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I may just be one of the weirdest origin stories for a Utah fan.
I grew up in Boise Idaho, only a few blocks from BSU. I attended more football games there in my youth than I have Utah football games. I used to sell coke/popcorn/hot dogs to make a few extra bucks. My little league baseball coach played for BSU then the Pittsburgh Steelers. (I’m still a huge Pittsburgh sports fan, Pens, Bucs, Steelers) Then I left home and ended up in Utah… Provo, Utah. My two best friends growing up both went to BYU, I remember my best friend’s dad going to the Stake Center to watch BYU football on their satellite when we were in High School.
So then I end up in Provo, working and going to BYU part-time for a year. I was at the #1 Miami against BYU game the year Ty Detmer won the Heisman. In fact I had student tickets a couple years. I’ve only had season tickets one year at Utah. So what happened? I got fed up with the attitude of some of the students/fans. I felt they were very judgmental and since I didn’t have a lifelong affiliation I was seduced by the Maji. One of my cool roommates loved basketball and we watched Utah against UNLV in March Madness. I loved Majerus, I loved the idea of not being judged for who I was. I lived in Provo for five or six more years before I attended the U. I transferred to UVSC (UVU) finished my associates and then transferred to the U. Why did it take me so long to finish my degree? I joined the Utah National Guard and took some time off from school to travel the world with the Army.
While there were many I’ll only share two stories which illustrate my loathing for TSPP fans. First my best friend’s older brother. He did not go on a mission because he couldn’t keep his pecker in his pants. Then a couple years later had the audacity to criticize me for something saying “That’s what you get for not getting your Eagle Scout.” EXCUSE ME! And here’s a bombshell!!! I was also roommates with one of the Cougar Board moderators. Not going to spill too many details, but let’s just say he also turned me to the dark side with his actions.
So in about 1992 I’d made my transition. Even though I lived in Provo until 1997. I loved being a devil in the holier than thou Provo. So I transferred to the U and completed my Jr/Sr year graduating in 1998. Yes in only four quarters, I took a very heavy load.
The 1998 loss to BSU which in retrospect was very much like the 95 yard 4th quarter drive we just saw this last weekend. I remember seeing a PE teacher from my Jr. High at that game, that was the year I had season tickets. That game ended my affinity for BSU. So much so that when I lived in Virginia I went to the BSu-VT game at FedEx field with a VT shirt and my friend who graduated from VT. My father, brother and sister all graduated from BSU. And in true brotherly fashion my brother called right after BSU won and let me have it. BSU is stolen valor in my opinion, claiming all the achievements Utah did first.
I’ve never attended a TSPP game outside those couple years, save that 1998 game. Man that was not a good year with losses to both in the same season. In Virginia I was friends with ARod’s HS friend and loved the insider information. I’ve been to Utah games in North Carolina, Louisville, Michigan, and Notre Dame. Sadly I moved to Colorado before the game at Pitt.
So how did I end up a Utah fan? I guess I’m just a contrarian and don’t like being judged, so I rebelled.
GO UTES!!!!
1. I’m really, really proud of Utah fandom for the massive in-person showing at RES last night. I was afraid before the game that half the stadium would be wearing blue but it really wasn’t even close.
2. I’m not from Utah and came to my Utah fandom late so BYU has always kind of been just another team to me. That’s changing rapidly. In my limited experience with their fanbase, they have a high ceiling for assdouchery. LIsten BYU fans, this is coming from a guy from Miami…you don’t have to be total dickheads before, during, and after a game. Act like you’ve been there before, at least occasionally…you’re lucky that people here in Utah are far more understanding than people in the East Coast, because I saw and heard stuff that would have garnered violence on a massive scale if this game was played, say in the Orange Bowl in the 80s or 90s.
3. I didn’t see the holding call on Vaughn, even though I was close to the play, and I can’t recall seeing it on the scoreboard but I did see a replay on this X site: WILD ending to this game. After seeing this here are my thoughts: Quite simply, it was a BS call. There’s nothing there…Ratzleff has what, 1.5-2 seconds before he’s wrapped up for the sack? It reminded me of another famous BS call that stopped Miami from winning the NC back in 2003 versus Ohio State. Whatever, it’s this kind of crap, along with all of the other associated shenanigans (NIL, unlimited transfers, bicoastal conferences) that’s killing college sports.
4. BYU is a smoke and mirrors team. They’re not really particularly good at anything or have any players that make you jump out of your seat. John Canzano was at the game and, in his story following the end of the contest, said that if BYU played Oregon, the Ducks would have a 30+ point victory against the Cougars. Frankly, I think that he’s being charitable with that 30+ scoreline. If BYU played the Ducks, I’m thinking 60+ if Dan Lanning wants to make a statement. Just look at who BYU has played this season and how fortunate they’ve been. They’ve skirted disaster time and time again this season against, let’s call them what they are, not very good teams. Yes, they’ve beaten everyone in their schedule but you can’t really give them any style points. All I’m going to say is that they better not sleep on Kansas next week.
5. The Kyle Whittingham era in Utah is over. Sure, he’s on contract for three more years but, for all intents or purposes, it’s hard to see a pathway for Utah to remain relevant if he stays at the helm. I’m not calling for his dismissal, just questioning if a 65 year old man has the desire and wherewithal to re-invent himself in order to remain successful as this stage of the game.
6. The sooner that Utah is out of the Big 12, the happier I’ll be. I think that I speak for a large part of Utah fandom when I say that Utah is not happy now, and will probably never be, in the Truckstop Conference known as the Big XII. At this point, it’s just a marriage of convenience and the moment a better opportunity presents itself, Utah will be gone in the wind. And I don’t want to look East but just West.
Topic: A Bye Week, Now What?
A long time ago someone gave me some advice. “Never hire anyone you can’t fire”. I would say it especially holds true in the college football business.
Interested in your thoughts here. Consider grading out the Ute Position Coaches and Head Coaches as well as other associated groups like Strength and Conditioning based on player’s performances. Give out Grades something like this: Outstanding; Very Good; Mediocre; Under Performing.
So what did you come up with? Remember the objective is ‘to Upgrade’ to Outstanding performance at every position and level, year in and year out.
In actuality, I’m seeing a steady drop-off year over year at quite a few positions. People should have been fired a long time ago for Under Performance.
Furthermore, because Whitt either couldn’t (family and friends) or wouldn’t upgrade over time it has now blown up in his face all at once. It’s like ignoring your car’s maintenance and then scratching your head in surprise as suddenly the wheels drop off and it all falls apart. Quick fix patches won’t repair this jalopy now.
Conversely, I noticed down south, Kaloni ‘canned’ quite a few of his coaches over the years for under performance and in their place brought in some difference makers. Good on Kaloni.
So, what’s the final take here? Probably best to wait til season’s end. But for me, I’m going with Whitt’s line on this one, “Next Man Up”. (From Whitt all the way down; and throw in Harlan as well. New staff can cherry pick who to keep on)