Why do you watch games of your rival?

[Mormon Red Death]

I have a hierarchy of games I want to watch, that goes something like this:

BYU Games
Second Tier Liked Teams (UNC, Michigan)
Conference Games (No longer Relevant)
BYU's Opponents
Top 25 Games
Games with teams I know something about

Utah usually fits a few of those categories, so I catch them when I can. I don't plan my days around anyone but BYU.

that sounds about right

[Flattop]

I'm always shocked by the number Ute fans that watch BYU games and vice-versa. Personally, I've never understood why each fanbase would have enough interest in the other team to sit down and watch a full game. But I'm curious what motivates this, so for those of you who find yourself in that category, what would you list as the reason?

I haven't watched a full BYU game in years.

[MarkGrace]

I haven't watched a full BYU game in years.

You missed some great rivalry games then.

[MarkGrace]

I have a hierarchy of games I want to watch, that goes something like this:

BYU Games
Second Tier Liked Teams (UNC, Michigan)
Conference Games (No longer Relevant)
BYU's Opponents
Top 25 Games
Games with teams I know something about

Utah usually fits a few of those categories, so I catch them when I can. I don't plan my days around anyone but BYU.

This is something like my approach, which is why there always too much to check out for Utah to even fit into the equation on any type of typical Saturday.

[Flattop]

You missed some great rivalry games then.

My bad, I assumed you were asking about games where rivals weren't playing each other.

[MarkGrace]

My bad, I assumed you were asking about games were rivals weren't playing each other.

ha. No, I was. Your response makes total sense to me.

[HawkeyeUte Scads]

I watch BYU games because there is a familiararity with the team and they are a piece of the state I moved from 6 years ago. I also watch USU when they are being televised. I also grew up going to games with my grandparents at LES and still go with my father-in-law who is a BYU professor. I don't go out of my way to watch them, but if Utah or Iowa aren't on and I want to watch I will usually have more knowlege and interest in the rivals.

I also recognize players from following Utah recruiting and it interests me to see how LDS and Utah kids do at D1.

3rd, I don't really hate BYU, at least not more than a week or two a year. During the Ole Miss game I found myself cheering for both teams and differents times during the game, but I don't gain anything from BYU failure. (Okay, I laughed-out-loud during the pick 6 - I'm only human)

EDIT: Great post by Clark Addison that is close to my line of thinking...

Utah Games
Iowa Games
Conference Games (PAC12 then BIG10)
Utah's Opponents
Top 25 Games
Games with teams I know something about (especially teams like TCU & BSU)

[DU Ute]

So I can talk smack here.

I watch so I can engage in meaningful, well informed discussions here.

[Cougarmandias]

Short answer: I don't.

I regret not watching Utah dismantle Alabama at, what, the Sugar Bowl? Should have willpowered myself out of my apathy and watched that puppy.

[USCoug]

I don't watch UCLA because they are boring, and they usually lose.

I'll watch Utah if it's the only thing on TV. I also went to the Utah/TCU game last year since some friends had some extra tickets and invited me. Too bad that was a waste of time, even if Utah was getting outplayed in every aspect of the game.

[il Padrino Ute]

I'm always shocked by the number Ute fans that watch BYU games and vice-versa. Personally, I've never understood why each fanbase would have enough interest in the other team to sit down and watch a full game. But I'm curious what motivates this, so for those of you who find yourself in that category, what would you list as the reason?

I'm a college football fan and therefore, enjoy watching college football games, though there really is no reason to watch any game if my team isn't involved. The same could be said for any of us here. If Utah or BYU is your team, what's the point of watching USC/Notre Dame? Of course, because of conference affiliation, there's more of a connection for Ute fans to watch that particular game than for BYU fans, but still, it doesn't involve the team I root for.

I'll watch a BYU game if:

1. It doesn't coincide with a Utah game
2. It's a match up that is interesting
3. The outcome somehow affects Utah and
4. There is nothing else on or I don't have anything better to do

Now that the Utes and Cougars are no longer in the same conference, #3 isn't much of a factor.

[Flystripper]

I will watch any college football game. I don't care who is playing.

this

[tooblue]

So watching a BYU game is not a routine thing you do? Just sort of a process of elimination according to what's being televised? What was the other game?

Heaven knows I've gone to enough Utah games with MRD, it's about time he attended one or two BYU games with me. Besides, I couldn't get his kids to stop chanting "BYU, we love you" the entire week they were here visiting. It should be more routine to him.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Duh. I watch Utah games so I can cheer for their opponent.

[MarkGrace]

Duh. I watch Utah games so I can cheer for their opponent.

I thought this would be one of the first responses.