The BYU-Utah saga continues

I made the mistake of looking at the readers' comment section on a BYU/Utah article posted online from a newspaper originating in the state of Utah earlier this week. It was loaded with asinine bashing, unsubstantiated name-calling, and complete idiocy/ignorance/lunacy. I suddenly remembered why I love NOT living in Utah and having a bunch of morons put each other down because of the teams they cheer for, when most of the derogatory comments had absolutely nothing to do with the actual teams on the field. In the real world, BYU and Utah fans get along great. We respect each other's successes and manage to be friends. Some of us even watch or attend games with each other. Here's a few actual facts to help ease the tension.

In the 4 completed seasons under the current head coaches, BYU posted an overall record of 38-13. Utah went 37-14. Pretty even.
BYU's offense scored 1,124 points compared to Utah's 954. BYU had a better offense 3 of the 4 seasons.
Utah's defense gave up 617 points compared to BYU's 675. Utah had a better defense 3 of the 4 seasons.
BYU's average ranking at the end of the season is 18, with one season where they were unranked and not receiving votes. Utah's average ranking at the end of the season is 24, likewise with one "N/A" season. BYU was in the top 25 for 26 weeks, including being ranked in 3 of those 4 seasons. Utah spent 15 weeks in the top 25, all encompassed in the 2008 season.
BYU has won 2 conference championships. Utah has won 1.
They have both spent the same number of weeks in the top 10, however, Utah finished a season there, while BYU has not.
Utah has been to one BCS game and has one BCS win. BYU has zero appearances.
Utah is 7-3 against BCS teams, 3 of them ranked at the time. BYU is 5-7, with only 1 of them ranked.
Utah has 11 losses against non-BCS teams, only 1 occurring in non-conference play. BYU has fared better with only 6 total, only 1 in non-conference play.
Utah is 4-0 in bowl games, 2-0 against BCS conference teams. BYU is 2-2, all 4 of which were BCS conference opponents.
BYU's average finish in the MWC is 1.75. Utah's is 2.75. BYU's lowest finish is third. Utah's lowest was tied for 4th. They tied for 3rd twice before winning it outright last season.
In the 4 head-to-head matchups, the record is 2-2. Utah won the first in OT on the road. BYU won the second in extra time (on the last play of the game) on the road. BYU led most of the third game until falling behind late and then leading a game-winning drive with less than a minute to go. The fourth game was a 7-point game going into the fourth quarter until BYU QB Max Hall put on a legendary show, throwing 4 interceptions in the final frame on his way to a double hat trick of turnovers (5 INTs and 1 fumble). All 4 of the games have been back and forth, regardless of which university had the better season/team.

The programs are pretty even when compared objectively head-to-head. Utah has the higher highs but also having the lower lows. BYU is pretty even-keel. I certainly don't see anything in the stats to indicate that one team was so far superior to the other or any team resembling a little brother of any kind. Utah State is the only little brother I see in the state of Utah...
The advantages Utah has are defense, victories over BCS conference teams, and a BCS win. Utah's team motto appears to be: go big or go home. Which type of year will this be? I've already said I think it's a "go home" type of season.
The advantages BYU has are offense, national ranking, and conference play. BYU must believe: consistency reigns supreme. Is there enough consistency left in this 2009 Jekyll and Hyde team to compete for another conference championship? I've already said I think they can compete for it, but, at this point, I think TCU wins it this year by beating BYU in Provo in 2 weeks.