Around halftime of every University of Utah home game, the scoreboard flashes with dancing ice cream cones and a running tally.
A few years back, Dreyer’s blended together a marketing scheme to sell ice cream, packaging the same flavor as both “Cougar Craze” and “Ute Blitz.” Year after year, Cougar fans dominate the contest, shoveling more scoops of ice cream into their Happy Valley mouths.
It’s the only thing the Cougars will win this year. The ice cream might be the same, but the teams are dramatically different.
This will be the third year I’ve written for this rivalry guide. In previous columns, I’ll admit I fell into a hole of backhanded remarks and tired stereotypes. Yes, it is true students at Brigham Young University usually receive a marriage certificate before a diploma, but what does that have to do with football?
To be honest, BYU has been better than us. Comparing the numbers, the past two years were like looking into an empty ice cream cone. In 2006, BYU was No. 4 in the nation offensively, averaging a blistering 465 yards per game. Utah averaged 100 fewer yards.
2007 was worse. Although BYU slipped to No. 25 nationally, the Utes rolled around the bottom of the Football Bowl Series at No. 79. More importantly, BYU was No. 10 in the nation in defense8212;far better than Utah and even Texas Christian University.
What a difference a year makes.
BYU still is an offensive juggernaut. Max Hall is better with age and shows patience and poise in the pocket.
The Cougars’ defense, however, is another story. The team has dropped from No. 10 to No. 48 in the nation. Jan Jorgensen could raze the opposing linemen in 2007. He had 13 sacks and two against Utah. This year, facing deserved double teams, he sits at five total.
Perhaps Jorgensen should have spent more time in the gym and less time eating double scoops.
The Utes, on the other hand, sit comfortably at No. 7 in the nation defensively. Utah continues to win close games with its stifling defense. The linemen are experts at creating false starts and have held the opposing runners to an average of 89 yards a game.
My Cougar friends were in an unfortunate position watching Utah play TCU, having to root for their hated northern rivals. It was their only chance of sharing the Mountain West crown.
I’m sorry to say the crown is only big enough for one head this year. Putting the numbers and records aside, Utah is simply the better team. The wins have often not been pretty, but the resilience of this squad is truly beautiful. Game after game, even when the team is behind, there is a feeling in the air that the Utes won’t let their coach, their fans and their fellow players down.
They never do, and I wouldn’t plan on that changing Saturday afternoon.
I take my hat off to BYU this year. The Cougars are a great team that ran into a tough schedule, particularly their road draw within the conference (they play TCU, Utah and Air Force on the road). BYU is unstoppable at home, but has had its hardest matchups on the road. If the roles were reversed and the Utes had to make their way to Provo, I might be falling back on lame labels.
Thankfully, I don’t have to. This is our year. Enjoy your ice cream, Cougars. The Utes will be the ones who get to eat their just desserts.
Nick Pappas