Let's take the Moneyball approach to the BYU game - and the entire non-conference schedule for that matter. Let's put aside ego and how it will "appear" to sports commentators and even fans. From a strictly results way of coming at it, should Utah approach the BYU game schedule differently, approach it like NFL teams do the preseason?
* Fact 1 - A loss to BYU makes no difference in Utah's goal to win the conference championship and get a berth in the Rose Bowl.
* Fact 2 - A loss to BYU makes no difference in Utah's placement in the PAC-12 bowl hierarchy which is determined by conference record. The only impact a non-conference loss could have is if Utah needed it to get bowl eligible and who really cares at that point?
Suppose Utah played their starters sparingly or not at all? The benefits of such a strategy would be that the risk of losing a key player to injury would be diminished and the experience the backups gained would add depth for the conference season. These two differences - healthier starters and more depth experience would INCREASE the chances of wins in conference play. Isn't that the goal?
I know people will say that a loss would end our CFP hopes, but even that's not entirely true. A 9-0 conference record and a 11-1 overall is better than a 8-1 conference record. Plan and prepare for the conference and put all resources toward that result, nothing else matters.
* Fact 1 - A loss to BYU makes no difference in Utah's goal to win the conference championship and get a berth in the Rose Bowl.
* Fact 2 - A loss to BYU makes no difference in Utah's placement in the PAC-12 bowl hierarchy which is determined by conference record. The only impact a non-conference loss could have is if Utah needed it to get bowl eligible and who really cares at that point?
Suppose Utah played their starters sparingly or not at all? The benefits of such a strategy would be that the risk of losing a key player to injury would be diminished and the experience the backups gained would add depth for the conference season. These two differences - healthier starters and more depth experience would INCREASE the chances of wins in conference play. Isn't that the goal?
I know people will say that a loss would end our CFP hopes, but even that's not entirely true. A 9-0 conference record and a 11-1 overall is better than a 8-1 conference record. Plan and prepare for the conference and put all resources toward that result, nothing else matters.
