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SALT LAKE CITY — The 2013 college football season kicks off Thursday night with the Utes and Aggies going head-to-head at Rice Eccles Stadium (6 p.m. FOXS1).
There's a lot riding on the season for all of the state's FBS teams, and fans' expectations remain high despite difficult schedules.
Cougars
For BYU, the optimism is fueled by returning All-American hopeful linebacker Kyle Van Noy and wide receiver Cody Hoffman, as well as talented sophomore quarterback Taysom Hill and a resurgent, "Go Fast, Go Hard" offensive attack led by second-time offensive coordinator Robert Anae.
But there's also a sense of reality.
"It's hard to go to family parties after losing to Utah so much," said Brian Puzey.
It's hard to go to family parties after losing to Utah so much.
–Brian Puzey, BYU fan
The longtime BYU fan traveled to Notre Dame last year and will trip to Wisconsin in November. The Utes have won 3 straight in the series, 4 of 5, and 8 of 11.
Puzey knows the score and what a BYU win over Utah means this season.
"Taking two years off after this year, I think it's really critical," Puzey said.
It is just one game for the Cougars. They face their most ambitious schedule ever as they make their case that they're a national player. In addition to Utah, Texas, Georgia Tech and Boise State come to Provo. BYU trips to Virginia Saturday (1:30 p.m. ESPNU) and to Wisconsin and Notre Dame in November.
Related:
BYU coaches know the players will give it their all at Virginia
BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall described Wednesday's practice as, "no pads; shorter, recovery-oriented (and) assignment-oriented. Similar format (Thursday) with the intent to get our team as fast and as healthy and as recovered and assignment-sound as possible."That's not mentioning a tilt against Utah State in Logan.
"Utah State has obviously gone up a notch with the Mountain West Conference, so in-state football is healthy right now," Puzey said.
Aggies
The Aggies have their own set of challenges, like staying relevant following a splashy 2012 season.
Star quarterback Chuckie Keeton returns, as do five offensive line starters, but the Aggies have also lost some significant firepower. Kerwynn Williams, who rushed for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2012, is now in the NFL.
"UNLV, New Mexico - they haven't had very good records over the years," observed Deseret News sports columnist Brad Rock. "But to me, their programs have built enough and have similar enough athletes, that all of those teams could beat Utah State."
It's for that reason, Rock said he believes the Aggies have the most intriguing schedule and are the most intriguing team among the in-state schools. The Aggies play at Utah and at USC in addition to hosting BYU in their non-conference slate. Boise State also visits Logan in October.
Utes
Rock said, however, it's the Utes who have the most to lose this season.
The days of saying, 'happy to be here,' are probably pretty short-lived.
–Brad Rock, sports columnist
"The days of saying, ‘happy to be here,' are probably pretty short-lived," Rock said.
With a $2 million coach in Kyle Whittingham and a new $32 million center for athletes, Rock said the University of Utah is spending like the "big boys" and the expectations aren't far behind.
A 5-7 record, Rock suggested, puts Whittingham on the hot seat, regardless of past successes.
"That could happen to them," Rock said of the Utes. "They could be below .500 and they could be a better team."
Ute fans said they would be unhappy with a losing record.
"I would be very upset if they didn't get to a bowl," George Sowell said on campus. "Under .500, even .500 would be kind of bad for me."
Related:
Chuckie Keeton vs. Utes' linebackers — who wins?
For the most sophisticated football fans, the game is a chess match of people and positions. And in the season opener for the Utes and Aggies, there is a position battle that will decide the course of the game.The Utes, in addition to their USU and BYU tilts, are given no breaks in their PAC-12 slate. Oregon State comes to Rice Eccles in two weeks, and the Utes could be underdogs in all their October games - at home against UCLA and Stanford and on the road against Arizona and USC.
It's risk and reward that promise to shape a memorable or forgettable 2013 season.
Ute fan John Johnson said 5-7 is unacceptable.
"I want to go to a bowl game," he said. "I want to see my Utes go to a bowl game this year."
