Officials honing voices for contest

Elected leaders in Salt Lake City and Provo are putting their pride — and singing voices — on the line for Saturday's college football showdown between the University of Utah and BYU.

The Salt Lake City Council challenged its Provo counterparts to a friendly wager Tuesday in which the losing city council will visit the winner and sing the victorious team's fight song.

"We felt it was time to stand up for our home team," said Salt Lake City Councilman Carlton Christensen, touting the Utes' unbeaten record and No. 8 national ranking. "I'm pretty optimistic we're not going to be singing."

Provo city leaders also are confident in their 16th-ranked Cougars, predicting a BYU victory in an e-mail acceptance of the challenge.

"We look forward to your visit," the e-mail read. "Please wear blue."

Provo Councilman Steve Turley even requested that the Salt Lake City Council's musical performance be added to the Provo council's Dec. 2 agenda.

"I volunteer to bring the humble pie for them to eat," Turley said.

"I'm sure it's blueberry," added Councilwoman Sherrie Hall Everett.

Utah (11-0 overall, 7-0 Mountain West) hosts BYU (10-1, 6-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday in Rice-Eccles Stadium. The sold-out contest will be televised on The mtn.

— Jared Page and Tad Walch