The DP spend a lot of time hacking through the brush going down Emigration Canyon in 1846, which contributed to them being late enough the the Sierras to get snowed in, but eased the path for BY and company to get to the SL Valley in time to plant some food.

Likewise, the demise today of the USC football team will boost BYU (with some help from other games) into the NY6.

History repeating itself.