In 2004, ESPN.com senior writer Ivan Maisel was among the national media in attendance when Utah defeated BYU 52-21 at Rice-Eccles Stadium to earn a berth in the Bowl Championship Series.

"I was really surprised, pleasantly so, at how much the two sides didn't like each other," Maisel said. "I don't think the rest of the nation realizes it, and I think that's in large part, if I had to guess, because rarely have both teams been on the national radar at the same time."

The nation, he added, got a taste of it two years ago but has yet to experience it consistently.

"We just need one of those years where they are both 9-2, 10-1 and playing for the Mountain West championship," Maisel said. "That will really focus it."

After catching his first game in the state's top rivalry, Maisel had some lasting impressions.

"I don't think people understand how — what's a polite word for mean? — spirited it is," he said. "I kind of equated it in my mind with the Civil War (Oregon-Oregon State), the Apple Cup (Washington-Washington State) and those kind if great instate Western rivalries."

Maisel is an award-winning college football journalist who is a frequent contributor to ESPN's television, radio, magazine and Internet operations.

---

E-mail: dirk@desnews.com