we just can't compete with them anymore.

I don't think the lesson here is that we shove all of this back in Ute fans faces (though I think some good natured ribbing is deserved LOL).

I think the lesson here is that we learn that college football is cyclical. Since we joined the Big 12, we've been a program on the rise. We were good before that, but everyone could feel the change.

Then we started stealing recruits from Utah. With the church affiliation, our past success, donors, stadium size, fan support, game day experience: we've been on the rise and started taking things over from Utah.

It was natural. They dominated the '60s and '70s, we were on top in the '80s and '90s, 2000 to 2010 was pretty even, then 2010 to 2021 Utah had a slight upper hand.

Now that we're on the rise, we have the better team, and they're having a down year, I think we need to remember a few things lol:

1. We could still easily lose a game or two. I think at UCF, at Utah, and at ASU are losable games. I pick us to win, but things happen in football games. It wouldn't be a huge shock if we finish 9-3. Houston and Kansas could even give us a run. They have the talent, particularly Kansas. They were good last year and have the same players.
2. Because college sports are cyclical, there will come a day when Utah is better than BYU again. And it'll cycle back and forth forever. You know how easy it is to throw it in Utah's face right now? That's because they thought they'd be on top forever. Let's not be that stupid. Learn the lesson that they should have learned.
3. I think good-hearted rivalry banter is fun. When I was in ROC leadership I had a good friend in muss leadership. We gave each other a lot of crap, and we are better friends because of it. I think good nature teasing is fine. Sporty Mcsportssports, Jonny Linehan, Boney Fuller, and Joe Wheat are great examples of this IMHO.
4. I never want to have the reputations Utes have on Twitter. They thought they were so much better than everyone else, and now the entire conference hates them (and they deserve it). I really hope BYU fans can maintain the tone of being humble, grateful, gracious, and good sports.

On Friday I was in a bathroom line behind an Oklahoma State fan. Someone said to him, "Did you travel out here? I hope it's been fun and you're having a good experience. You guys travel very well."

He responded: "Dude you're like the fifth person to say that to me. You guys are ridiculously nice haha. I can't believe it, I've been to like 12 away stadiums and I've never had this many people say that to me. It's like you guys genuinely want us to have a good time, lose, but go home feeling happy. You're like the anti-texas tech..."

I think we BYU fans might care so much about reputation, that we overdo it sometimes. We might all tell the same people that we hope they have a good experience, because we're so desperate to have a good image. I get that it's because most of us are members of the church and trying to represent the church in a good way. Even those who aren't members care about that reputation, the boozin' cougs tailgate people are some of the nicest, friendliest people in our fan base.

And I'll be honest, I actually love that about BYU fans. Trying to be classy, trying to be inviting, trying to be nice, trying to make friends: it's so important.

Let's not be like the "superior Utes" and get ranked 11th and get mad at everybody because we're being disrespected. We don't have to worry about that, winning will take care of everything with a 12-team playoff. 

Let's not end up in a conference and act like we're too good to be there. Or not be gracious to some team. Or not recognize the other teams have talent and history. Or lose to a team and be incredibly embarrassed because they suck or whatever.

Now that the cycle has turned in our favor, and that we're on top of the rivalry now and probably will be for the next few years, let's continue to be the gracious, cool fans we are. That's just my opinion.

Cue the "thanks, Dad" posts. Which is fine, LOL.

I just see us getting good and I'm like, I don't want to end up like Ute fans.