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PROVO — Without question, nobody can argue the best win for the BYU football team last season came the second week of the season when the Cougars destroyed the defenseless and beleaguered Texas Longhorns.
At the time, Texas was ranked No. 15, coming off a 56-7 thrashing of New Mexico State. But hours after the embarrassment at LaVell Edwdards Stadium, the Longhorns fired their defensive coordinator and set the stage for Mack Brown’s resignation as the head coach three months later.
As sweet as that win was for the Cougars, would it have been better to beat Utah the following week? It depends on the perspective, apparently.
Opinions vary to a degree.
Ben Criddle, who played cornerback from 2005-07, declared he would take the Texas win “every day of the week.” Derik Stevenson, a BYU linebacker in 1992 and 1995-98, took to Twitter with a different approach, writing: “I would rather beat Utah. But a win vs. Texas is much better for the program.” Also on Twitter, current linebackers coach Paul Tidwell was more definitive, writing: “Beat them both.”
The effect that Texas win had on recruiting is greater than a potential win against Utah. I can't tell you how much it's helped with recruiting in Texas. It kind of put them on the map in Texas in the modern day. BYU hasn't had a footprint in recruiting in Texas for a long time.
–Ben Criddle
Which side do you come down on?
While stomping Texas garnered national attention for a few days, BYU would benefit more from beating Utah. Now more than any time in BYU’s history, defeating Utah has a much more tangible effect long term compared to a single night of glory against Texas.
Given each program’s current circumstances, the Cougars need to get the upper hand — or at least stay even — with their rival Utes. As it is, considering Utah’s current four-game winning streak, one program has control of the rivalry.
During a radio interview with DJ and PK on 97.5 FM and 1280-AM, Criddle argued that beating Texas does more for recruiting than posting a similar result against Utah.
“The effect that Texas win had on recruiting is greater than a potential win against Utah,” he said. “I can’t tell you how much it’s helped with recruiting in Texas. It kind of put them on the map in Texas in the modern day. BYU hasn’t had a footprint in recruiting in Texas for a long time.”
Last February, BYU signed three players from Texas, including two high school players and transfer wide receiver Jordan Leslie, who will graduate from UTEP and be eligible for next season. In 2013, BYU did not sign a player from Texas.
Along with California and Florida, Texas is a hotbed for recruiting. But the overwhelming majority of BYU’s players will always come from the West, where the LDS Church has a strong presence.
BYU can’t afford to flounder against the Utes and expect to gather targeted in-state and West Coast players most years. It might be too much to ask a recruit to overlook Utah’s recent dominance and great conference affiliation.
#poll
Despite two consecutive losing seasons, Utah is still the envy of BYU long term. Even though the football program is on strong footing with Bronco Mendenhall as the coach and a great television deal with ESPN, BYU would still prefer to be in the Pac-12 than remain an independent.
Utah may never sniff the Rose Bowl or the impending college football playoff in your lifetime, but the Pac-12 is a much easier sell than never even having the opportunity to play for a conference championship.
“I’d rather be in the Pac-12 than be an independent,” said Criddle, who co-hosts a weekday radio show on BYU sports on 960-AM.
At some point in the near or distant future, BYU will need to get the football program in a power conference. By any measure, compared to many programs, BYU deserves to be associated with the big boys.
And maybe that time is forthcoming. Criddle thinks something might be in the works now that West Coast Conference commissioner Jamie Zaninovich is taking a position in the Pac-12. The majority of BYU’s sports are in the WCC.
“I actually think (BYU athletic director) Tom Holmoe and ESPN have been pushing pretty hard to get into the Pac-12. I think the move with Jamie Zaninovich from the West Coast Conference to the Pac-12 as the (chief operating officer) is a good sign that relationships will get even better with the Pac 12.”
