APBYU and Utah have been playing annually since 1946, string of 68 straight games. However, 2014 will mark the first of a two-year break in the series between the two programs.
In a statement released Tuesday, Utah athletic director Chris Hill confirmed what was already believed to be the case: that the game, known as the Holy War, would be taking a brief hiatus.
“When we joined the Pac-12 Conference, we knew there would be opportunities for Utah athletics that were never available before. A home-and-home series with Michigan is an example of something that we would not have envisioned even a few years ago and felt we could not pass up. It made our already tough schedule that much tougher and I did not think it was fair to our football program to schedule BYU on those years.
“We are solidly committed to play BYU in 2013 and 2016 and are close to finalizing a contract. Our intent is to continue to schedule BYU unless unusual circumstances dictate otherwise. In no way does this signal an end to the rivalry.”
The two sides will play again in 2016. As was previously noted, Utah will fill a non-conference slot in 2014 and ’15 with Michigan.
(hat tip: Deseret News)
The Pac 12′s 9-game conference schedule and partnership with the Big Ten are commendable. But if Utah is playing FCS schools while on hiatus from BYU, their “commitment” rings hollow.
If you’re a Utah fan, which game matters more: BYU or Utah St?
It’s just one of many rivalries killed by realignment.
The OLDEST college rivalry west of the Mississippi is dead, thanks to realignment. So the fact that Utah and BYU are saying right now that they want to continue it has got to mean something.
With lower tier neutral site bowl games struggling for money and interest, seems to me the logical solution would be home and home scheduling of rivalries AFTER the schedule is completed—with exceptions perhaps if one team makes the new four team playoff bowls. Nah, too simple.
@txnative61 – that is an interesting concept you propose. For both of them, would it be better to play each other during bowl season, or to go on to a meaningless bowls against, say, an average MAC or 7-5 ACC team? Interesting.
Anyone on the national stage who hasn’t had to deal with byu before need only look to the Big XII, Big East negotiations with them to see why Utah is just fine with stepping back from them. 7 wins in 10 years for Utah you’d think byu would be happy to go schedule a win against one of the wac teams they favor playing as an independent.
It is true we have had their number the past 10 years but no so much before that. These things go in trends. I really enjoyed the rivalry as a student and now as an alum. Didn’t care much for the pre-game rituals though.
Sure hope they work it out to resume the rivalry ASAP.