you have to think about it both ways. Are you paranoid because people really ARE out to get you, or are you just paranoid? In one case you are delusional, in the other case, seeing reality for what it is. We aren't in a conference for a reason, and it's not because we don't want to be. We got snubbed by the 12 Pac for a reason, and you can cry academics all day long, but in the end, anyone with a brain knows the real reason.

There IS some persecution towards BYU out west for their religious affiliation. Like it or not, believe it or not. It is what it is. If it didn't exist, BYU would already be in the Pac 12 and wouldn't be courting the Big 12 instead. But it DOES exist, and the fans are very aware of it because a lot of them live next door to their rivals (University of Utah) that remind them about it constantly.

Do the BYU fans get carried away with the persecution complex? OBVIOUSLY. But it's hard to draw that line of what's real and what's not, because nobody truly knows.

As for the dirty play, THAT is precisely WHY the players were playing so roughly with your guys. We aren't used to seeing ACC refs making a point to block celebrations... point taken. You aren't used to seeing our guys either. They usually don't play THAT rough. They had a massive chip on their shoulder with the ACC and it got taken out on the UVA players. Is it right? Probably not, but that was their only outlet. Your players got taken to the woodshed because the ACC decided that BYU would not count as a legitimate game towards the OOC allotment. You hurt their pride, they hurt your players. BYU wants to be taken seriously on a national level and acknowledgements like that from the SEC and ACC make it that much more difficult. They were sending a message to the conference that BYU is legitimate, and should be taken seriously.

Your boys played well. Really well, and you should go on to a nice season. We wish you the best and WE don't have any hard feelings towards you guys. We hope you don't either, and you are welcome in Provo anytime. I've never heard of any opposing fan having a bad experience there (excluding in state rivals who bring this stuff on themselves) and everyone is always very welcoming to the visiting fans. Provo is a beautiful little college town and the stadium might be the most beautiful setting in all of cfb. You are missing something special there. Good luck the rest of the way though.