This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

When a college football coach utters a quote that condescendingly pats one rival on the head just days before the game while simultaneously ripping the other bigger rival, it's glittering gold.

Like this:

"Well, considering only one in-state team will play us this year, it's a huge game. It's probably the featured game in state. It means a lot. These two teams honor tradition. This particular game matters a lot to both teams."

God bless Bronco Mendenhall, the gilded gift that keeps on giving.

Let's fill in the blanks to further illustrate what Mendenhall was saying there:

"Well [harrumph, I'm already put out and turned off by this entire thing], considering only one in-state team [Utah State] will [has the guts to] play us this year, it's a huge game [it's not really all that huge, but it's made that, in a limited sort of way, because it's all we've got since those chicken Utes won't play us at all]. It's probably the featured game in state [as opposed to what … Weber-SUU?]. It means a lot [it doesn't really mean all that much]. These two teams honor tradition. [Unlike dishonorable Utah, those tradition-less chumps who cut and ran just as I was putting together my best team in years.] This particular game matters a lot to both teams. [It would matter much more if the Aggies held up their end of the deal and were better more often.]"

Yeah, so, the BYU-Utah State game is all that's left this season in the way of in-state rivalry games. The problem with all that's left is … it's not a whole lot, foundationally and come lately.

Even with the relatively recent rise of Utah State football, how seriously can it be taken when it hasn't won on BYU's home field since 1978? Guys on that winning Aggie team now range in age from 53 to 60. They're bankers now, lawyers and doctors, salesmen and businessmen, farmers and plumbers. Many of them are nearing the off-ramp to retirement. Their golden years are in sight, as are their social security checks. And nobody since them has won in Provo. Not a single Aggie.

Where's Kyle Whittingham when you need him?

Doesn't matter if these teams have played one another since 1922. Tradition and location make it a proper in-state rivalry game, and will keep it that, but mostly in name only — unless results get rearranged more than they have been. The Aggies have made progress of late, but have more work to do to advance past simply putting a little fear in the Cougars — like they did in that 6-3 thriller in 2011 or that 27-24 mess in 2012 at LaVell's Place. And they can't just win once in an Aggie blue moon, like they did at Romney in 2010.

They must step up. They must beat BYU in front of its fans, in front of its students, its administrators, its boosters, its donors, its vendors, its ushers, its band, its grounds crew. It must break their hearts and set an emotional hook.

This would be the perfect time to do it, too, with the Cougars — and everybody who roots for them — all undefeated and fired up and Heismanically hopeful.

Only problem is, it won't happen, not without substantial help from the Cougars themselves. Even with substantial help, it won't happen. Not this year.

In this particular case, it's not all Utah State's fault, either.

When the Aggies lose their two best players — Chuckie Keeton and Kyler Fackrell — to season-ending injuries, Keeton for the second consecutive year, what exactly is Matt Wells supposed to do with that?

It's tough, and the Aggies might have been tough this time around had those two players been completely themselves. But they're not. And, so, the only rivalry game top-drawer football fans in the state of Utah have this season — Friday's late-night conference special at LES — has significantly less oomph to it.

The most intriguing part of it is this: Utah State plays rugged run defense, at least it has against mostly underwhelming competition, allowing opponents an average of 2.2 yards per attempt and less than 80 a game. BYU loves to run the ball, averaging 4.7 per rush. All told, the Cougars have gained more yards running (921) than passing (876). Something's got to give.

It's not likely to be Taysom Hill, who averages 5.4 yards a carry, or Jamaal Williams, who despite being dinged, picks up 4.9. Together, they average more than 200 rushing yards.

Even without Fackrell, the Aggie defense is difficult. It will cause BYU some issues — until the Cougars wear it down to its nub as the game grinds on. Look for Hill to take some deep shots, just often enough to keep Utah State uncomfortable and off-balance. The question persists: If the BYU run game is limited, can Hill pass the Cougars to a win? The back of the Aggie defense already has given up 1,026 passing yards and eight touchdowns. It will give up more Friday night.

Another subplot: How effective will Keeton backup Darell Garretson be against a BYU secondary that has been as soft and harmless as the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man? In limited play thus far, Garretson has thrown for 389 yards. BYU's D has yielded 1,102.

Alas, even though Utah State has the guts and gumption to "honor tradition," as Mendenhall says it, it does not have enough bodies to honor victory. Mendenhall knows that, too. Sadly, this, then, is all the fans in the state of Utah have in a year when they deserve more.

GORDON MONSON hosts "The Big Show" with Spence Checketts weekdays from 3-7 p.m. on 97.5 FM/1280 and 960 AM The Zone. Twitter: @GordonMonson