Before UW, Before Zach's headband... Before the game. Holmoe said in an interview they are being selective of the games they'll pick.
And if you don't think changing hundreds of travel plans wouldn't cause issues with the players you are wrong. Unlike other teams, BYU has been rolling since summer. It's easy for fans to imagine them inhuman robots... but they are just 19-year-old kids.
Without a guarantee, this game would never happen. BYU has turned down other games that didn't fit their schedule or agenda. The only difference is this one created a small Twitter commotion. It's a non-issue blown out of proportion.
Where is the media talking about Holmoe trying to work with Utah to pre-plan a game 'just in case' Utah needs one... but Utah saying "NOPE, We don't want to play you"?