Utah Tech at BYU

The decisive matchup is BYU’s veteran offensive core against Utah Tech’s defensive front and linebackers. All-American center Bruce Mitchell returns alongside Andrew Gentry, Kyle Sfarcioc and Sonny Makasini, with added tackle competition around them. That group is built to keep Bachmeier clean and establish the run-first structure that suits him. LJ Martin’s availability remains a key checkpoint after shoulder surgery kept him out of spring, and BYU had not announced a return date by early August. Utah Tech therefore needs its front and second level to create negative plays before BYU can dictate down and distance.

BYU’s route to control starts with patience: lean on Mitchell’s line, make Utah Tech defend Bachmeier as both a passer and runner, then force the secondary to account for Parker Kingston, who caught 66 passes for 924 yards last season and remains on the roster. Defensively, the Cougars can rotate a deep front led inside by Keanu Tanuvasa, Anisi Purcell and Justin Kirkland, then let an experienced secondary challenge throws. Utah Tech’s counter is straightforward but demanding: protect whichever quarterback wins the job, avoid negative plays, extend drives on third down and make BYU earn the field without turnovers or easy explosives. A game shortened by field position and clean possession is the Trailblazers’ clearest route to keeping control within reach.