No BYU-Utah Rivalry Football Games in 2014 or 2015

[nightmare3983]

So, if Utah runs the table in the PAC-12, beating USC, Oregon, Washington, Cal, UCLA, etc, etc, etc, and then plays Michigan, Northern Colorado, and MWC team, do you think they are left out of the playoff?

Nope.

The rivalry is fun, but in terms of what Utah can accomplish, it is irrelevant.

That depends heavily on how the other schools do and the makeup of the committee. In short, Utah is dodging BYU in favor of a division 1-AA school because Chris Hill knows as well as anyone that anything can happen in a rivalry game. If Utah is ever championship-worthy they shouldn't have to make excuses to not play their in-state rival.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

Any time you win the PAC 12, you're most likely going to be in the playoff. Playing or not playing BYU would have ZERO bearing on that.

 

[nightmare3983]

Any time you win the PAC 12, you're most likely going to be in the playoff. Playing or not playing BYU would have ZERO bearing on that.

Given that, I think Utah could still have a non-conference schedule of BYU, a big name school like Michigan, and still have room for a punching-bag opponent. I hope that's the route they go after 2016.

 

[green]

That depends heavily on how the other schools do and the makeup of the committee. In short, Utah is dodging BYU in favor of a division 1-AA school because Chris Hill knows as well as anyone that anything can happen in a rivalry game. If Utah is ever championship-worthy they shouldn't have to make excuses to not play their in-state rival.

It does not. Let's say in some crazy bizzaro world the champions of the PAC-12, B1G, ACC, SEC, Big East, MWC and Big 12 go undefeated and SEC team #2 goes 11-1. Right off the bat, you eliminate then non-conference champ (because the conference champs get a stronger preference). Now, we look at SOS. You immediately eliminate the MWC, Big East and ACC. That leaves four teams left, which was the point of the playoff. The playoff is designed to 99% of the time be the champs of the big four conferences. If the champs aren't good enough, then ND, or an additional Big 4 team gets in. If that doesn't cut it, THEN conferences like the Big East, MWC and ACC get a shot (though the ACC might be in the group above, ie, if a Big 4 isn't undefeated or with the same record). THEN, after all of that, a team like BYU gets a look (and that is because I bet that will be how the contract will be worked out. It will be like the previous BCS contract, where if BYU was ranked #3, but Boise was ranked #12, then Boise gets in).

Back to the point, Utah doesn't need BYU on the schedule to get in. Their schedule, between 9 conference games and one B1G game, is strong enough. Utah just needs to win. If BYU is included in that, GREAT. If not, eh, life goes on.

As a Utah fan, and most Utah fans I know, are more excited for revenge on ASU/Washington/Cal and another crack at USC than playing BYU.

 

[green]

Given that, I think Utah could still have a non-conference schedule of BYU, a big name school like Michigan, and still have room for a punching-bag opponent. I hope that's the route they go after 2016.

You can't do that. BYU is too taxing of a game. You can't put a game like that, with those emotions, in the middle of the schedule. It is too tough. There is a reason why rivalry games are the last game of the year....after the game you have a month to calm down before your bowl game.

 

[CONAN]

if Utah runs the table in the PAC-12, beating USC, Oregon, Washington, Cal, UCLA,

 

[Former Member]

I'm kind of bummed to see the rivalry go away, but Utah has a full plate with the Pac-12. I understand their decision. I never really did understand BYU's decision to go independent, unless, of course, their schedule dramatically improves in a few years. BYU should continue playing Notre Dame annually. I think it could develop into a fun rivalry.






Of course I would be cheering for the Irish.

 

[Former Member]

You can't do that. BYU is too taxing of a game. You can't put a game like that, with those emotions, in the middle of the schedule. It is too tough. There is a reason why rivalry games are the last game of the year....after the game you have a month to calm down before your bowl game.

I agree with this post. Anyone who claims that the Cougars are becoming the 'easy punching bags' of the Utes are wrong, however, the risk/reward is too high. Rivalry games can go either way too easily. But I think the greater trouble with BYU on the schedule is the game before and the game after. The game before we might be looking 'ahead' andd overlooking our current opponent, and the game after might easily become a let down game.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

I agree with this post. Anyone who claims that the Cougars are becoming the 'easy punching bags' of the Utes are wrong, however, the risk/reward is too high. Rivalry games can go either way too easily. But I think the greater trouble with BYU on the schedule is the game before and the game after. The game before we might be looking 'ahead' andd overlooking our current opponent, and the game after might easily become a let down game.

Great point. I'm of the opinion that if the rivalry gets back to being played every year, Utah should demand that it's the first game of the year. Bronco has been on record saying that the game needs to be the last game of the year, but Bronco can go suck a dick. During years where Utah could be headed to the PAC championship game, I have no interest playing BYU in one of the most emotional rivalry games in the nation a week before. Obviously, winning or losing a game vs BYU isn't going to effect whether or not Utah made it to the PAC 12 title game, but with all of the emotion involved, I don't think it's a good idea.

Playing it the first game of the year allows all offseason for build-up and smack talk between the fans and regardless of the outcome or emotional toll, Utah can always save week 2 for the Northern Colorado/Weber States of the world.

 

[gregbroncs]

This. Utah = Utah State (only in terms of the meaning of the game).

It goes both ways. What this game meant for both schools and the relevance of the game went away when they were no longer in a conference.

The simple truth is that Utah does not need BYU on their schedule every year. BYU would not need Utah every year if they had joined the Big 12. The reason that the BYU administers and coaches are making such a big deal out of this is because they need this game to keep their fans engaged. The reason Bronco wants this game at the end of the season is so that the BYU fans have something to look forward to while playing their ****ty november schedule.

Like Jazzman12 and somebody else said. For Utah putting this game at the end of the season would be stupid. Playing it to start the year would be great. I'd love for the rivalry to continue as it's a great game.

But even then the game changed drastically the second Utah left the MWC.

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

It goes both ways. What this game meant for both schools and the relevance of the game went away when they were no longer in a conference.

The simple truth is that Utah does not need BYU on their schedule every year. BYU would not need Utah every year if they had joined the Big 12. The reason that the BYU administers and coaches are making such a big deal out of this is because they need this game to keep their fans engaged. The reason Bronco wants this game at the end of the season is so that the BYU fans have something to look forward to while playing their ****ty november schedule.

Like Jazzman12 and somebody else said. For Utah putting this game at the end of the season would be stupid. Playing it to start the year would be great. I'd love for the rivalry to continue as it's a great game.

But even then the game changed drastically the second Utah left the MWC.

Conan can downplay the importance of this game from the BYU stand point all he wants, but that's just Conan being Conan. Fact of the matter is, as long as BYU is indy, losing Utah on their schedule is HUGE. It's no accident that the priciest home ticket of the year for BYU last year was Utah. And as GregBroncs has already pointed out, having Utah on the schedule to end the year is just as big for BYU because it gives their fans something to look forward to. With how top heavy BYU's indy schedules are, you're almost certain to see a loss in the first few weeks. They're already having trouble keeping fans ingaged when they know that after week 2, they're locked into the Armed Forces Bowl. A Utah game at the end of each year would make independence much more viable for BYU.

None of that is smack talk either, it's just the reality of the world that BYU is living in right now. I thought the move to independence was a smart one. You can't stay in the MWC with that horrible TV contract right after your in-state rival moves to a power conference. However, now BYU lives in limbo while people argue over whats more important: Walking the company line, staying indy, and using BYUtv as they invisioned it, or make some concessions in order to join a big conference.

If/when BYU joins a big conference, then Conan is 100% correct. BYU isn't hurt by the loss of the Utah game. But as long as BYU remains indy, nothing could be further from the truth.

 

[HipHopAnonymous]

no need to fear BYU fans

You still have Hawaii, Houston, & Southern Miss to look forward to, so far, on the 2014 schedule. Who needs Utah?