Here's the honest to god truth on where both programs stand:
Utah: Joined the PAC, Utah fans insisted that we weren't gonna be just another Arizona or Arizona State, and we were right. We're much worse than either of those programs. There's so much work to be done, I can't even fathom a day in which we are perennial contenders in the conference. Ute basketball will actually be relevant within the PAC 12 before football is.
BYU- While independence was the right move, the Cougars currently reside in football purgatory. They'll continue to win 7 or 8 games against the mid majors on their schedule while failing to beat the same competition Utah can't beat. They look at Utah and TCU and realize the second that they join a power conference, their fate will be similar to those two programs.
We both suck ***. Make your peace with it.