If momma is hellbent on making sure kid is settled in and taken care of (as she sees it), then nothing is going to stand in the way of that.
But as a little inspiration, here's a win-win scenario I once concocted. When it was still summer I announced that we needed to plan a trip to Utah for Thanksgiving. Flew in that week and enjoyed nice family gatherings with both sides of the family. Then on Saturday I headed up to SLC for my first ever game at Rice-Eccles, and was there for Beck to Harline. Wife was happy for me. Worked out great.
Not always possible, but worth getting creative in figuring out how it might work to the wife's advantage to spend Thursday in Provo instead of Rexburg. Maybe IKEA could factor in somehow, and overall Provo is very well equipped for those looking to stock a student apt.