How to watch BYU football in Utah – Deseret News

No. 9 BYU (8-0, 4-0) at Utah (4-4, 1-4)

• Start: Saturday, 8:15 p.m. MDT
• Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium
• TV: ESPN
• Live stream: espn.com/watch
• Radio: ESPN 700 AM/92.1 FM, KSL 1160 AM/102.7 FM
• Series: Utah leads 62-35-4
• Weather: Mostly clear Temperatures were over 30°C at kick-off and dropped to mid 30°C by the end of the game.

The trends

For Utah: The Utes have lost four games in a row, the most recent loss coming in Houston, where Utah’s offense once again failed to get going. The Utes tried to provide momentum in the third quarter with a quarterback switch to Brandon Rose, but only managed 14 points in a 17-14 loss.

For BYU: The Cougars picked up their eighth win of the season and maintained their perfect Big 12 record with a 37-24 win over UCF. Jake Retzlaff threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns and added another on the ground, while LJ Martin broke the century mark and BYU defeated UCF twice.

What you should pay attention to

Turnovers have been a problem for the Cougars, especially in their losses to the Utes.

In Utah’s last series win in 2019, Francis Bernard and Julian Blackmon both hit Cougar quarterback Zach Wilson for touchdowns. In 2017, Tanner Magnum threw three interceptions and in 2015, BYU turned the ball over five times, including two pick-sixes, for a loss of seven points.

You understand what’s important.

If BYU takes care of the ball – no turnovers – and forces a Utah turnover or two, it’s hard to imagine the Cougars losing. This formula worked for success in 2021. In a 26-17 victory that snapped Utah’s nine-game winning streak, BYU never gave the ball away and forced two Utah turnovers – an interception by Charlie Brewer and a fumble by Tavion Thomas.

Conversely, for Utah to have a chance in this game, they need to force quarterback Jake Retzlaff into a few interceptions or a few fumbles. Oklahoma State, arguably the worst team in the Big 12, sacked Retzlaff twice, pushing BYU to the limit in Provo before Retzlaff led a game-winning touchdown drive with a minute left.

Forcing turnovers, usually a strength of the Utes, has not been Utah’s strength this season. Utah only took the ball away 10 times while giving it away 14 times. Meanwhile, BYU was outstanding, forcing 18 turnovers but had 11 giveaways.

Whichever team wins the turnover margin will likely emerge victorious.

Key players

Jake Retzlaff, BYU QB: Retzlaff was recently named to the Davey O’Brien and Maxwell Award midseason watch lists and has emerged as the Cougars’ emotional leader on the field. How he plays on Saturday will largely determine whether the No. 9 Cougars can fend off Utah’s surprise attempt. The junior from Corona, Calif., will have to be the best player on the field for BYU to win because Utah’s defense will be the best he has ever played against this season, he said.

His main job will be taking care of the ball and avoiding turnovers while also keeping Utah’s defense honest with occasional runs for positive yards. Coincidentally, Retzlaff turned to the last BYU quarterback to beat Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium, John Beck, for advice on handling the rivalry and playing in Salt Lake City. Beck’s famous touchdown pass to Jonny Harline defeated Utah 33-31 in 2006. — Jay Drew

Brandon Rose, Utah quarterback: It’s not ideal to have a quarterback competition before the ninth game of the season, but that’s exactly what Utah went through during the bye week. Kyle Whittingham keeps the game-winning goal a secret, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rose start the game under center for the Utes.

Rose didn’t come in and change the game against Houston — he completed seven of 15 passes, some of which were dropped by receivers for 45 yards, and threw an interception for the Utes on the game’s final drive — but it remains what I saw , how he copes with a full week of starter reps.

Utah doesn’t need Rose to be a champion, but the Utes need more production in the passing game than they’re currently getting. If he starts, can the sophomore quarterback get Utah back on track through the air? Maybe we’ll find out.

Quotable

“I would say the quarterback is the catalyst. Look at individual rushers, individual receivers, statistically there is no one that just jumps out. It’s a collective effort, but I think the quarterback is the catalyst and he’s playing good football.” – Utah coach Kyle Whittingham

“We have to look at all the quarterbacks on their roster and be prepared for them. I think Jay (Hill) has a good start there. I don’t think you can make life difficult for Utah (coaches). We’ve been there before, trying to figure out who will be the best man to earn the spot. We have to prepare for all these guys.” – BYU coach Kalani Sitake

Next

• Utah: in Colorado
• BYU: against Kansas