The picture above is the left over evidence that implicates LaVell Edwards for stealing Kevin’s Cliff Bar while he joined the guys for the broadcast last night of the Qwest Blue/Red Rivalry Classic.  It was sitting on the table when LaVell spotted it, picked it up and then preceded to open and eat it while Kevin frustratingly watched.  LaVell then preceded to eat and talk on the air at the same time telling the story of how is wife always got on him for doing the same thing during is radio show after games when he was coach.  Kevin is considering filing charges but in the meantime it might have been the final straw to sway his pick…

KEYS FOR UTAH (11-0; 7-0):
-PRESSURE HALL WITH FRONT FOUR: This is a no brainer.  TCU had tremendous success with their speed rush from their defensive front.  If Utah can do the same thing led by Kruger and Misi, BYU will have to go to max protect giving the secondary a much better chance to control Collie and Pitta.
-ANDY LUDWIG PLAY-CALLING: If he puts together a plan that can get Brian Johnson into a rhythm early then they will win.  If it’s his typical herky-jerky no rhyme or reason game plan then it will go down to the wire once again.
-KEEP COLLIE OUT OF END ZONE: Collie will get his particularly if Pitta is not healthy enough to be a major factor but if Utah can keep him out of the end zone like TCU accomplished their chances of winning rises.

KEYS FOR BYU (10-1; 6-1):
-PROTECT HALL & THE BALL: When Hall is pressured bad things happen from sacks to int’s to fumbles.  It’s on the O-line and backs to find a way to deal with Utah’s speed and various blitzes that will be thrown their way. 
-MAKE IN-GAME ADJUSTMENTS: Something this team and the coaching staff have struggled with all season long.  Utah is going to throw a lot at them so they are going to have to react quicker to make the adjustments than what they have all season long. 
-MAKE A PLAY (or 2 or 3) DEFENSIVELY: We’re talking big plays.  Game changer plays.  A 4th down or goal line stand.  A big fumble recovery or interception for a TD.  I know it’s not their style but they’ll need this to boost confidence and give their team a chance to win.

PREDICTION: Utah has the speed that gives BYU fits.  They have the athletes that can get past BYU’s O-line and cause problems for their receivers downfield.  Offensively they have the ability to attack BYU’s biggest weakness, the edges.  And they have Louie Sakoda that’s money come crunch time.  The biggest reasons I hear BYU fans say they are going to win is that it’s a rivalry game so you can throw everything out the window (some truth).  Utah’s offense is inconsistent and could implode (more truth).  And that the TCU game they lost was just a case of walking into an hornets nest (1st qter yes, rest of game no).  BYU can win this game if they take what they learned from that TCU loss and apply it here.  Protect Hall, don’t panic staying with the game plan and hold onto the ball.  The trends this year though is they struggle in a hostile environment, and have problems adjusting on the fly.  When it’s all said and done I can’t get that TCU game out of my mind.  So BYU fans I’ll take the first quarter out of that game because of the craziness of the situation (TCU was up 14-0) meaning you lost by 11, 18-7.  Utah by 11 and are BCS Bound once again.  UTAH 31 BYU 20.