I will explain...

I am a Ute, and every year we are at RES I am dissapointed. The Ute fans act worse during this game then every other game combined. They swear more, they are more badgering of opponents, they take greater pleasure in getting "juiced" before the game and acting bad.

I think it stems from the dislike of the church and this is an "acceptable" place to give voice to that frustration and anger. Ute's who feel this way cannot go out on a Saturday and in many venues say they hate Mormons, but they can say they hate BYU. They cannot go out and say they hate the influence of the LDS Church on Utah culture, but they can rebel against it on game day, drink too much and do it in your face. A story will help...

I got a bowl of soup with my wife before the game. Me decked out in Ute gear and he in Y gear. While at the diner, a guy from accross the bar buys her a beer and has it sent over. Funny, yes, but an obvious dig at her apparent decision to live the word of wisdom. We sent back a glass of milk.

All that said, Y fans can be pretty bad too. I dislike their attitude often, and wish that they would be a bit better ambassadors. Two years ago, I walked to RES behind a few of the lewdest Y fans I have ever seen. They were taking great pleasure in smoking and cursing as if to suggest they were just as bad A as the Utes. Yesterday, I saw a terribly drunk Y fan being crass.

Great rivaly, and it clearly does not bring out the best in many of the fans. I do love the rivaly. Go Utes. Sorry Cougs. You should have one, but could not put the formula together. You gave it to us.