once KW retires, which is middling.

Outside of two coaches, it doesn't have a tradition of excellence in football, and isn't in a football hot spot, like the Southeast. Morgan Scalley might be a very good coach as he shows defensive prowess, even in Utah's down years.

Utah is unlikely to be horrible because it will be a strong defensive team, so it will be kept in many games just through this propensity and skill set.

The arrogance of denigrating the Big XII and believing the program was/is destined for the Big Ten does make one smile as they adapt to the Big XII is smile worthy.The fanbase has alienated itself from the rest of the conference, and probably will retain this animosity for the next decade. Good for them. I don't understand the affinity for the Pac 10/12 but to each his own.

The Pac schools, outside of Oregon and Colorado, are not flourishing in their new conferences. Oregon has Nike money to explain its success, plus Dan Lanning. Colorado embraced joining the Big XII willingly and the Deion Star is brighter than imagined. It doesn't hurt to have the two Sanders and Travis Hunter either.

On another note, BYU has shown that those who thought BYU wasn't that far off last year (I don't take credit for this belief but am giving kudos to those who did) are/were correct.