BYU at CSU

 I don’t see this game about BYU beating the Rams. That’s a given.

I’m more interested to see the Cougars actually play well on the road. So far this season they are 0 for 3 (or 2 and ½ if you count the first half against Utah State).

 This game is a preview of BYU’s final two road games. If the Cougars can’t win in Fort Collins, there’s no way they are going to do at the Air Force Academy and Rice-Eccles Stadium.

 Along this same line, BYU’s defense desperately needs a strong showing. CSU is scoring 22.1 points a game, which ranks ahead of only San Diego State and Wyoming in the Mountain West.

 But the bad news is the Rams can exploit BYU’s defense. CSU’s passing game averages 247 yards, trailing only MWC leader BYU.

 After the last two games, a common excuse was TCU’s Andy Dalton and UNLV’s Omar Clayton were strong quarterbacks and that each team had a good offense. But if we’re saying the same thing about Billy Farris and CSU’s offense, then it’s on the Cougars.

 Even though Gartrell Johnson rushes for an average of 93 yards a game, I think the Rams ought to throw often until the Cougars prove they can defend the pass. I’d got right at BYU’s linebackers and secondary.

 CSU can’t line up with four and five quality receivers, as TCU and UNLV did, but  Rashaun Greer, tight end Kory Sperry and Dion Morton form a decent trio. At this point, any player with a pair of hands poses as a serious threat to the Cougars.

 BYU might be able to exploit CSU’s unbelievably lousy special teams. The Rams have allowed four touchdowns – two each on kickoffs and punts – off of special teams.

 I expect BYU’s offense to have success. Unlike TCU, CSU’s defense doesn’t have enough speed to rattle Max Hall and the offensive line.

 BYU 38, CSU 20

Utah at New Mexico

 Normally, I would agree with the argument that this is a trap game for the Utes. We all understand the difficulty New Mexico has presented over the years (for starters, the 1994 and 2003 losses, the latter which was Urban Meyer’s only conference setback).

 But I’m not buying it this season. New Mexico’s offense isn’t good enough to beat Utah, notwithstanding the 70 points the Lobos posted against San Diego State.

 I have no doubt that Utah’s defense will play well. The challenge comes next week against TCU, not Saturday in Albuquerque.

 The intrigue again centers on Utah’s offense, which finally put together a complete game two weeks ago against CSU. Will last week’s bye stall the momentum?

 I say no.

 Utah 34, UNM 12