Brigham Young @ Utah preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2011 ) Utah 54, Brigham Young 10

Brigham Young is still surly after being routed by Utah last season and is intent on making amends when it makes the short drive up the freeway to Salt Lake City for Saturday’s contest. The Utes rolled to a 54-10 victory last season, marking the series’ most one-sided contest in 89 years. The Cougars haven’t forgotten that feeling and received the type of break that can be a difference-maker with news earlier this week that Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn is retiring after injuring his left shoulder for the third time. Senior Jon Hays and freshman Travis Wilson are both expected to see action at quarterback for the Utes. Utah is coming off a humbling overtime loss to Utah State, while BYU has won six consecutive games dating to last season.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: BYU -4.

ABOUT BRIGHAM YOUNG (2-0): The Cougars are averaging 37.5 points and allowing just 9.5 after routing Washington State and Weber State. Senior quarterback Riley Nelson has thrown for 529 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Junior receiver Cody Hoffman (team-best 161 receiving yards) and junior tight end Kaneakua Friel (team-high three touchdowns) share the team lead with 10 receptions. The Cougars rank 10th nationally in total defense (239 yards per game) and 12th against the run (55 per game). Junior weak-side linebacker Kyle Van Noy has three of BYU’s nine sacks.

ABOUT UTAH (1-1): The loss of Wynn – sixth in school history with 33 career touchdown passes – is a huge blow for the Utes. Hays tossed 12 touchdowns against eight interceptions last season after Wynn was lost for the season but his 6-3 record as a starter was primarily due to running back John White carrying the team en route to a school-record 1,519 rushing yards. White has 215 yards through two games this season. Utah’s defense misses senior strong safety Brian Blechen, who will be serving the final game of a three-game suspension for violating team rules. Sophomore free safety Eric Rowe will miss the BYU game with a hamstring injury. The Utes allowed Utah State to gain 164 rushing yards.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Utah leads the series 55-34-4 and has won four of the last five in Salt Lake City.

2. The Utes are 9-0 when White rushes for 100 or more yards. White had 174 yards and three touchdowns against BYU last season.

3. The Cougars are 10-1 all-time against Utah when starting a senior quarterback.

PREDICTION: Brigham Young 30, Utah 17.