a bigger part of our identity than being BYU.
This is why the Utes are ripe for mocking. Building floats honoring the PAC 12, shirts with nothing but the PAC 12 logo. Car stickers with nothing but the PAC 12 logo. Ridiculing the Y for being a "mid-major" etc.
When you are so insecure about your identity that you make it about your conference, then yes, you've got it coming.