In a result so close Kyle Whittingham admitted it surprised him, USU's skeleton crew edged the Big Sky's Southern Utah by just three last Thursday, scoring nine of 12 points via a blocked extra point and a fourth-quarter punt return.
Utah was hardly perfect in beating Michigan by one score — finishing sackless, scarcely involving outside receivers, generating little push at the line, missing field goals — but, ultimately, it squeaked by Michigan.
And USU squeaked by Southern Utah.
That's why, in the 112th iteration of the Battle of the Brothers, the Utes enter game day as 12-point favorites to capture Series Win No.