Administration understands that if Utah is in the Big XII, Yormark is working in concert with the two bigs thus protecting the conference. ACC is going to get raided. Logic is if Utah joins the ACC and the conference gets raided, they would be one of the top picks. Now we BYU can poo poo that idea all day long, but there is merit to it at least as far as the Big Ten is concerned.

Why?

one simple point. Utah is an AAU school and the Big Ten unlike the SEC has tied their horses to this train in similar fashion as the PAC12 did. It makes total sense if Utah is strategically pushing to become part of the Big Ten. The biggest con game in collegiate sports that somehow being an AAU school really matters. Yes if you are a member and paying your dues, you are paying into a pot that partially pays lobbyists to secure tax payer funding for research to member schools. In today's world a greater portion today than in yesteryear goes to specious forms of research that contribute not one value or benefit on society, but hey it's a grab bag to be had if you are a member. The value of AAU membership is the same as the value of a liberal arts degree at most schools (not much) As the age of professional collegiate athletes continues to morph and develop, the value of AAU will continue to slide into the much where it belongs as any relevance to the athletic departments.

Now how much of a gamble is it? At this point it is anyone's guess. There is a possibility that Utah over plays their hand and gets stuck in the mud as the Big Ten is happy with their four western schools and focuses on filling spots with the Eastern Seaboard. The SEC hasn't shown any interest at all in venturing further west than the Texas Oklahoma grab so there is a chance that Utah ends up on the south side of this deal.

However there is also a chance they are gauging a "nevermind" possibility remaining in going back to the Big XII as the conference takes what's left on the ACC table after the Big Ten and SEC feast. I am not sure how that would go over with BIG XII conference leadership. I am sure fans would be rather salty if something like where to happen.

If their gambit works (again assuming any of this is even true) and they end up as a shiny new piece in the Big Ten puzzle, they will imo have turned themselves into a perennial also ran in a top heavy conference that will rarely ever see them pushing for a playoff spot. Yes they will get fat sucking on the financial teat of those that actually have something to contribute, but like many schools currently a part of the haves, they will be spending the post season either home or in some forgettable bowl game.

I can see however a generation of BYU fans getting quite salty if Utah were to become a member of the Big Ten. My advice would be to not worry so much about it in or out. If they are in...oh well...good luck to them trying to scrape and climb over Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, or even USC, Wisonsin and Iowa plus any other ACC power they poach. If they aren't in and are destined for the Big XII, well...here's to BYU kicking the crap out them in every sport each year.