Comments about ‘Why Utah-BYU really won't continue as is’

The Cougs need this rivalry in a big way. Since a deal with the Big East is falling apart, BYU appears to be headed for their second straight year of Indy. That means BYU must load up with good teams in September because they will only be able to schedule lower tier schools in November (i.e. WAC & Big Sky). This year's schedule is a perfect example, BYU played 5 games in September but only 2 in November (Idaho & New Mexico St.).

It's time for the Utah-BYU rivalry to fade away. Maybe BYU-based articles over time will become of less interest by the Ute trolls, making the Comments section easier and more interesting reading.

Good-natured bantering is fine, but most trolls have long since forgotten how, if they ever did know.

I'm not anti-Ute, BYW. I sometimes post on Ute articles, but not as a troll. In fact, I'm hoping the Utes win out and somehow get into the inaugural Pac-12 championship game. That'd be a really fun one to watch, as I don't think either Oregon or Stanford have seen a defense as stingy as Utah's is this year.

Wouldn't it be fun if both BYU and Utah won out this year, considering all the problems both schools have had? The Utes could be in their conference's championship game, and BYU could end up with another 10-win season.

God bless the state of Utah!

The rivalry has become (or always was) dysfunctional
I will be happy to see it gone.

54-10 huh... in provo?

Utah has far bigger fish to fry now! BYU clearly needs the rivalry game more than Utah at this point, but it just doesn't make sense for Utah to continue this game when they could be scheduling far more relevant opponents.

U90

As a BYU fan I really don't care one way or another. BYU doesn't need anything. Heading towards a second year was planned. All the invite activity was initiated by the conferences, not BYU.

Just because you perceive this first year as a weak attempt at indy it is no indication of the future. These next 2 years show an improving schedule and with the recent discussion of changes in the BCS who's to know for sure if things will remain as they are for conferences and indy's.

A benefit of dropping the rivaly will be both teams probably attracting more fans from each other's fan base and nothing is wrong with that.

Bottom line... the state of Utah college sports are getting attention and exposure and more money.

It's great progress with or without a rivalry, with or without a BCS conference affiliation.

BYU-Utah should not continue. These two programs are heading in different directions. Conference affiliation trumps BYU. The sad part is BYU needs it far worse than Utah. This is not a Utah "troll" or BYU "hater" making these statements. I wish both schools well. However, the situation is what it is. Utah could demand a 2 for 1 deal, and they would be right to do so. BYU is not going anywhere except to mid-major permanence. Like it or not the reality for Utah is their PAC 12 membership brings benefits, real or imagined. BYUs independence through ESPN's mid-level contract does not mean much of anything. BYU will score 1 maybe 2 "name" programs every 2 or 3 years because of ESPN, but what about the other 9 games in a season? November is a crucial football conference month for bowl games, and rivalries. The truth is right now Utah can walk away from BYU, and not suffer any adverse effects. BYU has no such luxury. Worst case scenario is in three years BYU will have a fistful of canceled game agreements, and be desperate to have anyone greater than SJSU or Idaho to play.

Usually the best game that BYU or Utah plays is against each other, but at the same time, Sept. is too early. BYU historically is a late starter and takes 3 - 4 games to them to develop some consistency. I'm not sure that playing the Utes early, in the year, does anything for the Cougs.

With the short planning cycle, this year's schedule was admittedly poor and worked against BYU's natural tendency. They had to prove everything early and no matter the scores, they havent been able to prove anything in the last couple of games. Future schedules will improve, but will require some patience. Hopefully, the fans will demonstrate some.

The only thing BYU would have gotten out of the Big-East was scheduling, but I don't think that was worth losing the ESPN contract and the national visibility. Only time will tell.

GO COUGS!!!

If that means we get rid of the Under-the-Bridge Ute set, then I am ALL for it!

I think I can make through a season without "marking it down!"

I found this read to be very balanced and well thought out.

As much as we love the rivalry here in this state, it is a difficult choice for Utah to decide to play each year. Why? Rock spells it out (balancing the schedule, recruiting opportunities, and more home games).

I will miss this so called 'Holy War' but will also breathe a little more minus the hate that is injected into the rivalry game.

I understand BYU fans crying foul, and thinking Utah is scared. Again, it's a tough decision. It's a little like, not entirely, BYU's decision to stay independent or join the Big East.

Pros and cons abound.

I saw this coming. With USC becoming eligible, Utah will probably play Idaho or New Mexico State for pre-season practice.

The state of Utah and the institutions of Salt LAke and Provo need this rivalry to continue on in any form as much as they need a hole in the head. Yes, this game has been the best drawing game in the stadium playing host to it in every season it has been played.... Well, I dunno, maybe #1 Miami drew more fans that Utah that year........ But, collectively this game has invoked ugliness between neighbors that they are better than. Take a 10 year break once the current agreement is up and then come back together and mash heads together and determine where to go from there.... U90 i'm sorry but for this one you are wrong.

It should end with the 54-10 because it isn't a rivalry unless BYU has some heart and doesn't quit in the 3rd quarter. Beating up on poor mid majors such as BYU will not help Utah's strength of schedule.

Funny papellon. We need to break away from marking it down.

Totally disagree with Rock on this, again. He just can't seem to write enough articles on this subject. Yes, it's sad that this isn't rivaly week. But, don't forget the game was played just a few weeks ago.

The rivalry should continue for many years to come becuase it is the most significant and anticipated annual sporting event in Utah. It should continue because it is one of the great rivalries in the nation. It should continue because it makes sense and because the relatively minor challenges Rock mentions can be overcome with careful attention to scheduling. It should continue because, in their own odd way, the two schools need each other.

Other majors have rivalries that are played regardless of the very things Rock writes about. These things can be dealt with. I believe Mr. Hill and Mr. Holmoe will find the way through the little mine field they need to navigate to make it happen.

Long live the rivalry!

The rivalry needs to end. BYU prefers to play New Mexico St. and Idaho.

Under the current college football structure of AQ conferences and BCS bowl games, BYU is at a distinct disadvantage as an independent. No conference championship to earn. A nearly impossible road to earn a BCS bowl invite. A quagmire of scheduling difficulties. If the current BCS structure is to remain it is imperative that BYU gain entry into a BCS conference. This means that over the next season or two they must win big games.

Look at BYU's past few years of competition, they seem to lose the big games. Occasionally they pick up a big win (beating Utah, Oklahoma) but more often they have a Florida game, or a TCU, or a 54-10 Utah game. BYU gets blown out by fast, athletic teams.

I always like to look at recent performance to anticipate future results. This becomes a great predictor, and also can reveal what structural changes must occur in order to change future outcomes (win big games).

In any case, BYU needs to win big games and get invited to a BCS conference.

Of course, if the BCS conference structure is gone within 2 years, it is anyone's guess what is in BYU's best interest.

@ JohnJacobJingleHeimerSchmidt | 8:02 p.m. Nov. 22, 2011
Beverly Hills, CA

Right on. Why would anyone want to continue playing an out of conference mid major team that quit once they got behind? It is one thing getting blown out, quite another being a quitter.

54-10 was more telling than just the score.

The trend lately in college sports is that everything revolves around money. Yet for some inexplicable reason future BYU-Utah games are in jeopardy. Don't these games sell out every year? Isn't there overwhelming media attention around this game even when there's little at stake except bragging rights? This game is a hands down money-maker . . . for both schools . . . every year. Who will BYU and Utah schedule in place of this game that will be a bigger draw?

In college sports you schedule games with your friends. Despite the animosity between some of the fans, the schools share a healthy respect for each other. Do what it takes to keep the rivalry (and the proceeds from ticket sales) flowing.

maybe if they took a year or two off they could face off in a bowl matchup in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.