Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
PROVO — Nine consecutive wins against BYU provided conclusive proof Utah owned the rivalry football game since both programs went their separate ways more than a decade ago.
The impressive streak started during the 2010 season, after both programs had announced their respective decisions to leave the Mountain West Conference. Utah went on to flourish in the Pac-12, while BYU enjoyed significantly improved exposure as an independent through its deal with ESPN but was inconsistent on the field.
One day after accepting an invitation to join the Big 12, the Cougars finally won the rivalry game in 2021. Two years later, after the Pac-12 fell apart, the Utes had little choice but to join the Big 12.
The bitter rivals — yes, that's the appropriate description even as some try to downplay it — are conference associates again. Reunited and it feels so good ... or not.
"Excuse my language, but it's (expletive) BYU," Utah running back Jaylon Glover said after Monday's practice. Glover later posted an apology on social media platform X, writing his respect for BYU and that his comment "doesn't represent who I am or our program and was a lapse in judgment."
Many prefer the softer approach BYU coach Kalani Sitake took last week by saying: "Just remember, we're all closely related and we're all connected. I think this game can be a rivalry on the field, but we can show a bit more appreciation for each as we go through this game."
Putting the talk aside, maybe the same conference affiliation can return the series as it was some 20 years ago when neither had the distinct advantage the Utes held for most of the last decade. Life as an independent took its toll on recruiting for BYU, which in turn has contributed to Utah's dominance.
"Being in a conference, in my opinion, is probably the biggest recruiting tool — being a big-time recruiting tool," BYU assistant coach Kelly Poppinga said during an interview on The Zone. "Being independent was so hard, because it was so hard to sell what are we playing for.
"You're playing really good opponents every single week," he added.
As the results prove, BYU's recruiting obviously has improved over the last three years. After floundering to a 5-7 record last year in their inaugural Big 12 season, the undefeated Cougars are ranked No. 9 and in first place with four games remaining.
Increased resources, largely spurred on by the administration's decision to better fund the program, and improved recruiting has BYU envisioning a spot in the first 12-team playoff. Meanwhile, preseason favorite Utah is stumbling along on a four-game losing streak that has eliminated any chance at a championship.
"Everybody wants to win conference championships," Poppinga said.
But one good season does not make a great BYU program in the same sense that Utah's struggles don't doom it to a lifetime of languishing in the Big 12. Predicting greatness or gloom in college football, especially with the constant stream of transfers hitting the portal every year, is a dangerous endeavor.
In a sentiment he has repeated several times, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham wonders if the rivals even will "be in the same conference in two years." At the same time, with both programs in the Big 12 "is an equalizer of sorts, I guess you could say, especially from a recruiting standpoint," he said.
With no game between the two teams since 2021, Glover has plenty of company having never played in the game. Neither side has no more than 10 players with experience in the game.
No doubt the newbies will learn about the game's intensity early in the game if they don't already know it. Interestingly, they can hear it from the several coaches on each staff who have played in the rivalry game.
"These games are fun," said Poppinga, a linebacker for BYU in 2006-07. "Even playing in Rice-Eccles, I loved it. I loved the hostility, I loved the energy."
