I understand your points, but the poll isn't choosing one or the other. It is guaranteeing a victory for one and then letting the other one be decided as is.

So basically you are saying you would take 1.1/2 wins probability combined against both LSU and Utah (1 win being Utah 10% chance of beating LSU)

Instead of taking a 1.6/2 wins probability combined against LSU and Utah (1 win being LSU and a 60% chance of victory against the Utes)

BYU is winning the instate recruiting battle lately. Our recruiting pools are more different than they used to be. Now it is more of a bragging rights thing. They aren't in the same conference and our relevance by definition needs to be more national focused because we are an independent program.

You beat teams like LSU you gain national respect, which will help in recruiting out of state, give you more leverage in scheduling and negotiations. Beating Utah gives you more local respect, but doesn't do as much for you nationally.

There is certainly a major local aspect, but I think your view is too heavily focused with the Utah lens. You beat LSU it will bolster your recruiting in the Texas area, which we really need.

From a probability perspective, I will take the chance for more wins and guaranteed win against an elite level LSU program and let it ride out against Utah. If the odds of beating each were both about the same, I think you would have a stronger case.