so he assumes they're somehow more legit (he's wrong, but that's OK). But if you asked someone from Mississippi they'd think of Southern Miss before Utah State.
Same with Alabama residents thinking of Troy as more "real" than USU or Georgians thinking of Georgia State or Georgia Southern as more "real". It's just based on his own bias and perception and no real fundamental logic, so it not possible to argue against. His broad point, does stand though.
https://www.cougarboard.com/board/message.html?id=25400831