Preview of the 9/10/17 college football week in Utah

Utah State at USC

You may have heard that the Trojans lost last week.  Actually, they were embarrassed.  It probably wasn't a fun week of practice in Los Angeles, either.  The fans will be angry as well.  They are hoping to take it out on the USU Aggies.  Sagarin says that the Trojans should win by 11.  I think it will be a little bit more spread out than that.

USC 35 Utah State 17

Weber State at South Dakota

Sometimes getting drubbed by your big brother is a good thing.  It can be a learning experience.  You learn what you weaknesses are and how to improve them.  That does not necessarily mean that you will come away with a victory next time.  Weber State now travels to the Dakota Dome which looks like the love child of the Kibbie Dome and the Walkup Skydome.  It is basically a concrete Walkup.  It  should not be all that unfamiliar to the Wildcats.  I expect that they will do better than the touchdown underdog that they are right now.  I am not predicting a win.

South Dakota 24 Weber State 21

Southeastern Louisiana at Southern Utah

The Thunderbirds are a two-touchdown favorite against the Lions.  SE LA was taken to the woodshed last week in Stillwater by the Cowboys.  The T-Birds were stellar on defense against Utah last week, but the offense was another story.  During the last few seasons, offense has never been the thing in Cedar City.  It's been about defense, field position, forcing turnovers and special teams.  After all of that, the offense should be good enough to take advantage.  I expect a lot of that this week.

Southern Utah 45 SE Louisiana 15

BYU at Utah

Like last year, I have 3 scenarios for the BYU at Utah match-up.  I think that either one is possible.

Scenario 1--Same ol' Stuff, different year.

Kalani Sitake hasn't been in Provo long enough to get Bronco Mendenhall completely out of the system.  The Cougars come out nervous, cough up the ball, Utah builds a big lead, and the Cougars attempt to come back.

Utah 38 BYU 28

Scenario 2--Not last year's BYU team, but a similar result.

BYU comes to play, it is a close defensive struggle.  It's a field position battle, possibly no one gets into the end zone.  BYU's hero from last week proves that he is human and pushes wide a kick that could put the game into overtime.

Utah 9 BYU 6

Scenario 3--Utah did play an FCS school last week.

Utah doesn't respect BYU and expect to come out with an easy win.  The offense does not produce, and the Utes are the ones who give the ball away.  BYU's offense is methodical and deliberate.  The do not put up big numbers in the first half, except in time of possession.  BYU has a two-touchdown lead at the half 17-3.  Utah comes back, does a little better in the 2nd half, especially on defense.  The offense isn't quite experienced enough to finish a comeback.  With a 3 point BYU lead, Utah's final drive ends on downs with less than a minute left.

BYU 24 Utah 21