SALT LAKE CITY — Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham says it before every game on the schedule every season: it's just another game.
The phrase is perfect coach speak and a playing down of true feelings for an upcoming matchup, particularly in a big game. Why should one game be more important than the collective whole? But what about a game against in-state rival BYU in the postseason?
Sure, it's just another game, but it happens to be the game to define the season, the game to settle a heated rivalry … for now, and the game to define dominance as a Power 5 program against a seemingly inferior independent BYU program in transition.