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SALT LAKE CITY — It's that time of year again when we gather together as family, enjoy a glorious meal and give thanks.
We mostly give thanks that we aren't 6-5 while rationalizing mediocrity. We give thanks that we aren't BYU fans.
This year's game will most likely not disappoint. I say "most likely" because who knows with the way Utah's 9-2 season and BYU's 6-5 seasons have played out so far.
The Utes are coming off a close victory over a much-improved San Diego Sate team (7-4), while BYU, after struggling the first part of the season, has since rolled over its recent competition.
This is always a good game. It doesn't matter what either team has done up to this point. It's a brand new season this week, both of their records are 0-0. This is the only game that matters at this point.
This week is unlike any other, however.
To help the new players to the program understand this rivalry, there is a highlight tape playing before and after practices of great moments from the rivalry. My personal favorites were always the "zoobies" making their classic comments that only makes me grateful that I chose not to attend that institution.
Practice always seems a little bit more intense. Film sessions are a little bit longer. This is the game you do whatever it takes to win. With what happened after last year's game, the Utes have used that as motivation this entire year and they want make things right.
Here's my public good-luck wish to Jake Heaps.
Utah players and fans alike have been waiting for this game all year. This year's game is personal because of the whole Max Hall nonsense, and you better believe the Ute Nation won't live that down. I fully expect posters and outrageous things being yelled from the stands that will offend any BYU fan that dares enter Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. Cheap shots and trash talking will fill the air from start to finish. The question will be, if Heaps can respond to that hostile atmosphere?
Look for this to be a close game with the Utes pulling away at the end.
Let's go Utes! I have a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell, well that, and a Ute victory.
