Yewts are scared...

[frdbtr]

kwits defense would still stop BYU's offense, but the utes have no offense at all right now. I think BYU would win a close one but IMO we wouldn't rip them to shreds. I would love to see that mind you, but it won't happen.

[a1247]

The problem I think ESPN has with a Utah BYU matchup is it's to reginal specific. Yes people in the state of Utah would love to see this happen. But people in every other tv market could care less. I don't know if this would bring the rv ratings that ESPN would be happy with. Now a BYU versus Cal or Washington State would add another tv market and probably make more sense to ESPN.

[blue42]

The whining like stuck pigs has nothing to do with "expectations" or playing in the Vegas bowl, it has everything to do with playing BYU in the Vegas bowl. It is amazing how 2 years removed from not even being bowl eligible to thinking they should be in the same conversations as Alabama, Michigan St, Oklahoma is laughable. They are arrogant thinking that playing BYU is so far beneath them that they would rather not accept a bowl invite than play them. These are the same fans that were thrilled at going to the Vegas bowl last year to play Colorado St. that one year later with only 1 more win they suddenly think they are USC!

I would love to see them get the invite because it would be more entertaining to see all of their heads explode with indignation in how the other "bigger" bowls could possibly pass them over because hey "WE'RE , this would be sweeter since after BYU's first loss this season all the 's were laughing and saying "have fun going to the Vegas bowl" because they think this bowl is one only wannabe's could make it to. Oh PLEASE make this a reality because it truly would be Karma! You know what they say about Karma... it is a Hillary!

[BlueK]

the argument that Utah isn't scared because they "shouldn't" be is flawed because it misses a major truth about what fear is. It's not about what should or shouldn't be the case or even what is reality. Fear by it's nature is a little irrational much of the time. Utah fans might feel like they should or would beat BYU in Vegas. But what if they were to lose? That prospect is simply horrifying to yewts and they'd rather avoid being in that position because so much of their self-esteem is tied up into thinking they're superior to BYU.

[BlueK]

The problem I think ESPN has with a Utah BYU matchup is it's to reginal specific. Yes people in the state of Utah would love to see this happen. But people in every other tv market could care less. I don't know if this would bring the rv ratings that ESPN would be happy with. Now a BYU versus Cal or Washington State would add another tv market and probably make more sense to ESPN.

ESPN owns both the Vegas Bowl and the Hawaii Bowl, so they 100% make the call on BYU. They pulled the trigger earlier than they needed to on BYU when they knew they might be forced under the rules to take Utah. So I believe that strongly suggests they're fine with a BYU/Utah game. They could have held out on inviting BYU until waiting to see what they were going to get from the P12 but they didn't. They own the game, so let BYU start buying the tickets now. If it was only about ratings, then maybe the decision is different, but not necessarily.

[a1247]

The problem I think ESPN has with a Utah BYU matchup is it's to reginal specific. Yes people in the state of Utah would love to see this happen. But people in every other tv market could care less. I don't know if this would bring the rv ratings that ESPN would be happy with. Now a BYU versus Cal or Washington State would add another tv market and probably make more sense to ESPN.

ESPN owns both the Vegas Bowl and the Hawaii Bowl, so they 100% make the call on BYU. They pulled the trigger earlier than they needed to on BYU when they knew they might be forced under the rules to take Utah. So I believe that strongly suggests they're fine with a BYU/Utah game. They could have held out on inviting BYU until waiting to see what they were going to get from the P12 but they didn't. They own the game, so let BYU start buying the tickets now. If it was only about ratings, then maybe the decision is different, but not necessarily.

You make some good points but I think in this case it was the Vegas Bowl themselves that wanted BYU. Neither San Diego or airforce bring very many fans to games and Vegas needs/wants a sell out. Byu will bring fans and probably sell the game out. Everyone keeps saying how last years Veags bowl had horrible ratings with the Utah CSU mtchup. Yes a BYU Utah matchup will draw better than last year but a BYU CAL or WSU would be a bigger tv draw because you add the northern CAL or Washington tv markets. So Vegas gets the sellout and ESPN gets the tv markets they want with one of those other teams.

[Stirfry]

I think this is an issue of expectations not met for Utah. They had a great early half of the season, got up in the rankings, and discussion and expectation of a major bowl and/or playoff abounded.

Then they lose a few, and squeak past Colorado, but still retain momentum of expectation.

In order to feel superior to BYU, a better-than-Las-Vegas bowl would suffice.

Now they're in the same bowl discussion as BYU, and if they pair up together in Vegas and lose, it would be an ultimate letdown for them. I want it bad. This BYU team, right now, would beat the hell out of Utah. Utah wants to avoid even being comparable by being in the same bowl, and losing in it...even worse!

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This is what it is. There's very little upside to them as well. All they get to say is we've beat you 5 times in a row when they already get to say four.

A month ago Utah was:
ranked 3
thought they would win the heisman
Thought their coach was going to be offered a top five job
their loudest cheerleader in Kyle Gunther was declaring them the best team in the nation on Twitter

Now the only thing they can hang their hat on is 9-3 is pretty good in the pac and it's certainly better than our 9-3.

If it ends in the same result as our season after what they thought a month ago it'll be hilarious

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[KingCoug]

I want nothing to do with the Pukes until next year. I'd like to see Bronco get his 100th win before he leaves (he's coaching the bowl game right?) and the chances of that against Utah...well....yeah.

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[BOID]

You can bet that the Utes are afraid. They don't want to be seen struggling with BYU, even if they eventually get a win, because they have made such a big deal out of their supposed superiority over BYU. With their arrogance, even having to merely show up against BYU, to them, is a humiliation. And then, on top of that, they have no offense to rely on. In spite of their defensive reputation, it is not hard to imagine that BYU will be more likely to score on them, than they would against BYU's "pretty decent" D. They have little to gain by beating "poor BYU" yet again, and great shame and ignomy to suffer if they should lose (very possible).

You bet they're scared.

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