With exception of few programs, the measuring stick for success is how you are doing against your rival. Period. Coaches who are otherwise moderately successful get fired all the time because they can't beat their rival. Very few programs are in a position to get division or conference championships, New Years bowl games, etc on a yearly basis. The only thing they have to look at is if they beat their neighbor. Programs that can't beat their rival for years die out. You see generational shifts in fans and supports. "Little brother" status is cemented in. Even though we have been for the most part very competitive with Utah, we are in this position. It has been compounded by 1000x due to the conference affiliation. There is a sinking feeling that the trajectories of our programs are becoming more and more different. Unless we beat Utah soon, I will have a hard time being convinced that we can be relevant in the future.