But to claim that we all know byu was the better choice "no question" is a point I will always dispute, especially in regards to the PAC12 in particular. Utah's athletic department has spent years trying to do nothing but join the PAC. Not any large conference, the PAC10. They see themselves in line athletically and academically with many PAC schools. Utah's two BcS bowl wins came at a perfect time for conference realignment. The 98 Final Four run also was important to escalating the profile of the department, and as much as you may mock it the national titles in Skiing and Utah's gymnastics program matter a lot to the PAC. Utah's medical school also played a role in their decision.

byu is a private religious institution, something that we all know is a point of contention with some PAC schools. byu should, without a doubt, be a member of a larger conference. For years I argued that Utah and Colorado would join the PAC and byu would take Colorado's big12 spot. I still think they should be in. But, claiming there is "no question" it should be byu in the PAC is not something we all know, because it is false.