More detailed explanation: Unpacking it requires an assessment of the potential benefits to BYU and possibilities that involve Utah losing out and finishing 2024 as a burning dumpster heap versus the myriad hypotheticals regarding tiebreakers, etc. and the Big12 championship game.

Utah could win, right the ship and win out in a bowl, and we could still not make the championship game. I don’t like that possibility and therefore struggle to root for Utah tonight. The Utes in nuclear meltdown mode helps BYU.

If we can manage to play consistent quality football, I would also like us to get to the Big12 championship game. That desire has been dampened of late by my growing suspicion that if we did get there we’d just lay an egg.

I suppose I still want both.

But I don’t want one so much more than the other to the extent to where I’m able to go all in rooting for the Utes tonight. A chaotic Utah in a tailspin helps us throughout the off-season. And it also brings me joy.