There was a big difference between BYU, Utah and TCU and the rest of the conference as coaches and players took the podium one school after the other at the Mountain West Conference Football Media Days in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
The big three all talked about their programs — their strengths and their successes — while everyone else talked about their weaknesses, shortcomings, hopes, and not surprisingly, the big three. Teams are proving once again that their existence is defined by their relationship to these bigger programs.
With Utah jumping to a different conference in LeBron-esque fashion, fans and media would like to put BYU in Utah’s shadow in the same way Wyoming is in TCU’s, but BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall isn’t having any of it, and he shouldn’t.
“We’ll continue to play our way into whatever opportunities we get, but nothing has changed for BYU,” he said. “We’ve made it very clear who we are, what we represent, how we play and don’t really measure ourselves against anyone else as much as everyone would like to measure University of Utah vs. BYU and vice versa.”
In the wake of Utah’s acceptance of its Pac-10 invitation, BYU fans were cowering in fear for their football lives. Finally someone from BYU has said what I’ve been saying all along; nothing has changed for BYU. BYU’s identity is not predicated upon anything that happens with Utah nor will it ever be.
Utah built itself up on the back of BYU. Ute fans are more anti-BYU than pro-Utah, but no one should be fooled into thinking that’s a two-way street. Just like Mendenhall said, they’ve made it clear who and what they are, and that has nothing to do with Utah.
Mendenhall was asked about the rivalry game with Utah and whether he would allow the game to be played twice in a row in Salt Lake City because of scheduling issues. He mimicked BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe’s response to a similar question from a few weeks ago, but improved it as only Mendenhall could.
“No way,” he said. “Home and home. And that would be something that they would fight for just as well. To say it’s a rivalry and play some place twice in a row, no way if it’s my call. The bind is self-inflicted. It’s a choice. Get out of another game would be my call on that.”
Bronco was asked a question that started with the reporter pointing out that Utah had more players than BYU taken in the most recent NFL draft. Bronco cut off the reporter at that point to say that it’s interesting that BYU still beat Utah.
That we-don’t-need-you-and-don’t-have-a-problem-beating-you attitude is the very attitude the entire conference needs to adopt in order to succeed and get into the BCS. If they could only just walk around with a chip on their shoulders thinking that they don’t need BYU, TCU, or Utah, then the bottom feeders would finally win some games and bring up the competition in the conference. Without those bottom-feeding teams performing at a higher level, the MWC will be unable to obtain a BCS bowl berth.
People have worked hard to try to put BYU in Utah’s shadow over the past few weeks, but Bronco essentially said that BYU doesn’t need Utah and he isn’t hurt to see them leave. That’s the attitude of a champion. I just wish it was the attitude of the conference.
Feeds 
Byu may not be defined by the teams they play or the conference they are in, but bronco forgot to mention they would sure make more money in the BCS. The rivalry is unique and needs to continue for both teams. Although, I agree with bronco The security needs to be increased in both stadiums and fans need to chill out. Recently it has been somewhat out of control. There may be a few missed games due to scheduling, but rest assured they will continue the rivalry, one home game for one game away, preferably last of the season.
This article sounds like some scared BYU fan trying desperately to convince himself that it is okay to come out of the "Utah" shadow...
"Utah jumping to a different conference in LeBron-esque fashion...Utah built itself up on the back of BYU...Just like Mendenhall said, they’ve made it clear who and what they are, and that has nothing to do with Utah."
It appears that the author wouldn't have an article if he were to quit throwing mud at Utah. If you don't need Utah to help define who you are, then why so many derogatory remarks and mud slinging?
"Ute fans are more anti-BYU than pro-Utah, but no one should be fooled into thinking that’s a two-way street..." Yeah, right. Keep fooling yourself.
BYU may not need Utah, but it's going to need something more than the MWC to break into the BCS. Obviously BYU needs Utah if they want to continue the rivalry. Who else is even close to being a rival? It's not like either team has been dominant the past decade, they're tied 5-5. Fact is, Utah leads the overall series by 19 games.
Now before you call me a Ute fan, know that I am not and have no affiliation whatsoever with the University of Utah.
The "bottom-feeders" as you call them aren't bottom-feeders because they have no chip on their shoulders or a we-don't-need-you attitude, they are bottom-feeders because they lack resources to be competitive in football.
BYU is lucky Boise State is joining the MWC. I guess you could also call it unlucky. Boise State has a slight edge over Utah for consistency in their football program. The move to the MWC will only strengthen them. Without Boise State joining, the MWC takes a HUGE step back.
To say BYU doesn't need Utah is just plain stupid. They need them for the competition and for the rivalry. A game against a Pac-10 (or 12) Utah team as an out of conference game every year will not only retain the rivalry, it will boost BYU's strength of schedule.
Without Utah, BYU is just another mid-major with no natural rival, stuck in a non-BCS conference. I guess BYU could always start playing Notre Dame every year. Now that would be a "Holy War".
Boise State will come in and overpower the MWC just like they have the WAC.
All the best to BYU, I hope they win all of their games next year, even the one against Utah. Just don't say that BYU doesn't need Utah, because they do.
I like to read things here; I have never disrespected BYU or its athletics programs. I must make this comment in regard to this article: time for you guys to move. I guess this is part of the process. "Lebron like fashion..." You know that would offend any Ute fan, so I guess you felt you had to put it in there. We got the bid for a variety of good reasons, not the least of which is two solid BCS game victories in the last 6 years. While BYU is and will continue to be a great program, you guys have not done that yet, therefore the program does not have the interest right now. The 1984 championship does not factor into 2010 decision making nor do your victories against our program on our off/building years. Additionally, our fan base continues to grow (TV market) making it financially viable. Call it the religious divide, call it whatever, but Utah is moving on, so should you. Focus on beating the new kings of the MWC: Boise St.
It is absolutely time for BYU to move on. BYU needs to do whatever they can to get into a BCS conference. Move into the Big-12 along with TCU. Now that would be interesting. BYU would financially benefit, but not as much because of Texas.
Truth is, however, because of BYU's religious affiliation, a lot of conferences are not willing to accept some of the athletic stipulations that come with it. I absolutely love the fact that BYU sports teams won't play on Sunday, but not all of the conferences agree.
I also agree on the comments above on market, fan base, and recent BCS success.