The real surprise is how long Utahns have been tackling this smog problem. In the 1880s, coal and wood smoke was so thick that residents had to clean soot from their walls with sponges. Salt Lake City passed its first air quality ordinance in 1891—five years before statehood—with fines of $5 to $50 per day for excessive smoke (when the average worker made just 14 cents per hour).

Playing in arguably the toughest conference in college basketball—the Big 12—BYU has a real opportunity to change its Top-5 history. The next six weeks of conference play will tell us whether the Cougars can increase their number of top 5 rankings, or maybe something bigger.

Utah Sports Ink | Mountain & Main