Bronco Mendenhall has one last chance to break his recent losing streak against Utah, and it will happen in Sin City.
Las Vegas Bowl 2015 live stream: How to watch BYU vs. Utah online
This year’s edition of the Holy War will take place in Sin City.
The Holy War showdown between BYU and No. 22 Utah wasn’t supposed to take place in 2015, but a pair of 9-3 records just happened to move that game to the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 19. These two teams had faced each other every year between 1946 and 2013 before a two-year hiatus put their in-state hate on hold.
Serendipitous bowl matchmaking cut that hiatus short. Now, Mendenhall and his Cougars will have the chance to erase a four-game losing streak against the Utes. The matchup has already earned hype as the biggest game of the early bowl season; tickets sold out in less than 24 hours. Despite that box office enthusiasm, some Utah fans were still disappointed with their postseason draw.
This Provo-Salt Lake City showdown will be one of the marquee games of the early bowl season. Utah climbed as high as No. 3 in the top 25 before losses to USC, Arizona and UCLA sunk their New Year’s Day bowl hopes. BYU was also ranked -- they peaked at 19th after a week two win over Boise State -- but a few upset losses and a scarcity of quality wins have kept them off the CFP committee’s radar despite a 9-3 record.
Beating Utah would give the Cougars a rivalry triumph, secure the quality victory they need for a return to the rankings, give their head coach his 100th win with the program, and end Mendenhall’s Brigham Young career on a high note before he leaves for Virginia. For the Utes, the Las Vegas Bowl is all about stopping the bleeding and salvaging a season that began with high expectations.
That game kicks off on Dec. 19, but until then, be sure to brush up on what Mormons can and can’t do while they’re in Las Vegas.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Sat., Dec. 19, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC, Brent Musberger and Jesse Palmer will have the call.
Online streaming: WatchESPN
Spread: Utah is favored by 2.5 points.
Make friends: Get to SB Nation’s team blog chats for this game at Block U (for Utah fans) and Vanquish the Foe (for BYU fans).
Three big things to know
1. How will BYU respond in a game that’s almost certain to be doubly emotional? They won’t only face their long-time rival in a postseason game, but they’re also doing so in the final contest of their head coach’s 11-year tenure. Mendenhall hasn’t finished a season ranked since 2011, but winning in Las Vegas could move the Cougars back into the top 25.
2. Tanner Mangum has been the face that runs the place (in this case, the place is the BYU offense) in 2015. The freshman quarterback has been on a tear lately, throwing 10 touchdown passes and only one interception in his last five games. Can he keep that hot streak alive to light up a Utah defense that ranks in the top 20 nationally?
3. What can Michigan tell us about this game? These two teams share one high profile common opponent - the Michigan Wolverines. Utah beat them early in the season, 24-17, to set up their run to the top three. Meanwhile, the Cougars were one of three early-season Wolverine shutouts in a 31-0 stomping. Some CFB math gives the nod to Utah, but things won’t be so simple in Las Vegas.
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