People like to point to years like 2011, 2008, or 2004 as turning points in the BYU-Utah rivalry, but I’d argue that 1993 was the true catalyst for Utah’s re-emergence and the foundation for their current upper hand against BYU.

The teams have played 25 games since taking the field that day in Provo. Some interesting — if somewhat depressing — statistics:

Wins
BYU: 7 (.280)
Utah: 18 (.720)

Average score
BYU: 21.56
Utah: 27.04

Wins in Provo
BYU: 3
Utah: 9

Wins in Salt Lake City
BYU: 4
Utah: 8

Wins at neutral site
BYU: 0
Utah: 1

Wins by 7 or less: 19/25
BYU: 6
Utah: 13

Wins by 3 or less: 11/25
BYU: 4
Utah: 7

Wins by 14 or more: 5/25
BYU: 1
Utah: 4

Overtime wins: 2/25
BYU: 1
Utah: 1

Winner ranked at time of win: 11/25
BYU: 5 times
Utah: 6 times

Longest winning streak:
BYU: 2 games (2000–2001, 2006–2007)
Utah: 8 games (2010–present)

Prior to Utah’s win in Provo in 1993, Utah hadn’t won there since 1971 and had won just 6 of the prior 25 meetings between the two teams, including a stretch where Utah beat BYU just once over a period of 16 years.

Since then, the tables have turned dramatically, with BYU typically only winning when coming into the game with a top-25 team, and even then only winning comfortably once (1996). Utah seems to win even when unranked, and has won about twice as many close games as BYU.

With the losing streak at eight games and the last BYU win a decade ago, the Cougars are in dire need of a win — especially after managing to lose despite being up 20 late in the game last year in Salt Lake City.

Will 2019 be BYU’s 1993? One can only hope.

BYU 34 Utah 31 — please for once in my life can I see this score? (We should have kicked the XP in 2006)