I've watched the Holy War for half a century. Throughout its history, one team or another has usually dominated. There's been comparatively little parity but always plenty of intensity.
Regrettably, Urban Meyer (2003-04) took it to another level, to the point that it's become way too toxic for my liking. Even when BYU wins, it feels like a pyrrhic victory.
That toxicity has spread beyond BYU and the Holy War, as has been shown toward CU of late. It's sad, in a way, because I have some wonderful friends, neighbors and professional colleagues who are Utah fans and as classy and respectful as you'll ever find. They're a pleasure and privilege to know. If Utah gets left behind, I'll feel badly for them.
Unfortunately, for many Ute fans and some at the university, they thought they left BYU for dead when the Pac came calling, and have spared no effort to drive home that belief. Now, it's a case of karma come calling. Any thought of being in the same conference with BYU, especially with BYU there ahead of them, is total anathema and grounds for apoplexy, with the vitriol spilling over to the entire Big-12. If BYU weren't in the Big-12, I suspect you'd see a much more benign attitude, a bit of sadness about leaving the Pac but okay with it because the Pac was mismanaged into the ground. CU is just taking shotgun pellets for being close to BYU.
Finally, welcome (back) to the Big-12. Despite being one of the newbies, I'm thrilled to be part of the conference and look forward to traveling to Boulder and welcoming CU fans to Provo. It seems odd to think that the two schools have met only twice since World War II: 1981 and 1988, so it's nice to know that that will finally change.
