BYU QB Taysom Hill healthy. We can only hope it stays that way. Last week BYU kicked a late FG to beat Arizona and showed nice balance in the offense rushing and passing. RB Jamaal Williams is poised to have a big campaign and he started in fine fashion rushing for 162 yards in week one. The BYU offense does not have the explosive passing game of the 2015 team – yet – but they will give all the Utah defense can handle for 60 minutes.
Utah is one of the most reliable teams around. Great coaching. Solid special teams. And defense. They pitched a shutout last week in their tune-up vs Southern Utah and promise to be another solid group in 2016. BYU will have a more dangerous running game in this match-up but a bit less spice in the passing game. Overall we can see BYU scoring 17-24.
Utah offense vs BYU defense
Utah found a way to score over 30 points per game last season with mediocre production at QB. Troy Williams was good in week one but the BYU defense is also a fine unit. Remember, they held a good Arizona offense to only 16 points in week one. It is still too early to make a call on the quality of the RBs and WRs on the Utes’ roster. They are always very efficient and we also see them getting 17-24 points in this game.
Tasty Tidbits
BYU has lost 5 straight games in the series……This is BYU HC Kalani Sitake’s first “Holy War” battle and we have to think the coaching edge goes to Utah…..#HotTake.
Summary
We have these two teams dead even in our power rankings. And probably have them both higher than most folks. This seems like a complete toss-up to us. However, we do think you can take a look at the under.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: Do not hate a play on the under at any number 44 or better if you want to be a part of this one.