Do you like the Rivalry game being 1st game?

I'm curious on how others feel about the rivalry game being the 1st game of the season. Logically, for two teams not in the same conference, it makes sense to me. If I were Puketah, I wouldn't want any scenario like last year where you are focused at that time of the season on a conference championship and 1st having to face your bitter rival.



My only negative feeling is that it's been out there all summer long and that's a long time to think about playing a team that has defeated you the last 8 times. Not because they were always the better team, but the more prepared team that didn't seem to choke so easily.



Best way of explaining how I feel though is like if I were a kid and I'd done something that "possibly" could bring me an opportunity to "dance" with the wooden paddle my parents or teachers/principals had. I grew up in the era of not sparing the rod. Baring only one instance that I can ever remember, all physical punishment usually came upon me the moment of discovery by some adult of something I had done that they felt merited a strike to my natural sitting cushion. There was usually not any time to ponder the punishment. Having lost to Puketah 8 times in a row and now seeing them with one of the better teams they've had since they joined the PAC12, I feel like I've been caught doing something that is more on the gray area of wrong and I have to wait until "daddy gets home" to find out if he's of the mood to "lay on the lumber" or just let me off with a warning. I don't like this feeling whatsoever.

to me it really doesn't matter when the game is. I just want the streak to end. Unfortunately, it isn't going to end any time soon, especially with our current coaching staff. Last year the utes didn't take the game seriously until the second half and promptly scored 28 points in the 4th quarter with BYU not turning the ball over once in that quarter. I will be listening and rooting for BYU and I will be irritated when the game is over after, yet another, loss.

I like it either being very first or very last game.

Would prefer it be the last game of the season. But bottom line, just win.

Last game, when other true rivalry games are played, like the SEC-ACC matchups in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky, and Alabama-Auburn, Ohio State-Michigan, etc.



It gives the season a meaningful end regardless of what has happened to either team during the rest of the regular season.



I would prefer the Friday night of General Conference weekend over the first game of the season or any other August or September spot. That date on the calendar is unique to the state of Utah and usually aligns with the Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game.

Last game for me.

YNot wrote:

Last game, when other true rivalry games are played, like the SEC-ACC matchups in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Kentucky, and Alabama-Auburn, Ohio State-Michigan, etc.

Yeah, I hear you, but seeing the Florida/Miami game once again the first game of their seasons, it's just good they are continuing to play one another. Other G5 teams that have kept up rivalries despite not being in the same conference are usually still playing those games at the end of the season (Georgia/Georgia Tech, and Clemson/South Carolina).



I believe we need to have this rivalry game, but I just don't see in the future Puketah giving us the game like last season, and many, many years before, at the end of the season, so I'm okay with it anywhere as long as it's still being played, but I do prefer at the end of the season if I had my choice.

When we were in the same conference and on equal footing, I liked the last game of the year.



Now that we aren't in the same conference and are on decidedly unequal footing, I think the first game gives us our best shot for a few reasons:

1. It's a huge motivator all through the off season. For months on months they break every team huddle with "Beat Utah" because they're the next team on the schedule. It creates a much higher level of focus. I think that pays dividends for both the Utah game and increased preparation that benefits the rest of the season.

2. If the maxim is true that P5 and G5 teams have similar quality in their starters, but P5s just have a deeper bench, then Utah has an advantage with a deeper bench later in the season. Last year we started with a converted linbacker as a running back and still did pretty well until he and two Kaufusis went down to injury. That late in the season, we just didn't have the replacement pieces necessary to staunch the bleeding.

3. If we win, we ride that high the rest of the season. If we lose, we can quickly look to the next game.



That said, I'm glad I don't live in Utah. The smack all summer long would get tedious.

Last game with both teams in the PAC 12

CrimsonCoug wrote:

When we were in the same conference and on equal footing, I liked the last game of the year.



Now that we aren't in the same conference and are on decidedly unequal footing, I think the first game gives us our best shot for a few reasons:

1. It's a huge motivator all through the off season. For months on months they break every team huddle with "Beat Utah" because they're the next team on the schedule. It creates a much higher level of focus. I think that pays dividends for both the Utah game and increased preparation that benefits the rest of the season.

2. If the maxim is true that P5 and G5 teams have similar quality in their starters, but P5s just have a deeper bench, then Utah has an advantage with a deeper bench later in the season. Last year we started with a converted linbacker as a running back and still did pretty well until he and two Kaufusis went down to injury. That late in the season, we just didn't have the replacement pieces necessary to staunch the bleeding.

3. If we win, we ride that high the rest of the season. If we lose, we can quickly look to the next game.



That said, I'm glad I don't live in Utah. The smack all summer long would get tedious.

I agree with everything you said. However, I work in SLC and I haven't reveived any smack from any coworker (I have the signed BYU basketball posters up in my cube that you get from the Cougar Tipoff) or from neighbors (I put a BYU spotlight on my house during each game) or from ward members (I wear a BYU tie). So what I'm saying is everyone knows I'm a huge BYU fan but I have not received a single smack talk even in jest.

vancouvercougar wrote:

Last game with both teams in the PAC 12

I never want to join the PAC-12! :sick:

byufan4ever wrote:

Last game with both teams in the PAC 12

I never want to join the PAC-12! :sick:

+1



While I would welcome an invite to the BIG 12, I would rather stay independent than ever join the PAC 12.

CrimsonCoug wrote:



1. It's a huge motivator all through the off season. For months on months they break every team huddle with "Beat Utah" because they're the next team on the schedule. It creates a much higher level of focus. I think that pays dividends for both the Utah game and increased preparation that benefits the rest of the season.

What makes you think they break every team huddle with "Beat Utah"?

If we're not in the same conference, it makes more sense as the first game.

mtnradio wrote:

1. It's a huge motivator all through the off season. For months on months they break every team huddle with "Beat Utah" because they're the next team on the schedule. It creates a much higher level of focus. I think that pays dividends for both the Utah game and increased preparation that benefits the rest of the season.

What makes you think they break every team huddle with "Beat Utah"?

Greg Wrubell noted it at the Kalani Sitake show on Tuesday night. I had a relative who was live streaming it from her phone, so I'm not sure if that part made it into the broadcast or not.

KingCoug wrote:

vancouvercougar wrote:

Last game with both teams in the PAC 12

I never want to join the PAC-12! :sick:

+1



While I would welcome an invite to the BIG 12, I would rather stay independent than ever join the PAC 12.

OK I get it, but what about last game of the season with both BYU & :utard: in the BIG 12?

vancouvercougar wrote:

byufan4ever wrote:

Last game with both teams in the PAC 12

I never want to join the PAC-12! :sick:

+1



While I would welcome an invite to the BIG 12, I would rather stay independent than ever join the PAC 12.

OK I get it, but what about last game of the season with both BYU & :utard: in the BIG 12?

I prefer it to be the last game of the season whatever the conference affiliation.

I’ve been thinking about this more than I should have haha.



The 1st game on a Thursday is cool. They extra couple days for prep after a rivalry game are a good idea.

I'm fine with it being first. Gives the team all summer to prepare for.



And, for the record, if the Pac 12 ever invited us I would be totally fine with it. They never will, though, so I don't lose any sleep over it.

I'd happily join the pac12