Under your construct, for what is Utah competing? Within conference?
Utah's tickets, students and players source from Utah. That is largely true for BYU also. The disparity in affiliation now gives Utah a chance to put some separation between brands in the minds of these constituents. That's what I'm talking about. How about you?
Much better rivalries than Utah-BYU have been dropped in the broader realignment. BYU fans make a big deal of this because it needs the game more. Don't think for a minute it wouldn't be reversed if the positions were reversed.