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BYU's October schedule has become more interesting than anyone would have figured, going into the season. The Cougars have been tied with UConn and East Carolina in fourth quarters before winning, and now Cincinnati brings a prolific offense to Provo on Friday night.

Part of the intrigue — and part of the problem — with BYU's independent schedule is there's no history with these opponents, no reference points of previous meetings. In contrast, Utah and Utah State have considerable history with the teams they're hosting this weekend. The Utes and Aggies have a lot to overcome in that regard, actually.

Utah vs. Arizona State

Among this week's themes is how Arizona State is the only Pac-12 South team the Utes have not beaten as conference members. Utah is 0-4 against the Sun Devils in this decade, with Washington (2-0) the only North team that has swept the Utes.

Utah has led ASU at some point late in the second half of three of those games, although that trend skipped the Sun Devils' 37-7 win in 2012. So if there's one pattern to Utah's problems, it would be quarterback play. Jon Hays was making his first career start for the Utes in 2011, when his three interceptions helped ASU pull away to a 35-14 win.

In 2013, Travis Wilson later would be diagnosed with a concussion that must have affected him in a 20-19 loss, after the Utes held a 19-7 lead in the fourth quarter. Last year, Wilson passed for only 57 yards (and was replaced by Kendal Thompson as the starter in the next game) in a 19-16 overtime defeat.

In the four losses to ASU, Utah's offense has failed to top 19 points or 199 passing yards. Wilson is a combined 18 of 43 for 178 yards in his two starts against the Sun Devils. Devontae Booker ran for 146 yards against ASU last year, but that required 37 carries. Wilson will have to be much more productive Saturday night, with ASU undoubtedly determined to stop Booker. And the Utes will have to score in the 20s to win. Utah 27, Arizona State 21.

BYU vs. Cincinnati

Other than Cincinnati having to travel, the circumstances favor the Bearcats. They've been off since Oct. 1 and BYU has a short week of preparation, with quarterback Tanner Mangum trying to recover from a hamstring injury. Mangum rescued a victory over East Carolina after backup QB Beau Hoge's struggles enabled the Pirates to tie the game.

If Mangum has any recurring problems, and especially if he misses any playing time Friday, BYU could be in some trouble here. If he remains healthy and effective, the Cougars should be able to outscore Cincinnati.

With FCS member Wagner coming to town next week, BYU is positioned to be 6-2 going into November, when the Cougars will have meaningful games with Missouri and Utah State. That makes Cincinnati's visit a swing game for the Cougars, and it should be entertaining.

BYU 42, Cincinnati 38.

Utah State vs. Boise State

In another Friday game, USU can create all kinds of possibilities for itself by knocking off the Broncos in Logan. That's asking a lot, though. Boise State ransacked the Aggies 50-19 last November, continuing a trend. The Broncos have scored 45-plus points in nine of the last 10 meetings.

USU quarterback Kent Myers is 7-1 as a starter, having lost only to Boise State. Myers will have to run as well as he did against Colorado State and pass as well as he did against Fresno State for USU to stay with the Broncos this time. But the bigger issue is how USU's proud defense deals with a Boise State offense that produced 283 rushing yards against the Aggies last year.

The Broncos pass more this year, with the discovery of freshman quarterback Brett Rypien. USU's secondary was shredded by Washington freshman Jake Browning in September, and will have to respond against Boise State. Add it up, and it would take a great overall performance for USU to stage an upset.

Boise State 31, Utah State 24.

kkragthorpe@sltribcom

Twitter: @tribkurt