It wasn't the same foundation as BYU's, but it was just as solid and well-developed.
The funniest part is that UU fans have taken the thing that they hated most about BYU fans (the arrogance) to new levels. Between the lopsided football rivalry and the P5 membership ("We have no need to play another mid-major every year"), UU fans are arguably MORE insufferable than BYU fans ever were, because now they feel like they have official sanction for their feelings of superiority.