the Big XII, from Utehub:

1. I’m really, really proud of Utah fandom for the massive in-person showing at RES last night. I was afraid before the game that half the stadium would be wearing blue but it really wasn’t even close.

2. I’m not from Utah and came to my Utah fandom late so BYU has always kind of been just another team to me. That’s changing rapidly. In my limited experience with their fanbase, they have a high ceiling for [edited]. LIsten BYU fans, this is coming from a guy from Miami…you don’t have to be total [xxxx] before, during, and after a game. Act like you’ve been there before, at least occasionally…you’re lucky that people here in Utah are far more understanding than people in the East Coast, because I saw and heard stuff that would have garnered violence on a massive scale if this game was played, say in the Orange Bowl in the 80s or 90s.

3. I didn’t see the holding call on Vaughn, even though I was close to the play, and I can’t recall seeing it on the scoreboard but I did see a replay on this X site: WILD ending to this game. After seeing this here are my thoughts: Quite simply, it was a BS call. There’s nothing there…Ratzleff has what, 1.5-2 seconds before he’s wrapped up for the sack? It reminded me of another famous BS call that stopped Miami from winning the NC back in 2003 versus Ohio State. Whatever, it’s this kind of crap, along with all of the other associated shenanigans (NIL, unlimited transfers, bicoastal conferences) that’s killing college sports.

4. BYU is a smoke and mirrors team. They’re not really particularly good at anything or have any players that make you jump out of your seat. John Canzano was at the game and, in his story following the end of the contest, said that if BYU played Oregon, the Ducks would have a 30+ point victory against the Cougars. Frankly, I think that he’s being charitable with that 30+ scoreline. If BYU played the Ducks, I’m thinking 60+ if Dan Lanning wants to make a statement. Just look at who BYU has played this season and how fortunate they’ve been. They’ve skirted disaster time and time again this season against, let’s call them what they are, not very good teams. Yes, they’ve beaten everyone in their schedule but you can’t really give them any style points. All I’m going to say is that they better not sleep on Kansas next week.

5. The Kyle Whittingham era in Utah is over. Sure, he’s on contract for three more years but, for all intents or purposes, it’s hard to see a pathway for Utah to remain relevant if he stays at the helm. I’m not calling for his dismissal, just questioning if a 65 year old man has the desire and wherewithal to re-invent himself in order to remain successful as this stage of the game.

6. The sooner that Utah is out of the Big 12, the happier I’ll be. I think that I speak for a large part of Utah fandom when I say that Utah is not happy now, and will probably never be, in the Truckstop Conference known as the Big XII. At this point, it’s just a marriage of convenience and the moment a better opportunity presents itself, Utah will be gone in the wind. And I don’t want to look East but just West.