BYU vs. Utah - Defense

Passing Defense:
Utah (59th), 214.36 yards/game
BYU (19th), 186.09 yards/game
Rushing Defense:
Utah (10th), 107.73 yards/game
BYU (66th), 156.82 yards/game
Total Defense:
Utah (23rd), 322.09 yards/game
BYU (36th), 342.91 yards/game
Scoring Defense:
Utah (20th), 20.18 points/game
BYU (39th), 21.82 points/game
3rd Down Conversion Defense:
Utah (18th), 34.90%
BYU (89th), 42.77%
Red Zone Defense:
Utah (81st), 86%
BYU (102nd), 89%
Interceptions:
Utah (59th), 10 picks
BYU (59th), 10 picks
Fumbles Recovered:
Utah (70th), 7 fumbles
BYU (70th), 7 fumbles
Sacks:
Utah (33rd), 2.36 sacks/game
BYU (77th), 1.73 sacks/game

It would not surprise anyone who knows MWC football, Utah has a better statistical defense than BYU.  What is surprising is that the one area that BYU's defense exceeds Utah's is passing defense.  It is also a bit surprising that they are tied in takeaways.  Utah clearly has more athletic defenders, particularly in the secondary, but apparently the high risk, high reward strategy has been as much risk as it has been reward to this point.  At least compared to BYU this season.