Zach Wilson: ‘Our Biggest Issue Last Year Was Overhyping Rivalry’ With Utah

PROVO, Utah – BYU quarterback Zach Wilson knows that it has been a struggle for his Cougars to beat Utah. Wilson has lost back-to-back games against the Utes and the Cougars are riding a nine-game losing streaking.

This is a big role reversal because growing up, Wilson attended Utah football camps and cheered on the Utes with his father who played football under Ron McBride. Things changed when he was recruited by the Cougars and eventually changed his commitment from Boise State to BYU.

However, it has been over a decade since BYU last beat Utah and in 2019, the Cougars had “Beat Utah” plastered all over its practice facility and the team broke huddles with the same phrase. A big question heading into this season is if BYU can end the losing streak and top the Utes?

#BYU QB Zach Wilson felt the team was too focused on Utah last year. pic.twitter.com/f0CMN1aGM8

— KSL Unrivaled (@KSLunrivaled) April 8, 2020

Wilson joined KSL Unrivaled to discuss, among other things, what happened in last year’s game against the Utes.

“Honestly, I think one of our biggest issues last year was overhyping the rivalry. I really think it is a big game and one we need to focus on, but I don’t think we should do anything different than any other game,” Wilson said. “I don’t think we should put any emotion into it and I think that is where big mistakes happen.

“Our preparation needs to be at a high standard but everything else needs to be the same and I don’t think we should focus on having a better season overall and not losing to teams we shouldn’t lose to and I think that is a bigger issue last year than rivalry game last year.”

The laser focus on beating Utah seemed to be misguided and impacted the overall success of the BYU football program in 2019, according to Unrivaled. The Cougars still went to a bowl game last year but there were other games that might have not been given the right amount of attention.

Will There Be A 2020 Season?

The elephant in the room question revolves around the timing of the college football season. It is still too early to tell if the season will be altered in any way. There comes a point when working out individually or even in a small group will not cut it to be ready for the upcoming season.

“I just hope guys are accountable to themselves and doing things they should be doing and take advantage of this time,” Wilson said. “The closer we get to fall camp we need that time to come together, develop and just get back onto a normal schedule. People want to work hard but at the same time it is hard and there are some distractions.”

If you could open the door to one moment from last season what would it be?
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#BYUFOOTBALL #OpenDoorChallenge pic.twitter.com/YO8u1YLxdn

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) April 8, 2020

One big question is how much time will it take for the team to be on the same page and be ready to go for the start of the 2020 season.

“It is hard to say. I think strength and conditioning, then even my on the field training stuff takes an entire offseason. Last season was rough and I made it work but I didn’t get to do all of the same stuff,” Wilson said. “I felt like when I started training at the beginning of the year it was rehab and working on timing and details. It really does pay off for fall camp and it feels real smooth, accurate, stronger, and more confident. It is going to be rough if we can’t work on those things, but I think we will be fine yet it is still tough.”

Wilson is no longer the young guy on campus as he saw starting action as a true freshman and was the No. 1 quarterback going into 2019. 2020 offers a different challenge being a veteran of this Cougar team.

“Never take these moments for granted. Two years I was able to play as a freshman and going into having shoulder surgery sucked and last offseason and last season was so rushed. Now, I am back and have the opportunity to have another offseason, and now I am like, ‘I need to take advantage.’ I can’t go a third season and progressively I need to get a lot better.”

It all comes down to guys doing their own individual part to stay in shape and be ready to go once it is clear for teams to get back together. Football is a sport that needs to have all 11 players on the field in sync to be successful. Wilson is doing his part and he is hopeful others are doing their part to be ready once the time is right.

Tune into KSL’s Unrivaled every Monday through Friday, 7-9 p.m., or download the KSL NewsRadio app to subscribe to the podcast.