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Utah, BYU ticket war heating up

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I'm one of those | 12:59 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I am a BYU fan w/ BYU season tickets and I bought Utah season tickets just to go to the BYU game. I know of a lot of other BYU fans doing the same...lets get some more eh!

Anonymous | 7:32 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

It's true. Many BYU fans are buying season tickets to Utah just for the one game. I guess there goes the myth of BYU fans being cheap!

I hope both teams go into that game undefeated.

It should be an awesome year for football.

Conf Champ | 8:20 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

All this talk about playing for the conference championship is way premature. Both teams are one hit on the QB away from having their season flushed down the toilet.

Comments continue below

Question for Mr. Rock | 9:15 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I have heard from various sources that about 30% of the Utes season tickets surge is due to BYU fans buying Utes season tickets to ensure a ticket for the U/Y game. I thought that number seemed high, but have heard it from a few sources. Is there anyway to verify that? Maybe a follow up story to address this issue would be nice.

Thanks in advance.

Nick | 10:13 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

There goes the myth of BYU fans being cheap? Are you kidding? Your own coach Edwards often mentioned how cheap BYU fans are, it's not a myth. And because a few dudes bought season tickets in the north end zone doesn't cancel years of being famous for your cheapness. Also, when I pressed a cougar fan who works with me, who claimed he had bought season tickets, what section he was sitting in, he couldn't tell me; turns out he was lying. There goes the myth about cougar fans being honest.

Re: Question for Mr. Rock | 10:41 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I think you are getting some pretty bad information.

First of all, there is no way to confirm if the people buying the tickets are Ute or BYU fans. If there was, Utah would probably not let the BYU fans buy them.

Second, Utah is expected to have a very good season. With that in mind, a lot more Utah fans are buying season tickets.

Third, as was mentioned in the article, Utah season ticket sales have increased every year for the past six seasons. That is a significant trend indicative of more and more Utah fans buying into the program and the recent success the team has had.

Recent Ute success:
- 7 consecutive bowl wins, 6 since '01
- 59-26 W/L record from '01 to '07
- 2 MWC championships
- 11-3 vs. BYU & USU
- 10-4 vs. BCS teams

Compared to BYU:
- 1-3 bowl record
- 54-33 from '01 to '07
- 3 MWC championships
- 6-4 vs. Utah & USU
- 4-12 vs. BCS teams

I would bet that there have been a couple hundred season tickets sold to BYU fans.

To Nick: | 10:41 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Yep, 1 co-worker lies to you and instantly all Y fans are cheap. Now there's sound logic for ya.

Nick, Nick, Nick | 10:53 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Such venom... The season is upon us, so enjoy! Jumping to conclusions and assuming the worse just can't be a pleasant way to live your life, either for you or those who suround you. Especially the poor BYU fan / co-worker who now has TWO sets of tickets to try to figure out which section.

my bad . . . | 11:02 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

BYU is 2-2 in bowl games since '01.

Whit | 11:03 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

People are buying tickets at RES to witness the 4th straight year of Bronco outcoaching Whit in the MWC. What were the brethren thinking when they offered Whit the BYU job? Thank goodness he let his red blood outweigh his blue blood and turned it down!

Nick | 11:16 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

you think my comment had venom? That's funny. Many BYU fans not only admit to being cheap, but are fairly proud of their frugal ways. I'm not even saying it's a bad thing. I was just responding to anonymous who claimed that BYU's famous cheapness vanished overnight. Venom, you guys are too much.

Does anyone really ... | 11:17 a.m. Aug. 3, 2008

believe that you won't be able to walk up to the ticket booth on game day and get a seat in RES? Please.

4th straight year ??? | 12:51 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Dude, it is 2008 not 1975.

4th straight year??? | 12:59 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I knew byu fans were not so bright but I figured even they could count...you will recall that in 2005 Utah beat BYU 41-34 so "IF" BYU were to manage yet another highly unlikely miracle, it would only be THREE straight.

BigD Coug | 1:20 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

The only reason the Utes are selling season tickets are because Cougar fans are buying them up. Don't be surprised to see another ocean of empty red seats until the BYU game...

Recent? | 1:27 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Seven years is pretty recent? haha

Re: Re: Question for Mr. Rock | 2:05 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Wow, it's amazing how much you pulled numbers out of literally no where. How can BYU be 1-3 in its last four bowl games when it is CURRENTLY on a two game bowl winning streak? Try again, buddy.

Anonymous | 2:11 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Another article to hype up the season. BYU fans are more than willing to buy U tickets to help their little bros out.

RE: Recent... | 2:20 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Uh, yeah, 7 years ago would encompass the most "recent" 7 years of stats. Thanks for clearing that up for the cougar fans here. Anything wrong with comparing stats from this decade?

Re: Recent | 2:18 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I think he was just going back to the current Utes bowl winning streak. You're right, they have been winning bowls for a long time now... good observation!

Re: Nick | 3:56 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I stand by it, Nick. Lighten up, dude! There will be interesting things to see: 1) how many empty seats at RES during most of the season, and 2) how many Cougar fans at RES for your home game with BYU.

RE: Whit | 4:24 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

"People are buying tickets at RES to witness the 4th straight year of Bronco outcoaching Whit in the MWC."

Check again the TDS is only 2-1 against a below avg KW teams. And the last 2 wins the TDS got LUCKY!!!

2005: Utah 41 - TDS 34
2006: TDS 33 - Utah 31
2007: TDS 17 - Utah 10

Smack? | 4:29 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I don't know who you think you Cougar fans are kidding when your brag about your stadium being full. What kind of smack talking is that? Sure its full, full of "fans" if thats what you call them, the 65 and over seniors who sit in their seats and scream at anyone who dares stand to watch the football game, full of young men and women from church groups who show up in the dodge caravans. Call me crazy but I'd prefer a stadium half full of people who understand and care about the game than a stadium with 65,000 people who know nothing about football and are just there to support their church. Might I mention the sea of skittles because for some reason all this allegiance results in about a quarter of the fans actually wearing the school's colors.

BYU fans Buying Utah Tickets? | 4:29 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I guess the only way to know who's buying tickets is to see the sea of red sweatshirts that flow up to the 12th row at RES in any non-BYU game.

Anonymous | 4:33 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

This Utah/BYU banter is inane. You do realize that both teams would be mid to bottom 1/3 in any BCS conference. You play in a weak conference and have 2-3 games a year to get up for. Try playing in a conference with quality opponents every week.

re:Smack? | 4:29 p.m | 4:36 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I have two daughters. I prefer a family friendly friendly environment so I can bring my kids, over the half-empty bar /Mitt Romney Olympic stadium (I think you call it RES).

re:RE: Whit | 4:36 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

"TDS got LUCKY!!!"

Ever notice how it's the losers that call the winners lucky?

I never see a winning team say "Wow, those losers sure got lucky".

Why is that?

Re:re:Smack | 4:40 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Not sure if you knew this because you've probably never attended a game outside of the zoo but they don't sell alcohol at Rice Eccles, state law.

Fully Invested | 4:49 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Hey Anonymous4:33, both BYU and Utah would love to play in a BCS conference. The problem is they are to chicken to invite us in for fear that the better recruiting would put us at the top of the conference and prove that the only thing holding us back is the fact that they have a hold on all the money and don't want to share it. The fact that we not only compete, but beat your mid-level teams on a regular basis on less money and exposure says alot about our programs.

Michael | 4:52 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

RE: 4:29 p.m.
Talk about week smack! The notion that RES is not a family friendly environment definately is week. Try going to a game anywhere outside this state before you make that tired, old, lame argument.

Enter Name | 4:52 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

re:Re:re:Smack

I've seen the tailgate parties, and the bottles and flasks snuck in, and the fans falling down. I went to the U.

But I grew up following BYU football, because I went with my Dad. That's why I take my daughters to the BYU games, because I feel I can and still be a good parent.

Are you saying the place is "Dry" inside?

Re:Enter Name | 5:07 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

No, what I am saying is that Lavell Edwards stadium is more a ward primary or assisted living facility than it is a football stadium. Its not loud, its not rowdy and its not anything to be boastful about. If you want to talk smack about it, don't brag about how many non-football fans come to watch the games, talk about how its the only football stadium in the nation where you can "feel the spirit" because apparently no one in the stands is a 'heathen'.

re:Michael | 4:52 p.m. | 5:31 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Hey, same thing happens at Oakland Raiders games.

There is a tendancy by some, not all, who drink in Utah to overdo it.

I've been in sports bars all over the country, people have a few beers, and that's it.

The majority of Ute fans keep it in control, but there are those that don't know how to, they get hammered, and all of a sudden it becomes a seedy bar atmosphere with "F" bombs dropped and it is just not family friendly.

Sorry, you if you think it's "week", but the same thing does not happen at the Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, SDSU, ESA and other venues where beer is served.

You seem to think Utah is landlocked and people don't get out of the state, but the is an difference that can be openly observed. RES is different.

It's not an attempt to smack, just sort of the way things are. It's why LES is full, and RES is not.

Sorry if that hurts your feelings.

Billy Bob | 5:35 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Ummmm.....Johnny Harline is still open in the end zone.....and Austin Collie is still open along the sideline. Poor Yewts are going to be 0-1 after week 1 and the Cougs will be 1-0. At kickoff time for the BYU-Utah gamen BYU will be ubdefeated and the Yewts will be still looking for their FIRST win......

re:Nick | 5:42 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Maybe venom, maybe not.

I love the story about your coworker who lies. If that is true, or made up, I'll take your word for it.

Guess what, I have coworkers who lie too.

Many BYU fans take the thing about wives not working, so I would say that many are frugile. I also have several friends that are BYU fans that fly to all the road games. I don't call that cheap. BYU also has a nice booster section with a buffet before the game and at the half.

I think we're splitting hairs here, but I will say that Utah ticket sales were at 27,700 at week's end, and the fact that BYU has sold about 38,500 season tickets is good for the State.

Utah fans IQ's | 6:02 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I know this doesn't hit the article's message, but anybody who claims they are a "Ute fan" is probably full or crap. They are probably a holdover from their 2 good years under Urban. Became a fan in 2004, still holding out for a 9 win season! Utah fans are jealous little suckers . . . every one. BYU is the elite non-BCS conference program,anyone with smarts knows that, but we are dealing with utes here. You are our little brother, probably why you have to travel for 1 game stands at ND and Michigan when we can bring ND, USC and the like into our house. Sorry poots, maybe someday you can get there.

Re: Utah fans IQ's | 6:32 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Actually, Utah won 9 games just LAST YEAR.

As for who the top non-BCS team is, any national college football analyst would say that Boise State is. They have more wins in the last decade than any other program in the country, except for maybe USC.

UteswillnvrBrespctedorRespectabl | 6:38 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I saw the post comparing bowl records and average season records. You should probably post who played who in the bowl games. BYU always draws a tougher opponent, even in their off years! utah had an undefeated season and gets an 8-4 pitt team. That just shows everyone sees utah for what they are pretenders.

re:Michael | 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

"The notion that RES is not a family friendly environment definately is week."

Sure, we always take our kids to places to watch boorish drunks cuss and swear.

That's because I want them to grow up and be boorish, crass, uneducated drunks living in traliers or "vans down by the river".

re:5:07 p.m.

"Its not loud, its not rowdy and its not anything to be boastful about."

It's safe, and when you are watching the game and the camera is shaking, it's because the place is going wild with real football fans that go to a game to watch football, not looking for and excuse to "party".

Notlim from SoCal | 7:36 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

You mid-majors make me smile. You fans are something else; really knowing how to smack each other around. In the big leagues, teams have to compete. Nice that you have a good record agains our conference lower division teams. No one stays on top constantly here; everyone works to get back to the top. There are no "gimmies" in our conference. Even ASU and UA have grown tremendously in the past 30 years.

Who care who has sold the most season tickets; the W's do all the talking.

IQ's dropping by the second | 7:42 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

re:Re: Utah fans IQ's | 6:32 p.m.
"Actually, Utah won 9 games just LAST YEAR."

ummmmmm, I think that's what Utah Fan's IQ was saying in his post, there Mr. Dumas...

BSU the top non-BCS program team?

Source attributed to any national college football analyst?

Seriously, any national college football analyst? You can tell you have done your research.

ESPN Insider and Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook say it's BYU, but I'm sure that source is not as credible as any national college football analyst.

Which team has the longest winstreak in the nation again?

Is BSU undefeated in conference the past two years.

ummmmmmmmmm?

re:Re: Question for Mr. Rock | 7:54 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

"First of all, there is no way to confirm if the people buying the tickets are Ute or BYU fans. If there was, Utah would probably not let the BYU fans buy them."

I'm laughing so hard my eyes are watering. I'm sorry, but would Utah really not let BYU fans buy tickets to a half-empty stadium? "No, we don't want your money".

How would they tell? Stop selling tickets to sober people without a mullet or tatoo, who know how to spell and capitalize at the beginning of sentences, and are able to do simple math?

"Sorry, you have to take a test, and if you pass, you can't buy tickets"...

I could still get tickets, I'd just fail the test.

Do they put what school you are a fan of on your Driver's License?

And then you throw numbers around:

"7 consecutive bowl wins, 6 since '01"

How, can you win seven consecutive bowls, and six since '01. Wouldn't those six be included in the seven if it since 01.

Serious, I want yo print your post out and show it to my Ute buddies. That will be funny.

sleepers? | 8:04 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Stewart Mandel named utah as one of the "sleepers"? Are you sure? I thought he referred to them as "droolers".

ticket sales | 8:20 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

BYU hasn't even started their marketing campaign yet and has already sold over 10,000 more season tickets than yootah. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! That's pretty funny! You better believe yoot fans would be rubbing it in if it were the other way around, even if they had to give season tickets away for a buck each to people in nursing homes and bus them to the stadium for free.

BYU even had better attendance than yootah during their darkest period in recent history, 2002-2004. This huge advantage in fan loyalty both at home and on the road that BYU has over yootah just eats away at yoot fans like you wouldn't believe. Sweet.

re:Michael | 4:52 p.m | 8:56 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I feel very sorry for you are your hateful attitude. Clearly you haven't been to many sporting events in the country. Go to ANY major rivalry in ANY sport, in ANY stadium in the country and you will find fans cussing at their rivals...its just what happens buddy. And if you think that its bad at Rice Eccles, I would be willing to bet a lot, that you have never been to any other sporting event in the country like you say you have. Rice Eccles is not worse than other stadiums in the country...its actually much more family friendly than 99% of other college stadiums out there. Get out of your stupid little box, and open your eyes.

Bowl game clarification | 9:43 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

The Utes have won the LAST 7 BOWL GAMES THEY HAVE PLAYED IN: '99, '01, '03, '04, '05, '06, '07. That is SEVEN(7), six(6) starting in '01.

I said "6 consecutive dating back to '01" because I was trying to keep my stats from the 21st century only. Ya know, recent history? The first win in the string of 7 consecutive was in '99. Get it? Probably not, considering BYU is on their longest bowl winning streak in history: TWO(2), Wow! How impressive!

As for strength of bowl opponents, Utah's bowl opponents in the 21st century have a combined winning pct. of (.613), BYU's is just barely higher at (.627).

Also of note, Utah has beaten THREE(3) conf. champs in bowl games since '99: Fresno St., Southern Miss, & Pitt. BYU has NEVER beaten a conf. champ in a bowl game. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER. Look it up.

re:Notlim from SoCal | 9:50 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

I just moved up from Southern California last year, and except for one guy that graduated USC, and another that graduated UCLA, everyone else was from other places around the country.

The problem with So Cal is there is really no discussions or loyalties unless you go to the games. Most people don't care unless they are a graduate (unlike most Utah fans) because there is so much to do down there.

That's why I love how certain people, like yourself, get this superior attitude because of where you live goegraphically, yet the conference and area are to big for anyone down there to care about you, so you post to Newspapers in Utah about how cool you are.

Sort of like Buckeye Ute, and his posts. The guy lives in Ohio. Who wants to live in Ohio???

Anyway, Notlim from SoCal, your comment was so interesting, and really pertains to the ticket wars in Utah, but take your two cents, and give it to the guy washing your windshield at the next stoplight, because we really don't care about your stroking your ego here...

Cougar Fans = JOKE | 9:52 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Wow, Who do these cougar fans think they are talking so much smack. Where do you get off on all the trash you talk about attendances and tests. Funny thing is when you say that Ute fans are mullet wearing rednecks, you're mocking your own church leaders because over half of the apostles graduated from the U. So good job cougar fans. Way to be arrogant and ignorant. Or should I say a classic cougar fan. Way to live right on and off the field. Way to use your program as a missionary tool. When all those people who might be interested in your religion all they have to do is come and read your posts and they'll have there answers. Good job. Way to use football as a tool to drive people away from your church.

tickets??? | 10:18 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Does it really county when you have people trapped on campus.... remember most U students live outside of the campus.... BYU has an advantage in the fact it traps students with less opportunities.... no Real Basketball(go Jazz)... no Major League Soccer...no ski resorts.. and so they sell out a bigger stadium. Be glad your mommies and daddies are footing the bill.

Two wins | 10:34 p.m. Aug. 3, 2008

Bowl Game Clarification - You're right. It is two games for BYU. 17-10 last year and 33-31 the year before.

How sweet it is!

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