...because a great QB can often be the difference maker. I wouldn't expect a first (or second) year starter at QB for BYU to pull off a win vs Utah while Whitt is the head coach. But if Zach was returning my money would be on him as a 4th yr starting QB with NFL arm talent. Problem is, how often do we get QB's like that at BYU?

As for the mental mistakes vs utah making plays, it's probably 50-50. I think about the pick 6 Taysom threw to open the 2016 game that Aleva Hifo tipped up high into the air allowing the late closing LB Sunia Tauteoli time to get there and catch it in stride with a full head of steam 41 yds for a TD. Hifo was wide open but the throw was a little off target and Hifo made a freshman mistake batting it up into the air like that.

On the flipside in the 2015 game it was all pressure by the DL making a freshman QB panicky. They were great at getting their hands up and actively looking to tip passes at the LOS.

It's interesting to note though that when BYU forced Utah into 6 turnovers in the comments by a majority of ute fans that I saw online all said they were unforced mental mistakes by the Utes. So I guess you could say it goes both ways.