Nov 2, 2026 · 50 min
BYU’s playoff case meets its fiercest rivalry test
Rivalry on the Rise
At 7-1 and ranked No. 7, BYU faces Utah with playoff stakes, injuries, and an offense that must answer recent defensive adjustments.
- 1BYU’s rushing production, defensive tackling, and turnover margin could decide a hostile Holy War matchup.
- 2Trevor Matich says BYU must pass effectively, use Bear Bachmeier’s mobility, and deploy play action against Utah’s pressure.
- 3The episode pairs football’s playoff implications with a preview of BYU’s early men’s basketball test against Ohio State.
Don't miss
Trevor Matich explains why BYU must combine passing, Bear Bachmeier’s running threat, and play action to counter Utah’s pass rush.
The brief
BYU’s 27-20 win over Arizona State lifted the Cougars to No. 7, but the episode argues that recent uneven play makes the Holy War impossible to read.
The central football question is whether BYU can restore its rushing attack, tackle consistently, and win the turnover battle at Utah while managing injuries to key contributors.
ESPN analyst Trevor Matich says BYU’s offensive answer is balance: Bear Bachmeier’s running threat, effective passing, and play action to slow Utah’s pass rush.
Matich also identifies BYU’s secondary as a potential advantage and places the rivalry inside a larger playoff picture shaped partly by Notre Dame’s résumé.
The show closes with a broader BYU sports roundup and a preview of the men’s basketball opener against Ohio State, framed as another early test.
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