is being a consistent top 25 teams and creating teams that can elevate to a top 5-10 ranking. That's exceptionally unique for a west team right now.

The west is not drawing big audiences. Those come from the south and the midwest. What distinguishes Utah (and Oregon) is the ability to create big games that draw national interest.

With 2022 rankings, Utah will have reached the AP top 11 in 7 out of the last 15 years. Almost every other year.

2021 a perfect example. Unranked Utah struggled early and drew small / average audiences. Once Utah became a ranked, formidable opponent to Oregon, who was drawing a national following, that matchup drew over 4mm viewers.

Compared to SEC and BIG matchups in that time slot, Utah-Oregon was lower than average. But for the west? Huge. Highest viewed regular season west vs. west in maybe 10 years.

So assuming networks are paying a premium for BIG and SEC content, schools out west that can reach high viewership at a bargain, create compelling value.

That game was part of 3 consecutive Oregon-Utah matchups that have drawn over 4mm viewers. I don't think any other west vs. west teams are getting any where near that.

Utah will start 22 with a huge draw against UF on prime time ESPN. A win there, and I think you'll see strong viewership (compared to P12 and MW peers) with large peaks when utah plays USC and Oregon. A loss and early season struggles, I think you see what the floor is for Utah in those early 2021 numbers.