I root for BYU whenever they are playing anyone except Utah, other PAC12, Georgia Tech or Memphis.  Leaves a lot of games where I’m cheering on my rival.  Would I really want my rival to be a loser/patsy/cupcake team?  How does that help the team I love?  It raises the question of what animates a fan more - the success of their team, or the downfall of their rival?  Maybe it is as simple as whether you’re a positive person or a negative person.