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SALT LAKE CITY — People cite varying reasons for a favorite game. They include revenge, rivalry, opponent's talent or prestige and a measuring stick.
This week at KSL.com the experts chose their favorite games of the upcoming season. They had their own reasons for choosing them, but they picked a lot of good ones.
In the past, most of the experts had to dig in and do some research; this week it was just about picking their favorite games. They write for these schools because they like the schools and these are the games they are most looking forward to.
Here is a quick look at the experts' choices and a small sample of what they wrote.
"Texas: The Longhorns are the highest-profile team coming into LaVell Edwards Stadium in 2013. Every BYU fan remembers the game in Austin in 2011 when BYU looked to be on its way to a victory, only to have Texas squeak out a one-point victory.
"As we've seen over the past few years, Texas isn't the same team we saw win the national championship in 2005; they are nonetheless still a dangerous opponent. What makes this game so exciting is that the Cougars have them on their turf and it's the second game of the season.
"Utah: BYU has not beaten Utah since 2009, which for Cougar fans is hard to deal with. With the series taking a two-year hiatus after this season, this year's matchup seems to have more importance. Neither team wants to have a loss hanging over their head until 2016.
"Even without the break, there is always a reason to watch this game. With few exceptions, the matchups are close, usually coming down to the last seconds. I'm always waiting to see what that game's 'moment' will be. There is always a play that stands out as the one you remember.
"Boise State: I was in Boise last year for the one-point loss on the Smurf Turf. We don't need to get into the details of what did and didn't happen. That was definitely one of those games that as a Cougar fan you look back on and say 'BYU should have won.'
"The series with Boise State has the makings of a pretty good rivalry. The Broncos are a perfect 3-0 against the Cougars, winning in 2003, 2004 and 2012. Since the two programs are scheduled to play each other through 2023, this game could become an annual favorite."
"USC: This is always a favorite. The Utes are 0-2 vs. USC since joining the conference, but the games against the Trojans have been fairly close. "It took a blocked field goal the first game, and after a wonderful start the second game, Utah unraveled with dumb mistakes against USC in 2012.
"Realistically, this might be a year the Trojans could get beat. They are without Matt Barkley for the first year, which simply brings questions to the most important position on a football team.
"Stanford: For the first time since joining the conference, the Utes receive the schedule change and, with that, two Top 10 teams.
"Stanford has grown to one of the premier programs in the country, with David Shaw at the helm. The Cardinal is big and physical, and they do not beat themselves.
"This game will thankfully be at home in Rice-Eccles Stadium, which will help the situation immensely. This is a gauge game for Utah to see how they can compete with the best in the country.
"Oregon: The other gauge game on the schedule has to be the other team that was added to the Pac-12 schedule: the Oregon Ducks.
"Utah will have a good idea of who and where they are in the college landscape after playing Oregon and Stanford. They are a couple of the best programs in the country, and we will know quickly if Utah is up to the challenge."
"USC: Why do I love this game so much, besides the obvious fact that it's USC? I love it because it's a great indicator of where Utah State is as a program, as well as where they are in the season.
"Their recent history with BCS-caliber teams, on the road, has been painful and positive all at the same time. In 2009, they fell eight points short of beating Texas A&M in College Station; 2010, they gave Oklahoma the scare of their life, coming within seven points of beating the Sooners; 2011, quite possibly the most devastating loss of the Gary Andersen era, Auburn rallying to beat the Aggies 42-38; and in 2012, a 37-yard field goal could have won the game for Utah State, but it sailed wide right and left the Aggies heartbroken.
"Could this be the year they finally knock off a high-profile team on the road?
"San Jose State: In 2012, the Aggies got the best of the Spartans, but Grigsby got the best of the secondary, with 11 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
"Meh.
"I think it's safe to say the defense will be reminded of that stat leading up to game day.
"Another stat they may be reminded of is David Fales' 467 yards and three touchdowns in that same game. Fales is widely considered one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and might be looking for a little payback after the Aggies sacked him a record 13 times in 2012.
"Boise State: This is the game I'm most excited for.
"Why?
"Because finally, FINALLY, Utah State has a team that can challenge Boise State and quite possibly beat the Broncos for the first time since 1997. How long ago was that? 'MMMBop' was widely considered a great song in 1997."
Favorite games of the season:
What games will local fans look back on in five or 10 years and remember? Those are the games I will consider my favorite games in this wrap-up. Fans of any of the teams should enjoy these games. This won't include any games between the schools.
1. Utah State at USC: I'm not sure when these teams scheduled this game. They are normally planned a few years out to a certain extent, so this was probably when the Aggies were a down program. Now the Aggies are at the peak of their program and the Trojans are finding their way back to the top.
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This could be a momentous point in the history of the Aggies' program and it will be a great game. The Aggies have played big teams close on the road, 2011 Auburn and 2012 Wisconsin; this could be the big one, as Glade said.
The atmosphere and pageantry of USC makes the game even bigger.
2. Utah vs. Stanford: Stanford is the anomaly in the Pac-12 these days. The Cardinals run and play defense. Even when Andrew Luck was there, the focus was a slow-paced game. Now just about every team in the conference plays fast and a form of read option.
Stanford is a throwback and will be playing its first time against Utah in the conference. The stadium will be loud and the game will play slow and physical. This will be an old-school game that could be the start of a fun run.
3. BYU vs. Texas: Here's another game that gets more exciting because it is at home. The Texas Longhorns travel to LaVell Edwards Stadium in a game that should have the nation's attention.
The Longhorns will bring a better team than the one the Cougars played a few years ago when Jake Heaps had the reins for the Cougars. The Longhorns have had a few bad years, but they are well on their way back to contention with a group of good players.
This game has the prestige factor and talent and is a good measuring stick for the program.
4. Utah at Oregon: OK, full disclosure: I don't love Oregon. The uniforms keep going lateral and they are the great paper champions. They crush bad teams and struggle against good ones. That being said, this game has all the makings of one of the favorites of the year.
The read-option Oregon runs plays into the hands of the great Utah defenses. Teams need a great front four and players ready to fly to the ball. This will be an awesome test for Utah's defense. De'Anthony Thomas is talented and exciting and Marcus Mariota showed what he can do last year. This game should be a fun one for local fans.
5. Both Boise State games: Yeah, I'm lumping BYU's and Utah State's games against Boise State together. It is a revenge game for both teams. Neither team has defeated the Broncos in this millennium. Boise State slipped a little last year, but it is still a top program.
The Broncos playmakers are returning, and Chris Petersen always keeps his offense humming and his defense solid. This isn't the premier game for either team, but it isn't a team either wants to lose to. The Broncos could be a big rival in the coming years.
The San Jose State game will be a fun game to watch because of the team's pro potential. David Fales could be a top-15 drafted player at quarterback and there is a chance to see him in college and find out how Utah State's defense will handle him.
The Utah vs. USC game will, of course, be a great game as well, but it is slowly becoming commonplace and the luster is coming off it. Besides, it is a good thing for a game against USC to become commonplace.
What is your favorite game this upcoming season? Let the experts know your thoughts. Next week they discuss why their team will be the best team in the state. It is also the last week without college football until December.
