I made this post yesterday that was taken WAY to seriously and literally, it was written in response to reading the latest quote from Whittingham saying Utah was bigger than the rivalry and implying they had outgrown the game.
I realize both programs will go on and be fine. Utah will have a great schedule every year and has a way into the big games. BYU in my opinion has done very well with the hand they were dealt and will survive and eventually thrive in Independence or will end up in a conference that will work for them.
The only people that lose if the rivalry game goes by the way side is; you and me. Playing Texas is fun, but it's not as fun as playing Utah. TCU became fun as the rivalry was built through conference play. I still got a kick out of beating Wyoming because I have a built in bias against them. I don't watch Duke basketball regularly. I don't watch North Carolina Basketball regularly. Yet, I watch that basketball game every year. College football and Sports for that matter is ALL ABOUT tradition.
BYU v Utah is one of the better games in college football, and nearly every game comes down to the last play. If the game is a blow out... it is polarizing and memorable. What stinks about this particular case is it is totally preventable. It is not a case of a professional athlete chasing more money in a bigger city or a player aging to a point where a franchise can't continue on in that path. It is college athletics and the students have no say in the matter. While bitter rivals on the field, these two programs carried each other to where they are today.
Now many of you will say "get over it" "Stop Whining" and will beat up on me for caring. I admit my last post was over the top and it was meant to be, not because I literally believed what i wrote but to illustrate a point that Neither team would be where they are today without the rivalry. Just like Magic made Bird better, and Bird made Magic better; BYU makes Utah better and Utah...well...I can't bring myself to finish that statement. So hopefully pride doesn't win over in this case and the rivalry game that dominates the airwaves of Utah radio and TV all year long will continue.
