Pressure mounts as BYU, Utah ready themselves for huge Big 12 showdown

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The BYU-Utah game is boiling down to an intense showdown at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday. It should be everything the TV folks hope it will be.

There will be huge plays, and mistakes will be costly. Both BYU’s Kalani Sitake and Utah’s Kyle Whittingham have been through this for ages and know the emotions inside and out. They will prepare their teams at a high level.

Expect this game to be a defensive battle. It might be low scoring and may go down to the final minutes of play.

The story of the game will likely be quarterback play: the experience and athleticism of Utah’s Devon Dampier and the poise yet inexperience of BYU freshman Bear Bachmeier. Neither have played in this rivalry game, yet both have so much pressure resting on what they do and don’t do, and what mistakes they may make.

Cougar Insiders predictions

Question of the week: Aside from the two QBs, name a Ute and a Cougar you predict will have the biggest impact on Saturday’s rivalry game in LaVell Edwards Stadium, and predict the score.

Jay Drew: I’m saying the Parkers will have big games on Saturday.

For BYU, I think Parker Kingston will be a big difference maker in the rivalry game — on two levels. Kingston has put together back-to-back 100-yard receiving games, and I believe he will have another big outing as the Utes focus on taking away Chase Roberts and Carsen Ryan. Also, if Utah’s defense has a weakness, it is at the cornerback positions.

Morgan Scalley’s corners are not as sticky-fingered and physical as corners he’s had in the past. Kingston is back as the Cougars’ primary punt returner, and I think he will make an impact on the game at this position as well. His long return helped set up BYU’s tying touchdown against Arizona. And he’s not afraid of big moments.

As for the Utes, I can see running back Wayshawn Parker having a big game as BYU does its best to take away Devon Dampier’s runs and force the New Mexico transfer to beat them with his throwing arm — or another of his weapons, such as Parker.

Prediction: Utah 24, BYU 21

Dick Harmon: For BYU, I think linebackers Jack Kelly (if he plays) and Isaiah Glasker will figure huge in this game. Since I can choose only one, I’ll go with Glasker. BYU’s game plan has to copy what Texas Tech and others have tried to do, stack the box to stop the run and force Dampier to beat him with his arm downfield.

Glasker will be tasked with applying pressure and dropping into pass coverage, likely on Utah’s strength in the passing game, the tight ends. When BYU stacks the box, Glasker will help limit Dampier’s runs, with Kelly likely spying the Utah QB. Glasker will be tasked with a lot of containment to help Kelly. His ability to line up against a tight end and make plays could make a huge impact on this game.

For Utah, Morgan Scalley will certainly try to confuse BYU’s freshman quarterback, mixing up coverages and bringing some heat. But he can’t afford to let LJ Martin have a big day rushing. To stop that, I think Ute linebacker Lander Barton will need to be dialed in and limit not only Martin’s yards but those hunted by Bachmeier, who is becoming the Cougars’ second-leading weapon on the ground.

I think Barton needs to have a big game in run support, pressures and dropping into coverages. It will be interesting to see if Utah stays with a lot of man coverage on BYU’s Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston, and how Barton will be used at the mesh point or dropping back.

Prediction: BYU 24, Utah 21

Cougar tales

Here’s a look at our coverage of BYU’s thrilling double overtime win over Arizona in Tucson:

• Three big plays led to Cougar win (Dave McCann)
• What Arizona’s coach said afterwards (Jackson Payne)
• What Cougars learned about themselves (Dick Harmon)
• BYU proves mettle again in 2OT victory (Jay Drew)
• How social media reacted (Jackson Payne)
• Is Bachmeier shouldering too big a load? (Jay Drew)
• “Big Noon Kickoff” coming back to Provo (Jackson Payne)

From the archives

From X-verse

• Sitake, Whittingham take different press approach (@actuallyDSW)
• Bachmeier Big 12 Freshman of Week fourth time (@Mitch_Harper)
• Six Big 12 teams in AP preseason poll (Big12Conference)

Extra points

• Esera stepped up big time in win over Arizona (Provo Daily Herald)
• BYU earns highest preseason hoop ranking (Deseret News)
• BYU earns first-ever Big 12 offensive player of week (Deseret News)

Fanalysts

Comments from Deseret News readers:

I will give BYU props.

I think they have quieted a lot of doubts in this game. They are, undoubtedly, a mentally tough team and they do not beat themselves. I am also now a fan of Bear. I know it may be blasphemy as a U fan but it is tough to dislike that kid.

I have really enjoyed watching him, Dampier and Barnes this year.

Honestly, I have no idea what to expect next week. BYU finds a way to win and it is home. It seems pretty clear that whichever team wins the O-line versus D-line run matchup will win the game.

Both teams have had dominant run offenses. Utah has the better run O but I think BYU’s run defense has been more consistent than Utah’s. Something is going to have to give there.

One thing I know, whoever wins this game is going to have to earn it.

Good luck the rest of the way (after this upcoming week).

— Donald Epstein

“What BYU learned about itself in toughest game of the season?”

I hope they learned that they can’t win many games when their offense loses the turnover battle, and puts the defense in really bad positions. BYU’s turnovers have made the last couple games entertaining for the other teams.

If the offense loses that many turnovers, I don’t think they will have much of a chance in even staying in the games vs. Utah nor Texas Tech.

Wish both teams’ players well.

— MajMajor

Up next

• Oct. 15 | TBA | men’s tennis | Regionals @ UNLV
• Oct. 16 | 6 p.m. | women’s volleyball | ASU
• Oct. 16 | 7 p.m. | women’s soccer | Arizona
• Oct. 17 | 10 a.m. | cross-country | Nuttycombe Invitational, Wisconsin
• Oct. 17 | 6 p.m. | women’s softball | Southern Idaho
• Oct. 18 | TBA | swimming | MPSF Open Water Championship
• Oct. 18 | 9 a.m. | cross-country | Missouri Pre-Nationals
• Oct. 18 | 11 a.m. | men’s basketball | @ Nebraska (exhibition)
• Oct. 18 | noon | women’s volleyball | @Texas Tech
• Oct. 18|  6 p.m. | football | Utah