BYU football notebook: Rivalry game was almost on Turkey Day

PROVO — There was a time during the 1990s when Utah athletic director Chris Hill and former BYU athletic director Rondo Fehlberg were seriously considering playing the Ute-Cougar football game on a set day every year.

That day? Thanksgiving.

In 1997, Fehlberg drew up a proposal for a multiyear deal between BYU, Utah and ESPN for a series of made-for-TV Thanksgiving Day games. ESPN offered a three-year contract but stipulated that the games be played at 7:30 p.m., so as not to conflict with televised NFL games.

BYU haggled for an earlier kickoff and 4 o'clock was ESPN's best compromise. Utah was ready to sign on for that time, but BYU balked. Concerns about a late start interfering with a family holiday determined the decision to decline.

BYU and Utah played once on Thanksgiving Day, in a 1953 nationally televised game — the first time both teams had ever played on national TV. The Utes, who were heavy favorites, defeated the Cougars, 33-32 in Salt Lake City.

Playing on Thanksgiving used to be an annual tradition for Utah and Utah State, which squared off frequently on that day from the 1920s through the 1950s.

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?: While the home team has won the past two games in the rivalry, the road team has had the upper hand going back to 1993. The visitors have won 11 of the past 17 meetings.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall has no idea why that is, but he has a theory.

"I think possibly if you're able to go on the road, it might be more of an us-against-them, us-against-the-world mentality," he said. "Sometimes, when there's so much attention on a game, maybe that gives a (road) team an edge. ... I think both of us would rather play at home if you had the choice, but certainly that hasn't dictated outcome."

VEGAS OR SAN DIEGO?: In terms of their bowl destination, it's clear that BYU and Utah will be headed to either Las Vegas or San Diego in December.

Official invitations may not be extended until Dec. 6, however, after the Bowl Championship Series pairings are set.

BYU quarterback Max Hall has no preference on whether his team plays in the Las Vegas Bowl — which would be for the fifth straight season — or a first-ever berth in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.

"Either one of them would be great. We'd be excited to go to either one of them," Hall said. "We've been to Vegas a bunch and we like it there. But it would also be nice to go to San Diego. We'll be happy either way."

THANKSGIVING PLANS: Because of Thanksgiving, BYU will finish practice today at noon in order to give players time to drive and arrive at their various destinations around the state.

The Cougars will return to their regular practice schedule Friday.

QUOTABLE: Mendenhall, on his perspective on the rivalry, going into his fifth BYU-Utah game as a head coach: "I certainly know a lot more what to expect now and how crazy neighbors, friends, ward members, anyone can be. That doesn't surprise me now. In fact, I've come to expect it. It gives me an easier chance to smile rather than wonder, 'Who is that person? Do I know them?'"

e-mail: jeffc@desnews.com