No. 3 Utah puts its unbeaten season on the line against No. 9 BYU at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET. The game turns on strength against strength: the Utes' ground game against a Cougars run defense allowing an even 100 yards a game.

The Matchup

Records: BYU Cougars 7-1 (5-0 home), Utah Utes 8-0 (5-0 home)
Rankings: No. 9 BYU, No. 3 Utah
Venue: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Kickoff: Saturday, November 7, 12:00 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Line (DraftKings): Utah -4.5, O/U 48.5

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What Decides It

Utah's run game against BYU's front is the matchup that should decide it.

The Utes run for nearly 227 yards a game, more than twice what BYU gives up. One of those numbers has to break, and Utah has scored nearly 39 points a game on the way to 8 straight wins.

BYU cannot simply crowd the line, either. Utah also throws for nearly 259 yards a game against a Cougars pass defense allowing about 199, so selling out against the run means paying for it through the air.

BYU's own ground game is its best path to an upset.

The Cougars average about 175 rushing yards a game, well ahead of the roughly 101 Utah allows. LJ Martin has turned 44 carries into 344 yards, and feeding him keeps the Utes' offense on the sideline.

That matters on the road. BYU is 5-0 at home, so its only loss this season came away from home.

The total expects a defensive game, and Utah's defense makes that believable.

These teams combine to average 71.3 points a game, yet the total sits at 48.5. The market is betting on the defenses, and Utah allows about 16 points a game, fewer than BYU's roughly 19.

The recent scores cut both ways. BYU's last five games include wins of 24-10 and 17-10, while Utah's 27-24 road win showed the Utes can be dragged into a close game.

Players to Watch

BYU Cougars

Passing: Bear Bachmeier – 135-214, 1,750 YDS, 12-4 (TD-INT)
Rushing: LJ Martin – 44 ATT, 344 YDS, 3 TD
Receiving: Legend Glasker – 32 REC, 585 YDS, 4 TD

Glasker is the downfield threat, with 585 receiving yards on 32 catches. If Martin draws extra attention, Bachmeier needs Glasker to punish it.

Utah Utes

Passing: Devon Dampier – 158-227, 1,876 YDS, 18-7 (TD-INT)
Rushing: Wayshawn Parker – 109 ATT, 726 YDS, 9 TD
Receiving: Braden Pegan – 39 REC, 505 YDS, 6 TD

Parker leads the rushing attack that drives this matchup. Dampier has thrown 18 touchdowns, but his 7 interceptions are the opening a BYU defense will look to exploit.

Prediction

Utah 28, BYU 20. The Utes have the stronger run game, the stingier scoring defense and a 5-0 home record. Martin keeps the Cougars within reach, but Utah covers the 4.5 and the game stays under 48.5.