It just feels weird. BYU and Utah playing in September? I think I'll bust out my winter jacket, gloves and earmuffs just for old time's sake.
But here we are. It's a new era and we better get used to it. I just think this first time these hated rivals play in the third game of the year won't have that same intensity. It may take a few years to adjust to the new time slot.
Especially this year, since both teams are coming off such heartbreaking losses. In fact, this is the first time in almost 40 years that both BYU and Utah have lost their previous game before the big game.
Had Utah converted that 41-yard field goal and went on to beat USC in overtime, and had Jake Heaps engineered a last minute drive to beat Texas, this game would have been as intense and as big as any other in the rivalry's storied history. If both teams were 2-0 and still talking about BCS possibilities, the entire nation would be paying attention. Plus, both offenses have given their fans little hope that any big-time bowl games are in their immediate future.
Having said all that, it is still going to be great -- in fact it will be historic. Never before have these two teams played each other while not in the same conference. Never before have they played this early in the season. And since Kyle Whittingham and Bronco Mendenhall took over, every game has been epic.
From Brett Ratliff's overtime touchdown pass, to Jonny Harline's dramatic catch, to 4th and 18, to Max Hall's six turnovers, to Andrew George in overtime, to Brandon Burton's blocked field goal, every game has been incredible.
My prediction...more of the same this year. Just in a t-shirt instead of thermals.
