It's only July and BYU fans are already revving up their typically trite attacks on Utah athletics and their fans.
The following letter to the editor appeared in today's Deseret Morning News on beer, Utah and the ever loving tradition of lame religious songs at BYU football games.
Recently a young man attended an open house for my grandson. He had a red and white "U" cap on. I asked him if he ever attended a BYU game. He said he did once, but they sang "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree." He wouldn't go back. I said the last time I attended a University of Utah game I was showered with beer. I would much rather hear "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" than be showered with beer.
I love all of the universities. And I will cheer for each one, as long as they are not playing BYU.
Thomas Hansen
Sandy
Now for those unfamiliar with "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree", this should give you an idea of what it is.
It ain't football at BYU until you hear some campy songs that probably should never be sung outside of church, let alone at a football game. I wonder if they sing Oh Danny Boy at Notre Dame football games? I'm guessing not.
Of course BYU football is a family event. Which means family songs and if it were at all possible, a camp fire for melting smores and telling ghost stories.
At the University of Utah, as the author of this letter suggests, we do nothing but drink, drink and well drink. Of course this isn't true, because I've been to many Utah football games and a big bulk of the crowd does not in fact drink. However there is no denying that a large group of fans do sneak alcohol into the games. But in all my years of going to Utah games, I've never seen anyone get sprayed with beer. Ever. It's never happened and yet when talking to BYU fans you would think it was a reoccurring event every gameday.
BYU fans can keep their lame Popcorn Popping song, I'll enjoy great football next to the occasional drunk -- who has never spilt his beer on me by the way.