USU this week

[EM_Puma]

It used to be, when I moved to Utah in 2001, that we debated incessantly, whether or not USU was a rival or not. The biggest argument against it that was posed was you can't call a game a rivalry if you beat your opponent year after year. The same argument that foolish Pukes like to make these days because they are arrogant and own a 9-game win streak.

That was then and now is now. We've lost 2 in a row against USU. Losing 3 is unthinkable and unacceptable if Kalani Sitake wants to have his contract extended.

I don't think anyone would argue that BYU vs. USU isn't a rivalry. We simply have 3, and they are at different levels. Tier 1 is Puekatah, Tier 2 is USU and Boise State is Tier 3. I doubt USU will ever be to the level of U of U unless we no longer have the Pukes on our schedule regularly, and USU will always be ahead of BSU because we have been playing USU just about as long as any team we've ever played. BSU is more of a millenial rivalry and based a lot on the same thing that the USU rivalry is--there are a lot of LDS in both Boise and Logan. That's what seems to make rivalries around here--the chance for LDS of one group to claim command of the LDS of another regional group (strange as that is)

[EM_Puma]

Honestly, after watching the USU vs Air Force game, I don't know what to think. It's actually the only USU game I've watched in its entirety this season, although I've seen pieces of others too.

I think you can throw out what you saw in that game as it doesn't apply to this weeks game. We don't have the firepower to run an offense like Air Force ran. I can honestly say I've never watched a team get so ripped apart in my whole life. Bar those two turnovers AF had in USU's territory and it would have been a bigger route. USU didn't seem to be able to stop their rushing, but it wasn't like most 400 plus yard rushing games because there really were no huge scampers. It was all basically 15 yards and less, just over and over again. AF was quick. Their backs run north-to-south very quickly and USU could not come up with anything successful to stop the triple option.

The part that was hardest to understand though was where did the USU offense go? They have a very, very good quarterback. The kind that BYU usually does very poorly against, but I don't understand how AF was able to so easily shut them down. I'm still puzzled and my puzzler is sore.

I think we act as though it didn't happen and focus on our own strengths. I do have a bit more confidence that we will beat USU though now after watching that game because this isn't the strong team USU has had the last two seasons, but still, this isn't a bad team--at least not as bad of a team as I saw Saturday.

[mtnradio]

Two things we can count on:
1) Utah State is always tougher at home than on the road, and even tougher when they play BYU. In past years, the game against the Cougs was, essentially, their bowl game. Not so this year ... but nevertheless, they get up for this game.

2) In the last several years, USU rarely fails to rally after a loss. So they will be coming into this game with "blood in their eye" to prove that last week was a fluke ... and add to #1 above.

I believe BYU should win ... but they better play at least 3 quarters of football (like they did against BSU) or they will come home with a loss. If they ONLY play 3 quarters, they still stand a reasonably good shot at a loss. Tennessee and USC notwithstanding, this team has struggled to play a complete game. Therefore, I am concerned. I REALLY hope it is for no good reason.

[ABYUFAN]

My suspicion is that BYU drops this game by more than 2 touchdowns. BYU has not had two good games back to back since Hill and Williams left, and I do not see that changing this week.

[BoiseBYU]

Oddsmakers favor USU by 3 or so points...

[snoscythe]

USU after a loss for the past couple years:

2018:
Lost to Michigan State 38-31, next game beat NMSU 60-13 @ home
Lost to Boise State 33-24, next game beat UNT 33-24 in NM bowl

2019:
Lost to WF 38-35, next game beat Stony Brook 62-7 @ home
Lost to LSU 42-6, next game being Nevada 36-10 @ home
Lost to Air Force 31-7, now playing BYU @ home

[Gunk]

I wouldn't really describe the BYU vs Utah as a rivalry these days. We aren't rivaling them at all.

USU is more of a rivalry for us these days. USU certainly takes it that way and we've been kind of stupid not to.

We can't lose to USU.

[TulaneVandyRiceCoug]

This one has me scratching my head. My kneejerk reaction is that USU got a thorough beatdown from Air Force, therefore BYU is capable of doing the same.

However, BYU will need to win in a different way compared to the triple option. I do think the offense is doing well enough to do it. I think we have better ath-uh-letes and a better system.

I'm a little concerned about how our special teams and defense will do with a rowdy cold night in (ahem) Ogden?

I think it will be close, but I think BYU has them this year. I'll go with 31-24. Cmon Cougs, let's come off the bye week better this time.

[snoscythe]

I think we have better ath-uh-letes and a better system.

If current trends continue, BYU having better athletes will, in a couple of years, be very debateable.

As for BYU having a better system, I don't think BYU has a good system at all right now unless their selected system is "schizophrenia".

[frdbtr]

My instinct is that BYU will lose this game, USU has better coaching and have been the better team for the last few years. My instinct was that they would lose to BSU last game. I have no idea what team will show up. Chances are BYU wins this game, gets full of themselves and then loses to liberty in a couple of weeks.