I would love to hear your thoughts on the Holy War in general, but more specifically on Utah AD Mark Harlan’s comments about the officiating. As a lifelong BYU fan, I thought they crossed a major line and showed Utah’s disdain for the Big 12. What say you? — Ryan, Provo, Utah

I’ve been saying for years that BYU-Utah is the most overlooked rivalry in the country, and this year’s edition may have been my closing argument. The games are dramatic, the endings often bizarre, and the collective spite and pettiness between the two sides would impress the Iron Bowl and Ohio State-Michigan.

People I’ve been in contact with across the industry are astounded Harlan did that. For the face of Utah athletics to say the game was “absolutely stolen from us,” that he’s “disgusted by the professionalism of the officiating crew,” and that, “We were excited to be in the Big 12, but tonight I am not,” may play well with your fan base, but it’s a great way to alienate 15 others and the league office.

Clearly, he got caught up in the moment. I took it as a whole lot of frustration spilling out over a disappointing season for the Utes. It was without question an excruciating way to lose to your rival.

It was also an obvious hold by your defensive back.

There was already a perception across much of the Big 12 that Utah doesn’t really want to be in the league and considers it beneath them. Having to get a life raft from the same league that rescued BYU a year earlier was tough to swallow, and now you lose in your first year as members together.

Harlan, Kyle Whittingham and Brett Yormark are well-paid professionals. They’ll get over it quickly and move on. But they’re going to be talking about that night in the state of Utah for a long, long, long, long, long, long time.