...identifying reasons to dislike a team (rival team) that your team will be playing can be a pretty good motivator.

I hear stuff from Utah players about why they hate BYU and BYU players that, most of the time, makes no sense to me. Stuff about how arrogant they are. How they think they're better than anyone else. Can you show me any documentation of your average BYU player being more arrogant than your average Utah player? Can you show me any documentation of your average BYU player saying that he's better than your average Utah player?

I suppose you could fall back on the Lenny Gomes "they'll be pumping my gas" thing - but I can't think of any beyond that.

Sure - Max Hall says he hates Utah players. Right up there with Morgan Scalley saying the same thing.

Austin Collie had his famous "magic" quote - but on any given weekend it seems like you're likely to hear someone giving thanks to God for giving them the talent and ability to win a game. And Collie never says magic happens because the other side ISN'T living right. His quote is almost in line with something Urban Meyer would say about luck being something you create by practicing hard and making sure you're in the right position - doing what's right on the field, so to speak.

I think there's also an element of when Kyle turned down the BYU HC position, he had to cut that last strand of connection to BYU. End the relationship. Up until then, he might've had dreams or aspirations of one day coaching at BYU. But when it came down to choosing between BYU and Utah, he chose Utah and cut any future with BYU.

Of course - everything that's happened since then doesn't help. Whatever confrontation there was between his family and BYU fans. Whatever went on between he and Bronco. All of that accumulated baggage doesn't help.

But I have to admit - Kalani's approach is somewhat refreshing. Kyle could say that BYU has some coaches who he loves and who are his friends, and he wants them to do well except when playing Utah. He could say he's met with some of the players during the recruiting process and they are fine young men that he would be proud to have on his team. He could eliminate some of the bitter vitriol, but chooses not to. And that's OK too. But don't act like he has no choice in the matter.