That being said, I wonder if he (and many others) read past the subject line in my post.  His post incorrectly assumed that I argued that a win over LSU is more important to the program than a win over Utah.  I made no such arguement in that post but was rather addressing the hypothetical situation posed on BYUSN, that we get a GAURANTEED win over either LSU or Utah.  I said it in the OP (but I guess I need to say it again), but the scenario did not say that we have to trade that guaranteed win for a guaranteed loss in the other, which a lot of people seem to be assuming.  

 If  CougaRR4L (RR4L means "Red Raider 4 life" right? ... a Kahuku product I assume?). and others actually read my post they will see that I made the argument that we're much less likely to win the LSU game (away from LES, major power, a top recruiting school etc) than the Utah game and so it would be a "no-brainer" to take the win in the harder game and "roll the dice" vs Utah this year.  I feel confident we will beat the Utes this year and wouldn't "waste" my guaranteed win on that game when we're likely to win it.  Doesn't that make sense?  I'm a numbers guy and that's just a painfully obvious choice to me.  

 I guess it's natural to respond evocatively to my use of the loaded and emotional term "Little Brother."  I get that and I probably should have said that the results of the the poll "seemed little brotherish to me" instead.  Even that may have touched a few too many nerves.

 It's true that I don't live around loads of Utes (thank heavens) like CougaRR4L does. Most BYU fans don't live around a majority of Utes (in fact, the majority of BYU fans/alums live outside of the state of Utah).  I honor and salute the stalwart minority that puts up with that fanbase and their deranged thinking.  That can't be easy but I commend and encourage all of those that do to keep fighting the good fight.

However, I do "get" the rivalry, despite being presently absent from "ground zero."  I worked on the U campus doing a research internship during the summer of 1996 when they had beaten us 34-31, 34-31, and 34-17 the three previous years.  I was at LES for two of those..

I've even been in RES for 2 key games:

2006 for our 33-31 "Harline is still open" win.

2008 for the 48-24 beatdown they handed us (took plenty of verbal abuse that day ... a certain drunk Yewt felt that their on the field dominance wasn't enough I guess)

There have been other highs/lows that I witnessed.  

2003... I took my wife (Bama grad) to her first Holy War along with our 2 year old.  It was freezing and miserable in that snowstorm.  Losing 3-0 and seeing our nation-leading scoring streak die in person hurt (it still does).

2009...Had my two oldest boys in tow (8 and 7 then) and we all enjoyed the thrilling OT victory TD to George.

Sure, living outside of SLC, I don't live with the daily abuse of Ute fans, but it still hurts me deeply to lose (to see us become basket-cases for the Holy War) more than any other game each year.

Now, it is an interesting argument about which win is more important to get, LSU or Utah.  I'm conflicted on that.  I slightly come down on winning the LSU game there, but don't feel that those who feel the Utah win is more important are being "little brother."  

My reasoning for coming down on the LSU game side is primarily due to the ranking that it would instantly bestow.  It's been too long since we've been ranked.  That would be a great monkey to get off the back.  Also, if we can pass that hurdle, it likely means that we have the type of team that should beat Utah/Boise/MSU and could beat Wiscy.  We need a year where we're nationally relevant and in the conversation for the CFP and/or NY6 bowl.  I don't know about y'all, but just beating Utah does not (and I hope never will) mean a good season for me.  I can appreciate that many would appreciate it shutting up their co-workers/family/ward-brethern for at least a year, but BYU, as a program, needs much more than that during these crucial few years leading up to the upcoming expiration of media contracts/GoR that will lead to the next major P5 conference realignment saga.  A win over LSU, with a special season that could then ensue, does much more for us 

All that ... and I hate LSU (lived in Baton Rouge for 4 years ... awesome people, but so many crappy fans ... outright rude to my sweet-as-can-be wife once they found out she was a Bama grad ... Saban envy is real).  Love it when Bama beats them and would love it even more (forever) if BYU does ...

Go Cougs!