This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
We were surprised at the half-filled student section at last weekend's Utah-Colorado game. I remember years past when the MUSS filled the place, even on a holiday break. Why wouldn't the students cut short their time with family to see their beloved Utes play our hated rival Colorado?
Because it isn't our rival. In fact Colorado is the closest thing we have to an ally in the Pac-12. Colorado's struggles aren't dissimilar to our own.
Buffalo fans would rather be playing Colorado State, because that's what rivalry week is about — playing your rivals, not embracing some fabricated animosity.
You know what would have filled the Utah stadium? BYU. No matter how crappy our season is, we will always care about that game.
Utah has a rivalry, we have traditions (the crazy lady dance, the Utah Man, the MUSS). We don't need Pac-12 suits making up new ones for us.
I'm glad we beat BYU this year, and I'm bummed we take a break for a few years, but I hope when they get back on our schedule we play them when we should.
Amanda Moore
Salt Lake City