Utah Football: 5 reasons Utes will beat BYU in 2019 edition of The Holy War

This year, Utah football travels down Interstate 15 to Provo to take on the Cougars in another installment of The Holy War.

Depending on which school’s record-keeping you choose to use, this is either the 94th or the 100th installment of the Holy War between the Utah Utes and BYU Cougars.

The Utes are looking to tie the longest win streak in the rivalry at nine consecutive games. Utah is also looking for national respect and to possibly be a sleeper playoff team.

The Cougars are looking to end the streak behind quarterback Zach Wilson, and continue their momentum from last seasons 7-6 campaign that ended in an Idaho Potato Bowl victory.

Well, the Utes continue the streak and here are five reasons why.

5. The Utes know what’s at stake

Rivalry games are intense there’s no doubt about that, and this one is no different. There are times when rivalry games mean more than just bragging rights, however.

For example, last season’s Michigan vs. Ohio State game determined the Big Ten East division. This game doesn’t have those type of implications for the Cougars per se, but it does for the Utes.

First off, Utah is playing for respect. Pundits are looking at their schedule and dismissing them. Maybe you should be off put by the schedule, but I wouldn’t be off put by the team head coach Kyle Whittingham has put together in Salt Lake City.

They have the best defense line in the Pac-12, and maybe all of college football, and both Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss return from injury. A big performance in this game could open some eyes.

If the Utes see themselves as a playoff team — and they should — their schedule has no breathing room. They can’t afford a loss here if they want an opportunity to be one of the four playoff teams.