Let the bowl arguments begin, BYU or Utah in Las Vegas?

So, what about these bowl games?

What will happen to the Cougars and Utes?

Well, first of all, we can’t say with certainty what will happen, although I believe the folks in Las Vegas and San Diego have a pretty good idea of what Mountain West teams will be coming to their cities.

Before last Saturday’s game, I was certain the Las Vegas Bowl and BYU were looking for a different face in town. The Cougars had been there four straight years and the Vegas people, while grateful, wondered if a change might be best for both parties. I could see the Cougars going to San Diego. Still can make that argument.

But in the press box, I discussed this with Brad Rock, our columnist, whose ties to Utah go way back. He made the point that if Utah lost to BYU by a couple of touchdowns, it may not go over well with Ute faithful who may not travel before the holidays. A close game and a loss would be much more palatable and a Ute win would keep a fire alive that could ensure the Las Vegas folks that the stadium would be filled.

He got me thinking. If Las Vegas asked Utah to buy some 16,000 to 20,000 tickets this week, ensuring that they’d go there over MWC No. 2 BYU, would it happen? Probably. But Rock didn’t think Vegas would pass on the Cougars. BYU has that one ace that no other team but UNLV has — it can collect about 4,000 to 7,000 fans to Las Vegas within an hour’s drive at the drop of a hat. Call it the LDS call to stake centers. That is a big carrot that many cannot overlook.

Bottom line? As we head into this weekend, a decision will be made on Sunday once the BCS takes and assigns TCU and then releases BYU. Then it is time for Las Vegas to go on the clock and announce a decision.

This decision will not be made by the local committee members who wear those funny coats. It will not be made by the executive director who does a great job of heading things up. The decision will be made by the elephant in the room, ESPN, which owns the bowl.

ESPN will look at two things. The sports TV giant doesn’t give a hoot about hotel rooms bought, gambling revenue, liquor sold or the local economy and a bowl impact by the two teams. ESPN cares about seats sold and ratings.

On Utah’s side, the Utes have the best bowl record in the country, 8-0 and counting. That includes two BCS victories, the latest a dramatic and exciting upset win over previously No. 1 ranked Alabama last year in the Sugar Bowl. There is marquee power in that. Utah should be able to draw a crowd and sell some tickets. The negative is ESPN sitting down and saying: “OK, tell us about Utah’s marquee players, especially on offense. “Someone will say Jordan Wynn. Someone will say, “Who?” Then names of David Reed and other playmakers will come up. Robert Johnson, a safety, might be the best Utah player. Kyle Whittingham was the national coach of the year. The big elephant will nod and say, “Hummmmm.”

Then the BYU factor will come up. Four sellouts. ESPN’s first-ever game BYU at Pitt in 1984, SDSU-BYU clashes that still rank among ESPN’s top 10 ratings of all time. Someone will ask about BYU’s showcase players. Somebody will mention Max Hall, the all-time winningest BYU QB; Dennis Pitta, the nation’s all-time leading TE in yards and a MacKey Award finalist, and Harvey Unga, the schools all time leading rusher.

Somebody will say “Hummmmmmm.”

Be a genius. Go figure the rest out.

I won’t make a prediction because I felt for two weeks BYU was San Diego bound.

Now I’m confused as ever but lean towards the elephant tossing BYU a Las Vegas ticket.