Bryan Kehl remembers each loss in vivid detail.
The BYU linebacker witnessed many of them from a seat in the stands, but had a view from the field two years ago.
The only thing worse for Kehl than seeing Utah celebrate in Provo, was watching BYU's seniors walk off the field with a loss in their final home game.
"It was tough for those guys. They were trying to honor them after the game and people on the Utah side were still there cheering," Kehl said. "I felt bad for them. Nobody wants to go through that."
Kehl and his fellow seniors are hoping to avoid a similar fate today when No. 23 BYU hosts rival Utah at noon at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a series recently defined by a home-field disadvantage.
The visiting team has won nine of the past 12 games in the series, with Utah playing the role of ultimate senior-day spoiler. The Utes have won six of the past seven games in Provo, including a 41-34 overtime victory in 2005.
Since that loss, the Cougars have rolled off 11 straight wins at home and believe they have shifted the tide.
"We are a different team at home now than we were a couple of years ago and I think the fans are different now than they were a couple of years ago," BYU senior receiver Matt Allen said. "Things have turned around for the better since we've had more success, and we have been able to get the Utah Valley excited about football again."
It will be hard for BYU and Utah to top the excitement generated by their recent showdowns. The golden age of the rivalry has produced outcomes decided by a mere touchdown average (7.1 points) in the past 10 meetings, including five games determined by three points or less.
Everything points to another close encounter today.
Both teams are riding seven-game winning streaks, and BYU (8-2, 6-0) is trying to extend its 14-game Mountain West Conference winning streak along with its home streak.
The Cougars have already clinched a share of the conference title, but can capture it outright for the second consecutive year with a victory.
A Utah win would keep the Utes (8-3, 5-2) in the running for a potential share of the title should BYU stumble again in its regular-season finale against San Diego State on Dec. 1.
The bowl fates of the teams could also be determined by the outcome. The Las Vegas and Poinsettia bowls are both in play, but BYU can't receive its bowl invitation until the Cougars are released from consideration by the Bowl Championship
Series.
"It is a lot more fun when both teams are coming in and playing well and there is a lot at stake," BYU sophomore defensive end Jan Jorgensen said. "BYU-Utah games are always great games, but it adds something special to it when both programs are having success."
Several newcomers will be making their rivalry debut for both teams.
Robert Johnson transferred to Utah from a junior college in Los Angeles, and is starting to understand the ramifications of the rivalry.
"All the veterans are saying this is like fighting for half of the state and it's that big and that I'm going to remember this for life, the moments of the game and everything," Johnson said. "I'd never heard of it before coming here, like what is the big deal? But they say it is what part of Utah you live in and what college you go to. It's separated this half and that half."
Although the rivalry doesn't receive a high level of national attention, Allen believes it has all the elements to be considered.
"It doesn't get as much hype as Michigan-Ohio State, but as far as the fanfare and passion goes, this is one of the great rivalries in the country," he said. "The magnitude is what surprises me the most. The fans get so into it, and are butting heads and trash-talking. Even if you say it's not a big deal, it really is."
Even more so for the seniors. BYU's John Beck and Jonny Harline caused Utah's heartbreak last year when Beck found Harline in the back of the end zone for a thrilling 33-31 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah's Steve Tate wants to return the favor and keep the senior-day spoiling alive and well.
"After what happened last year, we have a lot riding on it and you want to end your senior year with a win against BYU," he said. "I think that is every senior's goal and that is no different this week."
The BYU linebacker witnessed many of them from a seat in the stands, but had a view from the field two years ago.
The only thing worse for Kehl than seeing Utah celebrate in Provo, was watching BYU's seniors walk off the field with a loss in their final home game.
"It was tough for those guys. They were trying to honor them after the game and people on the Utah side were still there cheering," Kehl said. "I felt bad for them. Nobody wants to go through that."
Kehl and his fellow seniors are hoping to avoid a similar fate today when No. 23 BYU hosts rival Utah at noon at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a series recently defined by a home-field disadvantage.
The visiting team has won nine of the past 12 games in the series, with Utah playing the role of ultimate senior-day spoiler. The Utes have won six of the past seven games in Provo, including a 41-34 overtime victory in 2005.
Since that loss, the Cougars have rolled off 11 straight wins at home and believe they have shifted the tide.
"We are a different team at home now than we were a couple of years ago and I think the fans are different now than they were a couple of years ago," BYU senior receiver Matt Allen said. "Things have turned around for the better since we've had more success, and we have been able to get the Utah Valley excited about football again."
It will be hard for BYU and Utah to top the excitement generated by their recent showdowns. The golden age of the rivalry has produced outcomes decided by a mere touchdown average (7.1 points) in the past 10 meetings, including five games determined by three points or less.
Everything points to another close encounter today.
Both teams are riding seven-game winning streaks, and BYU (8-2, 6-0) is trying to extend its 14-game Mountain West Conference winning streak along with its home streak.
The Cougars have already clinched a share of the conference title, but can capture it outright for the second consecutive year with a victory.
A Utah win would keep the Utes (8-3, 5-2) in the running for a potential share of the title should BYU stumble again in its regular-season finale against San Diego State on Dec. 1.
The bowl fates of the teams could also be determined by the outcome. The Las Vegas and Poinsettia bowls are both in play, but BYU can't receive its bowl invitation until the Cougars are released from consideration by the Bowl Championship
Series.
"It is a lot more fun when both teams are coming in and playing well and there is a lot at stake," BYU sophomore defensive end Jan Jorgensen said. "BYU-Utah games are always great games, but it adds something special to it when both programs are having success."
Several newcomers will be making their rivalry debut for both teams.
Robert Johnson transferred to Utah from a junior college in Los Angeles, and is starting to understand the ramifications of the rivalry.
"All the veterans are saying this is like fighting for half of the state and it's that big and that I'm going to remember this for life, the moments of the game and everything," Johnson said. "I'd never heard of it before coming here, like what is the big deal? But they say it is what part of Utah you live in and what college you go to. It's separated this half and that half."
Although the rivalry doesn't receive a high level of national attention, Allen believes it has all the elements to be considered.
"It doesn't get as much hype as Michigan-Ohio State, but as far as the fanfare and passion goes, this is one of the great rivalries in the country," he said. "The magnitude is what surprises me the most. The fans get so into it, and are butting heads and trash-talking. Even if you say it's not a big deal, it really is."
Even more so for the seniors. BYU's John Beck and Jonny Harline caused Utah's heartbreak last year when Beck found Harline in the back of the end zone for a thrilling 33-31 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah's Steve Tate wants to return the favor and keep the senior-day spoiling alive and well.
"After what happened last year, we have a lot riding on it and you want to end your senior year with a win against BYU," he said. "I think that is every senior's goal and that is no different this week."
