but could you have imagined a more perfect scenario? If you had asked an ardent BYU fan to write the script for this season for BYU and Utah, the reality has pretty much been that. Utah at 4-4, BYU undefeated, Utah doesn't play a powderpuff team the week before (like they did during BYU's independent era). I truly believe this rivalry has turned a corner, and Utah's massive advantage is gone. What do they have to show for it? Two Rose Bowl losses, a slightly bigger stadium, a LITTLE bit of brand recognition, and a broken locker room to boot.

Plus NIL is horrible for them. A lot of players go to BYU for something more than just money. BYU has meaning. BYU has a purpose. Utah was just a place to play in the PAC 12 and win 8-9 games. Utah cannot keep up with the NIL demands of top programs. The end of Utah's "reign" over football in Utah is over, and it started in 2021. They were just to blind and prideful to see it.