Which game is the most important?
Now here’s the debate. BYU SportsNation was split on Thursday and Twitter followed suit.
We can see the logic of both sides. Who do you agree with? #BYU #BYUSN pic.twitter.com/GiuKCdAOGJ
— BYU Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) May 25, 2017
you realize that when Utah is in the equation all logic and rational thinking go out the window. Utah, always Utah #BYUSN
— Pat H (@crzycougfanatic) May 25, 2017
Utah. Gotta get that monkey off our backs. It's an ugly, hairy, red monkey.
— Tanner Christenson (@tannachris) May 25, 2017
I can see both sides of the argument here.
Beating LSU gives BYU a nationally-recognized, primetime win over an SEC team that most likely will be in the top 15 come September 2.
It would put BYU back in the top-25 and spark playoff-busting conversations nationwide.
Conversely, beating Utah ends a six-game losing streak to the Utes and gives the Cougars the upper hand with in-state recruiting (for the next year anyway).
It’s also another P5 win for BYU and would most likely put the Cougars at 2-1 with Wisconsin coming to town.
Boiled down, 2009 (BYU’s last win over Utah, 26-23 in OT) was too long ago. This streak needs to end now.
The last time BYU lost seven in a row to Utah was between 1951 and 1957.
Since 2000, BYU is 5-11 against Utah. Rivalries have periods of domination (see BYU winning 19 out of 21 games between 1972 and 1992), and BYU needs to end Utah’s run this season with a win in Provo.
Would I consider a 10-3 season, with a loss to Utah, a failure? No. But it would be hard to swallow. Extremely hard.
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A 10-3 year with a loss to LSU? Still successful. The Tigers could end up challenging for the SEC title this year. If BYU keeps it close, 2017 could still be a special year for the Cougars.
But BYU just needs to shake this losing streak to Utah. Another year of in-state disappointment cannot happen.