[BD]

There’s this. Josh Nurse confirming UA is not good.

https://x.com/UnoQuatroJ14/status/1856404411574063226?t=GAT8LlgvySFlYUQtmJAkpw&s=19

[BD]

Joe Klatt says one thing. Terry McAulay says the opposite. On X, I’ve seen a lot of diverse opinions, some from just casual fans, and a few that might be more than a fan and whose opinion might mean more – but I forgot to bookmark those. Just a casual observance, the more they get away from the XII, the more they say the penalty should not have been called, with a few exceptions, and the more they are in the XII the more they think it was an “obvious” foul – probably because of their love affair with BYU (with a few exceptions).

Both sides of this are being expressed by many.

Which, of course, makes the solid point that the call was controversial and not obvious.

Still, we should have stopped them. Scalley has to work on this part of the defense – stop the opponent near the end of the game when it absolutely matters because we’ve been burned several times on this now – Arizona, ASU, Houston, and now BYU. And this really is the issue.

[BD]

There is a comment above about no BYU fan thinks they are going to blow Utah out. Except that I have seen many on X that think that. But I imagine most BYU fans realize that most likely the game will be a dog fight – probably down to the last few minutes of the game to determine the winner.

I am having a hard time figuring out this game. But here goes:

1) Utah should have some players back on D. Look for an improved defense – especially against the run. Byu hasn’t seen a defense as good as Utah’s, but they know that and will prepare for it. Utah’s D absolutely has to get a few turnovers – mainly to compensate for Utah’s offense that will probably turn the ball over one or two times.

2) Utah’s offense. Eliminate turnovers. That’s it. Honestly, I still think if Utah gets even in turnover margin (depending on the type of turnovers given or taken), or is +1 above Byu, they give themselves a good chance to win. If they can get a few good mid to long passes, that might, just might, give Byu some hesitation to consistently stack the box. This is key – get somewhat of a serviceable passing game, if possible.

However, those are tall tasks with a third-string QB, in his first start. I am really having a hard time believing Utah’s offense will be anything better than what they have been recently – and it isn’t enough. Even if they are improved, if that is possible (with a bye it is), that is countered by the fact that Byu has a much better defense than the teams Utah has played recently.

3) Motivation factor. Utah is SICK and TIRED of losing. I do think this plays a factor in Utah’s favor. Byu will be extra motivated by it being a rivalry game too, but call me biased, but I think the motivation factor is in Utah’s favor.

4) Byu’s status in the conference/polls. Byu wants to win to maintain their undefeated season, gain respect in the polls, and gain a more favorable playoff position, etc. They will vehemently deny this. And I say, baloney. It’s human nature to think ahead when you are in Byu’s position. While that might motivate them more (feeling disrespected in the polls), I think it can hurt also, as they are reading their own headlines, and hearing it. Yes, their coaches will get them to focus on the game, and they have good coaches, but I can’t help but think that human nature wins a bit in this one.

5) Other – will the “F BYU” comment give extra motivation to Byu? I have seen a LOT of Byu fans saying things on X that are disrespectful to Utah (rivalry banter, but this time it’s more.) The players have got to be motivated by this, and I honestly think it is in Utah’s favor. In fact, my theory is that is the root of Glover’s “F Byu” comments – just a hunch that he read some disrespect on X and exploded from it.

I still think Byu wins. I said last week Byu wins 24-13. But now I am changing it to a closer score. Say 17-14 in favor of Byu. Utah’s defense will play lights out, but the offense once again will struggle. It’s just logical, but in this game logic is often thrown out the window. Hope I’m wrong on the final score and Utah finds a way to win.

[BD]

I don’t see anything official, but a few X folks are claiming he quit the team.

Does this guy have inside info?

https://x.com/dchasemac/status/1854546030638850541

[BD]

Win the turnover battle.

Even if Utah is even with BYU on turnover margin I think they win. If Utah is +1 or more in turnover margin they win big.

Now, with a third string QB in his very first start, that will be hard to do.

Plus there is this daunting stat.

https://x.com/patton_matt/status/1853531525197029686?t=Lqus1b_Bka6ds9EjBU8THg&s=19

[BD]

Oregon State twice? Unreal.

[BD]

What’s funny about this is that visiting fans can’t get alcohol, and yet BYU fans are telling them in advance that Ute fans will throw beer on them!

[BD]

Totally, and forgive me if it seemed like I was trying to place the blame away from the offense. That wasn’t my intention. But I assume Scalley will take a look at that part of the defense anyway and try to address it – the competitor that he is will demand every area that needs improvement actually improves.

[BD]

I’m LDS (not always a good one however) and I think you are spot on correct here.

Byu supporters are trying to justify their “pay to play” NIL as a way to promote Byu and hence the church. Well I can think of 50,000 better ways to do just that.

Paying much more than anyone else – It’s pure arrogance. Or, to use another word that resonates with church members, “pride”. Paying millions of dollars for players that are above in $$ what every other program can offer (pay to play) is NOT a good look at all for byu and the church.

And it appears to go against what one church leader said warning Byu about a “pay to play” culture. (See my post in the TSPP category.)

Byu fans reading this will just say “you’re just a jealous Ute fan”. Maybe so but honestly i don’t even like basketball at all. But I do hate (moat of the time anyway – there are some good things) the culture in the Wasatch front church even more, and the pay to play NIL is just that. And byu fans represent the worst of it, and they don’t see it.

Ok off my soapbox now.

[BD]

Spot on. Yes, I can’t help but believe that BYU’s NIL really is pay to play, and that people (not just Utes fans) will resent this and it creates negativity surrounding it.

Yes, BYU the institution isn’t paying NIL – the donors are. But people who will resent this and see it as a negative really don’t care. To them, it doesn’t matter, given that Byu controls the thing. The perception is the important thing – not the details of NIL money that most people don’t care to understand.

There certainly is a lot of negativity towards Oregon’s Phil Knight advantage – I would think that the negativity will be worse with Byu for obvious reasons – the religious factor.

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