THE HOLY WAR
Forgive the use of the clichéd, inaccurate title, but it's that time of year and its here, so we're going with it. This game is building up to be one of the biggest, if not THE biggest in the history of the rivalry. It will be only the second time both teams have been ranked going into this game; the highest rankings to be certain. To get the excitement to a fever pitch, here are some recent memories in the rivalry:
1984
BYU caps off a perfect season 24-14 over the Utes and goes on to win the National Championship
1996
BYU torched the Utes 37-17
2000
In the final game of legendary head coach, LaVell Edwards (in front of a sold out Utah crowd) Brandon Doman reminded all of we Skyline alumni why we were so dominant in the late 90's as he took the ball in for the final score of the game. 34-27. Farewell coach
2001
Cougar fans enjoyed a memorable start to the season, including a 24-21 win over Utah to start the season 12-0 (only to lose the final 2 games.)
2004
I can't in good conscience leave this one out Ute fans. The Cougs were in the mire and muck of a filthy season while the rivals were rolling the competition. Utah won handily, got a Fiesta bowl invite, pounded Pittsburg and finished the season with the notoriety of being the first "BCS Buster"
2005
Unlikely hero, Brett Ratliff engineers a final drive in Provo for a 34-31 win in OT. The heated rivalry steps up here
2006
Harline is still open. 33-31 Click here to relive the glory
2007
4th and 18 for 49 still ringing fans? 17-10 Here's the big catch
5 comments:
Holy War means two sided so I thought, isn't a war have two sides. I like you input but you forgot to add a couple of great games of the holy war. I copied the following from my brothers blog titled ihatebyu.blogspot.com He is doing a different top ten all week during rivalry week go enjoy the rest.
#10 - 1978 - Utes get their first win against LaVell (23-22). Highlight here was the fact that Jimbo McMahon and the Cougs had jumped out to a 16-0 halftime lead before the mighty comeback.
#9 - 1994 - The second (34-31) score in as many years. This was the first time that both teams entered the game nationally ranked. (Note: this game also gets another mention below at #5)
#8 - 2001 - The only BYU win in a Holy War found on this list (Cougs 24-21). I'm including it here for the BCS ramifications both then and now. BYU squeaked by the Utes to go 11-0 and seemed well on their way to being the first "BCS Buster" from a non-BCS conference. OOOPS! Too bad it was only 2 weeks later when Hawaii pounded Doman & Company 72-45 that shot those hopes down the drain. Goodbye BCS! Goodbye record for most points against BYU in a game! Goodbye Ute taunting season as beating us then became meaningless! (NOTE: Louisville also hammered BYU in the Liberty Bowl later that month) Nice finish. 12-0...12-1...12-2.
#7 - 1995 - Ute threepeat in the mid-90's. This game is memorable for not only dominating the Cougars again in Provo, but also because it included such "unlikables" as Chad Lewis, Steve Sarkisian, Hema Heimuli, etc...)
#6 - 1988 - The "Rice Bowl". Scott Mitchell drills the Cougars 57-28.
#5 - 1994 - This game was mentioned at #9, but is worthy of another reference. I had the opportunity to join a friend of mine (Cougar fan) in better seats for this game. So my wife and her friend were left to fend for themselves in the northeast end zone of RES. The game was back-and-forth and every time BYU would get ahead, the fans in her section began the merciless "Scoreboard" chants. After my wife's friend made a comment back to a particular daughter of God, all hell broke loose. Next thing they knew there were nachos and cheese flying everywhere and this Cougar student (female) was pummeling my wife's friend. Classic! And I thought all those girls in the stands at LES are there on dates for their eternal mates? nope. The guys bring them in case a fight breaks out.
#4 - 2004 - Urban Meyer. The actual first BCS buster. No Cougar team ever could have hung with these guys. They got worked over from the opening kickoff to the final gun (52-21). Funny thing? The Utes actually went on to win their bowl game.
#3 - 2005 - Overtime thriller in Provo. Hmmm? There seems to be a Provo theme to this post? Anyway, many gave the Utes very little chance with this being the first start for their backup QB, Brett Ratliff. Great game! Better finish!
#2 - 1993 - The first (34-31) game. With all the kicking problems that the Utes have had over the years, this one was especially sweet. Nothing like an unexpected 55-yd FG at the buzzer to shut up a stadium full of Zoobie fans.
#1 - 2003 - The greatest Holy War game of all time. The only thing better than blowing out the Cougars is to shut them out. Finally, after twenty-whatever years and three-hundred-whatever games... they were shut out. Utes win (3-0) in Provo. This ranks at the top for me because I was only a young kid when this stupid scoreless streak started and had been forced to listen to Paul James mention it EVERY single game after BYU's first score for MY ENTIRE LIFE.
Everyone's praising Sakota this year and granted he is very good. But its about time he missed. I'm thinking off the goal post at the end would be nice.
Your bro makes a nice point, all those highlights at LES, none at home. Seems to me the visiting team almost always prevails.
Yes, a war usually has two sides, but as a Cougar fan, I chose not to put mediocrity in the article, hence the non-mention of several of these games, which I did consider. I did put the games that meant more, Utah's Cinderella season, Ratliff's improbable victory, giving Whit a decisive first win in the rivalry game for the two new coaches. This year will be great, but I look forward to a Cougar three-game streak.
BTW, I can't believe #1 on his list only made it because a streak ended. Personally, I'd have put the pummelling from Urban's 04 team as my number one. 3-0, what a lame one to put on top.
I'd love to see the Utes get their jockstraps handed to them in a BCS game! Come on! Any realist will recognize that neither the Cougs nor the Utes are ready to face teams such as Alabama, Texas, Tech, or even Florida......and that hurts me to say it. The best thing to happen to the Utes will be a loss to the Cougs.
This is bound to be another great game! The Utes better pray they win, because it looks like BYU will sweep them for the third straight year in Bball. BYU has won the past 7 football and basketball games, and is much much much better than the Utes this year in Bball. Next year in football looks to be another great BYU team and a rebuilding Ute team. Basically, this is Utah's best shot at the Cougs in a long time and a long time coming. Here's to 8 in a row!!!
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