Utah fans act like Utah is never going to lose to BYU ever again. Ever. It's ridiculous. This absolutely could be the year, and I'm pegging BYU's defense as a potential reason why. Utah refuses to try and stretch the field against BYU, meanwhile the likes of Toledo, Boise State and West Virginia manage to throw the ball just fine. I've watched last year's game about 100 times. The Kyle Whittingham "get up by 10 points and grind it out" isn't going to work next year. (See 2012, 2013, 2015 as examples) Utah's weakness will be at corner next year IMO. If Mangum has time, BYU wins. From a Utah offense side, we just don't know enough about Troy Taylor. I like Utah's offensive personnel..

QB- Williams
RB- Moss, Shyne, Howard, McCormack
WR- Simpkins, Singleton, Wilson, Young...to name a few
TE- Handley, Fakailaotonga
OL- Falemaka, Uhatafe, Barton

These are all guys that can play and have played in years past. The question is- will Utah attack?

I had a post a few months back outlining that BYU has only had the lead during 3.2% of the game time since 2011. (A brief spell in 2011 and a brief spell in last year's game). BYU fans yelled at me saying "the finals scores are all close". Yes, but when you are chasing the game 74.8% of the time (as in Utah has been ahead during 74% of the game clock), you're going to lose 99% of the time. I think this is the year BYU could get a double digit lead and hang on a la 2009. I can also see another Kyle Whittingham special where Utah gets up 14, BYU cuts it to 6 and it's up to Utah's offense to get a first down (which they won't get - sans the Vegas Bowl) and hope the defense holds.