It's rare for Utes, Cougs to be great at same time
Kind of hard to believe that Saturday's game will mark the first time since 1994 that the both teams will be nationally ranked in the rivalry game. In 1994, No. 21 Utah beat No. 20 BYU, 34-31 in Salt Lake City.
I wouldn't call it an upset, though, because Utah was a slight favorite.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Monday he can't really say for certain why both teams are really good this year. Utah is 11-0 and BYU is 10-1.
"But I do think at least since I have become a head coach in this league, the league is getting better," he said. "And when you consider TCU and their influence, especially that first year, and the University of Utah, the momentum they were carrying right after Urban Meyer left, and their ability to sustain that, and the resurgence of Air Force, the progams are getting better."
Mendenhall said the obviously TCU, Utah and BYU are pushing each other to get better.
He also noted that the other teams in the league are "coming after them like crazy," noting the improvement of Colorado State, Air Force and UNLV this season.
"Then amongst [TCU, Utah and BYU] there is a lot of parity and equality," he said. ".....And knowing the two teams that play Saturday have been within a play of each other the last two years, I think that certainly adds motivation to how the teams train and how the coaches work in the offseason as well."
I wouldn't call it an upset, though, because Utah was a slight favorite.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said Monday he can't really say for certain why both teams are really good this year. Utah is 11-0 and BYU is 10-1.
"But I do think at least since I have become a head coach in this league, the league is getting better," he said. "And when you consider TCU and their influence, especially that first year, and the University of Utah, the momentum they were carrying right after Urban Meyer left, and their ability to sustain that, and the resurgence of Air Force, the progams are getting better."
Mendenhall said the obviously TCU, Utah and BYU are pushing each other to get better.
He also noted that the other teams in the league are "coming after them like crazy," noting the improvement of Colorado State, Air Force and UNLV this season.
"Then amongst [TCU, Utah and BYU] there is a lot of parity and equality," he said. ".....And knowing the two teams that play Saturday have been within a play of each other the last two years, I think that certainly adds motivation to how the teams train and how the coaches work in the offseason as well."
5:26 PM
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