With the Holy War being completed over two months ago, rivalry weekend at first glance doesn’t seem like a big weekend in Utah. Other fierce rivalries around the nation such as the Iron Bowl (Auburn vs Alabama) Apple Cup (Washington vs Washington State) and The Game (Michigan vs Ohio State) will draw huge crowds and have possible playoff berths on the line.
The Battle for The Old Wagon Wheel is the secret treasure of in state rivalries.
With the Utes playing in Boulder against a Colorado Buffaloes team they have already beaten three times since entering the PAC-12, the featured rivalry in the Beehive State this weekend will be at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The Cougars of Brigham Young University will host the Aggies of Utah State University at 8:15 PM. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
The game this year isn’t as big as it is when both teams are having great seasons but there are plenty of storylines here. Will BYU avenge the loss that USU handed them last time in Provo two years ago? How will the Aggies respond in this game that will no longer make them bowl eligible? How will Taysom Hill respond to the team that started his injury plague? Fans will find out when first year head coach Sitake and fourth year head coach Matt Wells face off.
Prediction: This is a more evenly matched game than most people think. The Aggies will be fired up. They have an excellent passing defense with corners Daniel Gray and Jalen Davis. The Cougars have an excellent rushing defense. The difference in this game will be who does well in the fourth quarter. BYU has won and lost close games in the fourth quarter. USU has mostly lost close games in the fourth quarter. The Aggies will take an early lead as always but I predict this game becomes a nail biter in the fourth quarter. USU will win on a pick six and the final score will be 28-27.
Now that is one bold prediction for this matchup of two blue and white schools.