Rec’d for these gems:

“I cannot stand the media-created and perpetuated moniker “The Holy War,” and I don’t use it when I talk about the BYU/Utah rivalry. I know it’s easy to make BYU a target given its religious affiliation. And I understand that it even deserves some of that criticism, given the high-minded attitude the school sometimes has about its sports programs. I don’t care. I want my rivalry to be about what happens on the field. Nothing else."

“Calling it “The Holy War” is a tacit acceptance of the erroneous stereotype that BYU vs. Utah really means Mormons vs. Non-Mormons. Given the number of LDS athletes on both sides (not to mention both head coaches), that stereotype is silly. Using the nickname also means you’re silently giving permission to those who hate BYU solely on the grounds that BYU is affiliated with the LDS Church. Which, I guess, is anyone’s right. But I’ll not be party to it."

I’ve never been one to hate the Utes. I would even say that I don’t even dislike them. I just like BYU more. And I always hope they do well when they are not playing BYU.

I wish more BYU fans would take this stance. The rivalry could be just as fun without all the serious hatred (although I do enjoy the friendly banter I have with many Utah fans.

The title of the game has slowly worked its way into the national media. It’s too late to be fighting against this now. Sometimes I think we fans from Utah are too concerned with how the rest of the country perceives us. It’s our name. It’s unusual. Let’s be proud of it.

Other programs don’t seem to have this type of hand-wringing. Oregonians unabashedly call their rivalry the "Civil War." The American Civil War is still, by far, the bloodiest war for the United States. Texas and Oklahoma have the "Red River Shootout." Kansas and Missouri have the “Border War.”

Also, I acknowledge that religion does play a part to the rivalry. Many BYU fans think that Mormons that root for Utah are somehow less vigorous in their faith. I disagree that it fosters a Mormon versus non-Mormon stereotype. On the national scene, most people don’t seem to realize that there are many non-Mormons that go to Utah. In Utah, it’s common knowledge.

I agree that the rivalry gets out of hand, and I absolutely loathe how many Ute fans tear down BYU more than they discuss the positives of Utah. And I agree that the name creates a false conflict of “good”/“evil”.

But the entire jargon of the game of football is wrought with exaggerated and inflated terms. “Battle in the trenches”; “a bomb downfield”; “that guy just got blown up”. And the “Holy War” is just another example. Hopefully it can function to attract outsiders who are unfamiliar with the rivalry to see such a severe title on a game, watch a few quarters, and realize how competitive and how fun these games are.

If I ever got the sense that the name was escalating tensions beyond a school rivalry, I wouldn’t want to see the name used. But most of the people involved are adults, and have some perspective on how far the BYU-Utah “Holy War” goes compared to the very serious holy wars occurring throughout our globe.

You know, people talk about Utah and Boise State, but BYU showed it could be done and has never backed down from anyone. Their offense is pure fun to watch and offensive “geniuses” like Spurrier were not afraid to rip off their plays. Sure, i rib their trollers, but I rib any troll.

To true blue fans I say: Be proud of your team, no matter what they accomplish, they give a lot to give us something to cheer for.

I respect that team and what tehy have done for all college football.

If I had a cougar hat, I’d wear it Saturday and win or lose, I’ll cheer for those young men to hit hard and hold their heads up.

Go Coogs!
Beat Oklahoma, make us proud!

As for the rivalry, it’s great as long as people understand it is only fun. The heated part is childish.

Bets of luck this season, as for teh MWC, may the best team win and let’s have fun!

Helps establish the conference. Should be a no-brainer until we are considered a BCS conference (or some playoff system comes along).

But I was cheering vehemently for BYU last Saturday, more than for Utah’s game on Thursday. The intensity of the game was a major factor in that.

Usually I view it like this, If BYU wins OCC or in a bowl game its good for Utah. If they lose, I smile. I want BYU to go 0-8 in the MWC.

If their was a playoff I would change my mind.

Great win! GO MWC!

I am a loyal BYU fan and always will be. My best friend is a Utah fan. We get along just fine. Heck we even go to football games together. I go to Utah to watch games and he comes to BYU. I see nothing wrong with being a fan of the game of football.
Now there are differences, but I enjoy a good educated debate about football and why you think your team will win.
I hate uneducated fair weathered and “loyal” fans that won’t even listen to the facts and just want to mock religion rather than talk football. They are everywhere in both schools, but smart fans are great people and I could talk Utah football all day with them no problem.
At the end of the day it’s football. I love it. Win or lose it’s better than work. And when BYU wins life is good!

Good post. You bring up several good points. I’m especially intrigued by your arguement of whether or not you cheer for rival teams. My opinion is if your team is in a non-AQ conference there’s some obligation to root for any team that makes your own team look that much better.
As you know Boise State is part of the WAC, and nowadays the WAC sucks. Right now Boise State has three conference rivals. Idaho, Fresno State, and Nevada. Idaho is moot because…well Idaho is really really bad so there’s little chance of them improving Boise State’s SOS. I find myself cheering for Fresno State and Nevada in all their non-conference games, only so it makes Boise State look that much better.
However, it’s not just a conference thing. I tend to root for teams that affect the perception of Boise State to all the national folks. I live in Boise now, but I grew up in Rexburg, Idaho.
I’ve always followed Utah and BYU because of this. However, this past weekend I did have to cheer against both of those teams because those losses only make BSU look better. I wish Utah and BYU the best of luck for the rest of their seasons.

I’ll stop my rambling by saying, yes, as a member of a non-AQ conference there’s some level of obligation to root for your rivals as long as it benefits your own team.