ESPN College Football

Last season, BYU watched as Boise State and Mountain West Conference champion TCU both finished the regular season with undefeated records and played each other in the Fiesta Bowl.

Two years ago, the Cougars watched MWC rival Utah finished unbeaten and upset Alabama, 31-17, in the Sugar Bowl.

“I think it’s motivating for us, and I think it’s fantastic for the league that those teams have been able to do it,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “We’ve won the most games, but we don’t have the signature season those teams have had.”

BYU hasn’t been perfect over the past four seasons, but the Cougars have been about as consistent as any team in the country. Since finishing 6-6 in Mendenhall’s first season in 2005, the Cougars are 43-9 and have won at least 10 games in each of the past four seasons. Only four NCAA FBS teams -- Boise State, Florida, Ohio State and Texas -- have won more games than BYU since 2006.

“It’s about as close as you can get,” Mendenhall said. “I’m very pleased with the progress and consistency. Until we have that signature season, we’ll just keep rattling off as many wins as we can. I don’t really view us as one of those teams looking from the outside in. I view us as one of those teams that are waiting to be recognized.”

The Cougars’ good work has hardly gone unnoticed. Among Boise State, BYU, TCU and Utah, the Cougars are the only team that finished each of the past four seasons ranked in the coaches’ Top 25 poll. BYU was the only school from a non-BCS conference to accomplish that feat the past four seasons.

Still, the Cougars’ accomplishments have largely been overlooked by Boise State’s undefeated seasons in 2006 and ’09; Utah’s perfect season in 2008; and TCU’s breakthrough performance last year.

“It’s a credit to those teams,” BYU running back Harvey Unga said. “They’ve got great teams and deserve credit for the seasons they’ve had. I don’t think we’re far away from doing it. There are things to work on, but I don’t think we’re too far away.”

If the Cougars are going to break though during the 2010 season, they’ll have to replace record-setting quarterback Max Hall and star tight end Dennis Pitta. Six starters must be replaced on defense, including All-MWC defensive end Jan Jorgensen.

A year ago, BYU replaced seven offensive starters, including All-America receiver Austin Collie, and four defensive starters. The Cougars finished 11-2 and were ranked No. 12 in the country at season’s end.

“I think every year we’re getting better and closer,” BYU safety Andrew Rich said. “We’ve been close the last couple of years. I think it’s one or two games where we’ve stumbled. But it’s hard when you play teams like TCU and Utah. It’s not so much what we’re doing as what other teams are doing. TCU and Utah have put together really good teams.”

So have the Cougars, who open the 2010 season against Washington at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Sept. 4. BYU also plays at Florida State on Sept. 18, at TCU on Oct. 16 and at Utah on Nov. 27.

“We have to get back to winning our conference before we start worrying about the other stuff,” Rich said. “We have a lot of great teams in our conference. I guess the perception of the Mountain West has been elevated over the last couple of years because of what Utah has done and what TCU has done. We can’t worry about that. We have to worry about what we’re doing.”

Posted by ESPN.com's Ted Miller

Five things to consider, underline or anticipate from the Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday between Arizona and BYU.

Can the Wildcats win a close one? Arizona has won seven games this year. The smallest margin of victory? Fifteen points (vs. California). The Wildcats have lost five. Largest margin of defeat? Ten points (Oregon). Three of those defeats came by a combined 10 points. (If this sounds familiar, we wrote the exact same thing before the Arizona-Arizona State game; the Wildcats won by 21.) Arizona hasn't won the close games under coach Mike Stoops: It is 5-16 in games decided by a touchdown or less over the last four seasons. No. 17 BYU doesn't look like the sort of team the Wildcats could blow out. So, if the game is tight, will the 'Cats play loose, or will they gag again? Of course, when the Cougars lose, they'd don't mess around, see 25- and 24-point defeats to TCU and Utah, respectively.

Goodbye Tui and Thomas: Quarterback Willie Tuitama and receiver Mike Thomas, both four-year starters, have rewritten the Arizona record book in their respective areas. Thomas needs just three catches to eclipse Arizona State's Derek Hagan, who had 258 career receptions, for the Pac-10 record. Tuitama needs 114 yards to hit the career 10,000-yard passing mark. Both should reach their numbers. But will both go out winners? If so, it may be due to a scoring fest. BYU's defense has given up 32 or more points in four of its last six games.

Power back blues: While high-powered passing comes to mind when most folks think of BYU -- and quarterback Max Hall is outstanding -- the Cougars also have a solid running game. Arizona's run defense isn't bad. It ranked fifth in the Pac-10 (132 yards per game), and held a strong California running game to just 110 yards. But power backs thrive against the Wildcats' undersized front seven. New Mexico's 234-pound Rodney Ferguson rolled up 158 yards on 26 carries in a win over Arizona, while Stanford's 230-pound Toby Gerhart had 116 yards on 24 carries in a Cardinal comeback win. It just so happens the Cougars feature 239-pound Harvey Unga, who's rushed for 1,061 yards and 10 scores. Further, BYU's offensive line is massive -- each starter weighs 315 pounds or more. If Arizona can't slow the run, then it's going to be a long day.

Strength on strength: Hall, who passed for 3,629 yards and 34 touchdowns, is money with receiver Austin Collie, who leads the nation with 1,419 receiving yards on 95 receptions. Arizona, however, is good against the pass, giving up 169.8 yards per game, the 14th-fewest in the country. And Hall did have seven interceptions in the Cougars two defeats, including five in the season-finale against rival Utah.

Which team really cares? None of the Arizona players has been to a bowl game, mostly because the program hasn't played in one since 1998. Will they play as if just getting to the postseason was enough? BYU is playing in its fourth consecutive Las Vegas Bowl. The Cougars had much higher aspirations during a 6-0 start to the season. Will they play like surprisingly frigid Las Vegas is the last place they want to be? Bowl games are often won by the team that is happy to be there and highly motivated to succeed. Will either team here play that way?

Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

While many are talking about who Auburn did hire, former NBA star Charles Barkley is talking about who the Tigers didn't. Barkley tells ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach that Auburn missed the boat on Buffalo's Turner Gill and didn't hire the former Nebraska star because of his race.

• Mike Bianchi, columnist for the Orlando Sentinel is wondering whether he owes Central Florida coach George O'Leary an apology after calling for his firing last week.

• Utah isn't wowed by Alabama's rushing offense, but it is impressed by running back Glen Coffee and how simple can be effective.

• BYU receiver Austin Collie said on Thursday that he's going to explore options in the NFL and now several sources have told the Salt Lake Tribune that Jan Jorgensen will do the same thing. Both players will seek evaluations by the NFL's advisory committee.

• Fresno State didn't have the season it expected, but there's still the New Mexico Bowl to end the year on a high note.

• Doug Smock of the Charleston Gazette writes that it's not right that after all East Carolina's hard work this season, all they get is a matchup against a 6-6 Kentucky team.

• Florida coach Urban Meyer admits that Notre Dame is still a dream job.

Dec. 20, 8 p.m., (ESPN)

Arizona take by Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller: Based on the records, this looks like a mismatch. But is it?

BYU, winners of three consecutive Las Vegas Bowls, started the season talking about perfection and a BCS bowl berth and rolled to a 6-0 start. But the Cougars fell well short in their two biggest games, getting drubbed by 25 and 24 points at TCU and Utah.

On the other hand, the Wildcats and Cougars have three common opponents: New Mexico, Washington and UCLA. BYU beat all three, while Arizona lost to New Mexico. Both blew out UCLA, though the Cougars' 59-0 drubbing of the Bruins was one of the season's most shocking thrashings.

Arizona manhandled Washington, but the Huskies were playing their first game without quarterback Jake Locker. BYU slipped by the Huskies, 28-27, when Locker, you may recall, was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for flipping the ball into the air after scoring what appeared to be a last-second, game-tying touchdown, pending the PAT, which was subsequently missed after an extra 15 yards was tacked on.

BYU's defense struggled over the second half of the season, giving up 32 or more points in four of its last six games. The BYU offense leans on quarterback Max Hall, who has thrown 60 touchdown passes over the past two seasons, finding receiver Austin Collie and tight end Dennis Pitta, but the Wildcats' defense probably should be just as worried about running back Harvey Unga. The Wildcats, who lost 20-7 to BYU in 2007, have struggled against power backs, and the 239-pound Unga, who's rushed for 1,061 yards and 10 TDs, certainly fits that bill.

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BYU take by non-BCS blogger Graham Watson: This isn't the game BYU envisioned itself in when the season began, especially after it started the year 6-0 with a big win over UCLA on national television. But the Cougars lost handily to the two best opponents on their schedule, keeping them out of the BCS and snapping their string of consecutive conference titles and consecutive undefeated conference seasons.

But there's still a chance to will 11 games for the third consecutive season.

Although quarterback Max Hall had the worst performance of his career against Utah in the final regular season game of the year, he's still considered one of the best quarterbacks in the country. Hall has thrown for 3,629 yards and 34 touchdowns this season, more touchdown passes this season than any quarterback from the Pac-10, ACC, Big East, Big Ten or SEC.

BYU receiver Austin Collie leads the nation with 118.25 receiving yards per game and finished the season with a record nine consecutive 100-yard receiving games. He's fast and elusive and not unlike some of the receivers in the Pac-10.

Defensive speed has been the main question for BYU especially on the edges. That will be a point of emphasis against an Arizona team that averages 164 rushing yards per game.

Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

The fighting started before the game.

BYU players wanted to do the Haka, a war dance, and the Utes came over and basically said BYU wasn't going to do it on their field. It started a little scuffle that was controlled quickly. That's the perfect way to start this rivalry game.

Since 10 of the past 11 games have been decided by a touchdown or less, both of these teams need to play nearly flawless football to win this game. Here are some keys to victory for each team:

UTAH

• Get to Max Hall: Hall has not performed well under pressure and the Utah defensive line has done a good job all season using its team speed to disrupt the quarterback.
• Contain Collie: It is no secret the BYU offense is as good as Austin Collie. If Dennis Pitta's not healthy and Utah can neutralize Collie it will be a long day for BYU.
• Get the offense going: The Utah offense has had trouble staying consistent throughout the game and it can't afford any lapses against a potent BYU offense.

BYU

• Quick release: Hall needs to recognize Utah press and have quick options. The screen pass might be BYU's best friend.
• Use Collie: Collie is the Cougars best and most consistent player, and he'll be a handful for the Utes.
• Stop the run: BYU has not been great against the run this year, especially in the past month. That will be key to keeping Utah's offense off the field.

Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson

Well, depending on how you view my predictions, what I write in the next few lines could be a good thing or a bad thing.

I've watched both BYU and Utah play in person this year and there have been things that have impressed me and things that have baffled me. Overall, I'm not impressed -- in all facets -- with either one of these teams.

Here's my breakdown:

UTAH: I saw the Utes play TCU a couple weeks ago, and while I was impressed with the defense, I was unimpressed with the offense that didn't show up until the final two minutes of the game.

There is no denying that TCU left a lot of points on the field that night. That can be attributed to any number of things, but I think the raucous crowd at Rice-Eccles Stadium played a factor. I don't even remember how many false start penalties were called on the Horned Frogs, but I know it was a lot.

Utah quarterback Brian Johnson can be erratic and mistake-prone. He's been clutch, I'll give him that, but he needs to be more consistent against better opponents. I don't think we've seen a complete game out of him against a quality opponent yet and subsequently the whole offense has stretches where they don't perform.

The Utah defense, while it probably gave up six more points than the score indicates against TCU, did a great job of getting pressure of Andy Dalton and forcing bad throws. The team speed of Utah is something that really impressed me and they'll use that to get to BYU quarterback Max Hall and disrupt the rhythm of the offense.

Utah does boast the best player in the game in kicker Louie Sakoda.

BYU: I saw BYU play against TCU and against Air Force last week. Obviously, two different types of opponents, but TCU has similar defensive speed as Utah (not nearly the same, but similar) and Air Force has a running game comparable to Utah's backs.

First, I have to admit that I was unimpressed with Hall against TCU (who wasn't?) and even a little unimpressed against Air Force. Against TCU, he did not handle the pressure well. He had two interceptions and two fumbles. It was just a startling display. He was much better against Air Force, but he threw like four potential picks that Air Force players dropped. I'm not sure what the issue is, but he hasn't been reading his coverage as well as he did early in the season and that's going to be a problem against a Utah defense that has 12 interceptions this year.

I do like Austin Collie, Dennis Pitta and Harvey Unga. What a great offensive trio/threat they have become for this BYU team. I would say those three rival any offensive trio in the country. Unga really gives BYU a dual threat option and Collie and Pitta catch almost everything that's around them. I will say that if Pitta doesn't play or isn't 100 percent, the task of beating Utah becomes infinitely more difficult.

The BYU defense has been hit-and-miss. I don't think the Cougars are very fast on the outside, which is an area that a lot of teams started to exploit after the TCU game. The secondary has nine interceptions, but it allows almost 200 yards per game. But the key is the run game. I just don't think, from what I've seen against two of their better opponents, BYU is quick enough to hold quality running games in check. The Cougars are ranked 71st-nationally against the run, allowing almost 150 yards on the ground and 15 rushing touchdowns.

CONCLUSION: You throw out the stats in rivalry games. This particular rivalry has proven that time and time again. It doesn't matter what a team has done in the past or how it has played, the only thing that matters is how that team performs Saturday night. Emotions run high in this game and with an entire season on the line, that's what will fuel the winner on Saturday.

The past two years it's been all about BYU and what's on the line for Cougars, and they've come through in both occasions. This year, the focus is on Utah and its continuation of a perfect season. The Utes rise to the challenge this week.

PREDICTION: Utah 31, BYU 24