Obviously, as fans, we want Utah to keep winning every year because we are fans and want our team to win. That’s a given. However, beyond that, CFB is reorganizing into a semi-pro league that is going to take (likely) another decade+ until the ACC GOR expires in 2036 (assuming there is no way for teams to get out of it now).
I’m confident when all is said or done there is no more Big10 or SEC or Big12 (or if they do exist they will not have the power teams). We will ultimately end up with one conference (league) with a commissioner and collective bargaining for players (with a players union). That league will likely be between the 40 and 60 schools that are the most valuable. Today, Utah would make that league, but we don’t have the brand or broad fan appeal like blue bloods. It is our winning culture and consistency that has put us there (thank heavens for Kyle).
However, all that could go away if we start losing and become irrelevant again. Just look at Arizona or Minnesota or Illinois. All three could probably be included in such a league (and may still) but because they aren’t really relevant in CFB, they could be left on the outside looking in. Continued winning is the only way we survive the next decade.
Kyle is retiring sometime in the next 5 years. It is immensely critical that we hire the right coach that will keep us relevant. Whomever we hire it has to be a home run. If the AD gets that hire wrong, we are in a world of hurt.