BYU poised for Utah challenge
On more than one occasion, senior quarterback Brian Johnson has had to make a big play to preserve Utah's undefeated season.
Will he have to do it again today?
Plenty of big games and rivalry games are on the schedule, and one of the biggest will take place in Salt Lake City as Utah battles Brigham Young.
The one-loss Cougars have a chance to spoil the Bowl Championship Series hopes of the Utes (11-0) and gain a share of the Mountain West Conference title.
Utah already has had two miracle victories this season. The Utes came back from eight points down in the final two minutes to defeat Oregon State 31-28, and they scored their only touchdown in the final minute to defeat Texas Christian 13-10 in a game that still has bettors grumbling.
The home team has won just three of the past nine games between BYU and Utah, and 10 of the past 11 meetings were decided by seven points or fewer.
Expect more of the same, and go with the Cougars as 71/2-point underdogs.
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall and quarterback Max Hall are a tough combination to beat.
Other selections for today's games (home team in CAPS):
• Army (+19) over RUTGERS: This is a sandwich game for the Scarlet Knights, who played a conference game last week at South Florida and close their season at home against Louisville. Rutgers lost to Navy 23-21 in September, and Army runs a similar offense. The Black Knights had an extra week to prepare for this one.
• Michigan (+201/2) over OHIO STATE: The Wolverines no longer have to worry about setting the school record for most losses in a season. They accomplished that last week with their eighth loss, along with handing me my only loss. The silver lining for Michigan was its defense held Northwestern to 59 yards rushing in horrible weather, and Ohio State is a run-oriented team.
• North Carolina State (+11) over NORTH CAROLINA: Second-year Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien looks to make it two wins in a row over the Tar Heels. Freshman quarterback Russell Wilson is the key to North Carolina State's success. North Carolina coach Butch Davis opened the quarterback competition between Cameron Sexton and T.J. Yates after the Tar Heels struggled on offense in their 17-15 loss at Maryland.
• Michigan State (+16) over PENN STATE: This game features two of the top three running backs in the Big Ten in the Nittany Lions' Evan Royster and the Spartans' Javon Ringer, who is averaging 143 yards per game. Michigan State is off a bye week and should be aided by an afternoon start time.
• Stanford (+9) over CALIFORNIA: The "Big Game" is a game again since Jim Harbaugh took over as Stanford's coach last year. The Cardinal's 20-13 victory snapped a five-game losing streak to the Bears. Stanford has been competitive in almost every game this season, and a victory makes it bowl eligible.
• ARIZONA (-21/2) over Oregon State: The Wildcats never have been to the Rose Bowl, but they have a chance to spoil the Beavers' first trip since 1965. Arizona has locked up bowl eligibility and will look to bounce back from last week's loss to Oregon.
Last week: 7-1 against the spread
Season: 40-35-1
Barry Holthaus, a handicapper for VegasInsider.com, is providing college football analysis for the Review-Journal this season. He can be heard on "Leroy's Sports Hour" at 10 p.m. Saturdays on KLAV-AM (1230).
