now it's time for CONSPIRACY. (Not to fully sully my props to Harlan, mind you — he seems like a solid, nice guy.)

BUT then again, there's this to consider:

We have a lil historical dilemma to deal with: Caleb Lohner was seen in close association w both coach Pope & the team at the end of the season way back in February — yet Caleb didn't get around to trying to flip schools till over three months later.

This causes me to wonder: Was Harlan's recent granting of Caleb's release more an act of necessity than of graciousness? Might the Lohners have dirt on the yewt's recruiting conduct 12-7 months back?

Had BYU & Utah & the Lohners perhaps been working behind the scenes during that time lapse — feeling out how this flip would best work out in the "right" way — i.e. in a way that would get BYU & Caleb the deal they wanted — & leave Utah safe from NCAA investigation? (Or perhaps leave both the Lohners & the yewts safe from investigation???)

Or maybe --if we prefer to see a wily guy in ol' Pope-- just maybe the Lohners told Pope back in Feb their intention for Caleb to sign instead w BYU --& at that time provided him w the yewt dirt they knew could set them free. Might coach Pope have responded in kind?:

"Well let's hold off on this till the sun has pretty much set on the recruiting season. I owe coach K & his refs a work-over fee from a couple months back."

Hope I didn't disappoint w that.