Deseret News | Aggies aghast at backing 'that' blue for green

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Aggies aghast at backing 'that' blue for green

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Stephen Noel | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

It's never all or nothing. There is good, bad and indifferent everywhere and in everything, but for BYU fans to say there is not an attitude of superiority at BYU simply because they don't or haven't seen it in themselves or those around them is a horrible argument. That's like the KKK saying its not racist because it does not see racism within its ranks.

Come on, this is a friendly hatred. I'm Mormon, active, an Aggie and proud of it, but I have a problem with BYU, or at least the prevailing attitude of many of its students, fans, etc.

I was interested in the BYU/Air Force game. Driving home one night I listened to a portion of the Bronco Mendenhal show. One of the hosts (not Greg Wrubell) asked the coach if he was preparing for Air Force differently because of the "high level of intellect found at the Academy much like you find at BYU." As if to say that everyone else BYU plays is stupid. This is just one of many comments made by BYU fans, media, administrators over many years that demonstrates a real attitude problem. Utah fans don't make these types of comments.

re: Aggie who cheers Red | 10:48 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I think that you're overlooking the fact that the majority of the student body in Provo isn't from Utah, and that's a major reason why USU is overlooked. USU isn't in the same conference, doesn't play BYU every year, and frankly just isn't on the radar of most BYU students and alums. Most BYU students (including myself as a freshman) are barely aware of USU. Yes, yes, I know this will get slammed as more arrogance and "holier than thou" attitude from a BYU fan, but it has much less to do with arrogance than it does with the dynamics of BYU's student body. I'm sorry if the Aggies feel excluded from the picture, but that's the reality of it.

I pull for the Aggies, and hope that the situation can change with more success for USU's team because right now it's not a rivalry, but an after thought and a scheduling convenience for BYU. That's not the result of BYU's arrogance. The inept work by the Aggie athletic department should shoulder the blame.

Shecky Idaho Mormon | 10:48 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I do not have a dog in this fight, except for being a Boise State fan. I have had very close friends who attended BYU, Utah State and Utah. I find that they all have a little "holier than thou" attitude. BYU fans are obnoxious...USU fans are bitter (go play in the Big Sky so you can compete) and Utah fans have absolutely no class. And while I'm at it, I've always felt that Ron McBride (former Ute now at Weber State) reminded me of a guy in Moe's Tavern on the Simpsons.
I'll pull for the Cougars this week so that Boise State, with a win over Nevada, can leapfrog over Utah and grab the last BCS spot. GO BRONCOS. Have a wonderful day Coug-Uters.

Comments continue below

TO SLC Aggie | 10:54 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

How can I not deny the "houlier than thou" attitude and at the same time "except" it? Aren't you asking something impossible? Or wait, did you mean "accept?"

If that's what you meant, I understand. Thank you for the brillant logic--"don't deny; just accept."
And by the way, USU is a pathetic school across the board. Disagree? Well, don't. Just accept it (or except, if that makes any sense to you).

byu? | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

only an aggie moron would want byu to win.

even if it means $500,000 coming to logan.

Patrick | 11:02 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

It's an unwritten rule that if you are from the state of Utah applying to BYU, it will be more difficult for you to get accepted than if you were from another state, even if your grades are better. Therefore many Utah college students get the rejection letter from the Y and are bitter. Those students then go to USU or to the U. Living in Virginia all the members get accepted to BYU regardless of their grades or test scores. I think the church feels that members out of state who are somewhat isolated can now have a chance to live the church standards and not be a minority so they are easily accepted into the school.
Just my two cents.

Case and point | 11:07 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Steve Smith, you just proved why some, well a lot, of Aggies have problems with BYU. It is the ridicoulous condescending attitude that a lot of you 'Almighty Cougars' seem to possess. I am a graduate of Utah State and rarely missed a Cougar home game during my 4 years in Logan. During that time, I also argued to my fellow Aggies that BYU students, alum, and fans were not as arrogant as they are generally perceived to be. But the fact is a lot of you are, and you just validated every bit of animosity that most Aggies hold against BYU.

RE : Supporting your school! | 11:13 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

You are a piece of work!! Please don't insult the Aggies who actually have half a brain by posting such a stupid comment! Your logic is beyond all comprehension.

BIG BLUE | 11:16 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Cheer for the cougars? NEVER!

To Cats | 11:16 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Why are you even reading these comments? Go read the Mormon Times. Sports bring out the best and WORST in people. If you, and other Zoobies like you, want peace and love then call for BYU to drop athletics. Otherwise please stop complaining that you are being persecuted. You bring it upon yourself. Please stop telling other people how they need to change and instead focus on what you need to do to change. You can not hold on to the source of contention (athletics) while condemning others for their participation in the contention. Remove yourself from the contention and...problem solved. Either you keep athletics and the contention that comes with it, or you drop athletics and remove the associated contention. You can not have it both ways. Sadly, everyone is not (self) righteous enough as you and your fellow zoobies that we could have our cake and eat it too. Competition is part of sports. Competition leads to contention. If everyone CTR and hearted BYU then I guess there would be no competition and no contention. We would all be unified, holding hands, and singing songs. Is that what you want? Give me competition and, unfortunately, contention.

ironeye12-Ag | 11:18 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I can't forget the Y fans singing "Ol' MacDonald Had a Farm' in overalls and old straw hats back in the 60s. I think the strong attitudes between the two schools started as a clean rivalry. Today it is very different because they don't play regularly. Being a USU grad (and my wife BYU) we've had the friendly arguments in-house. But the last time we went to Edwards Stadium and were screamed at "sit down" as we were getting to our seats, my wife hasn't wanted to go back.
Interesting comments but remember, it's just a game.
Cougar fans should remember one of the greatest Aggies of all--LaVell Edwards.

Aggie who cheers Red | 11:18 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Actually, the BYU fans I speak of know exactly who the Aggies are, their comments are nothing but trash talking, knowing that it will hit right where it hurts. I will have to agree with Shecky Idaho Mormon, in that we might be a bit bitter, but please know that that comes from watching our nationally-ranked basketball team (2004) get passed up for playing in the NCAA tournament because we're only in a "one-team" conference. No thanks to going to the Big Sky to experience that ridiculousness again. Our football team might be struggling, but it's not the only sport at USU, thankfully!

Aggie fans | 11:22 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

can't affect the outcome of that game, so who cares? This is one Aggie who will be watching the Oklahoma/Texas Tech and the Boise State/Nevada game instead of the 'stupid war'. If it works out that Boise State gets to a BCS game, so be it. I'm not concerned about the details or the whys and what fors on which southern stench team to root for...I choose neither.

As for why Aggies fans don't like byu OR utah, please see above comments for Exhibit A.

To; Case in Point | 11:23 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Well said. For those who insist that there is no "holier than thou" attitude among BYU supporters...

Blind spots can be tough to deal with. Your denial of even the possibility that it exists is a huge blind spot.

Try to understand why so many feel that way. Just calling them insecure, or saying it is because they couldn't get into BYU just feeds the perception.

A little humility would would be a good thing.

Thanks Anonymous | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Easy to see why someone so haughty and irrational hides their face.

John | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Being hated in sports is actually more like a compliment.
Being hated usually means you are VERY successful. When has anyone ever hated a team that rarely wins.

As a BYU fan, I don't mind continuing to be hated...it only means that my team continues to be successful.

We will continue to beat Division 1 teams, like Utah, and Division 2 teams like Utah State.

Oh, sorry....Utah State is Division 1??? Who knew?

Arrogance again | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

When all else fails, throw the arragance word. How could anyone defend themselves? The ultimate arrogance is thinking others are more arrogant than you. Get a life.

Stupid Aggies | 11:34 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Why don't they hate Utah too? Doesn't make sense to me.

Sheesh | 11:35 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

If the many posts regarding "I went to USU but am and always will be a cougar or ute fan" are indeed true, we've got a LOT of turncoat traitors on our hands.

Look up LOYALTY in the dictionary, my friends.

Maybe if you and your fellow Benedict Arnold's Kelly Poppinga, Drew Tate, Riley Nelson, and others would HONOR their commitments, Aggie football wouldn't be having as many issues right now. Isn't HONOR one of the buzzwords Captain Mendenhall is throwing around the program nowadays?

May I suggest that the 'hate' towards utah and byu being described in these comments has more to do with true Aggies being LOYAL to their school. True Aggies don't cheer for or care about either southern swine.

BYU Attitude | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I was at the USU v BYU football game in 2002 when BYU came back from a 27 point deficit at halftime to win 35-34. The game was in Logan, but as always there were plenty of BYU fans there. I am a USU graduate and support the Aggies (Is that wrong even though I am a member of THE CHURCH? Is it a requirement to be a BYU fan? Funny, my bishop never asks me that question). Anyway, I was wearing my Aggie gear and a group of BYU fans passed me on the way out and directed the comment to me: "Good thing we paid our tithing this week, or we might not have pulled that one out!" They must have been relatives of Austin Collie?

My point is that there are many good people who go to BYU. I have family that went to BYU. I support its educational mission. But PLEASE don't tell me that when it comes to athletics there is not a, for lack of a better expression, "holier-than-thou" attitude. I grew up a BYU fan in the bubble, but was turned off by the attitude. I am now an AGGIE FOR LIFE!

Re: John | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I give you Exhibit B.

Aggie BYU FAN | 11:52 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

This is confusing to me. Most of the Aggie fans I know have alway rooted for BYU. I only know one track coach who would never root for BYU.

Prof | 12:09 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

As someone who has been a professor at both Utah State and BYU, I can tell you that there IS an arrogance and a holier-than-thou attitude at BYU. It was a shock for me to go from USU to BYU. The students I worked with at USU were so much more grateful, professional, and respectful than the ones I have worked with at BYU. Their work was also, overall, MUCH better. I did not expect to find that. I thought they'd be pretty similar. The arrogance and holier-than-thou attitude are common topics of discussion among professors and even administrators at BYU--and a concern for them.

Of course, not all students at BYU are that way. Some are wonderful, impressive, humble people. But, that other attitude is very prevalent. If space permitted, I could give many examples. I know many students who are distressed by it also. Sadly, working down here in cougar country has made me much less of a fan than I was before.

Anything that helps BYU students have a more realistic view of themselves is good, I think. I would love USU to get the money, but I really hope Utah beats BYU by a large margin.

BYU rocks | 12:15 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Here's why Utah State kids hate BYU.
1) Logan is a smaller bubble than Provo and there is nothing to do there but watch tv and hate on other teams.
2) Many an Aggie applied to BYU and didn't get in.
3) BYU's accounting program (business) blows the Aggie accounting program out of the water.
4) Utah State has a dismal record playing BYU in football.
5) See number 1, there is nothing to do in Logan, UT
6) Then they throw the "holier than thou" argument at us, sounds like discontent to me

Reality Check is right!!! | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Utah State University has no business fielding a Division I football team. There just isn't enough good local talent left for them after BYU, Utah, Snow College and Weber St. have made their selections.

Once in a while the Aggies will come up with a good player (Riley Nelson), but it just doesn't happen often enough.

Aggie fans, the Big Sky conference is calling.

Don't despair Aggies, there's always basketball. BYU will probably only beat you by 10 points at ESA this year. You can chalk yourselves up another moral victory for that.

re: BYU rocks | 12:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Exhibit C.

Go Pokes! | 12:41 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Got a question. If USU stands to bring in the bucks by BSU getting into the BCS, doesn't BYU stand to gain $$$ by Utah winning on Saturday and thereby getting into the BCS? If so, do the Cougs lose by winning? $500,000 is a lot of tithing money!!

bubble, bubble | 12:44 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

toil and trouble

sounds like a lot of insecurity to me.

Root for you own team.

Stop hating on others.

Stop judging yourself based on the success/failure of your team.

Stop judging others based on the success/failure of their team.

As the "Desiderata" suggests:

"If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself."

This applies doubly to being a fan, since you, as a fan, have absolutely NOTHING to do with the success/failure of the team you root for.

If you haven't caught a pass, made a tackle, kicked a ball, etc., this season, for the team you root for, stop acting like you've accomplished something.

a big reason... | 12:44 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Byu is hated because they have brass behind their comments and there is a bit of holier than thou feeling. I talk to byu fans all of the time. They feel they should win because it is byu and there is a higher presence to it. Whether it is living right on and off the field to quest for perfection, those are big statements and are unrealistic. byu started touting bcs after their ugly win in the vegas bowl last year against a sub par and extremely depleted ucla team. What do you expect naysayers to do. Agree with them and relent.

money??? whow cares | 12:44 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

it would help byu to allow utah to get into the BCS... but i don't care, the pride of kicking whining ute butt and watching there bcs dreams fall from there grasp is a much bigger reward than any measly $250,000 +. I'd rather see USU get that money then lose to the U.

re: BYU rocks | 12:52 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

is a perfect example of the arrogance other people ascribe to BYU students and fans.

And,

applying the "arrogance label" to all BYU students and fans is a perfect example of stereotyping.

"Any man who judges by the group is a pee-wit. You take men one at a time." -Sgt. Kilrain, "The Killer Angels"

Say what? | 12:54 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Re: To Kent Ashton,

Is it any wonder BYU and Utah kept you out of the WAC? How many football victories have you brought to the league since you joined?

Start pulling your own weight, then worry about who you're going to root for come Saturday.

Is it any wonder Riley jumped ship?

re: byu? | 12:56 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

"only an aggie moron would want byu to win. even if it means $500,000 coming to logan."

You spelled "mormon" wrong.

USU rocks | 1:06 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Here's why Zoobies hate Utah State:
1) Logan is an awesome college town with plenty to do if you get off your butt and enjoy the outdoors.
2) Aggies chose to be Aggies. UVU and BYU-Idaho are for Zoobie wannabes. Ma and Pa didn't force anyone to go to USU.
3) Utah State's aerospace engineering program blows the Zoobie program out of the water. Aggie Ice Cream is also better than whatever BYU has.
4) BYU can't beat USU in basketball in Logan, so they refuse to play there.
5) See number 1, Zoobies need to be told how to have fun so they think Logan is boring.
6) Then they get all self righteous at us, sounds like discontent to me.

Huh? | 1:07 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

RE: former Aggie

"I was a former Aggie student athlete". What exactly does that mean? You were a former student athlete once but now you are not?

Do they teach english at USU?

Brett | 1:12 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I went to USU and I hate BYU. I always have and always will.

Dear hate filled aggie fans | 1:13 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

This may come as terrible news to you but we don't even care that you hate us. And I know that not all aggie fans hate us, but some do for sure. Despite your hatred, I am chosing to not hate you and I will continue tipping you when you deliver pizzas to my house.

Old Aggie | 1:25 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Until you have attended USU and personally been told by church leaders and various "Fans" that you must cheer for BYU, because the Prophet leads it, you will have no idea why you cougar fans are so abnoxious. I have 2 children @ BYU and my wife graduated from there. I talk to my son about sports and all I hear is all the stats and stories about the mighty Cougars. Cannot even get an aknowledgement that one of the greatest Bball shooters in the state was @ USU. They refuse to even acknowledge Aggies. Watch the local news. 2 seconds about USU or Weber and a whole 30 minute program about the mighty Y. What about the Gary Crowton years or the early days of the Y. You guys stunk it up. Lets say you have a 4-5 year string of loosing seasons. See how long Bronco sticks around.

Go Utah and BSU. We really need USC and Oregon State to loose, then both BSU and Utah have a BCS shot!!!

makes sense to me | 1:25 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Of course the Aggies hate us. And why wouldn't they? USU Aggies hate EVERYTHING outside of Logan! I mean, for cryin' out loud they have to live in Logan and be Aggies!! That would turn Mother Teresa in a hater, may she rest in peace.

We need to help them if anything. Maybe have some food drives or organize an Olympics competition just for them. You know, the kind of event where every participant gets a winner's ribbon and they all go home feeling special.

Aggies: We don't hate you. We think you're SPECIAL!

sh | 1:37 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I hope most reasonable people have a good natured rivalry with BYU. There is no place for hate in athletics. As far as BYU is concerned there is only one true rival. The others aren't even on the map. It should be a great game this year.

To: To Cats | 1:45 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I think I am glad you weren't my bishop.

I am a USU graduate who had children graduate from BYU. I had several opportunities to visit the BYU campus. They must have hidden away all the "holier than thou" folks because I never met any.

I don't recall hearing of any hate BYU classes as an Aggie. I do know that I was treated worse by some USU officials and "educators" than just about anywhere else I have been. It seems to me those folks were "holier than thou" and I doubt any were LDS.

What was that scripture? "I will hate whom I will but of you it is required to hate all men."

Aggie Waggie | 1:57 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I guess you can't teach an "Old Aggie" new tricks. Such as how to use spell check. Did you know they have the Internet on computers now?

I'm guessing that your kids who attend BYU know the difference between "lose" and "loose."

As an Old Aggie, I would have thought you'd be well acquainted with "losing" by now.

re: USU rocks | 2:07 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

hahaha. i liked that rebuttal, especially how the USU hate is one sided and Cougars couldn't care less about Utah State. I applied to USU, but BYU was my safety school. Pleaseeeeeeeee

Ute Doctor | 2:34 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Aggie fans should hate BYU for stealing their uniform colors.

When you care enough... | 3:08 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

...to send the very worst. The fact that there are a lot of BYU fans commenting on this story, especially during "rivalry week" when USU has nothing to do with your game, shows that Cougars care more about USU than they would like to admit. I love how zoobies bash on USU and turn around and say that the hate is one sided and that they could care less. The fact is that zoobies feel like they must inject themselves into every arguement in order to "prove" their superiority. If you truly do not care, GO AWAY! Stop belittling other teams. IMO it is not that zoobies think they are so great and have the best team, it is that they put others down in order to feel that way which makes others resent them and call them "holier-than-thou", "haughty", "arrogant", etc. Everyone does not and should not love BYU. Get over yourself. Some people chose to go to Utah, some to Utah State, some elsewhere, without ever considering BYU. Different strokes for different folks. Different does not mean better or worse, just different.

Highlight | 3:09 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

My theories as to why there is so much hatred or disdain for BYU in the state are for 3 main reasons.

1- Their success. At one point a few years ago, BYU was considered the nations "most hated team", because of an article by some sports writer. Fans of teams that lose to the Cougars on a regular basis are naturally going to get peeved.

I don't remember as much hatred toward them when they were not winning as much. (before Lavell)

2-Their religion. I lot of people don't like the LDS Church, and use that as fodder to fuel their dislike for the Church sponsored school. For some U of U fans, this part of the rivaly seems to stem from a perceived "Holier than Thou" attitude from BYU fans.

3-Comments from overzealous BYU athletes who make comments that are taken completely out of context by Ute fans, ie. "living right off the field"
which unendingly fuels more "Holier than thou" perceptions.
Such comment by a player at any other school in the country would be considered giving credit to the Lord where credit's due. Any thoughts?

Cowboy up | 3:45 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Some of you need to learn to separate the wheat from the tares. It is true there is a minority of people associated with BYU either as students, faculty, staff or fans that portray a holier-than-thou attitude. Too bad for them. Does that mean the Y's athletic programs have the same mantra? No.

I grew up cheering for Utah State, then Wyoming then the BYU football team after attending a few of their games. It took another year or two to accept their basketball program but I still leaned toward Wyoming.

I neither care about, nor for, obnoxious fans. It's the team I cheer for.

If someone takes a BYU fan seriously for making some comment about why BYU won in relation to tithe paying, or prayer, or anything else unrelated to the actual sporting event then that person has bigger problems that need to be addressed. Get a life. Fans making obviously stupid comments are idiots and your believing them makes you an idiot too.

The reason BYU is hated so much by other conference schools is not because of the BYU fans, it's their constant winning of championships. Get some better coaches and recruits and deal with it.

frank | 3:50 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Aggies have a football team! Since when?

USU Football Wreaks???? | 3:56 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Hey, they named a stadium in Provo after a USU football player!!!

Hey Steve Smith | 4:29 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Overrated!!!!! If our basketball team isn't any good how come that weasel of a coach Rose cried his way out of playing us in Logan? The best thing to ever happen to your football program was the hiring of some Aggie- whatever that is.. Moron!

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2 photos

Stuart Johnson, Deseret News

Kami Nilsen tosses a large ring to try and get it around food donation barrels. She and other BYU students are taking part in Blue/White Week activities on campus, gearing up for the big football game with Utah on Saturday.

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