Note: In an article I did on Friday, I looked at how many national football writers saw the rivalry matchup between Utah and BYU playing out, and many of them turned out to be right picking Utah to win a tight game. 

With the rivalry game between Utah and BYU just a day away, many national pundits have weighed in on who they think will come away with the victory.

Kyle Bonagura of ESPN is leaning in Utah’s favor, picking the Utes to win, 28-24.

“The vitriol that exists in this matchup is unlike anything in the traditional Pac-12 rivalries,” Bonagura wrote. “Except since Utah joined the Pac-12, it really hasn’t been a rivalry. The Utes have played like one would expect a Power 5 team to play against a non-Power 5 team. They’re 5-0 in that span and have won six straight in total.”

ESPN’s Edward Aschoff also has the Utes winning a close game, 27-20, saying, “Utah was incredibly balanced on offense in Week 1, while BYU still has to be hurting from that punishing loss to LSU.”

David Kenyon of Bleacher Report sees the game going to the Utes as well, with a predicted score of 24-16.

“The new-look Utes scored 37 points in the first game with their revamped offense, while BYU’s two outings have been underwhelming,” wrote Kenyon. “The rivalry has featured one-possession margins in six of the last seven years, and we expect that trend to continue. And we’re projecting Utah’s streak to stay alive, too.”

Sports Illustrated polled seven of its writers about who will win the rivalry game, and just one, Joan Niesen, picked the Cougars.

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