The last few years, Utah has struggled with exposure. In 2008, it was the big reason why no one really bought into their ability until their huge Sugar Bowl win. This season, the biggest game in Mountain West history found its way to CBS College Sports. A sports channel that is part of a special sports package and though they offered up a free preview last week, how many casual sports fans actually knew they were getting it? I'm guessing a very small few.

Likewise, Utah's final major conference Holy War will take place on...the mtn. Not Versus. Not CBS College Sports. Not a simulcast of the three. No, it'll solely be played on the mtn.

This is a big reason why I can't wait for next year. Yes, next year (and next year only), it looks like some of Utah's games won't be broadcast on any television and that will hurt. But I think that's the price you pay for the big games, the Holy War and conference showdowns against ranked opponents, to be broadcast on ESPN, ABC and yes, even FOX Sports. 

This hasn't happened for the Utes since 2005. That was the final year the Mountain West had a contract with ESPN and ABC. In 2006, the formation of the mtn. created an entirely new template of what not to do when it comes to getting the best exposure for your football programs. 

That's not to say it's all been bad. Since 2006, almost every Utah game has been aired in some form. That was something you could not get ten years ago. 

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I'm sure we'd all love to be at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday to cheer on our Utes. Unfortunately, for a great deal of fans, that just isn't possible. Many of you are, in fact, located out of state and can't make it back here for the Big Game™. 

If you're one of those who will be watching beyond our borders, where do you plan on going? I'd like to use this post for those out-of-staters to maybe find a location where they can watch the game with other die-hard Ute fans. 

So if you know of any watch parties in your non-Utah area (hell, even if you're in Utah and can't make the game because of how difficult it is to get a ticket), post 'em in the comments. 

And as always, Go Utes! 

The state of Utah will never look to football like most southern states. Down there, it is a religion. They eat, sleep and drink college football. Here, it's more a hobby. That's not to say we don't have our diehards, we do, but they're in less quantity than what you would find in Alabama. 

So when a moment of big-time football arrives on the campus, it is an event. In fact, maybe even looked at in greater terms than what you would find on the campus of the University of Florida because it is such a rare occasion.

I think back to 1997 when the Utah Jazz finally made the NBA Finals. It was as if the entire state shut down for that entire series and the celebration rivaled much of what you would see in cities that actually did celebrate a world championship. 

We were the fans who went to Salt Lake City International Airport at three in the morning by the thousands to welcome home the Jazz from Houston. We were the fans who, after game four of that Finals, stormed downtown and spent the next few hours cheering what amounted to a tie in that series. 

You don't really see that in cities that have been accustom to winning and being at that level year in and year out. Sure, Bulls fans in the 90s rioted and partied in the streets after their championship runs - but getting to the NBA Finals was more a formality than anything else. It's the same with the Lakers today and most certainly the Spurs a few years ago.

For Utah, it was their first glance at being big-time in professional sports. They never were before and they haven't been since that two-year window in the late-90s. But at the time, it was surreal and it was new and it was exciting. 

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