about the Pac's emphasis on graduate research. But I guess that is what bugs me. Admittedly, BYU's emphasis is on undergraduate research while Utah's (and apparently the Pac-12's) is on graduate research. But as someone who studied at BYU as an undergraduate and who participated in loads of undergraduate research, I feel like just because BYU's approach to research is different doesn't mean it is any less valid or important. In fact, I'd say BYU offers something incredibly unique. Most universities, an undergraduate wanting to work in a lab would clean up after all the grad students. I got to have hands on experience, work on my own research project, and submit a paper for publication, all while an undergraduate. If BYU didn't receive an invite because of a lack of graduate research (even though they emphasize the also important undergraduate research), then I feel that the Pac-12 missed out on a great opportunity. How great would a BYU-Utah move have been to the Pac-12?

In any case, BYU didn't receive an invite, and probably won't. My original post was not as to why BYU didn't receive an invite, but reasons that went in to inviting Utah, which I feel are deep and varied. Utah is a great school, has a great athletic program, a great (and proven) football team, and a great research program. They are totally deserving of the invite and I am happy that they are happy with the direction they are moving.