Originally, we all thought this would feature a Big 12 title bound Utah team and a BYU squad fighting for bowl eligibility. Instead, it is BYU in the driver's seat and Utah acting as the "spoilers."
Utah entered its first bye week of the 2024 season with a 4-1 record after sweeping their nonconference slate and splitting their first two Big 12 matchups.
Utah's defense and their pass rush against Houston's struggling offensive line is the difference. Plus, Utah has playmakers ready to breakout on offense, if the coordinator change can create a spark.
This team is drawing 1984 parallels, and the magical run will continue Saturday, with a final drive containing multiple Retlzaff scrambles and an eventual game-winning field goal.
Utah will want to slow down the game, win the line of scrimmage, and go ball control. TCU wants to speed up the game and spread out this injured Utah defense.
BYU was projected toward the bottom of the league, Oklahoma State was a favorite, but the results halfway through the season could not have been more opposite.
In their transition season up to the Power Four level, BYU went 2-7 in Big 12 play. But here in their second season, they have raced to a perfect 5-0 start with a pair of conference wins.
Utah entered its first bye week of the 2024 season with a 4-1 record after sweeping their nonconference slate and splitting their first two Big 12 matchups.
While BYU has shifted expectations in the positive direction after a 3-0 start and road wins at SMU and Wyoming, Kansas State is still one of my picks to make the Big 12 title game.