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BYU, Utah football: Blood is thicker than water
86 comments | Read story
Dr. J | 4:35 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
We still embrace Mr. Sitake as our own and respect his desire to support family.
However, he is treading on thin ice--do not test the cougar nation.
Be afraid, be very afraid | 5:13 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I have had many Ute friends call me (a Coug fan) and try to talk smack. Most,
if not all, finish the call by saying they are very nervous. They should be!
There is so much at stake here. I can't remember a game between these two
teams where the stakes have been this high. I can't wait!
Comments continue below
Kathy | 5:40 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Actually, this is good. For you, there are no losers! That's the way it
should be for all of us.
tough decision | 6:17 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Who do you root for? The son who is assistant coach for the Varsity team, or do
you pick the JV team and just accept being second best. Obviously he picks the
A team because he knows where the power resides.
Utah 47
BYU 10 (all fourth quarter points against third string D)
Utah 47
BYU 10 (all fourth quarter points against third string D)
Ryan Chai | 6:29 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Go uncle Tom! We love you!
Frankly, I am | 6:45 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
puzzled why anybody would question where his loyalties are. Of course he wants
his son to win. Wouldn't anybody!!! I would have been shocked if it was any
other way.
Well Said | 7:07 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Well said Tom. The football rivalry is great. The disrespecting fans, not so
much.
Mike | 7:31 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
There are no losers for any of us. We have two great teams to root for.
Acting like a silly high schooler threatened by your cross town rival only makes you look immature.
This will be a fun game to watch IF everybody plays well. That is what we should hope for.
Acting like a silly high schooler threatened by your cross town rival only makes you look immature.
This will be a fun game to watch IF everybody plays well. That is what we should hope for.
blaze | 7:32 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
waited 20 plus years for this to bad both teams are not 11-0
All Blue | 8:27 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
What a game this is going to be. I don't remember a one meaning so much to
either team. The Utes want an outright solo MWC championship and a guaranteed
BCS appearance, and the Cougars want redemption and a share of the honor.
I've always bled blue, but for what should be a spectacular football
finish, it is too bad that one of these great teams will walk away from this
one with an 'L'.(BYU 34-31 UT)
Anonymous | 8:49 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
With all the challenges in the world, Happy Valley is in their own little world
thinking this rivalry is the most important situation in the worrld. Narcissism
is not a very attractive characteristic. Please realize that this is a game--it
will not mean much in the scheme of things.
utah 34 byu 3 | 8:52 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
utah 34 byu 3
Ute Fan | 8:55 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Utah 31 BYU 27
Go Utes!
Go Utes!
Game Matchups | 8:57 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
OFFENSE: Utah 36.5 PPG
BYU 36.3 PPG
edge to utah
DEFENSE: Utah 16.6 Points allowed per game
BYU 18.7 Points allowed per game
edge to utah
SPECIAL TEAMS: Utah has the obvious edge with louie sakoda.
So, going off stats utah has the advantage in every aspect, but then again stats usually mean nothing in a rivalry game. Just some fun facts.
BYU 36.3 PPG
edge to utah
DEFENSE: Utah 16.6 Points allowed per game
BYU 18.7 Points allowed per game
edge to utah
SPECIAL TEAMS: Utah has the obvious edge with louie sakoda.
So, going off stats utah has the advantage in every aspect, but then again stats usually mean nothing in a rivalry game. Just some fun facts.
$$$$$ | 8:59 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
How much do you think ESPN or other major networks would be willing to pay for
the right to air this game?
Utes Rule | 9:29 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Go Utes!
Toa Sitake | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
The title of this article says it all!
Although we love our hometown PROVO and of course, the hometown team, the Cougars...we love our brother MORE! We support any team he supports...after all, that's what FAMILY is all about!
Good luck to my relatives on the BYU roster!!!!
Good luck to my relatives on the U of U roster!!!!
it's going to be a great game!
Although we love our hometown PROVO and of course, the hometown team, the Cougars...we love our brother MORE! We support any team he supports...after all, that's what FAMILY is all about!
Good luck to my relatives on the BYU roster!!!!
Good luck to my relatives on the U of U roster!!!!
it's going to be a great game!
Kiyoshige | 9:43 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Utah is favored. Ranked higher, better wins thus far, better defense and better
special teams. I love coming into this game as an underdog!
Cranky Coug | 9:46 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Re Tough Decision 6:17am
Just another uneducated (football) Ute fan, these guys can barely walk and chew gum at the same time.
Pressure is on Utah...Big Time!
Just another uneducated (football) Ute fan, these guys can barely walk and chew gum at the same time.
Pressure is on Utah...Big Time!
Stat Guy | 9:46 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
It's amazing how close the two teams really are. They have played similar
schedules, scored lots of points, come back to win games that seemed lost,
buckled down on defense in crucial situations, blocked kicks, willed kicks to
miss, faced and overcome adversity of many sorts, have great players, and it all
comes down to who blinks in the showdown on Saturday.
This year's team of destiny? The Utes.
My Dad always told me it's better to be lucky than good. The Utes are both.
This year's team of destiny? The Utes.
My Dad always told me it's better to be lucky than good. The Utes are both.
re: $$$$$ | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
$1.00 tops.
Anonymous | 9:54 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Just a small note about Tom. I worked at the st Hospital too and he is one of
the finest man you could ever have the privilage of knowing. They don't
come any finer. And his loyality to his family is as strong a one as you will
ever find. I am a die hard BYU fan and have been for many years so I know his
love ofr the school. I wishfor him all the good things that come from his
devided love Arvalee Swenson
Anonymous | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Utah will lose.......here's why
1) Their mascot is a chicken (Why not a Ute Indian?)
2) They have only won 2 outright championships since 1964 (Tom would have been 5 years old then, HAHA!)
3) They're the Utes and choking against BYU is what they do best!
Go COUGS!
ps: Harline and Collie are STILL open!!!
1) Their mascot is a chicken (Why not a Ute Indian?)
2) They have only won 2 outright championships since 1964 (Tom would have been 5 years old then, HAHA!)
3) They're the Utes and choking against BYU is what they do best!
Go COUGS!
ps: Harline and Collie are STILL open!!!
Scott | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Mountain West Conference is much better off with Utes win over BYU.... MTN West
will then be represented in BCS....
Conejo | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
From a BYU fan. The Harline and Collie being open jokes are getting old. Give it
up, it is like the knock knock jokes. After you hear it 100 times it just
isn'ty funny. Nothing matters except the next game. There is nothing we can
do about past games. Live in the present, hope for the future. Past is past.
Re: Anonymous 10:32 | 11:05 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
That comment sure shows some ignorance.
1)They used to have an Indian mascot that rode on a horse in every football game. The University was forced to change because it was deemed politically incorrect.
2)History has little to do with the game on Saturday. It will come down to match ups and I have to say that I like Utah's Chances.
3)Again, what happened the past two years has little bearing on the game on Saturday. If your going to look at anything, look at this year. Every time you face a team with decent athletes, the cougars struggle. It could be a very long day for your precious cougs on Saturday.
1)They used to have an Indian mascot that rode on a horse in every football game. The University was forced to change because it was deemed politically incorrect.
2)History has little to do with the game on Saturday. It will come down to match ups and I have to say that I like Utah's Chances.
3)Again, what happened the past two years has little bearing on the game on Saturday. If your going to look at anything, look at this year. Every time you face a team with decent athletes, the cougars struggle. It could be a very long day for your precious cougs on Saturday.
RE: Conejo | 11:08 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I'm a true blue BYU fan and I agree the Harline & Collie comments are
old. I was at both games and loved the plays & the result but fellow cougar
fans give it a rest!
Hope to be in the stadium on Saturday. Go Cougars!
Hope to be in the stadium on Saturday. Go Cougars!
TommyCougar | 11:09 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
The Cougs are starting to show some fire again. Tom should have raised his son
better. The old slogan "better dead than red" should have been
inculcated so deep into his children that they would never turn against the Y.
That said, a father loves even the prodigal. Seems the best coachs at the U come from the Y family after all.
Let us all pray that the Cougs school the prodigals and win one for LE. Then we can hope and pray that either Reno or Fresno trips up the Broncos.
Sugar would be nice. Really like NO food and music.
Y 38 U 21
That said, a father loves even the prodigal. Seems the best coachs at the U come from the Y family after all.
Let us all pray that the Cougs school the prodigals and win one for LE. Then we can hope and pray that either Reno or Fresno trips up the Broncos.
Sugar would be nice. Really like NO food and music.
Y 38 U 21
Awesome Article | 11:14 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Love the article. Love the Utes. Half of my family is BYU Blue the other Utah
Red, but we are always family. Thanks for the great human interest story.
BYUtah fan | 11:48 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Keys to the game:
1) Pressure on Hall.
2) Utah's success in man to man coverage on wideouts.
3) BYU's defense - who shows up, the good one or the terrible one.
4) Turnovers - this could start momentum rolling one way or the other.
If I were to guess I would say it will be a shootout. The last team with the ball and some time will win.
My advice to BYU. If Utah has the ball with a couple of minutes on the clock and BYU has less than a touchdown lead, lay down, let them score and let the offense win the game with the last drive.
1) Pressure on Hall.
2) Utah's success in man to man coverage on wideouts.
3) BYU's defense - who shows up, the good one or the terrible one.
4) Turnovers - this could start momentum rolling one way or the other.
If I were to guess I would say it will be a shootout. The last team with the ball and some time will win.
My advice to BYU. If Utah has the ball with a couple of minutes on the clock and BYU has less than a touchdown lead, lay down, let them score and let the offense win the game with the last drive.
The Real Score | 11:49 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
BYU +infinity
Utah -infinity
There, that should cover anymore silly predictions from Utah fans!
Utah -infinity
There, that should cover anymore silly predictions from Utah fans!
Mr Sitake raises... | 11:50 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
an interesting point, Cougar fans.
If one is drunk and acts boorishly, the behavior is understandable.
But the only thing that accounts for being ill-mannered when you're stone-cold sober, is if you are in fact boorish.
If one is drunk and acts boorishly, the behavior is understandable.
But the only thing that accounts for being ill-mannered when you're stone-cold sober, is if you are in fact boorish.
MWC | 11:54 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
To the guy that says for the MWC for Utah to win would be the best, not true,
there is still a chance if BYU makes it into the top 12 after beating the Utes,
they could still be chosen over BSU or Ball St so. Will have to wait and see.
Re;Tommy Cougar | 11:56 a.m. Nov. 18, 2008
That was one of the most vile comments I've seen on this site and you are
an embarassment to BYU fans everywhere. "Tom should have raised his son
better?" Wow wow wow. You sicken me.
Oh please! | 12:18 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
All these foolish BYU fans who KEEP saying that BYU still has any chance
whatsoever of getting a BCS birth are morons! THERE IS NO WAY. Even if the
Cougtards win on Saturday (which they won't) they still finish with one
lopsided loss to TCU. That game was an embarrassment for BYU, and exposed them
for what they are. Besides, Boise St. will finish undefeated, and if Utah loses,
they leap ahead in the BCS polls and LOCK up that one spot. It's either
Utah or Boise St. BYU has been out of that race since they were demoralized in
Texas.
Re: Tommy Cougar | 12:35 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I suspect you are not living right enough, based on your ill-conceived comments.
Otherwise, your trust in prayer, particularly yours, or the BCS to take a
non-BCS team with even a single loss, is likewise ill-conceived.
Tom Hatch | 12:44 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
This story has a powerful message: Friendships can exist and flourish despite
the rivalries.
I remember during my early sportswriting days one of the leaders of the Oregon State boosters told me that Oregon and Oregon State were rivals on the field but friends off. This is the way it should be between BYU and Utah. Oregon and Oregon State partisans have accomplished a lot of good because of these friendships.
I enjoyed this story very much.
I remember during my early sportswriting days one of the leaders of the Oregon State boosters told me that Oregon and Oregon State were rivals on the field but friends off. This is the way it should be between BYU and Utah. Oregon and Oregon State partisans have accomplished a lot of good because of these friendships.
I enjoyed this story very much.
YEWTS | 12:45 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
If there is one thing the Utes and their fans do well year after year...its
choke!
Support Prop 8 and Go Cougs!
Expose Utah as the most over-rated team in the country!
Support Prop 8 and Go Cougs!
Expose Utah as the most over-rated team in the country!
Kyle Whittingham | 12:58 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Should have his name stricken from the books at the Y. Cheer for the team that
fired your father? Turn down your alma mater? Talk about confused loyalties.
Y | 1:06 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
what a great story,
old timer | 1:38 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I graduated from BYU in 1948 and then attended U of Utah for three years. At
that time BYU had won the big game only once. That was 1942. The war was on and
after that game inter-collegiate sports were cancelled for the duration of the
war.
At post-war BYU emotions for the big game were high, even "rabid". Then at Utah I found the students cared less. BYU was just another game, a joke and a patsy on their schedule.
BYU's second win was in 1958. I saw this slugfest which had many injuries including broken bones.
Today, of course, emotions at both schools are high for the game. The rivalry is great and now days BYU has a chance to win.
There may be a few living members of BYU's 1942 team, the first to beat Utah. Why not find them and recognize them? Why not check out the 1958 team as well?
At post-war BYU emotions for the big game were high, even "rabid". Then at Utah I found the students cared less. BYU was just another game, a joke and a patsy on their schedule.
BYU's second win was in 1958. I saw this slugfest which had many injuries including broken bones.
Today, of course, emotions at both schools are high for the game. The rivalry is great and now days BYU has a chance to win.
There may be a few living members of BYU's 1942 team, the first to beat Utah. Why not find them and recognize them? Why not check out the 1958 team as well?
Eagle Tail Speaks | 1:40 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Do you really feel there is no pressure on the Cougars. They are loosie goosie.
I think the outcome definately means some thing. They want to win. They want
a good BCS ranking to end the year, in preparation for next year's win.
They want They want a share of the MWC title. They do not want Utah to defeat
them nor do they want Utah to end the regular season on a loss for them.
Both teams are pretty equal, both with fine records. I disagree with Cranky Coug at 9:46 AM.
BYU feels some big time pressure. If they got heart this ain't a no pressure game for them.
Both teams are pretty equal, both with fine records. I disagree with Cranky Coug at 9:46 AM.
BYU feels some big time pressure. If they got heart this ain't a no pressure game for them.
How I Love the MNT | 1:42 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
NOT.
Realistic BYU MTN WEST FAN | 1:54 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I have to say based on some of the comments made some Byu fans have no class,
Saturday will be a great time for BYU to show what they are made of, are they
starting to peak or were they really not that good to begin with, Utah also has
to answer some questions about their offence that has struggeled, I've
questioned BYU's heart and last week they showed how good they can be but
can they build on that or will they let us down. Utah clearly has the pressure
on them with so much on the line with the BCS and all, we will see if they crack
under pressue espically if BYU comes to play.
All in All it will be a great game Go Cougers but I would like to see a Utah/ Mtn West team in A BCS game.
All in All it will be a great game Go Cougers but I would like to see a Utah/ Mtn West team in A BCS game.
re: Conejo | 2:17 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Another BYU fan here. The Collie and Harline jokes were old the day after the
games were over.
The passion of the rivalry shouldn't preclude the fans of their intellect; either small or large.
The passion of the rivalry shouldn't preclude the fans of their intellect; either small or large.
Dave from Washington | 2:19 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
I LOVE BYU but this game is relegated to a high school playoff because NO ONE
CAN SEE IT! Dump the Mtn. network or let Comcast distribute it for free. I
can't wait to HEAR about the biggest game in the history of the Mountain
West conference that 99% of the country can't see even if they searched for
it.
wow | 2:23 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Slow news day, huh? I'm sure that in his heart of hearts he won't be
sad when the COUGARS win.
Zoobie | 2:25 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Zoobie zoobie zoo...
Go Cougs! | 2:51 p.m. Nov. 18, 2008
Utah has yet to face an offense as potent at BYU's. Hopefully BYU learned
from the mistakes they made at TCU. This should be a hard fought game...
BYU 34
Utah 27
BYU 34
Utah 27
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Tom Sitake, a lifelong BYU fan, has a son, Kalani, who is an assistant coach on Utah's football staff. He has torn loyalties for this week's game as a father who has had two sons play for the Cougars. Flags from both schools fly in front of his house, but he bleeds red Saturday because of Kalani's importance to the Utes' chances of winning.
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