BYU brings more to the table in Saturday night’s rivalry game than ever before. Not only are the No. 9 Cougars undefeated (8-0) and in first place in the Big 12 (5-0), but they are also expected to make the College Football Playoff.

That’s a lot for any team, let alone one that just months ago was projected to win four games and finish at the bottom of the 16-team conference — but here they are.

When BYU and Utah faced each other as conference foes, their respective seasons, including championships and bowl games, often hinged on the outcome. It was a win at Utah in 1984 that catapulted the Cougars to No. 1 in the AP Top 25, leading to them winning the national championship.

As a testament to BYU’s record of achievement thus far in 2024, none of that is at stake on Saturday.

Winning will keep the Cougars’ unprecedented journey going, but losing won’t end it. No matter what happens, BYU will get back on the bus and still head first to Provo and behind the wheel to Arlington, Texas, for the Big 12 championship game – a destination that wasn’t even dreamed of in August.

So now that the big picture consequences have been largely shielded, the sole focus can be on what means so much to so many: beating the Utes for the sake of beating them. Nothing more, nothing less – and the Cougars they defeated before provided the keys to beating Utah again.

Gary Sheide quarterbacked the Cougars to victories in 1973 (46-22) and 1974 (48-20). He combined to throw six touchdowns and ran for another.

• Stay focused and locked in
• Have a short memory when bad things happen
• Own the line of scrimmage

Gifford Nielsen was the signal caller when BYU defeated Utah in 1975 (51-20) and 1976 (34-12). Nielson threw four touchdown passes and ran for two more during his pair of wins.

• Embrace the moment
• No turnovers (especially for defensive touchdowns)
• Hold Utah to under 100 yards rushing
• Control of the line of scrimmage (running the ball)

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Ty Detmer combined for 14 touchdown passes and two touchdown runs in his three wins against the Utes in 1989 (70-31), 1990 (45-22) and 1991 (48-17).

• Limit big plays early
• Resist the emotion of Utah
• Grind it out

National champion Robbie Bosco quarterbacked the Cougars to victories in 1984 (24-14) and 1985 (38-28), throwing four touchdowns over the two games.

• Win the sales battle
• Field position (ensure Utes sustain long drives)
• Put pressure on their quarterback

Quarterback Brandon Doman scored the winning touchdown to beat the Utes in LaVell Edward’s final game in 2000 (34-27) and he defeated Utah again in Gary Crowton’s first season in 2001 (24-21).

• Win the sales battle
• Scoring in the red zone
• Special teams

Quarterback Johannes Beck threw for 375 yards and four touchdowns in BYU’s last win at Salt Lake City in 2006 (33-31).

• Establish the run
• Anticipate Utah’s best efforts
• Create turnovers

Tight end Jonny Harline caught seven passes for 118 yards and three touchdowns, including the game winner as time expired in 2006 (33-31).

• Do this on both sides of the ball
• Maintain the mental edge

Quarterback Max Hall defeated the Utes in 2007 (17-10) and 2009 (26-23). The 2007 game was highlighted by the fourth-and-18 pass he completed to Austin Collie to set up the winning touchdown. Two years later, Hall’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Andrew George defeated the Utes 26-23 in overtime.

• Let the ball run
• Defensive turnovers
• Score touchdowns in the red zone

Tight end Andrew George caught two passes for 43 yards, including the game-winning touchdown in overtime in 2009 (26-23).

• Stop the running; keep the Utes under 100 yards
• Win the line of scrimmage
• No turnover

Hall of Fame tight end and Super Bowl champion Dennis Pitta caught three passes for 35 yards in 2007 (17-10) and two passes for 31 yards in 2009 (26-23).

• Take away the rush attack from (Micah) Bernard and Utah
• Protect the football
• Put pressure on Utah’s quarterback

Run back Tyler Allgeier rushed for 101 yards in BYU’s 2021 win (26-17). As a team, BYU defeated Utah 231-193 and dominated the time of possession with just under 11 minutes. Allgeier will reunite with former Cougars Taysom Hill and Jamaal Williams on Sunday when his Falcons play the Saints.

• Physicality. Be the more physical team
• Deal with the noise
• Play our football brand. Do your 1/11th

Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and anchor for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at desertbook.com.