The reality is that while BYU is in the WCC and Utah in the PAC, Utah has little interest in playing BYU. They get 11 quality home games each year. We get 3-4. They know they have all the card in this game. You could tell before the rivalry game this year that Kristo was definitely nervous. I think that the game took a huge emotional toll on him. If he won't play this year, it is unlikely that he will play the game during the next 6 years, Unless Rose agrees to a 2-1 deal or similar. He knows that BYU will have the most talented teams in the next 6 years. There is really no benefit for him to risk getting beat. It's obvious that Kristo and Hill have been looking for an exit to the series. The fighting excuse is pretty opaque to most savy sports fans and sports media, but Emery's punch (as weak as it was) provided the perfect excuse. If Kristo is nervous about coming to Provo next season, the pressure on him will only increase every year thereafter. That is why he won't be back to the marriott. I expect that he will move on to another program.

Now if you only think that this will cost Utah 80K for the buyout then you don't understand how big this is for the State, the region and to Utah politicians. From talking to a legislator, it may be a little more difficult to get funding for some of Utahs capital projects in the coming sessions. Of course Utah has a lot of money but Utah also spends (wastes) a lot of money. This decision will cost them a bit more than they have calculated.