BYU coaches and players had a lot to unpack after bouncing back from that difficult loss at UCF with a 27-20 win over Arizona State on Saturday afternoon.
Tackling issues, costly turnovers and more uneven play on special teams kept the Cougars from turning in the type of dominating performance they were looking for in front of 63,332 at LaVell Edwards Stadium.
But an ugly win is better than a pretty loss, and it didn't take BYU long to start thinking about this week's game, where the only thing that matters is the final score.
"Just an away game, and, yeah, we are just gonna keep the same process and play our game."
Of course, we are talking about the long-awaited showdown with the Utes, who remained undefeated (8-0) with an easy 49-25 win at Cincinnati and soared to No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll released on Sunday. BYU (4-1, 7-1) jumped to No. 7, meaning that Saturday's 10 a.m. rivalry game at Rice-Eccles Stadium will be the first-ever BYU-Utah matchup pitting top-10 teams.
BYU head coach Kalani Sitake knew the Utes had won when he spoke to reporters after the Cougars held off ASU, but was not aware of how dominating the performance was. Utah led 42-6 at halftime and coasted in the second half.
"That (rivalry game) is different every time," said Sitake, who owns a three-game winning streak in the rivalry. "No matter what you guys think is going to happen, it is a different (game). I am more focused on trying to get our team (playing better)."
A definite priority for the Cougars this week will be improving their rushing attack, after they picked up only 47 yards against an ASU defense that had been allowing around 146 per game. Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Utah had 268 rushing yards as quarterback Devon Dampier and running backs Daniel Bray and Wayshawn Parker had big days.
BYU played without reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin the last four games, and will definitely need the senior to contribute if it hopes to pull off an upset and win for the second-straight time in Salt Lake City. Sitake told BYUtv after the ASU game that Martin is getting close to being available to play, but the Cougars need better all-around play from every unit on the team.
"We have to make more improvement week to week," he said. "I thought we did some really good things this week. We need to be consistent. That's my focus. (Utah) is a great team and they're ranked. They are undefeated for a reason. So it is not going to be an easy task, but I am looking forward to the matchup."
BYU could also be without key tight end Roger Saleapaga, who was injured while picking up a crucial first down during the Cougars' 95-yard touchdown drive late in the game. The offense is already without starting right tackle Andrew Gentry and key backup offensive lineman Trevin Ostler.
Redshirt junior running back Preston Rex is dealing with a hip issue and also did not play against the Sun Devils.
Senior cornerback Evan Johnson missed the ASU game with a sprained left ankle and is probably a couple of games away from returning. So the Cougars are limping into the rivalry game, while the Utes are cruising and alone in first place atop the Big 12 standings.
"It is going to be a lot of fun," Sitake said. "I am looking forward to the amount of urgency that we will take from our players, and the amount of detail and their attention to it."
One BYU player who could really benefit from the return of Martin is quarterback Bear Bachmeier. He had to carry the ball 13 times Saturday before the final possession when the Cougars were trying to kill the clock.
Asked about the rivalry game, Bachmeier said: "Just an away game, and, yeah, we are just gonna keep the same process and play our game."
Bachmeier directed No. 15 BYU's 24-21 win over No. 23 Utah last year in Provo, but has never played in Salt Lake City.
BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker has — he was part of No. 9 BYU's 22-21 win at Rice-Eccles in 2024 — and he knows it will take everything the Cougars have to repeat their recent success against the Utes.
"I have a lot of respect for Utah. I got some friends that play for Utah," he said. "But really, just for us, it is just another game. Like they say, 'just next team up, next play up.' We will be ready come Monday when practice starts."
Newcomer Jayven Williams, a defensive back from Mississippi State, who was one of BYU's defensive heroes against ASU, said he has already been taught about the rivalry from teammates and coaches.
Utah wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis coached in Starkville the past three seasons, and Williams also knows Utes receiver Ricky Johnson, an MSU transfer.
"I got a couple (friends) on Utah's team, too," Williams said. "But like (Kelly Poppinga) preaches, it is a nameless, faceless opponent. All we can do is go out there and not see a face or name and just have that next play mentality on every play, and just attack the game."
