It’s the time of the year when there are three F words that are considered good: family, food and football. Some people esteem the third F word to be of most importance. They will spend hours on Thanksgiving watching teams go at it while their turkey and spouse become cold towards them.
Since there isn’t an NFL team in Utah, many people flock to fan bases of neighboring states like the Denver Broncos or Arizona Cardinals. Some people cheer for traditional American favorites such as the Dallas Cowboys or Pittsburgh Steelers. Some people have grown tired of the strict organization nicknamed the No Fun League and have flocked to the new craze known as the College Football Playoff.
Now that the Utes have no shot at a playoff, rivalry week and bowl week is all fans in the Beehive State have to look forward to. There is still plenty to be grateful for:
- Ute fans can be grateful that they are still nationally ranked. They can be grateful that they hosted College Gameday for the second straight year. They definitely are grateful that their football team held on to beat BYU for the 6th straight time in the rivalry.
- Cougar fans can be grateful that their team beat three power five schools this year. Last year they only had a 1-3 record against these teams. They can also be grateful that they finally have easier games on the schedule. They can also be happy that they have accepted the invitation to the San Diego Poinsettia Bowl.
- Aggie fans may have to make a stretch to say what they are grateful for with only three wins this season. They can be happy about their newly renovated Maverik Stadium. They should be happy that they were close in many games. They avenged a loss from the Arkansas State Red Wolves two years ago. They kept their winning streak vs. FCS opponents alive by beating Weber State. They can even be happy about their one conference victory against Fresno State. All that is wrong with the program will be forgotten if the Aggies can steal the Old Wagon Wheel from BYU in Provo again.
Whether wearing red or blue, Beehive State football is a big deal.