BYU football: The Holy War needs to be Cougars’ Super Bowl
BYU football takes on the Utah Utes on Saturday. While some argue that the rivalry isn’t what it once was, it needs to be BYU’s biggest game.
BYU football fans, by and large, argue that the Holy War rivalry is still as important as it ever was. There’s a lot to back that up – the Utes and Cougars have a back-and-forth history that was defined by streaks. There are famous quotes from both sides, memorable moments, and the schools are separated by just 45 minutes on the highway.
On the flipside, Utah fans argue there is no rivalry. At least not anymore.
To me, that’s still silly. Obviously one only needs to hear the way players and coaches talk to see that the Holy War is still an emotional game.
But what hurts is that Utah fans are still kind of correct.
The Holy War isn’t what it once was.
Losing 12 of the last 15 games will do that.
This year, BYU football has to treat the Utah game like the Super Bowl. It’s all-or-nothing. A must-win.
I know that some Cougar fans might roll their eyes at that. After all, BYU football could lose to Utah and still come away with a nine or 10 win season. The Cougars would still go to a bowl game. The sun would still rise, and everything would be fine.
But it isn’t quite like that.
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The deck is stacked against BYU football to be successful against Utah.
The Utes have:
More talent.
A Power Five conference affiliation.
No strict, Honor Code-like standards.
Certainly, it isn’t impossible to think BYU football will never be successful against Utah again. Surely, that isn’t the case. The Cougars, led by Kalani Sitake, will continue to improve recruiting and get a win at some point.
But the “little brother” arguments are already hard enough to defend. Another loss, and what are BYU football fans to do?
More importantly, what are the Cougars to do? I’m a firm believer in momentum. Beating Utah gives a stagnant BYU football team plenty of just that – momentum.
I know that some fans don’t want to admit that the Utah game is the biggest of the season. After all, the Cougars played LSU and will take on Wisconsin next week – both of those schools are potential title contenders.
However, that is the reality. For the Cougars, the biggest game of the year has to be Utah. For the Utes, the Holy War will probably never have the same buzz it used to – unless the Cougars go on a real run.
And that’s okay.
BYU football might be fortunate enough to get into a Power Five conference when realignment comes around. That would be a moment when new rivalries start, when conference foes come to the forefront.
But for as long BYU football is Independent, Utah is the Super Bowl.
Go get ’em, Cougars.