Some BYU fans at crossroads after 3-loss season
That's the question my editors asked me to explore.
I don't know if I can provide a definitive answer. But the question is interesting. After numerous phone calls, hundreds of e-mails from BYU and Utah fans alike, it is a volatile subject that's a pinprick away from bursting a rhetoric-filled balloon.
I'll give you an example in a few paragraphs.
The intelligent BYU fan admits, without reservation, Utah football isn't "Little Brother," like in the '70s and '80s since Ron McBride hired the Whittingham father and son. A pair of BCS wins in five years is a benchmark of success that is without equal among the envious non-BCS teams spread across the land.
Go, Utes? They are going.
Football blasphemy, they say.
The centrist BYU fan? He basically hurts. It's been a while since a season ended in two losses and it isn't fun. The fact that Utah went undefeated just makes losing tougher. "One thing about BYU," said one, "is they will break your heart in the end. Always."
Of the Utes, they grudgingly admit Utah's program had a superior season and struck a huge anti-BCS blow for the Cougars, the MWC and for all college football. "Thanks for the $350,000 check," they tell the Utes.
My view is to pay respect where it is due: Utah excelled and BYU fell short. The Utes dramatically and ironically stole BYU's "Quest for Perfection" and delivered the Cougar dream/edict.
Both teams are bedrock for future attacks at the BCS and MWC titles.
In an early January piece published in Cougar Sportsline, penned by H.B. Arnett, his commentary reads: "If you are truly objective, it is hard to argue with the fact that the Utes are at the top of the MWC football heap and currently the top dog in the BYU-Utah battle of football programs."
Recent comments
Hey PAC....
Thanks for the demonstration of classiness.
You've...
Re: PACoug... | Jan. 16, 2009 at 8:31 p.m.
Why do the BYU fans here congratulate the Utes? Ute fans keep calling...
PACoug | Jan. 16, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.
"BYU has got things right. Undefeated at home, 2 undefeated...
RE: THE ARTICLE | Jan. 16, 2009 at 1:31 a.m.
- Criminal probe on party crashers? 1:16 p.m.
- White House Christmas tree arrives 1:16 p.m.
- Al Alberts of The Four Aces dies 1:12 p.m.
- West Valley opens holiday season 1:11 p.m.
- Tiger Woods hurt in car accident 1:09 p.m.
- Gov't delays Web gambling ban 12:54 p.m.
- Body recovery to be discussed 12:36 p.m.
- Final hurdle coming for TCU 12:33 p.m.
- Big-name coaches looking for jobs 12:33 p.m.
- 15 first-timers on Hall ballot 12:31 p.m.
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
262 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
211 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
133 - Boys basketball rankings
122 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
105 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102
It's finally time for the game that everyone has been waiting for all...
Carlos Boozer denied that playing so well against the Chicago Bulls held...
So in Max Hall's career his record in key games (bcs teams, Utah and TCU)...
and then you can wonder why it has fallen as far as it has, people like you...
"Scientists" believed the crude fraud that was "Piltdown Man"....
I do find the level of nastiness unsettling, but look at talk radio and talk...
Sweet comment Tom you sound like a man who was physically abused by his...
This is an feeble attempt by the liberal press to imply anthropomorphic...
@ 10:50, What a ludicrous statement. When the liberal left is bent on...
Re: To comments made at 7:57 a.m. Nov.27, 2009 Let's not split hairs here. I...
I agree with this letter.
No the worst undefeated team in the last 35 years was BYU. Utah beat 3 teams...
