Rivals

Scott Mitchell and Jason Buck are talking about their alma maters’ skipping out on a few rivalry games to play other opponents. It is reported that Utah will play games against the Florida Gators. As much as is pains Jason, he understands why the game doesn’t carry as much bang for Utah as playing an SEC team on the East Coast. BYU has scheduled games with Central Florida. Scott has his own ideas about why Utah is doing this and it is because of the Pac-12 needing an image change.

Head Coach Of BYU Kalani Sitake has had two big Power-5 wins already this season against Tennessee and USC. Some BYU fans say he should be given a contract extension right now. Others disagree and think he needs to do more to earn an extension. Scott and Jason talk BYU’s matchup this week. They take on the Washington Huskies. Jason Buck, a former Cougar, thinks BYU has a possibility of winning this because Jeff Grimes has shown improvement over the first few games. Jason and Scott agree that Kalani has a big heart and is good for BYU.

Number 10 ranked University of Utah head to LA to take on USC. The Utes haven’t won at the LA Coliseum in 103 years. Jason Buck thinks Utah will win because of how poor the coaching was against his alma mater, BYU. Clay Helton is the head coach at USC and his name is being thrown around as being on the coaching hot seat. The thing about the USC v Utah game that worries Scott is that USC always has amazing athletes whether they are well coached or not. He also says you never know what you will get a true freshman quarterback like the Trojans have right now. Scott and Jason talk about what Utah HAS to do to come away with a win.

Ranking low is usually bad but not for this one. Utah is 119th in the country for offensive snaps played. This benefits Utah as they head into a Friday game against BYU. Usually it would be a concern for coaches to have one less day of rest or preparation but Kyle Whittingham isn’t concerned about the physical rest because his team has slowed the game down so much to the point they are playing the least amount of snaps out of every Pac-12 team. 

Zach Dawe #99 and a defensive end for the Cougars threw his opponent's show during BYU’s game against Tennessee. We have our own former defensive end #99 Jason Buck who has some similar stories. Is it the position? Is it the number? Scott and Jason have a good laugh about this story but say he is lucky there was no penalty called on the shoe-throw.

BYU went into Knoxville and beat Tennessee in double over time. Jason Buck, former Cougar, said it was a very important, much needed win. The Cougars hit Tennessee at the right after they lost against Georgia State. Jason and Scott talk about the elementary level mistakes Tennessee made during the game. Scott talks about Zach Wilson’s key role for the Cougars. Someone with his talent can make a break at least two wins per season for a team.

BYU plays 24th ranked USC this weekend. The University of Utah plays USC the following week. Scott and Jason discuss how this game will impact the Utah v. USC game. Scott wonders if Utah playing an easier game against Idaho State this week is good or bad leading up to their first Pac-12 match-up. The consensus: Utah will get more advantage out of the BYU, USC film. Jason predicts that BYU head coach Kalani Sitake will send some tips Kyle Whittingham’s way. 

An ESPN host gained some traction when he talked about the BYU football team being a great missionary tool for the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Scott and Jason completely agree, when BYU won the National Championship in 1984 baptisms in the church went up. It is no secret that BYU Football draws a crowd no matter where they are playing nationwide.

Scott Mitchell, former quarterback, has a saying about playing quarterback, “live to play another down.” One way you live to play another down is to slide. It can help quarterbacks avoid getting hit. Scott and Jason would tell Wilson to slide if they were his coach. You don’t want your quarterback to take more hits than he has to.

Jason Buck is frustrated by his alma mater. He doesn’t think they lived up to their potential in the season opener against Utah. He thinks Ty’Son Williams should have had more chances to carry the football. The guys talk about they things they know for sure about BYU and the things that are still question marks as they head to play Tennessee this weekend.

Scott Mitchell and Jason Buck expected more from their alma maters at the rivalry game. This episode is about what the duo saw from the Utah Utes. This is the 9th time in a row the Utes have beat the Cougs. Scott emphasizes 9 times. The guys talk about the things they know for sure about the Utah Football team. Scott is sure Zack Moss is NFL talent.

Scott Mitchell’s Utes are ranked #14 in the AP Preseason Polls. He wonders if anyone really cares? Personally he doesn’t think anything matters but wins. Jason and Scott wonder how Utah will handle the pressure and Jason talks about how he has handled the pressures in his career. 

Jason Buck, former Cougar, and Scott Mitchell, former Ute are sharing their favorite games and moments from past rivalry matchups. Jason Buck stars with a 4th & 18 play that will forever be in Cougar fans’ hearts. Scott had a different experience during that game where he was taunted by children. Scott is taking us to Vegas for his match up. 

Like most KSL Sports contributors Jason Buck was shocked by ESPN’s recent list of the top 50 college football programs in the last 150 years. Scott Mitchell, former Utes, think his riva school belongs on the list, especially with some of the other names included like Boise State. Scott and Jason talk about the accolades BYU football and their players have that should have gotten them a spot on the list.

Jason Buck was one of the lucky few who got to watch the BYU Cougars practice this fall. While he can’t share specifics he gives his takeaways. He was most impressed by the offensive line, but had some high compliments for freshman quarterback Zach Wilson. He also has some insight on the running back question facing the Cougars.

Rivals is joined today by Craig PoVey from Use Only As Directed. Use Only As Directed is a campaign trying to prevent death by overdose and opiod addiction. PoVey talked to Scott Mitchell about athletes being overprescribed pain medications. They talk about how quickly you can become addicted to opiods and alternative care for athletes and regular people who find themselves in pain. 

Scott Mitchell (former Utah quarterback) and Jason Buck (former BYU defensive end) are talking about the most electrifying player on Utah’s football team and BYU’s football team. Some picks may seem obvious while others will shock you. Who is your favorite player to watch from the Utes and the Cougars? Tell us on Twitter @therivalsshow.  

The rivalry game is here...well almost. Utah plays BYU at Lavell Edwards Stadium in two weeks. Our Rivals Scott Mitchell (former Ute) and Jason Buck (former Cougar) make their (hairy) bets and predictions for the biggest rivalry in the state of Utah. We dive deep into scores and how the game will play out.

Most coaches are pretty tight lipped about injuries unless a player’s season is over, including Utah’s coach Kyle Whittingham. Scott and Jason discuss the head games coaches try to play with each other by reporting or not reporting injuries. They say you have to pump them up or keep them very quiet. This one is full of Monty Python references. ENJOY!

The University of Utah Utes have been picked by a media poll to win the entire Pac-12 conference. Jason Buck, former BYU defensive lineman gives his take on preseason polls. Historically, as of late the poll has been about 50% correct. Buck says it looks great for the state of Utah. They guys also talk about being on top versus being underestimated.