In looking at the schedule below, it is hard to see why Utah may not want to continue to schedule BYU. In both 2013 and 2014, there are open dates for both schools in September, it would be easy to get together.
The problem is the timing of the game. For BYU, it will work no matter when the game is scheduled. For Utah, it's another story. It's a lot of time and energy expelled before the conference season even begins. For BYU to earn a BCS game, it has to run the table, get ranked high enough and hope that other potential at-large BCS teams choke. Utah needs to win their conference. This year Utah has a home game against USC after they play BYU. They can afford to not take BYU as seriously, because a loss to BYU will not hurt their chances at the Rose Bowl. A loss to USC does. BYU has to beat Utah and then beat Boise State the following week or they are relegated to the Poinsettia bowl very early. After that, BYU has a couple of teams that really want to beat them, but may not have quite the muscle. After USC, Utah has the rest of the PAC-12 season to worry about. In 2012, the game means more to BYU than it does to Utah. Therefore, the rivalry is just not the same as it used to be already.
One could argue the same thing happened in 2011 and Utah killed BYU. That was with an entitled quarterback at the helm of the BYU offense. The BYU team over-prepared for Utah, and committed 7 turnovers. Isn't it logical that the same thing will happen next year and the Utes will have another easy victory? Apparently, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham does not think so. He is showing his Alma Mater some respect, whether or not it is deserved. Fans may not share this level of caution, which is understandable. Utah may be also looking at playing one non-conference road game somewhere else, for recruiting purposes. Perhaps the Utes are thinking Texas or Florida for a 2013 road non-conference game. (But maybe Houston or Rice, not Texas. Maybe USF or UCF instead of Miami, Florida or Florida State.) Something that they can bring some potential on-the-fence recruits to.
Unless the PAC-12 relents and lets BYU and Utah play in November, the rivalry is likely not going to happen every season. Perhaps 2 out of every 6 seasons will we see BYU and Utah hook horns. Therefore don't expect BYU and Utah to meet on the gridiron until 2017 and 2018 unless the PAC-12 changes their mind. And it will only happen that often if BYU stays independent. If BYU joins the Big 12, the BYU/Utah rivalry could be finished for good.
It would not be a difficult problem for the PAC-12 to resolve. USC plays Notre Dame every November. That week, BYU could play Utah. Then UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado can mesh up however the conference sees fit that same week. They could also play the week that Notre Dame and Stanford play, with the Utes playing California that week. There would be no BYEs that week. But BYU/Utah on a national level does not quite have the same prestige as USC/Notre Dame. And who knows, perhaps the USC/Notre Dame rivalry is on the way out as well.
Maybe one day, Utah and Colorado will be a big rivalry. BYU and Utah State may have an end of the season agreement, even if USU becomes a member of the Mountain West Conference. But nothing will replace BYU and Utah.
Utah's 2013 Non-Conference Games
A29--Utah State
Utah's 2014 Non-Conference Games
None yet scheduled
BYU's 2013 Schedule
A31--Open
S7--Texas
S14--Open
S21--Open
S28--@ Hawaii
O4--@Utah State
O12--Ga Tech
O19--@Houston
O26--Boise State
N2--Open
N9--Open
N16--@Notre Dame
N23--Open
N30--Open <--The week that Notre Dame and Stanford are scheduled.
TBA--Washington State
Looking for 2 or 3 home games and 1 or 2 road games.
BYU's 2014 Schedule
A30--Open
S6--@ Texas
S13--Open
S20--Open
S27--Houston
O4--Open <--General Conference weekend, usual Utah State game.
O11--Open <--Scheduled Ga Tech game likely cancelled.
O18--Hawaii
O25--Boise State
N1--Open
N8--Southern Mississippi
N15--Open
N22--Open<--Possible Notre Dame game in Provo. The Irish have an opening this week.
N29--Open<--The week that USC and Notre Dame are scheduled.
TBA: Utah State, @UCF
Looking for 1 or 2 home games and 3 or 4 road games.
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