BYU Football: The case for and against continuing rivalry games

Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end Harrison Handley (88) is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Kai Nacua (12) and linebacker Teu Kautai (25) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end Harrison Handley (88) is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Kai Nacua (12) and linebacker Teu Kautai (25) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end Harrison Handley (88) is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Kai Nacua (12) and linebacker Teu Kautai (25) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Utah Utes tight end Harrison Handley (88) is tackled by Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Kai Nacua (12) and linebacker Teu Kautai (25) in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Utah defeated BYU 35-28. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Case for Continuing to Play

Some things are worth fighting for. BYU vs Utah every single year may be one of those things. Heck, it may be worth it just to play every other year. There can be a real case that outside of Michigan vs Ohio St, Alabama vs Auburn, Navy vs Army, and Texas vs Oklahoma that BYU vs Utah could be next on the list of great rivalry games.

College Football is always changing and there is a possibility (albeit small) that in ten years Utah is in the Big 12 with BYU. There is even a chance (albeit even smaller) that the Big 12 falls apart and all the major conferences go to 16 teams and BYU is taken into the Pac 12.

Imagine if something like did happen and the rivalry had to be reborn? Granted, it wouldn’t take much to get it going again, but wouldn’t it be so much better if the rivalry never ended?

Doing this would take sacrifice. Realistically BYU and Utah would have to give up playing other P5 games. That is a tall ask from both teams. But if they decide to do it, the rivalry game may elevate to even a higher level.

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What do you think? Should BYU and Utah continue to fight for the rivalry, or is it time to let go and let other natural rivalries