Interesting Observations From Utah

[NM Green]

The plates of the West are shifting and it was kind of interesting to hear the reaction of Ute and Cougar fans over the weekend. I visited both campuses and listened to Utah sports radio and the Ute move to the Pac 10 is causing some concerns. BYU is actively looking to upgrade its position by making itself attractive to the Big 10 (Big XII). Some people don't think Utah's move to the Pac 10 will much affect because BYU will always be BYU, packing 62,000 in every weekend, winning 10 games and making themselves relevant on the national stage. Others say over time Utah will surpass the beast of the state even though BYU has a bigger fanbase, better facilities and more long-term tradition.

Utah has basically rolled down the window and waved buh bye while speeding away with laughter. Commercials even say "See ya Sam Boyd (UNLV) hello Rose Bowl!" Some Cougar fans are furious because they are and have been the pre-eminent power in the state. But talk about seizing opportunities - Utah did just that over the past 6 years.

It will be interesting to watch these 2 programs separated by 45 minutes change over the next 5 years - Utah playing a Pac 10 schedule and as radio hosts say - BYU lining up against Wyoming, New Mexico and UNLV. They conveniently leave off BSU and TCU but it just seems the MWC has lost all luster in Salt Lake now that USC, Oregon, Arizona State and Washington will be rolling into town.

The MWC can always pluck from the WAC but overnight the MWC has become noticeably "weaker" in the eyes of the powers of that conference.

On a sidenote I liked the Utah campus a lot! SLC proper was actually pretty cool. The visit to BYU was kind of weird. You can feel the difference in the people around the campus. I haven't roamed around Baylor much but maybe it feels the same. Also strange to be around a campus and not see bars or college restaurant/bars dotting the streets leading into and out of the campus. I went to buy a pilsner souvenir glass but realized I wasn't going to find that in their bookstore.

GMG

[Arkstfan]

I really hated Salt Lake City on my visit there (freaking IHOP closes at 9pm on Sunday!) but the UU campus is really quite nice and the setting for the stadium is great. It is the easiest big city to drive in you'll ever find.

MWC is quasi-stable in my mind. If the Big XII needs to expand, BYU has to be on the list being considered and TCU is potentially in the mix though they offer much less than BYU other than playing on Sunday and shorter trips.

The good news for the MWC is that replacements are abundant. Houston would consider, UTEP would leap at it and Nevada, Fresno, and Hawaii would probably be willing to have a presidential mud wrestling match to get in.

[NT80]

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BYU may be unstable now seeing opportunity lost but the MWC as a whole is stable, they have choices waiting, other conferences below them not so much. BYU went from the verge of becoming a BCS conference by adding the Big12 leftovers to having lost Utah and probably the chance to join the PAC10 in the future now that SLC is covered. BYU would be a longshot for the Big12 and I'd suggest a Louisville might be in play before the Y would, they don't want more private schools.

Edited June 29, 2010 by NT80

[ColoradoEagle]

BYU isn't really your average private. They're not on the level of USC, but they're a lot closer to that than they are a Baylor or Northwestern.

[forevereagle]

BYU isn't really your average private.

Nice.

[GrayEagle]

Brigham Young is clearly the attendance leader over Utah and Colorado but they don't rank as high on the all-time football strength list. Colorado ranks #21 and Utah #37 vs. BYU's 41. That, plus slightly worse academics and refusing to play on Sunday would have denied their chances over either selection.

Edited June 29, 2010 by GrayEagle

[Varsity]

BYU didn't gain the upper hand over Utah until the mid-1970s. Before that the Cougars were pretty damn pitiful on the football field. When your coach leaves you for UTEP like Tommy Hudspeth did BYU in the late 1960s, you know you're third string.

Salt Lake City is nice and, frankly, Utah seems to bring a hell of a lot more to the Pac-12 than Colorado does.