This seems to be a constant area of discussion and angst among BYU fans. A large number of people on this board seem to buy into the argument that this streak is not close to ending. Let me offer some confidence.

BYU streak is primarily due to two things.
1. A switch of allegiance of 2-3 LDS players every year from BYU to Utah due primarily to Utah's PAC 12 admittance.
2. The worst streak of starting QB's against Utah in the last 40 years.

Why it will be better now.
Kalani's staff has done a remarkable job of turning around the talent gap caused by #1. Utah still holds a definite recruiting advantage, but BYU has offset that advantage, by excellent identification of quality walk-ons and attracting quality transfers. Currently the team (especially the offense) is loaded with players with P5 talent. Last year BYU had 5 players drafted after going multiple years during this streak with no players drafted. I believe BYU still may have a talent deficiency at rush end and cornerback, but will have a great deal of experience returning that will help offset that deficiency.

Utah has enjoyed a decade of not facing a BYU QB with a combination of high level talent AND experience. This was due to several things. Poor BYU recruiting evaluations, lack of available LDS talent, and pure dumb luck (Covid/injuries).

During this losing streak, the best three QBs to start for BYU (talent + experience) against Utah were:

1. 2018 Zach Wilson as a true freshman. A super talented kid, but lacked experience and lacked a high level of talent around him.

2. 2019 Zach Wilson as a true sophomore. The QB position should have been much better in 2019, but Zach wasn't 100% recovered from shoulder surgery and a thumb break. In addition, BYU suffered the greatest number of injuries that Jeff Grimes had seen in his long career as a college football coach.

3. 2013 Taysom Hill as a true sophomore. Taysom was a great running QB, but still hadn't become a quality college passer during his sophomore season. The O-Line was also terrible that year. Taysom was sacked 37 times during the year.

BYU fans may wish to argue that Tanner Mangum should be included in here, but remember he was benched, as a senior, by freshman Zach Wilson. I don't think I'll get any arguments about Riley Nelson or Jake Heaps being outstanding QBs.

In the upcoming 2021 season, I expect all three available QBs to be as least as good as freshman Zach Wilson was in 2018. Each of the 2021 prospective QBs has more experience than Zach had in 2018, plus the BYU QB will be surrounded by a more talented team than Utah has faced in a decade.

I think we have a very good chance to beat Utah this year regardless of how good the Utes think they are.