At that time if you're Utah it made sense if you're Utah. They knew they were heading into a situation where they would be playing 2-3 more good programs per year vs what they were used to.
Playing BYU early in that transition offered a no win scenario for them. If they win, well they were supposed to right? If they lose, well then the PAC made the wrong choice by taking them.
I can't stand Utah. I hope they have another losing season and Whitt gets fired, for the record. But saying that a team who dominated their rival is " "scared" is silly.
Is Notre Dame "scared" of Michigan, Purdue etc... Because they won't be scheduling anymore? Of course not.