BYU Sports Nation
BYU Sports Nation

Nov 6, 2026 · 50 min

BYU and Utah prepare for a historic top-10 rivalry test

24 Hours to BYU vs. Utah: Dennis Pitta on the First Top 10 Rivalry Showdown

The matchup could shape BYU’s playoff hopes while testing its health, rushing attack, and ability to handle Utah’s early pressure.

3 key takeaways
  1. 1L.J. Martin’s questionable status creates both a strategic dilemma and an emotional test for BYU.
  2. 2Dennis Pitta says BYU must stop Utah’s run game, contain Devin Dampier, and establish its own rushing attack.
  3. 3The hosts map Week 10 results that could improve BYU’s College Football Playoff position.

Don't miss

Dennis Pitta combines a detailed plan for beating Utah with memories of BYU’s 2009 overtime victory and his own difficult games at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The brief

BYU and Utah meet in the first top-10 matchup of their rivalry, with L.J. Martin’s questionable status adding uncertainty to an already consequential game.

The hosts revisit Salt Lake City memories, from Beck to Harline and LaVell Edwards’s final miracle to Ryan Kaneshiro’s doinked field goal.

The central game plan is straightforward but demanding: BYU must limit Utah’s run game, contain Devin Dampier, protect the turnover margin, and score first.

Former BYU and NFL tight end Dennis Pitta joins with strategic insight, discusses Martin’s health and the early kickoff, and recalls BYU’s 2009 overtime win.

The episode closes by identifying Week 10 results that could strengthen BYU’s playoff position, alongside a broader weekend sports preview.

Books & mentions

Some links are affiliate links — PodLume may earn a commission if you buy.

Weekly email

State of the Pod, every Monday

The week's most-discussed names and stories from podcasts, with the moments behind them. Free, five minutes, unsubscribe in one click.

Listen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.