My Thoughts on the Game and Other Things

[The Miami Ute]

1. I’m really, really proud of Utah fandom for the massive in-person showing at RES last night. I was afraid before the game that half the stadium would be wearing blue but it really wasn’t even close.

2. I’m not from Utah and came to my Utah fandom late so BYU has always kind of been just another team to me. That’s changing rapidly. In my limited experience with their fanbase, they have a high ceiling for assdouchery. LIsten BYU fans, this is coming from a guy from Miami…you don’t have to be total dickheads before, during, and after a game. Act like you’ve been there before, at least occasionally…you’re lucky that people here in Utah are far more understanding than people in the East Coast, because I saw and heard stuff that would have garnered violence on a massive scale if this game was played, say in the Orange Bowl in the 80s or 90s.

3. I didn’t see the holding call on Vaughn, even though I was close to the play, and I can’t recall seeing it on the scoreboard but I did see a replay on this X site: WILD ending to this game. After seeing this here are my thoughts: Quite simply, it was a BS call. There’s nothing there…Ratzleff has what, 1.5-2 seconds before he’s wrapped up for the sack? It reminded me of another famous BS call that stopped Miami from winning the NC back in 2003 versus Ohio State. Whatever, it’s this kind of crap, along with all of the other associated shenanigans (NIL, unlimited transfers, bicoastal conferences) that’s killing college sports.

4. BYU is a smoke and mirrors team. They’re not really particularly good at anything or have any players that make you jump out of your seat. John Canzano was at the game and, in his story following the end of the contest, said that if BYU played Oregon, the Ducks would have a 30+ point victory against the Cougars. Frankly, I think that he’s being charitable with that 30+ scoreline. If BYU played the Ducks, I’m thinking 60+ if Dan Lanning wants to make a statement. Just look at who BYU has played this season and how fortunate they’ve been. They’ve skirted disaster time and time again this season against, let’s call them what they are, not very good teams. Yes, they’ve beaten everyone in their schedule but you can’t really give them any style points. All I’m going to say is that they better not sleep on Kansas next week.

5. The Kyle Whittingham era in Utah is over. Sure, he’s on contract for three more years but, for all intents or purposes, it’s hard to see a pathway for Utah to remain relevant if he stays at the helm. I’m not calling for his dismissal, just questioning if a 65 year old man has the desire and wherewithal to re-invent himself in order to remain successful as this stage of the game.

6. The sooner that Utah is out of the Big 12, the happier I’ll be. I think that I speak for a large part of Utah fandom when I say that Utah is not happy now, and will probably never be, in the Truckstop Conference known as the Big XII. At this point, it’s just a marriage of convenience and the moment a better opportunity presents itself, Utah will be gone in the wind. And I don’t want to look East but just West.

[2008 National Champ]

Can I sign up for a “best of the west” conference now? 12 teams, 11 game round robin, top 4 teams play off for the title. Season is over before Xmas and I don’t have to pretend to care whether Duke could beat Tulane in a neutral site matchup.

WSU and OSU still own the Pac12Network assets. Don’t overprice the streaming subscriptions and be a niche option for the fans of those schools. Alternate time slots so that the better teams don’t get screwed playing late at night in the winter just because some dickhead at an unpronounceable 4 letter network wants late night content on the east coast.

[The Miami Ute]

Well, I’m there with you. After just one year in the Big XII, I’m ready to throw in the towel on this experiment. For me, and I know a lot of people here see it differently, it’s the Mother of bad inventions. I would love to be in a new regional conference with Wazzu and OSU. Is it a step down? It’s entertainment!!! We’re not looking to solve the world’s problems. We have a lot more in common with schools west of us than trying to cultivate an artificial romance with schools 2000 miles away. And I would still think the same way if Utah was 9-0 and in line for a spot in the CFP.

[Matt]

BS. If yiu guys were 9-0 youdsayidsveg 10 or sec,not wanting to step down to a s**tty conference with utah state, Fresno, and San Diego state.

[2008 National Champ]

You obviously weren’t on the board the last 2 years when we were having these very discussions. Don’t get butthurt because people on here don’t hold the school you root for in the same esteem as you do.

Utah fans wanted the PAC to stay together when SC/UCLA announced they were leaving. We still wanted the PAC to stay together last year before it imploded. The Big12 was a step up in competition and prestige for the parochial school. It was nothing more than a lateral transfer for Utah. And lateral transfers never feel good, especially when they aren’t done by choice.

[Utah]

What? I’d rather play Fresno St and SDSU than Baylor and Kansas and Oklahoma St.

You don’t want to admit this, but Texas and Oklahoma are gone. Without them, the Big 12 is no better than SDSU, Boise St and Fresno St.

It a s**tty conference with s**tty teams. If I’m going to be in a s**tty conference with s**tty teams, I’d rather be with my s**tty teams.

Give me UNLV, SDSU, Boise St, WSU, Oregon St, Stanford, Cal, CSU, and ASU over this bull s**t conference. And guess what? That is a better football conference than the Big 12.

This conference is absolute ass. There is no history with any of the teams, the teams aren’t good and even if Utah was 9-0, you know what Utah fans would be saying? I’ll tell you:

“Utah is too good for this ass conference and I can’t wait until 2030 when we are in the Big 10 or SEC.”

Why? Because this conference is s**tty conference with s**tty schools in s**tty locations.

[The Miami Ute]

If I’m going to be in a s**tty conference with s**tty teams, I’d rather be with my s**tty teams.

Has to be there for the UteHub quote of the year. I was never a big fan of the Big XII before joining and being part of it has confirmed all of my biases. The worst part is not having a dislike for the conference but the apathy of being shoehorned into something that you have an aversion to.

[Matt]

I really hope you guys get your wish of the rebuilt p12. What a step down it would be. It would be the dumbest move any school has ever made. The big 12 basketball was the most fun basketball season I have experienced since I was a teen in the 80s with the old WAC. But this conference has 8 top 25 teams.

Like I said earlier, give me Boise in place of you. Hell, I bet Washington State would gladly trade places with you. They are 8-1. I’ll gladly take them

[2008 National Champ]

I don’t know. Going independent didn’t exactly work well no matter how you try to spin it

[RoboUte]

It was a disaster

[The Miami Ute]

Are all BYU fans as delusional as you? Your posts are a perfect example of what I was referring to with the BYU fanbase. Where do you get the cojones to go to another team’s website and say crap “well, I’d take blank team over you”…like, you think I, or anyone else here, give a s**t about your sophomoric plans for Utah’s future? I now fully understand why so many Utah fans wanted nothing to do with BYU and were extremely reticent to be back in the same conference with the Cougars. You’re like that obnoxious and toxic ex-girlfriend that doesn’t want to accept that the relationship is over and that the other party doesn’t want anything to do with her. At this point, I’d trade going to the renewed PAC and less dollars for a promise of never having to be in the same arena/stadium with BYU.

[2008 National Champ]

mic drop

[The Miami Ute]

Fo’ Shizzle My Nizzle…

[Tony (admin)]

It seems you’re starting to see things clearly.

[RoboUte]

[UteHorn21]

So I want to preface this by saying the Texas Longhorns are my team to the core, I haven’t missed a game since 1998. However, I have deep family ties to SLC and the state of Utah and have followed the Utes as a legit fan since their magical run in 2004 (not as passionately as Texas, but certainly a loyal fan). I typically fly in for 1 game per year, sometimes an away game. I say all of this in anticipation of the responses I know I’m about to receive.

Utah fans, who in the hell do you actually think you are? Honestly… The Utes are not college football royalty or part of some esteemed past. Utah has only been playing at the highest level of college football for 13 years in their entire history. So while Utah was playing Utah St and Fresno for over 50 years, schools like Texas Tech, Oklahoma St, TCU, Baylor were playing in power leagues in the Big 8 and Southwest Conference. A lot harder to rack up wins against Arkansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas than Air Force, Colorado St, and Hawaii.

Second, this whole truckstop $hit y’all keep saying is odd. Utah is one of the smallest populated states in the Big 12. SLC is smaller than OKC, Kansas City, and Cincinnati. That’s without even mentioning DFW, GHA, PHX, Orlando have more people in their city than the entire state of Utah.

Third, the PAC-12 was a conference full of apathetic fan bases that cared little for college football outside of Utah, USC, Oregon, and maybe Washington. Cal, Stanford, UCLA had empty stadiums with students that would rather protest a political rally than have any sort of passion about football. The true blueblood power the PAC had (USC) was wandering the wastelands the entire time Utah was in the conference.

Lastly, I respect what some Big 12 schools have made of themselves. When Bill Snyder arrived at Kansas St, they were statistically the worst team in college football. Quite frankly they’ve achieved just as much (if not more) than Utah. Multiple conference titles and BCS/NY6 games. TCU was completely left for dead when the Southwest Conference folded and completely built themselves back and then some (and again, have accomplished more than Utah).

Knowing both sets of fan bases very well I was excited to see Utah join a conference that actually really cares a lot about football. It’s really unfortunate a lot of Utes fans have showed they’re a$$ and completely galvanized an entire conference worth of fans to hate them. I can tell a lot of this is stemming from the BYU hatred and the fans viewing this as joining “their” conference.

[Matt]

Great post.

[The Miami Ute]

Blah, blah, blah…my BS detector is really going off. Another BYU fan coming in here camouflaged as an “Utah fan” telling us how we should feel. Like the so called LSU fan on another thread, that’s the tell.

You guys can’t help yourself and constantly preach to other fans how they should act and feel.

Well buddy, sorry…I only speak for myself but I could give a rat’s ass about the Big 12, Texas, the whole pack…that conference is filled with hasbeens, neverwillbes, and useful idiots designed to make up numbers. It’s like a college football version of the Island of Misfit Toys.

Money isn’t everything. For me, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze of being in a conference where you, with the exception of the four corner schools, have really zero in common with other members (to include BYU).

[Rick Walker]

In all fairness this guys been consistent about posting in prior years and frankly about Texas football. It’s just a different perspective

[UteHorn21]

You sound like an aggy (whoever doesn’t agree with me must be a BYU fan) pathetic tbh. Again, TCU has accomplished more than Utah so this pompous attitude you have is just odd. Why do you feel Utah is peers with the powers of college football? Every time they’ve played a blueblood they get worked over. Texas, Ohio St, Penn St.

Utah wasn’t even the first choice to be added to the PAC. It was originally the Texoma 4 + Colorado. It’s a good thing you and 2008 don’t make any choices, Utah in the PAC 4.0 would be the end of the program as a competitor on a national level.

[Rick Walker]

Sure, I’ll agree TCU accomplished more because of their playoff season but let’s not pretend like Utah hasn’t hung with blue bloods. Ohio state was a three point loss and Penn state and Texas had a severe number of opt outs. Also when did they remove Alabama, USC, and Oregon from the blue bloods list?

[UteHorn21]

Oregon has never been a blueblood, ever. There are only 7 in college football.

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma
4. Michigan
5. USC
6. Texas
7. Nebraska

Y’all are missing the point entirely. What exactly has Utah won to talk down to teams that have actually played in a power conference for a lot longer and have played for national titles?

[2008 National Champ]

Notre Dame’s not a blue blood? Penn State? I think you’ve lost the narrative and are just arguing for the sake of arguing.

[UteHorn21]

Forgot them, my mistake. 8*

Most college football publications agree the blueblood club is 900+ wins, multiple national titles, 70%+ winning pct.

Some people include Penn St and Tennessee.

The “new bloods” are generally considered Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Florida St, Miami

[RoboUte]

In semi recent history we’ve played a lot of blue bloods.

1. Alabama. self explanatory
2. Ohio State. Great game, we lost but not a single soul walked away thinking we didn’t deserve to be there. Probably one of the best games of that entire football season.
3. Penn state. Outclassed us
4. Texas. A mediocre Texas manhandled an uninspired KW bowl team.
5. Michigan. We went 3-0 in the series.
6. USC. 7-7 with Utah on a 4 win streak and permanently retaining possession of the PAC 12 south.
7. Notre Dame. Outclassed us

That’s 11-11. We’re no blue blood but pretending Utah doesn’t punch above its weight from time to time is revisionist. That’s a damn good record from what was (to begin with) a MW team. I’m even counting only losses from teams you left out.

[UteHorn21]

I’m not here to take a crap on Utah. I like the Utes and will continue to be a fan regardless. And yes, over the last 20 years, Utah has absolutely punched above their weight class. What I don’t respect are some Utah fans turning their nose up at schools that have done just as much if not more and acting like the Utes are above them. Just like how y’all don’t like when USC or anyone else does to Utah. I remember vividly what Utes fans were saying in 2008.

[Tony (admin)]

Uh, Ohio State didn’t “work us over.” They won by a field goal in the last minutes of the game.

[UteHorn21]

Jaxson Smith-Njigba 15 catches 347 yards.

2nd half – Ohio St 27 points Utah 10 points.

[RoboUte]

Ya you didn’t watch the game. Ohio state needed every yard to win that game. They fully deserved it but they needed to set records to win. I’ll take that loss any day.

[2008 National Champ]

Honest question(s): If the Big 12 was such a great conference, why did your Longhorns try to get out of it for around 2 decades? Why did Missouri, Colorado, A&M, Oklahoma, Nebraska and your team willingly leave the schools that are still there?

I hear a lot about how bad Oregon State and Washington State are but how are they different than Tech, Baylor, the Kansas schools.,,? Because they were top level schools as long as any of the Big12 leftovers.

[UteHorn21]

You’re not going to like this, but Texas and Utah are not peers in football. I’m also not saying the Big 12 is some utopia. But y’all sitting here saying it’d be better for Utah to make $5 million a year to play Utah St and Fresno is a joke.

Kansas as a football institution indeed does suck, you’ll have no argument from me there. Nor will I stick up for Baylor. I’m mostly talking about these 4 schools that have large fanbases, they invest into their program, and have accomplished things on the gridiron. Oklahoma St, TCU, Texas Tech, West Virginia.

I’ll ask you a question right back. Why are y’all so upset about being in the Big 12? What precisely is the issue Utah fans have with the conference?

[RoboUte]

I actually don’t mind being in the big 12, it has a lot of a good programs and I think it’s poised to be good watching due to the possibility for many teams in it to have breakout seasons. That’s really cool as a football fan. But there’s no wow factor in it due to there being no big names and the fanbase has no history with any of the teams (no one cares about Colorado).

If you look at an eight or nine win season in the PAC you had to go through some good teams to get there. If you have an eight or nine win season in the Big 12 you had to beat Ok St maybe I guess??? It’s just not as impressive.

All this happened in a whirlwind. We liked where we were and were enjoying success. Then outside of our control it just crumbles and we’re left with the only move available to us, which is a downgrade even though I respect the teams in the Big 12 a lot more than the average utehubber. You’d be happy about that happening to your team? Rhetorical question of course, if the answer isn’t no you’re simply being dishonest.

[UteHorn21]

I don’t disagree. I’ll concede that the PAC 12 was better than the current Big 12. However, the Big 12 still has an auto bid and a path to the CFB Playoff.

[RoboUte]

Didn’t the automatic bids begin in 2024?

[2008 National Champ]

What precisely is the issue Utah fans have with the conference?

It’s not a conference we wanted to join. It’s as simple as that. The point is no deeper than “I’m attracted to blondes” and you are arguing that I’m stupid for not wanting brunettes instead.

I have no problem with the schools in the Big12. But that doesn’t mean I want a relationship with them. And where I find your argument disingenuous is that your favourite team also didn’t want a relationship with them. But here you are standing up for your ‘exes” while I’m saying that if I have to get into a new relationship, I’d rather go back to mine.

The schools currently in the Big 12 are not as desirable to me as what I left. When the SWC broke up your school was in the group that made sure Rice, Houston and TCU were not allowed into the Big 12. Two of those 3 are now in the Big 12 and they aren’t there because Texas chose them over other attractive suitors. Since Missouri and A&M left, the Big 12 has been trading down. The four corner schools came over out of necessity, not desire (except for maybe Colorado). And marriages of convenience rarely work because both sides are looking for something better.

[UteHorn21]

I don’t dispute any of what you said whatsoever. Yes, having a home schedule with Baylor, Iowa St, and Kansas on it was not exciting. Everyone knows there is going to be another round of realignment and Utah will most likely be included.

Something y’all have to more honest about is, Utah had no where else to go. Sure you might like blondes, but spend enough time in a group full of dudes and that brunette is gonna look damn good.

Also, there’s a huge reason the PAC 12 failed. Bad TV time slots and weak football culture (outside of a handful).

[2008 National Champ]

Something y’all have to more honest about is, Utah had no where else to go
That’s not technically true. The Big 12 was the best of a lot of perceived bad options. It did not represent an increase in compensation from previous (which I know was no longer available), it did not represent an increase in competition, and joining after Texas & Oklahoma had left meant that it did not represent an increase in prestige.

Were those things available elsewhere? No. So the decision came down to perceived stability until the next round of realignment and the most money available. Neither are reasons that typically lead to a good relationship.

Also, there’s a huge reason the PAC 12 failed. Bad TV time slots and weak football culture

Again, no one has been able to show me how bad TV time slots and weak football culture have been different. The perception of the Big 12 with Texas and Oklahoma was that it was roughly equivalent with the PAC as the 4th best conference. Without Texas and Oklahoma the PAC would have been the clear #4. And you’ve been very clear that the 4 corner schools alone do not increase the perception of the Big 12.

Sometimes leftovers can make a pretty good meal. And maybe this conference works out eventually. But the initial taste test says otherwise. Is it better than Cal, Stanford, Utah, the Arizona’s, OrSt, WSU and a couple of good MW teams that moved up? Or is it the same with different names?

[2008 National Champ]

follow up:

Let’s be clear on the circumstances. Yormark offered the 4 corner schools because they were the best available schools which would also increase the overall conference compensation.

The second reason is that he could envision the same west coast conference that I just laid out with 7 former PAC teams and a few MW. And I beg you to ignore your Texas roots and look at a twelve team Big 12 v my proposed reformed Pac 12 and tell me there is a gnats ass of difference in national perception. So he made a classic business decision and bought out another mid-level company’s best assets so that he didn’t have to compete with them for market share. His company is still mid-level but at least he can project himself as being bottom of the top instead of top of the bottom.

[UteHorn21]

Baylor < Cal
Cincinnati < Boise St (barely) sustained success vs higher success
Kansas > Fresno St – KU getting a brand new stadium, better coach, bigger reach.
Kansas St >> Colorado St
Iowa St = Washington St – ISU has a large fan base, very supportive and passionate
Oklahoma St > Oregon St – Pokes have more fans, more success, more everything.
Houston = San Diego St – I see this as a dead heat.
TCU >> Utah St – not close
WVU > Stanford – Tree has the name, eers have more on field success.

Utah would have the biggest stadium in that conference by a healthy margin.

The Big 12 has a 2:30 CT time slot. The 9:15 CT kick def sucks.

Again, I’ll spin it back to you. You’re complaining about lack of brands and helmet schools in the Big 12, yet want to be aligned with Utah St and Fresno?

[Rick Walker]

I’m sorry but you really think West Virginia has more on field success than Stanford? I totally agree with you on the rest that I’m seeing but this is a bad take imo. Stanford has sucked the last few years but is less than a decade removed from being a consistent top 15 team

[The Miami Ute]

Anybody that places WVU above an university that has an endowment the size of Egypt’s GDP needs to get his head examined. Seriously? How old is this guy? Stanford completely dominated the PAC 12 in the seven year period between 2010-2016. How soon people forget. In those seven years, Stanford finished ranked #4, #7, #7, #11, #3, #12, and #20 in the AP Poll.

[UteHorn21]

They also have a 1-11 season a few 2’s and a few 3’s. Outside of the Andrew Luck/McCaffrey years, not good.

Odd you reference seasons 10-14 years ago, then ask my age like I wasn’t alive for 90s/00s terrible Stanford. 1990-2009 Stanford was 107-121. Badddddd

[UteHorn21]

They played for a national title in the 80s, six Big East titles in the 2000s, multiple BCS wins. And a very raucous and passionate fan base.

Stanford 13 losing seasons since 2000.

[The Miami Ute]

Yeah, I physically saw that game versus Notre Dame…Lou Holtz was the ND coach at the time and it wasn’t pretty…

Stanford has been down since 2019, but, immediately prior to that, they won an Orange Bowl, a Foster Farms Bowl, two Rose Bowls, and two Sun Bowls. In addition, they went to but lost an additional Rose Bowl, a Fiesta Bowl, an additional Sun Bowl, and an Alamo Bowl.

West Virginia? Well, they made an Orange Bowl in 2011 and were real good under Rich Rod much earlier than that, but since then…really only lower tier bowls whenever they’ve been eligible.

[2008 National Champ]

You didn’t ignore your Texas roots but that’s okay. It’s tough to take that out of the equation. Someone who grew up on the west coast like me would probably go opposite on most of your evaluations. i.e., Oklahoma State and Oregon State were pretty much equals in historical success until T Boone decided to try to outspend Phil Knight. Yet in my lifetime I’ve watched Dennis Erickson take Oregon State and it’s lack of resources to a top 5 ranking and beatdown of Notre Dame. I have an affinity for Oregon State just like you do the schools you grew up watching. They were one of my favourite non-Utah teams to root for in the conference and were a good partner.

There are two other things that no one has brought up yet:

1. By aligning with the PAC, Utah became (I hope I have the number right) a billion a year research school. The Athletic Department produces a pittance of that. Losing access to those resources is huge for the University for those who care about more than the football team. And they can’t be made up with membership in the Big 12.

2. It’s almost impossible to measure the amount of antipathy most Utah fans have/had towards sharing a conference with the parochial school again. I say almost because you can ask any Aggie fan how much they like having to deal with Texas on a regular basis. Perhaps Utah people would have been less resistant to entering the Big 12 if it didn’t include the parochial school. Impossible to know but you can’t discount that it tips the scales, even if not outright acknowledged.

At the end of the day, my evaluation of the teams is as valid as yours. And if you’d started your posts with an acknowledgment of that instead of telling us that we would be dumb to prefer ours instead of what you value, this discussion wouldn’t have gone this long. Don’t get me wrong, I love having actual conversations instead of snarkfests. I just think we could have gotten here a lot quicker and maybe solved a couple of other first-world problems while we were at it.

As to your last, liking Utah State and Fresno in not a bad thing. It’s okay if the rest of the country think being associated with them is a step down in competition. I’m fine with that. I know Utah’s place in the industry. As much as I would like Utah to have the historical success of say a Texas, I’m not going to lose sleep over it.

At the same time, I’ve watched when Utah was good enough in a single season to be considered for best of the year and other “names” getting that chance because they were names. 2008 would have been an epic playoff with Oklahoma, Florida, Utah, Tech, Texas, Alabama and whoever the Big10 and ACC got in. In the PAC, it was made clear that Utah would have to go undefeated to get the benefit of the doubt and make the playoff and I think it will only be slightly better in the Big 12 because of the autobid. So I’d rather be in a place where I can earn best in my group than be told anything short of perfection doesn’t matter.

[UteHorn21]

A lot to unpack here. One, Oklahoma St isn’t Texas roots. The two hardly ever played until the Big 12 was formed. Oregon State has had blips of success just as any program has small windows of success. I also remember that Fiesta Bowl against ND. There’s a reason the Beavers were left out, and it’s entirely the fault of their doing. Oklahoma St, while not a power, has had more success and definitely has a larger fan base. You can’t tell me it’s easier to get fans to Stillwater, Oklahoma than Corvallis, Oregon.

Great point about the research money. Hopefully for the betterment of our society and education as a whole, universities can create research coalitions with each other outside of sharing athletic conferences.

This one is a new one for me personally. I haven’t lived in Utah (Sandy) since 1995. And while there was always hatred between the Utes and BYU, some of y’all have gone full aggy and let the rivalry consume wayyyy too much of your lives. Dude, it’s just college football, chill out. The two schools are connected at the hip whether they like it or not. I was not one of the Texas fans that wanted the Lone Star Showdown to end. And just like I knew would happen when the game inevitably resumed that it would be the biggest most watched game of the year. The cheapest ticket right now is over $900 bucks last I checked. Rivalries are what make college football awesome. And despite Kevin Marr’s terrible call, the game was awesome as far as pageantry. Amazing uniform aesthetic, the crowd was very loud and hostile, everything you could want from a college football game aside from the bad officiating.

If you felt I was being snarky I apologize. I just held Utes fans to a higher standard I guess. Being dick heads to schools in America’s heartland by no fault of their own is lame and beneath Utah. If you actually took your disappointment glasses off and went to a night game in Lubbock, Ames, Manhattan, and especially Morgantown. You would have a great time and meet good folks.

Despite you probably not agreeing with me, ultimately I want what’s best for Utah athletics and for the Utes to play at the premier level of college football, which if you’re being genuine, we both know isn’t in Logan, Fresno, or Pullman. I somehow get the impression that you would have no problem not playing western teams if Utah was given an SEC invite?

Next season myself, and 5 of my friends from Texas are going to the Utah vs Texas Tech game since I’ve bragged about how fun games in SLC are. Hopefully that holds true.

[The Miami Ute]

Why do you say that BYU and Utah are connected at the hip? One is a private institution and the other one is a public institution. You can make a case for both A&M and Texas being connected at the hip since they both belong to the State of Texas, but Utah and BYU? Not so much…there’s absolutely nothing legally connecting the two schools. That’s how the Florida Gators have been able to duck the Hurricanes (private school) for so many decades. They played every year when the Canes sucked, but once Miami flipped the script and entered the Glory Years, Florida dropped them like a bad habit.

[UteHorn21]

Outside of very recently, Florida has scheduled OOC like a putz other than the annual game vs the Seminoles. I would say FSU and Miami are also tied together. What I mean when I say that is, when you think of who their rivals are instantly you know for Utah it’s BYU. For Miami, it’s Florida St.

I find it odd some Utah fans try to act like it’s not a big rival. The crowd sounds different (louder) when playing BYU than they did against Arizona. What gives? Why the angst at calling the Cougars Utah’s biggest rival?

[The Miami Ute]

Dude, I’m from Miami and went to the University of Miami…the Hurricanes’ real rival are the Gators, which is a rivalry that dates from the early 40s or well before FSU even existed. It was played every year until 1987 when it stopped because the Gators got tired of losing to the Canes. I would equate that rivalry to the Utah vs BYU rivalry while Miami vs FSU is like Utah vs Utah State, even though Miami and FSU are essentially peers. Whenever Miami and Florida play, there are some mighty bad vibes on both sides. Miami versus FSU is more laid back with much less aggression.

[UteHorn21]

That makes sense. I’m in my 30s. In my lifetime Florida vs Miami has only happened 8 times.

[The Miami Ute]

Yeah, I’ll be 60 in a few months…I still remember Florida pulling their “Gator Flop” in the Orange Bowl. You ought to look that up if you want to see the definition of lack of class and sportsmanship. Can you imagine a team just lying down on a play and letting the other team score intentionally so that they could get another possession and their QB could set an NCAA record? Well, the Gators did that. I hate those Mfers with every fiber of my being.

[2008 National Champ]

I’ve been to games in Manhattan, Lawrence, Stillwater, Norman, even went to a game in Tulsa once and none of them involved Utah. Great seats at cheap prices (except Norman) as long as a big name isn’t in town. I’ve also been to games in Corvallis & Pullman. The fans aren’t any less passionate, they’ll gladly share their tailgate both before and after the game no matter the outcome. You’re people aren’t any better than mine, they just live in different out of the way places.

The bigger issue is that you just can’t get past your perception of the schools in question. It was evident in your <>. Why is that the order of teams that need to be compared? Cal v Baylor? Sure it’s a win for my side but it’s also a blowout. I’ll put Cal up against any current Big 12 team and it’s not a contest when you factor in historical success, ability to get there, ability to get seats, not having to deal with an aggressive opponent fan base, things to do when not at the game, great temps all season to watch a game.

You also left out both Arizona schools which would be on my side in my scenario and I would take both of those in a heartbeat over the Big 12 legacy (? I don’t want to keep calling them leftovers). Add in that the 1st 3 MW options that would be in the new PAC would be Boise, Vegas and SDSU. Again big cities that are fun to travel to and either already punch up or are sleeping giants that just need the right direction. I gotta go with my list. Mine is about the future, your’s feels like past delusions of grandeur.

I understand if you like yours better but it doesn’t make mine wrong. And that’s the crux. You are asking me (or representative Utah fan) why I don’t want to be in the Big 12. I’ve stated my case. You’re now the impartial jury foreman. Is my POV valid or am I still dumb for wanting what I want because it doesn’t match your bias.

[The Miami Ute]

You’re a poet and don’t even know it. You’ve expertly encapsulated the reasons why being in the Big 12 does nothing for me. It’s really nothing personal against the schools, it’s that I liked taking road trips to Seattle, or Oregon, or the Bay Area, or LA and it wasn’t just about the game but the actual destinations where the games took place. I could take my family, spend a couple of days sightseeing and the game would be incidental to the trip. That’s all gone now…

[UteHorn21]

Ya, at this point we’re at an impasse. No sense in continuing since it’s getting redundant at this point. I think what you describe illustrates how different the football culture is out west. Although my evidence is anecdotal, I’ve been to multiple PAC games, they don’t even have tailgating at Arizona St. Nothing wrong with it, just different ways to skin a cat I suppose. The difference is I don’t throw strays at western schools with things like “such a s**tty milquetoast conference. What a bunch of soft ass soy boys can’t even get loud at a football game.” Where instead of Utes fans just being like “ya, our situation isn’t ideal and we look forward to higher aspirations in the future. We’re grateful we found a home at the P5 level after spending 90 years in the minor leagues.” We get “such a s**tty backwoods conference. These teams suck so bad.”

[2008 National Champ]

I only speak for myself and am not on the different social media’s trying to tell anyone that the Big 12 is an unworthy conference. I don’t defend bad behaviour from Utah fans and don’t go out of my way to insult other team’s fans. I routinely go to other team’s fansites and always have good interactions because I’m there to talk about them, not me.

I see up above that you are in your 30’s. Doing the mental math of you last living in Utah in ’95, it sounds like you left as a kid and don’t have the same experiences of the BYU / Utah rivalry as a college student or adult as the rest of us. As some of us who grew up with different rivalries have stated, BYU / Utah is not healthy. I can’t speak to Army / Navy, or maybe Michigan / Ohio State but BYU / Utah is a divorce that should have happened a long time ago and staying together for the kids is killing everyone. Enough of both sides revel in lowest common denominator behaviour that it’s best to move on.

[The Miami Ute]

I don’t have a “pompous” attitude. If you did more than occasional drive by’s whenever you felt a need to grace us with your presence, you’d know that I, and many others, have been opposed to Utah being in the Big XII since, well, forever. It has nothing to do with thinking we’re better, I just don’t give a rat’s ass about any of those schools. And yeah, I’m absolutely fine with going to a reconstituted PAC, even if it’s a so-called drop in football quality. What you, and others like you, need to do is stop telling us how fortunate we are to be in the Big XII and to shut up and like it. That’s all folks.

[2008 National Champ]

Thank you. Now that I know that everything I believed was wrong, I’ll be able to act and think in the manner you find most appropriate. Which fanbase is next on your quest for perfection?

[The Miami Ute]

It’s just so obvious…

[Tony (admin)]

Truck stop conference? Utah Pig Bus doesn’t have an account here LOL.

[UteHorn21]

Mr. Miami Vice mentions it in his point #6 in the OP.

[The Miami Ute]

Well, I’m not wrong, am I? Obviously, your beloved Texas Longhorns didn’t think much of it, did they?

[Matt]

I’ll gladly trade you guys for Boise State or SMU straight up. It would be an improvement in both football and basketball, a d they would be happy to be in the big 12.

[The Miami Ute]

LOL. See, this is what I mean…you people have some sort of deep-seated complex where you have to interject yourselves where you’re not wanted and project opinions that are irrelevant to the discussion. I guess it must be a skill taught at BYU.

[Utah]

SMU wouldn’t leave the ACC for the Big 12. They are above your conference and already too good for the Big 12.

That’s how ass this conference is.

[UteHorn21]

The ACC is getting sued by its biggest members, SMU is playing there for free. There is a ton of history between them and the Texas schools. They would leave in half a second for a Big 12 invite.

[The Miami Ute]

I don’t think so…the ACC has a number of blue bloods both academically and athletically while the Big 12 doesn’t have one. The ACC also has pull with the Eastern Establishment while the Big 12 doesn’t even have pull with some of its members, of which Utah is the most obvious.

[UteHorn21]

Ummm I actually live in DFW and work around SMU alumni. So, you’re definitely wrong there..

Also, there aren’t any bluebloods in the ACC soooo not sure where you say “there are a number of bluebloods.” There’s actually not even one.

[The Miami Ute]

My dad always told me to ignore people who start written sentences with “Ummm,” but I’ll make an exception in your case.

I just love people that say “I work with XXX” so that makes me the be all and end all for whatever is being discussed. Do you work with people that head the Boulevard Collective? If not, then your opinion of where SMU sports is going is about as valid as mine. I’m a Utah grad and a member of the Crimson Club but I assure you that no one has ever asked me where I want Utah sports to go.

Regarding Blue Bloods, the fact is that it’s not a list etched in stone. It changes over time as teams enter the list and others exit it. Oklahoma a “blue blood”? They haven’t won an NC in a generation and are not likely to do so any time soon. Nebraska? Same thing…they’ve been irrelevant since the internet was a new invention. Georgia? Absolutely a blue blood based on their prolonged current success. Miami, Florida State, and Clemson (all ACC)? Depends on who you talk to…Miami had more NCs in two decades than Penn State in its entire history. So, just like every single comment that you’ve posted here, it’s an exercise in subjectivity.

[2008 National Champ]

Someone needs to come up with an agreed upon timeline for blue blood membership. @UteHorn put his which magically Texas managed to make the threshold. But none of the original blue bloods were on there: the Ivies, Rutgers, Georgia Tech. Texas wasn’t relevant until Dana Bible so I guess we ignore pre-WW2 unless it fits a narrative.

[The Miami Ute]

It’s an ever-changing list that’s based on current and past success. To me, Oregon is more of a blue blood than Nebraska or Oklahoma, who I no longer consider blue bloods at all due to extended periods of mediocrity or middling success. Anyways, here’s a top 10 list of schools with most national championships in football. You make the choice:

10. MINNESOTA, 6

Championships: 1934, 1935, 1936, 1940, 1941, 1960

The Golden Gophers won their first national championship in 1934 and then proceeded to go back-to-back-to-back. Head coach Bernie Bierman, who previously played halfback at Minnesota, led the team to five national championships thanks to incredible rushing attack. In 1934, 90.7% of the Golden Gophers’ yards came on the ground, and they averaged 295 rushing yards per game.

9. OKLAHOMA, 7

Championships: 1950, 1955, 1956, 1974, 1975, 1985, 2000

Oklahoma is the only college football program with four 100-win head coaches in the school’s history: Bob Stoops (191 wins), Barry Switzer (157), Bud Wilkinson (145) and Bennie Owen (113). Switzer and Wilkinson each led the Sooners to three national championships. All of Oklahoma’s national championships have been during the poll era (since 1936).

8. OHIO STATE, 8

Championships: 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, 2014

In 1942, Ohio State won its first national championship despite the fact that 22 veteran players left the team to serve in World War II and the roster was mostly made up of sophomores. Like Oklahoma, all of Ohio State’s national titles have been during the poll era. The Buckeyes have the second-most wins in NCAA history, and they won their most recent title in 2014, defeating Oregon in the inaugural College Football Playoff National Championship game.

7. HARVARD, 8

Championships: 1875, 1890, 1898, 1899, 1910, 1912, 1913, 1919

Harvard’s college football program is one of the oldest in the nation, and they have the 10th-most wins in NCAA history. These days, Harvard and college football dominance aren’t exactly synonymous. It’s been more than 100 years since their last title, but the school’s achievements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries were certainly impressive.

6. USC, 9

Championships: 1931, 1932, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003, 2004

USC won back-to-back titles on two separate occasions. In 2003 and 2004, Pete Carroll’s squad won 25 of 26 games, including a 28-14 victory over Michigan in the 2003 Rose Bowl and a 55-19 blowout over Oklahoma in the 2004 Orange Bowl. The Trojans were must-see TV thanks to their high-octane offense led by Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Lendale White and Dwayne Jarrett. They would have 10 championships, but their 2004 title was vacated by the NCAA.

5. MICHIGAN, 10

Championships: 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1918, 1923, 1933, 1948, 1997, 2023

Michigan won the most recent college football national championship versus Washington. Michigan previously won back-to-back-to-back-to-back national championships from 1901 through 1904, which is an incredible feat. The Wolverines also hold the NCAA record for most wins, which is a testament to their consistency over the years. Their 1997 national championship was important, as it broke a 49-year drought and gave the Wolverines just their second title in the poll era (since 1936).

4. NOTRE DAME, 13

Championships: 1919, 1924, 1929, 1930, 1943, 1946, 1947, 1949, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1977, 1988

Notre Dame is one of the most respected programs in all of college football. A big reason for that reputation is their sustained success across the 1900s. Frank Leahy led Notre Dame to six of their national championships (two as a player and four as a head coach). Their most recent national championship was in 1988, when the Fighting Irish defeated West Virginia 34-21 in the Fiesta Bowl.

3. PRINCETON, 15

Championships: 1869, 1870, 1872, 1873, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1885, 1889, 1893, 1896, 1903, 1906, 1911, 1922

Some would argue that Princeton belongs at No. 1 on this list, as the school claims 28 national championships (many of which were declared retroactively by the Billingsley Report). However, the NCAA only recognizes 15 of those titles (including the first national championship in 1869). Princeton’s run of titles came during the late 1800s and early 1900s. While they are currently an FCS team, they won their titles at the highest level at the time. Without question, you can’t tell the story of college football without including Princeton.

2. ALABAMA, 16

Championships: 1925, 1926, 1930, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017, 2020

When fans think of college football dominance, Alabama immediately comes to mind, as they have been a powerhouse across multiple eras. Bear Bryant led the Crimson Tide to six championships across the 1960s and 1970s. In recent years, Nick Saban has matched Bryant’s six titles since taking over as head coach in 2007. The Crimson Tide are perennial contenders and their roster is a revolving door of future NFL stars. Alabama has produced 422 NFL/AFL draft picks, including 21 top-five selections. They have won an NCAA-record 13 championships in the poll era. It’s very possible they’ll sit atop this list in the near future.

1. YALE, 18

Championships: 1874, 1876, 1877, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1891, 1892, 1894, 1900, 1907, 1909, 1927

While most college football fans would guess that Alabama has won the most national championships, the correct answer is actually Yale with 18 NCAA-recognized titles. In the 1800s and early 1900s, Yale was a juggernaut, producing two Heisman winners, 100 All-Americans and 28 Hall of Famers. The Bulldogs have the seventh-most wins in college football history and while they haven’t won a championship since 1927, they had a legendary run and defined an era of college football.

[2008 National Champ]

For me, Minnesota is the only one on that list that is no longer a blue blood. In robber baron terms, they are the Vanderbilt family which squandered it’s fortunes through multiple bad generations and other than Anderson Cooper are no longer relevant.

The Ivy’s still hold their blue blood status even though they don’t compete at the highest level any more. They’re the descendants of Rockefeller and JP Morgan, the antithesis of Old Money. Does anyone really think that if the Ivy’s with their multi-billion dollar endowments couldn’t put together top level programs if having athletes on scholarship wasn’t beneath their sensibilities?

The rest, even including Oklahoma which has made multiple 4 team playoffs, still qualify. They’ve got history, they’re still relevant, and they’ve all experienced a bad generation but managed to recover.

Nebraska would love to regain blue blood status but they haven’t been at the top level since joining the B1G.

Florida, Miami, Florida State are all Kennedy’s. They may have made their money by bootlegging during prohibition (and we’ll ignore their support of Neville Chamberlain who enabled Hitler), but have managed to be movers and shakers in the industry. More Nouveau Riche than true blue blood but only because their initial success only goes back 40 years instead of 100.

[The Miami Ute]

You know, you point out something that’s really, really interesting…and that is that if the Ivy Leagues wanted to dip their toes in the water and really run the College Football show, there’s absolutely nothing that anyone could do about it. Can you imagine the draw of million-dollar contracts for each player (pocket lint to the Ivies), absolutely the most highly rated education, and living in some of the biggest cultural capitals in the US? They would all be juggernauts…

[2008 National Champ]

Add Stanford and, to some extent Notre Dame, to the Ivy’s and the other blue bloods don’t have a chance at outspending them. Maybe Texas could? I don’t remember if it was Texas or A&M that was endowed with oil wells but think it was Texas.

The Ivy’s, Stanford and Notre Dame are each essentially sitting on Elon Musk money and could build the best facilities and stadiums from scratch without it being more than a rounding error. Add in the prestige of those degrees and there’s maybe 2 or 3 schools in the country that could even dream of competing.

[UteHorn21]

I would love to hear your explanation on how Oregon (the absolute definition of new money) is more of a blueblood than a school with 5 national titles and a stretch of just under 40 years averaging 10 wins a season. I hate Nebraska, but that’s an incredible feat.

I’ve always gone by this chart.

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kyleumlang/viz/CollegeFootballBlueBloods/BlueBloods

[The Miami Ute]

Because Nebraska has been irrelevant since they got dismantled by Miami in the 2002 Rose Bowl while Oregon has been in the mix, in some way or other, since Phil Knight (who’s worth around $35B) started directly funding them. That’s never changing now. They also have the wealthiest NIL collective in Division Street and can outbid any team in the nation for any player they want. Lastly, have you been to Lincoln and Eugene? I have and there’s absolutely no comparison.

[2008 National Champ]

Don’t get me started on the summer I spent at the nudie bars in Eugene. Lap dance and a decent steak with all the fixin’s for $10. And the girls looked like they should have been on the Oregon cheerleading squad and had all their teeth!

[RoboUte]

Lets be honest, man. you’re cherishing this year because you know what the usual looks like. I wouldn’t look for an upgrade if I were you, you need us at our worst in three decades to put together a season now. And you want a better team in your way as well? I guess… hope we put together several more or your stay in the Big12 is going to feel like s**t. Lucky for you since whitt is a disease at this point we just might.

[Matt]

BS. If yiu guys were 9-0 you’d be saying you deserve the big 10 or sec,not wanting to step down to a s**tty conference with utah state, Fresno, and San Diego state.

[The Miami Ute]

How do you know that Zoob? Do you have some magic hat that allows you to read minds or predict the future? The fact is that I, and many others on this website, went kicking and screaming to the Big XII and only did so while holding our nose and because we, as fans, weren’t consulted. What you need to do is worry less about other teams and enjoy your mirage-like record. You never know when the dream is going to end.

[Matt]

I have watched EVERY BYU season since 1979 and this one isn’t in my top 10 as far as how good we are. However, we are getting the breaks this season, much like you guys did in 2008. I know it hurts to lose that way. You guys dominated the game on both sides of the ball. I am just saying you guys are emotional out of a heart breaking loss and that you really don’t prefer to be in a crappy conference with Utah State, Colorado State, SDSU, and Fresno. Boise will dominate the new P12.

[The Miami Ute]

I’m not emotional at all. I do think that you’re amplifying your opinions based on where you’re standing. Regarding 2008, I don’t recall any game during that season where Utah was dead and buried but a referee’s celestial intervention gave them new life. That’s exactly what happened last night. That official played God and resurrected Lazarus (BYU) from the dead. I’m sure he’s laughing all the way to the bank today.

[RoboUte]

Just don’t worry about whatever sour grapes and enjoy the season. These times don’t come around often for anyone except the blue bloods. It’ll be good stories for a long while. You think Utah thinks they’re too good for the big12. Cool. You wouldn’t be mad if you didn’t they might be right. If you’re confident play the long game and hope they suck for years to come. It might just pay off. Then again, those intrusive thoughts might be there for a reason.

[Utah]

This is a stupid take. Look at this conference:

Give me UNLV, SDSU, Boise St, WSU, Oregon St, Stanford, Cal, CSU, and ASU over this bull s**t conference. And guess what? That is a better football conference than the Big 12.

This conference is absolute ass. There is no history with any of the teams, the teams aren’t good and even if Utah was 9-0, you know what Utah fans would be saying? I’ll tell you:

“Utah is too good for this ass conference and I can’t wait until 2030 when we are in the Big 10 or SEC.”

Why? Because this conference is s**tty conference with s**tty schools in s**tty locations.

[2008 National Champ]

Actually, if Utah was 9-0 and ranked behind all the teams the parochial school currently is, we’d still be complaining about having to play in what is considered the worst of the P4 conferences. Kinda like we are doing at 4-5. The only difference would be that we would know our record was the product of weak opponents.

And I’d still be saying that I would rather go back to the college football I grew up with instead of what we are watching right now.

[SteelUte]

Miami- enjoyed your thoughts. I too was proud of our fans showing up in our darkest hour.
One wish I had was a professional team like roster notifications. Is Lohner gone? Give us an actual update on who left the team this week. Let’s be grownups whit!
I agree the big 12 so far is a joke. Of course they want the y to go undefeated, it’s their only chance of getting two into the playoffs.
Singer was wearing a blue jersey last night and they didn’t call bleep! Pretzlaff was wrapped up when that contact happened. Absolutely a joke. I wish Whitt and the AD really just went all in on the refs and earned a fine or suspension.
Sad ending, it was like a movie where you knew the ending but hoped something different would happen. Our worst team in years and their best and they beat us by one!

[The Miami Ute]

Gotta tell you Steel, I’ve been one of Harlan’s biggest detractors on this site for a while but what he did last night earned my respect. It’s refreshing, for once, to see someone in power take off the corporate mask and verbalize what every Utah supporter saw and felt. BYU, congrats on the win. I guess the Ryan Smith check cleared. Unfortunately, Ryan Smith doesn’t have more money that Uncle Phil. So, there you are.

[Utah]

Whitt has really given the middle finger to the fans.

Closed practices, no injury updates, no scrimmages open to the public, increased pay which translates to increased costs passed onto the fans… Then, after all that the fans have given him, he comes out with this s**tty product the last two years.

[UteFrancais]

Thank you for your perspective Miami. People here in Utah have created the false narrative that all BYU fans are innocent and victims of Utah fan harassment. I’ve seen this narrative be pushed all my life here. It’s something that needs to be changed because I’ve seen things from BYU fans that are not in line with how they expect to be treated and that are definitely not aligned with their religion (of which Im a member but a lifelong Ute fan). It’s the constant victim mentality too

[The Miami Ute]

I’ve only been to three events versus BYU. These are the 2005 football game in Provo, the basketball game last season, and then last night’s game. At the 2005 game, I was new to Utah and really had no opinion, good or bad, towards BYU. That pretty much remained the same way as Utah joined the PAC and left BYU behind. That opinion started to change last year and was confirmed at Saturday’s game.

Listen, I’m almost 60 years old and have been to sporting events all over the country and all around the world. I’ve never seen a fanbase, and I’m not saying that all of BYU’s fanbase is this way but a significant portion is, walk into anuther team’s stadium/arena like they’re Barney Badass and own the place. I say again, if these were Seminole or Gator fans and they did this crap in Miami, Philadelphia, New York, etc… there would be people getting carted out in bodybags. Why do they act like that? I don’t know, but it isn’t smart and all it does is earn you enmity.

[chinngiskhaan]

My thoughts: I’m surprised by how little I care about this game now. I haven’t cared this little about a BYU vs Utah game since before I can remember. I didn’t watch it, and it wasn’t a hard choice. I’m glad I didn’t watch it.

This team isn’t fun to watch. Doing something that only causes frustration isn’t worth doing, IMO.

[RoboUte]

I’d have liked to watch it but I’m a productive member of society in EST. What’s more this season you knew meltdown and failure were coming ahead of time. Like you said, what’s there to watch?

[Dallin]

How surprising, “I’m an Utah fan and I think my rivals fans are terrible people” . You ever think you see what you want to see? EVERY fan base has good fans and bad fans, can we stop this whole “their fan base are just the worst humans on earth” narrative? On both sides.

Respectfully who cares what you think of our team? Call us smoke and mirrors, the fact is we are 9-0, ranked top ten and have a legit shot at a conference championship. You on the other hand have a coach and AD that prefer throwing tantrums on the mic. I’d rather be us right now.

[2008 National Champ]

you do understand that coming to this board to tell Utah fans that you don’t care what they think of your team is not only disingenuous but bordering on pathetic?

[Tony (admin)]

And we’d rather be us as well, no matter how many wins or losses we have.

[Dallin]

I came for the meltdowns and stayed to point out the childish takes, and you all haven’t disappointed

[The Miami Ute]

Bro, listen, save your platitudes for someone who gives a s**t. I’m a University of Miami grad, I’m not LDS, I’m not originally from Utah, and BYU is just another regional, small time team to me. You won last night? Great. Enjoy your day in the sun because your project, if you can call it that, is not feasible in the long run. Gus Malzahn once won a national championship and ever a broken clock is right twice a day.

As an outsider, your school and program are not attractive places to be, and will never be, unless you completely overpay for recruits, and even then you’re going to have a hard time getting anyone that’s not LDS. So again, focus on the happiness that your team brings you and let Ute fans worry about Utah. At the present. make Kansas the most important thing in your life or you might get an unpleasant surprise.

[Dallin]

Do you want me to congratulate you on being a fan of Miami? Am I supposed to be impressed that Utah is your small market afterthought team, and your real passion is in Florida?
I’m not blind to the struggles BYU faces, do you know how many years of pathetic football I’ve had to witness? Yeah can bet your sweet ass I’m enjoying every second of this season and somehow Utah fans think that saying “it ain’t gonna last” is going to change that? Keep trying.

[The Miami Ute]

In the words of those esteemed poets known as Motley Crue:
Girl, don’t go away mad
Girl, just go away
Girl, don’t go away mad
Now, girl, just go away

[SteelUte]

Dallin- Or should we say President Oaks? What is your point being on this board? Congrats on your win- please leave. Ever heard of act like you’ve been there before? You won the game- so go somewhere to celebrate and let us discuss our team with our fellow fans.

[Utecity]

That’s the problem, it’s been so long since they had any legitimate success they have no idea how to handle it. They are undefeated and ranked in the top 10 and needed a bail out from the refs and every single thing to fall their way just to beat our 3rd string quarterback on a miracle last second field goal. Enjoy the win cougs, it was legit and a W is a W, but at least PRETEND like you’ve been here before

[The Miami Ute]

That is exactly it. They’ve gotten drunk on the success of the last nine games.

[silverliningsurfer]

Appreciate this post and agree with a lot of the sentiment. A few thoughts —

2.) I am sick of the BYU rivalry. Speaking as someone from the NE region where I grew up with RedSox-Yankees, Bruins-Maple Leafs/Canadiens, Patriots/Jets and some Pats/Ravens games… The BYU thing is something else and I can’t stand it. I think a lot of it comes from the “Church vs. State” undertones that come with the rivalry, but it’s infuriating. If Utah loses, we never hear the end of it. If we win, we also never hear the end of it. They project this holier-than-thou attitude while coming in here to troll, cheer for our player’s injuries, and try to act like the program is god’s gift to the world. I didn’t like it when Utah won 9 straight, and I don’t like it now. It’s especially rich that BYU tried to push the whole “let’s be friends!!” ad with the ADs I saw all over TV.

3.) Is there some contact? Maybe. But I think when you had BYU defenders maiming Singer all game, taking dirty shots after plays, and none of that gets called, it’s a joke to call a soft call like that in the 4th quarter. It should be the most egregious penalty in history to get called AWAY from the play in that scenario. You see this s**t happen in CFB and NFL all the time and it’s absurd. If it doesn’t impact the play, don’t call it. I had a feeling things were going to go south when they got so obviously bailed out like that. If crowd noise affects a coach’s ability to call a time out, that’s tough s**t too.

4.) I agree, I think BYU is insanely fraudulent and is getting the benefit of lucky bounces and to their credit they are playing smart and with confidence, but this is how the B12 goes. One team gets hot, goes on a run, and then falls back to the pack. I don’t think they are doing anything special, but it just seems like it’s their year. That said, I will cherish watching them get eviserated against Ohio State/Texas/whoever they play.

5.) I think KW has earned the right to leave on his terms but with the way this season has played out, I trust he has the awareness to realize that the program will need a fresh start next year. My hope is that Scalley just has a different perspective on how to run an offense. I think a lot of old school guys have trouble adjusting to the new NFL where QB is the most important position and offense > defense. You see the same thing with Belichick in the NFL. Saban seems to be the only old school “smash mouth” coach who realized that you need to play with an explosive offense in today’s game.

6.) I hated this move the second it was announced but unfortunately I don’t think it’s going anywhere. The irony is I wonder if every school not named Oregon is questioning the decision right now, but it doesn’t matter how the schools feel because it was always about money. The B12 is already starting to fall behind the P2 conferences in terms of dollars. Utah will not sacrifice the money we’re getting in the B12 to do a regional thing, especially considering we don’t have big-pocket donors like blue blood programs do.

[The Miami Ute]

Thanks for your post and insights. I grew up as a Yankees’ fan in the 70s and absolutely hated the Red Sox growing up. I still don’t like them but not as much as I used to.

If you read BYU fans’ comments on YouTube, well, there’s got to be something clinical going on…most of the comments make it sound as if Utah was committing penalties on every play.

Also agree that this is a rivalry that’s not healthy, but, at the same time, profitable for some people. Like similar such things, nothing will change until some sort of tragedy strikes.

[2008 National Champ]

neither of your teams could handle my cincinatti reds. fact

[The Miami Ute]

Did you even have cognition when Cincinnati swept the Yankees in the 1976 World Series? I saw every one of those games and only one was really close.

[2008 National Champ]

’75 was the better series. Bernie Carbo v Carlton Fisk in 7 games. I can still name the starting 9 for the Big Red Machine and taught myself to dive headfirst into third based on that iconic Sports Illustrated cover of Pete Rose.

Your ancient ass is only 3 years older than me, mister.

[The Miami Ute]

Bernie Carbo….I still remember him hitting that HR in Game 6 versus Rawley Eastwick…one of the most iconic HRs in WS history. And then came Pudge in extra innings…

[Dallin]

To your 4th point listed… you just described every highly ranked PAC12 team of old, including Utah.
The funny thing about Utah fans is you act like you’ve accomplished anything more than what BYU has already accomplished this year. You won a lot in the regular season, and what else??? Nothing.
Stop with this condescending pompous attitude that only comes when you have done anything to actually earn it. I guess when BYU gets a Rose Bowl participation trophy then you’ll actually respect the success? Give me a break and get over it. Act like a damn adult.

[Author]

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