Utah and BYU tee it up on Thursday at 8:15 p.m. at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Here are a few things to watch for as the Cougars and Utes meet for the first time ever in a season opener:
When BYU has the ball
• Cougar running back Ty’Son Williams will bring a new dimension to the rivalry game as a graduate transfer from South Carolina. Utah also will be conscious of BYU quarterback Zach Wilson’s scrambling ability, after he hurt the Utes with his running in a 35-27 loss last November. Will that element slow down Utah’s pass rush?
• Utah linebackers Francis Bernard and Devin Lloyd will have big responsibilities as new starters, being asked to make a lot of tackles and help cover Cougar tight end Matt Bushman.
[Read more: What’s at stake when Utah, BYU meet Thursday in Provo? The loser, especially, will feel the effects.]
When Utah has the ball
• Ute quarterback Tyler Huntley, running back Zack Moss and receiver Britain Covey are intriguing figures, having missed the 2018 Holiday Bowl with injuries. Huntley’s passing accuracy and the workloads of Moss and Covey, based on their health, are key variables.
• Utah will depend on two new offensive line starters, facing a BYU defense that didn’t allow the Utes to sustain a running game in last year’s meeting. Utah will need one or more receivers to emerge as reliable targets, beyond Covey.
Intangibles
• Utah’s special teams usually give the Utes an edge, but freshman punter Ben Lennon and graduate transfer kicker Andrew Strauch are unknown factors in the opener. BYU kicker Jake Oldroyd has experience under pressure. He beat Arizona with a last-second field goal in the 2016 opener, prior to a church mission.
• Recent history shows the outcome may hinge on a few key plays. Utah converted twice on fourth-down plays during its comeback last November; BYU twice turned the ball over on downs after falling behind late in the game.
