Last week, prior to the PAC-12 championship, some people on here were making the argument that Utah's success did not affect BYU's recruiting because Utah is going outside the state to get players. Perhaps these people were trying to justify their cheering for Utah. If so, they are pathetic. One should never cheer for a rival, unless it helps one's own team.

I watched the game, and noticed that of Utah's starting four D linemen (you know, the "strength" of their team), two were from Utah, and two were from Laie, Hawaii. That's the same recruiting orbit BYU has.

So what if Utah's newest recruits are mostly from out of state. I doubt Utah ever reaches a point where they recruit only out-of-state non-Mormons.

Even if they were to reach that point, any success they had would still impact BYU negatively. Lots of people out there jump on bandwagons. I've been outside of Utah for 25 years, and can't believe how red the state has turned. Even the Cracker Barrel in Springville, of all places, features Ute gear to the virtual exclusion of BYU items! I'll bet there are many BYU fans whose children are becoming Ute fans because of this effect.

The bandwagon phenomenon results in more revenue for Utah, which in turn helps breed more success. More buzz, more sales, more attendance, more viewership, more facilities upgrades, more money to hire better coaches, etc. Branding is just as important in college football as it is in business. And, in many ways, it IS a zero sum game.

I'm sorry to burst the bubble of those who want to have their cake and eat it, too, but it is cognitive dissonance to root for BYU AND Utah.