TALE OF THE TAPE
MAX HALL VS. BRIAN JOHNSON
* Hall stats: 279-for-390 for 3,424 yards, 34 touchdowns, eight interceptions
* W/L as starter: 21-3
* Comment: Junior from Mesa, Ariz., is No. 6 in the nation in passing efficiency, No. 9 in total offense and No. 7 in passing yards per game. He played with a dislocated right shoulder in last year's game, but still threw the long pass on fourth-and-18 to Austin Collie that prolonged the game-winning drive.
* Johnson stats: 211-for-319 for 2,333 yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions. 92 carries for 122 yards, one touchdown.
* W/L as starter: 24-7
* Comment: A fierce competitor,
Johnson's only loss in his last 20 starts was to BYU last season. He passed Alex Smith (21-1) as Utah's winningest quarterback earlier in the season. If the game comes down to the final minutes and Johnson has the ball, the Cougars will be in trouble.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
UTAH
Freddie Brown: Senior receiver has 57 catches for 678 yards to lead the Utes. His seven touchdown receptions are second-best in the MWC. He is coming off back-to-back 100 yard games (105 vs. TCU and 110 vs. San Diego State).
Matt Asiata: He splits time with Darrell Mack, but plays a more varied role with a set of plays designed for him called the "Asiata formation." His 5.2 average per carry ranks second in the MWC. This is the first time he'll play against BYU, a school to which he committed first.
David Reed: Bradon Godfrey and Brent Casteel are stalwarts in Utah's offense, but David Reed is emerging more and more as a big-play guy. He has 19 catches for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He's also averaging 26 yards on kick returns to lead the conference.
Louie Sakoda: He has placed 22 punts inside the opponent's 5-yard line. He is 19-for-21 on field goals this season and is 15-for-15 from inside 47 yards. He kicked a 37-yard game-winner against Oregon State.
BYU
Austin Collie: The flamboyant receiver Utah fans love to hate has recorded 100 or more receiving yards in nine straight games, an ongoing Mountain West Conference record. He needs just 35 yards to pass Eric Drage and become BYU's all-time leading receiver.
Harvey Unga: A sophomore running back, Unga has been hampered by nagging injuries much of the year, but has still rushed for 996 yards and eight touchdowns on 208 carries. He mowed over Utah safety Steve Tate for the game-winning touchdown run last year.
Jan Jorgensen: The Mountain West Conference's all-time sack leader (22 1/2 ), Jorgensen is the emotional leader of BYU's defense and will be counted on to get some pressure on Utah quarterback Brian Johnson. Jorgensen grew up a big Utah fan.
Dennis Pitta: The BYU tight end suffered an MCL sprain after being hit low at Air Force, and will likely be a game-time decision. He's vital to the Cougar offense, with 992 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season.
KEY MATCHUPS
* BYU's David Oswald vs. Utah's Paul Kruger: The last time Oswald, BYU's right tackle, faced a pass rusher of Kruger's ability, TCU's Jerry Hughes got past him for four sacks. It will be up to him to keep Kruger, an MWC defensive player of the year candidate, away from Max Hall
* BYU's Austin Collie vs. Utah's Brice McCain: Nobody's been able to single-cover Collie all year, but McCain says he is up to the task and eager to stop Collie after giving up the fourth-and-18 play last year that doomed the Utes.
* Utah's Sean Smith vs. BYU's Dennis Pitta: The Utes used cornerback Smith (6-3, 214 pounds) on Pitta very effectively in 2007 with Smith holding Pitta to three receptions for 35 yards. Smith likely will defend the 6-5, 250-pound Pitta again if BYU's tight end plays. Pitta's status is questionable with a medial collateral ligament injury.
* BYU's Jan Jorgensen vs. Utah's Zane Beadles: This is the biggest test of the season for Beadles, a 6-4, 305-pound junior lineman. Jorgensen has 49 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks.
KEY INJURIES
BYU's Dennis Pitta (MCL sprain), BYU's Andrew Rich (head injury), BYU's Ray Feinga (back strain missed parts of last week's game. Rich and Feinga should play, while Pitta is questionable...Utah defender Koa Misi (shoulder) and backup running back Eddie Wide (tight hamstring) were pulled out of Utah's win over San Diego State for precautionary reasons but are expected to play Saturday.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* When Utah has the ball: With everything on the line, the Utes likely will let Brian Johnson roam a little more than he has this season. The Utes could also run a lot of option, which they used effectively against Colorado State. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig likes his trick plays, too.
* When BYU has the ball: The Cougars are still primarily a passing team, but they will still try to pound the ball at the Utes with powerful running backs Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna. They will need to establish a running attack to keep the sack-hungry Utah defensive ends from teeing off on Max Hall. Expect to see superstar receiver Austin Collie take some direct snaps, and perhaps attempt a pass or two.
INTANGIBLES:
* For BYU: The Cougars have to start fast to keep the crowd from becoming a factor. They also have to be able to handle early adversity. Also, the Cougars don't have quite as much at stake as Utah does, and should be able to play looser and take a few more risks.
* BYU will win if: It forces at least three turnovers and plays mistake-free on offense. The defense is going to give up a lot of yards, but BYU has a chance to pull off the mild upset if Max Hall has the ball in his hands last with the outcome in doubt.
UTAH
* For Utah: If it's a close game, the Utes have played extremely well in tight situations and know they can win the nail-biters. Home-field will help them too if the noise factor gets to the Cougars like it did TCU. Brian Johnson loves the challenge of big games.
* Utah will win if: Utah doesn't get too cute in its play-calling and keeps its penalties and turnovers to a minimum. The Utes have more speed than BYU and if Johnson can connect with his receivers down field the game could be a blowout.
BOTTOM LINE
The Utes have more to gain than the Cougars with a win because a victory will put them in the Bowl Championship Series. Knowing what is at stake adds a little pressure on the Utes, but they've played well with pressure all season. The Cougars are probably headed to the Las Vegas Bowl regardless of the outcome, but do have the possibility of a piece of the MWC title to serve as motivation, although no extra motivation is needed in this rivalry game.
Home-field advantage hasn't meant much in this series lately, but quite possibly could be the deciding factor today between these teams that are so evenly matched.
MAX HALL VS. BRIAN JOHNSON
* Hall stats: 279-for-390 for 3,424 yards, 34 touchdowns, eight interceptions
* W/L as starter: 21-3
* Comment: Junior from Mesa, Ariz., is No. 6 in the nation in passing efficiency, No. 9 in total offense and No. 7 in passing yards per game. He played with a dislocated right shoulder in last year's game, but still threw the long pass on fourth-and-18 to Austin Collie that prolonged the game-winning drive.
* Johnson stats: 211-for-319 for 2,333 yards, 20 touchdowns, nine interceptions. 92 carries for 122 yards, one touchdown.
* W/L as starter: 24-7
* Comment: A fierce competitor,
Johnson's only loss in his last 20 starts was to BYU last season. He passed Alex Smith (21-1) as Utah's winningest quarterback earlier in the season. If the game comes down to the final minutes and Johnson has the ball, the Cougars will be in trouble.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
UTAH
Freddie Brown: Senior receiver has 57 catches for 678 yards to lead the Utes. His seven touchdown receptions are second-best in the MWC. He is coming off back-to-back 100 yard games (105 vs. TCU and 110 vs. San Diego State).
Matt Asiata: He splits time with Darrell Mack, but plays a more varied role with a set of plays designed for him called the "Asiata formation." His 5.2 average per carry ranks second in the MWC. This is the first time he'll play against BYU, a school to which he committed first.
David Reed: Bradon Godfrey and Brent Casteel are stalwarts in Utah's offense, but David Reed is emerging more and more as a big-play guy. He has 19 catches for 309 yards and four touchdowns. He's also averaging 26 yards on kick returns to lead the conference.
Louie Sakoda: He has placed 22 punts inside the opponent's 5-yard line. He is 19-for-21 on field goals this season and is 15-for-15 from inside 47 yards. He kicked a 37-yard game-winner against Oregon State.
BYU
Austin Collie: The flamboyant receiver Utah fans love to hate has recorded 100 or more receiving yards in nine straight games, an ongoing Mountain West Conference record. He needs just 35 yards to pass Eric Drage and become BYU's all-time leading receiver.
Harvey Unga: A sophomore running back, Unga has been hampered by nagging injuries much of the year, but has still rushed for 996 yards and eight touchdowns on 208 carries. He mowed over Utah safety Steve Tate for the game-winning touchdown run last year.
Jan Jorgensen: The Mountain West Conference's all-time sack leader (22 1/2 ), Jorgensen is the emotional leader of BYU's defense and will be counted on to get some pressure on Utah quarterback Brian Johnson. Jorgensen grew up a big Utah fan.
Dennis Pitta: The BYU tight end suffered an MCL sprain after being hit low at Air Force, and will likely be a game-time decision. He's vital to the Cougar offense, with 992 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season.
KEY MATCHUPS
* BYU's David Oswald vs. Utah's Paul Kruger: The last time Oswald, BYU's right tackle, faced a pass rusher of Kruger's ability, TCU's Jerry Hughes got past him for four sacks. It will be up to him to keep Kruger, an MWC defensive player of the year candidate, away from Max Hall
* BYU's Austin Collie vs. Utah's Brice McCain: Nobody's been able to single-cover Collie all year, but McCain says he is up to the task and eager to stop Collie after giving up the fourth-and-18 play last year that doomed the Utes.
* Utah's Sean Smith vs. BYU's Dennis Pitta: The Utes used cornerback Smith (6-3, 214 pounds) on Pitta very effectively in 2007 with Smith holding Pitta to three receptions for 35 yards. Smith likely will defend the 6-5, 250-pound Pitta again if BYU's tight end plays. Pitta's status is questionable with a medial collateral ligament injury.
* BYU's Jan Jorgensen vs. Utah's Zane Beadles: This is the biggest test of the season for Beadles, a 6-4, 305-pound junior lineman. Jorgensen has 49 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and five sacks.
KEY INJURIES
BYU's Dennis Pitta (MCL sprain), BYU's Andrew Rich (head injury), BYU's Ray Feinga (back strain missed parts of last week's game. Rich and Feinga should play, while Pitta is questionable...Utah defender Koa Misi (shoulder) and backup running back Eddie Wide (tight hamstring) were pulled out of Utah's win over San Diego State for precautionary reasons but are expected to play Saturday.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
* When Utah has the ball: With everything on the line, the Utes likely will let Brian Johnson roam a little more than he has this season. The Utes could also run a lot of option, which they used effectively against Colorado State. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig likes his trick plays, too.
* When BYU has the ball: The Cougars are still primarily a passing team, but they will still try to pound the ball at the Utes with powerful running backs Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna. They will need to establish a running attack to keep the sack-hungry Utah defensive ends from teeing off on Max Hall. Expect to see superstar receiver Austin Collie take some direct snaps, and perhaps attempt a pass or two.
INTANGIBLES:
* For BYU: The Cougars have to start fast to keep the crowd from becoming a factor. They also have to be able to handle early adversity. Also, the Cougars don't have quite as much at stake as Utah does, and should be able to play looser and take a few more risks.
* BYU will win if: It forces at least three turnovers and plays mistake-free on offense. The defense is going to give up a lot of yards, but BYU has a chance to pull off the mild upset if Max Hall has the ball in his hands last with the outcome in doubt.
UTAH
* For Utah: If it's a close game, the Utes have played extremely well in tight situations and know they can win the nail-biters. Home-field will help them too if the noise factor gets to the Cougars like it did TCU. Brian Johnson loves the challenge of big games.
* Utah will win if: Utah doesn't get too cute in its play-calling and keeps its penalties and turnovers to a minimum. The Utes have more speed than BYU and if Johnson can connect with his receivers down field the game could be a blowout.
BOTTOM LINE
The Utes have more to gain than the Cougars with a win because a victory will put them in the Bowl Championship Series. Knowing what is at stake adds a little pressure on the Utes, but they've played well with pressure all season. The Cougars are probably headed to the Las Vegas Bowl regardless of the outcome, but do have the possibility of a piece of the MWC title to serve as motivation, although no extra motivation is needed in this rivalry game.
Home-field advantage hasn't meant much in this series lately, but quite possibly could be the deciding factor today between these teams that are so evenly matched.
