NFL News NFL News, Reports and UpdatesBYU players huddle during on the field during game against Kansas State Sept. 21, 2024, at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo. The Cougars return to their home turf Saturday, where they will look to preserve their perfect record against the Arizona Wildcats. | Jaren Wilkey, BYU Photo
Can No. 14 BYU remain undefeated and climb in the rankings? Will Cam Rising get back on the field and recharge No. 16 Utah after a home loss to Arizona? Will Utah State be able to slow down UNLV in Logan?
The challenges are dramatic and the outcomes are key, especially for BYU and Utah as they focus on the meat of their Big 12 conference schedules.
Both BYU and Utah are favored to win, while Utah State will be hard-pressed to slow down upstart UNLV, a school that is rolling toward a showdown with Boise State for the Mountain West Conference title.
The Cam Rising drama has been drawn out going on two years now. The injury-plagued Ute leader was week-to-week on the probable-doubtful list a year ago. This year, after injuring a finger on a hit out-of-bounds into a sideline water cooler table, he’s been back on that theater puzzle. On Thursday news broke that Rising will start against the Sun Devils, but time will tell.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham didn’t intend to make a pun in this quote from last week:
“I can tell you that, and it’s still early in the week, but we’re crossing our fingers and hoping for the best, as is Cam,” said the veteran coach.
You’ve got to feel for Whittingham. He’s forced to put true freshman Isaac Wilson in the fire, fast-tracking his development while not leaving him shell-shocked with dented confidence. But he has no choice if Rising fails to rise and return as the undisputed go-to guy everyone counted on before the injury in the Baylor game.
Utah’s defense will have a challenge in stopping ASU…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/byu-protect-home-turf-cam-153000356.html
Author : Deseret News
Publish date : 2024-10-11 15:30:00
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