BYU Future and the Rivalry Add Comment    Jul 10, 2010

So now that Utah is an official PAC 10 (12) team, what does the future hold for BYU and for the rivalry of the two schools?  Mind you what I present here is my opinion and I am a guy having fun with a blog.  So, let it be known, the yearly game will end.  I do not see it continuing more than another year or two after this season.  So BYU better get the best of it this year.  Why?  I do not see Utah with a PAC 10 (12) schedule, playing ranked teams year after year wanting to play a good rival that will be out for blood trying to hurt every player on the Utah roster to prove a point.  If championships are on the line, as well as bowl games, BYU will not be playing Utah at the end of the season.  Nor will they play on Provo very much.  If played it will be more of a three for one split.  But for real, I say they do not play much aside from a pre-season game to appease the fans.  Sad it is YES, but it is reality and moving on is what Utah has to do and what BYU must accept.  I have been told by many (mostly BYU fans) that it will continue, well, that is a good dream, smart for happy valley to be so optimistic.

Now for BYU.  Well, this last couple of weeks has shown me how bitter and jealous the BYU fan base really is.  I have heard everything from Utah will sick now, to Utah wont get a single good recruit, to Utah wont ever play in a bowl game again.  WOW!  How funny it is when one gets left behind.  Now, most of you know that I am a Utah graduate and a fan, but I try really hard with most posts to play fair and be realistic.  I am approaching this the same way.  I just wanted everyone to how pathetic BYU fans are and how sad it is they cant be happy for us.  Enough of the well if we left you would sulk to attitude, yeah maybe, but we are not posed with that situation, we are the ones that have busted the BCS twice over the last few years, we are the ones that have a better TV market, and we are the ones that will continue to compete at a high level, not be proud of 10-2 every year.

So to continueBYU will recruit, but not like in the past.  Most recruits that could not decide between BYU and Utah will now go north.  Not only for the BCS opportunities, but the fact that Utah plays nice to missionaries and is good moral program.  So borderline recruits are gone.  Recruits that would have gone straight to BYU, will now sit on the fence.  Not a good thing for BYU either.  Now there is some real discussion and thought to happen.  There is no equality in the schools any longer.  Not as much money as Utah, not the same level of recruits, not the same schedule, not the same national championship opportunities, not the same recognition of education, not the same competition, noting is the same, Utah is not on a higher level, even if they sink now.  I see the program living on the 8-4 to the 9-3 level each year, but not beating the TCUs or Boise States and Florida Stated, only winning the easy league games.  The schedule got harder with TCU and Boise State, who in my judgment will be the powers.  BYU will continue to play in third or fourth each year trading with Air Force.

BYU, I really wish you the best.  Part of you is what got Utah where they are today.  But stop being bitter and work harder to get where we are.  Good Luck!

Article written by

Jeremy Vick