Local Media Bias Add Comment    Oct 13, 2010

A rhetorical question: Why does the local media constantly favor the unimpressive parochial school down south, when it has a legitimate Top 10 team right under its nose?  Therein lies the problem.  The UTES are only a TOP 10 team in one poll, and the local media seems to willingly disparage anyone not named bYu, and use the lower of all of the rankings when discussing the UTES.  So, as it is, Utah is ranked #10 by the Coaches, and #11 by the Writers, which probably answers the question for me.  They are writers.  They will always use their own bias and justify, however incorrectly, their high opinions of themselves, present company excepted.  So locally, we have the #11 UTES, and nationally we have the #10 UTES.

On the flip side, the cougars always get the local love from the media.  If bYu is ranked #10 in one poll and #18 in another (see 1994), the local media always claims bYu as the #10 team.  Why is that?  Is it due to the false conception that bYu has been a dominant team ever since their Mythical National Championship in 1984?  The misconception that bYu has dominated Utah for 4 decades?  bYu did NOT invent the forward pass in 1972, though according to most local media, LaVell did invent the pass, and football domination began at the same time.  

With Ron McBride at the helm, Utah became relevant again.  With four straight wins in Provo in the 90's, Urban's run in 2003/2004, Kyle's steady improvement and recruiting ability, an insurmountable 53-34-3 head-to-head lead, the Utes have much more history than does bYu, not to mention all of the national relevance of late.  

bYu has slogans.  Utah has BCS trophies.  Utah has national respect. bYu longs for what Utah has, and attempts to "be like Utah" at every turn. Spurned by the PAC, bYu commited suicide and declared independence.  bYu NEEDS Utah, Utah does not need bYu.  If only the local media could catch up, they might hold onto their jobs when bYu falls flat on its face and writers try to kiss up to the U.  Good luck with that.

Article written by

Mark Sargent