Nothing turns an emotional football game faster than a turnover. No one knows that better than the Cougars and Utes.
The debate over who has the best athletes, the best coaches and the deepest resources are sure to fill the group chats this week, but let’s be honest: The determining factor in Saturday’s highest-ranked BYU-Utah game ever will be ball security.
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It’s just that simple — and the proof is in the box scores.
Last year in Provo, Cougar Talan Alfrey recovered a fumbled punt in the second quarter to set up a Will Ferrin field goal, and Tanner Wall intercepted Devon Dampier in the fourth quarter to preface Bear Bachmeier’s game-clinching 22-yard touchdown run.
In 2024 at Rice-Eccles Stadium, BYU’s Jakob Robinson intercepted a double pass by Damien Alford in the first quarter and Crew Wakley picked off Brandon Rose in the third quarter. Alfrey recovered another Utah fumble on the final play of the game to preserve the Cougars’ 22-21 win — BYU’s first in Salt Lake City since the Utes left Jonny Harline open in 2006.
Two Utah turnovers in the first quarter of the 2021 battle in Provo set the tone for the Cougars to snap a nine-game losing streak to the Utes. Chaz Ah You intercepted Charlie Brewer and Isaiah Herron recovered a Tavion Thomas fumble in a one-sided 26-17 BYU victory.
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For BYU, it’s three straight wins with a +7 turnover margin. However, turnovers are no respecter of jerseys or home crowds. The last time the Utes rolled in the rivalry, in 2019 at LaVell Edwards Stadium, turnovers turned everything.
Francis Bernard and Julian Blackmon both returned Zach Wilson interceptions for touchdowns and Mika Tafua recovered a Ty’Son Williams fumble at BYU’s own 24-yard line. The Utes turned those three Cougar mistakes into 21 points and won by 18, 30-12.
It’s fun to debate the quarterbacks. Who is better: Bear Bachmeier or Devon Dampier? Which runner is tougher to tackle: Wayshawn Parker or LJ Martin (if he plays)? Which team has the best home-field advantage: Rice-Eccles or LES?
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As spirited, both good and mean, as those discussions can get, nothing holds a candle to the burning question: Which team is going to take care of the ball? It’s not rocket science and it has nothing to do with recruiting stars and analytics — but it will have everything to do with the outcome of a game as big as this one.
On the season, Utah (8-0) has forced 13 turnovers and BYU (7-1) has turned up eight. However, while a pick-six for the Utes at Cincinnati and a fumble recovery for the Cougars against No. 2 Notre Dame helped both teams secure big wins, neither play will matter on Saturday.
For 3½ hours, the rivalry game is a standalone moment. While repercussions, good and bad, come with the result, the fray itself is just a battle among boys who are on the cusp of becoming men — and many of them are friends from high school.
Up in the stands, where a lot of the adults are, the 10 a.m. clash might play out differently. This is often where the reasonable and unreasonable intersect. The game seems to mean a lot more up there — maybe a little too much?
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Sitting in a seat or snapping the ball, everybody involved in this historic BYU-Utah moment knows how important ball security will be and how the turnover story is likely to write another postgame headline.
To their credit, the Cougars have had the mental edge over the last 12 quarters of combat. But all that can change for the Utes with a bad snap, a tipped ball or a flash of distraction. It’s what makes the rivalry game insufferable at times and terribly unpredictable, but so intoxicating to watch — Every. Single. Play.
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.
