Here are the X factors for BYU and Utah this season, according to ESPN

In the run-up to the start of the college football season, ESPN released a list of “X factors” for each team it projects to start the campaign ranked in the top 25. BYU and Utah both landed on the list, with ESPN ranking the Cougars No. 12 and the Utes No. 18 (in the coaches poll released Tuesday, both teams were three spots lower, with BYU at No. 15 and Utah at No. 21. For the Cougars, Cal transfer linebacker and Utah native Cade Uluave was named the X factor, while backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin was named the X factor for the Utes.