Non-Conference Scheduling rumors

[Jarid in Cedar]

The only other reason would be to dumb down the schedule because they don't think they can get to 6 wins without three wins in the non-conference.

This is a predictable statement, but lets check the facts.


2013:
Utah State Home
Weber State Home
BYU Away

2014:
Idaho State Home
Fresno State Home
Michigan Away

2015:
Michigan Home
Utah State Home
Fresno State away

Probably not too big of a stretch too say that both 2014 and 2015 are tougher ooc schedules than 2013.

[Omaha 680]

This is a predictable statement, but lets check the facts.


2013:
Utah State Home
Weber State Home
BYU Away

2014:
Idaho State Home
Fresno State Home
Michigan Away

2015:
Michigan Home
Utah State Home
Fresno State away

Probably not too big of a stretch too say that both 2014 and 2015 are tougher ooc schedules than 2013.

So what you are saying is that Utah has one OOC home game every year and they are unwilling to give 50% of those to BYU. I guess I understand that line of thinking but less so when you replace us with teams like Fresno State.

[Scratch]

So what you are saying is that Utah has one OOC home game every year and they are unwilling to give 50% of those to BYU. I guess I understand that line of thinking but less so when you replace us with teams like Fresno State.

There are definite recruiting benefits to playing in Fresno. Not saying that's the reason, but it shouldn't just be disregarded.

[Omaha 680]

There are definite recruiting benefits to playing in Fresno. Not saying that's the reason, but it shouldn't just be disregarded.

So ask Fresno for a 2-1. Maybe you did and they said no because they aren't humble enough.

[LA Ute]

The only other reason would be to dumb down the schedule because they don't think they can get to 6 wins without three wins in the non-conference. But there are inconsistencies in that argument with the Fresno series.

The BYU game is a 50/50 game (or better). To replace BYU they signed a H/H with Fresno, who is nearly as dangerous but not nearly as lucrative. I'm guessing the Utes will lose over a million dollars by replacing BYU with Fresno. (Lower ticket prices/sales, travel, fan enthusiasm, etc). So they lost out financially but didn't gain much competitively.

Fear of losing to BYU really isn't part of the equation.

[Omaha 680]

Fear of losing to BYU really isn't part of the equation.

Than what is it? Like I said above I get JIC's explanation that there are a very limited number of OOC away games available (1 per season) so you have to be somewhat stingy with them. Going 1:1 indefinitely with BYU would be granting them half of those games. So I get it when you replace us with Michigan but not Fresno State.

[LA Ute]

Than what is it? Like I said above I get JIC's explanation that there are a very limited number of OOC away games available (1 per season) so you have to be somewhat stingy with them. Going 1:1 indefinitely with BYU would be granting them half of those games. So I get it when you replace us with Michigan but not Fresno State.

I'm a fan and I want the rivalry game. I think the vast majority of fans on both sides do. That aside, I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that among the high-level folks at the U. (not the athletic dept. alone) emphasizing the rivalry is generally not considered to be worth the negatives that go along with doing that. People can say our rivalry is no nastier than many others around the country, but that ignores the cultural complexities involved in the Holy War. Essentially, at the end of the day, win or lose, is the U. better off overall for having taken part? It seems the current view is that the answer is no. It wouldn't surprise me if the BYU BOT agrees. In fact, I'll bet they do.

Now, to be clear, I am just describing what i think is going on. I personally would like the rivalry games to continue every year. It's been a part of my life ever since i can remember paying attention to sports. But I can see the U's point. People can try to turn this into a moral issue or a failure of courage or some variety of sports smack, but it looks like the powers that be at the U. are making a decision based on what they see as the University's best interests. Of course it's not popular among the fans, especially BYU fans. Personally, it makes me sad.

[wapiti]

I'm a fan and I want the rivalry game. I think the vast majority of fans on both sides do. That aside, I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that among the high-level folks at the U. (not the athletic dept. alone) emphasizing the rivalry is generally not considered to be worth the negatives that go along with doing that. People can say our rivalry is no nastier than many others around the country, but that ignores the cultural complexities involved in the Holy War. Essentially, at the end of the day, win or lose, is the U. better off overall for having taken part? It seems the current view is that the answer is no. It wouldn't surprise me if the BYU BOT agrees. In fact, I'll bet they do.

Now, to be clear, I am just describing what i think is going on. I personally would like the rivalry games to continue every year. It's been a part of my life ever since i can remember paying attention to sports. But I can see the U's point. People can try to turn this into a moral issue or a failure of courage or some variety of sports smack, but it looks like the powers that be at the U. are making a decision based on what they see as the University's best interests. Of course it's not popular among the fans, especially BYU fans. Personally, it makes me sad.

I think the moral aspects of the holy war are way overblown. I would be very surprised if that's the reason the Utes want to take their ball and go home.

[wapiti]

This is a predictable statement, but lets check the facts.


2013:
Utah State Home
Weber State Home
BYU Away

2014:
Idaho State Home
Fresno State Home
Michigan Away

2015:
Michigan Home
Utah State Home
Fresno State away

Probably not too big of a stretch too say that both 2014 and 2015 are tougher ooc schedules than 2013.

That was exactly my point. Did you read the second paragraph?

[LA Ute]

I think the moral aspects of the holy war are way overblown. I would be very surprised if that's the reason the Utes want to take their ball and go home.

OK. But no one said anything about moral aspects of the game.

[jay santos]

I'm a fan and I want the rivalry game. I think the vast majority of fans on both sides do. That aside, I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that among the high-level folks at the U. (not the athletic dept. alone) emphasizing the rivalry is generally not considered to be worth the negatives that go along with doing that. People can say our rivalry is no nastier than many others around the country, but that ignores the cultural complexities involved in the Holy War. Essentially, at the end of the day, win or lose, is the U. better off overall for having taken part? It seems the current view is that the answer is no. It wouldn't surprise me if the BYU BOT agrees. In fact, I'll bet they do.

Now, to be clear, I am just describing what i think is going on. I personally would like the rivalry games to continue every year. It's been a part of my life ever since i can remember paying attention to sports. But I can see the U's point. People can try to turn this into a moral issue or a failure of courage or some variety of sports smack, but it looks like the powers that be at the U. are making a decision based on what they see as the University's best interests. Of course it's not popular among the fans, especially BYU fans. Personally, it makes me sad.

So you're saying that the power brokers of Utah football are righteous and holy. But they know that the rest of the Utah fan base is morally bankrupt and make them look bad when they act like asshats during rivalry week. So to avoid this they want to cancel the rivalry. Nice.

[Jarid in Cedar]

That was exactly my point. Did you read the second paragraph?

My point was that the intent never involved dumbing down the schedule. We are making the same point different ways. I misread your intent. Carry on.

[YOhio]

So you're saying that the power brokers of Utah football are righteous and holy. But they know that the rest of the Utah fan base is morally bankrupt and make them look bad when they act like asshats during rivalry week. So to avoid this they want to cancel the rivalry. Nice.

That's why they can't have nice things!

[LA Ute]

So you're saying that the power brokers of Utah football are righteous and holy. But they know that the rest of the Utah fan base is morally bankrupt and make them look bad when they act like asshats during rivalry week. So to avoid this they want to cancel the rivalry. Nice.

Once again you've nailed it.

[OSUCougar]

My point was that the intent never involved dumbing down the schedule. We are making the same point different ways. I misread your intent. Carry on.

But I still haven't read your thoughts on Utah's motivation for not playing the rivalry game? Did I miss it? It just seems you keep saying it isn't to dumb down the schedule, but I haven't read what you think "IS" the reason for not playing the rivalry game.