Utah Utes football: Poll voters face dilemma with U.
The Utes have done all they can after knocking off favored Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. Last week's 31-17 win in New Orleans capped the nation's only unbeaten season.
It has sparked a debate about the unfairness of the Bowl Championship Series, which has two one-loss teams Florida and Oklahoma in its title game tonight.
National pundits are voicing their opinions. Alumni like Jamal Anderson are pleading Utah's case on ESPN, and fans are sending e-mails to Associated Press voters.
"We appreciate the support," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham, who has made it clear he's going to put the Utes No. 1 on his ballot. "We believe firmly that we had the best season in all of college football, and we want to voice our opinion."
Utah's resume is impressive. It includes wins over six bowl teams, four top-25 opponents and a wider margin of victory against the Crimson Tide than Florida had.
"Once the season was wrapped up in its entirety, then that, in my opinion, is the time when you voice your opinion on what you think."
Will it be enough, though, to sway AP voters to move Utah from No. 7 to the top spot in the season-ending poll?
Yes and no.
Yes, a handful of the 65 writers and broadcasters who cast ballots plan to give the Utes their first-place vote.
And no, there most certainly won't be enough of them to give Utah a share of the national title.
"I would think they'll get anywhere from 6 to10," said Jason Franchuk, who covers college football for The Daily Herald in Provo and is the state's lone AP voter. "I think they end up third."
Franchuk predicts that the Utes will finish behind the winner of tonight's championship game between Florida and Oklahoma, as well as Fiesta Bowl champion Texas.
That's his hunch, anyhow.
As for his vote, Franchuk said he's leaning 85 percent toward putting Utah No. 1.
Oklahoma, he explained, is the only team that could change his mind. Florida's home loss to Ole Miss earlier in the season eliminated the Gators from top consideration on his ballot.
Recent comments
You are probably right, yeah, those 5 things could happen. But that...
re: re: prediction.... | Jan. 9, 2009 at 4:17 p.m.
What's the criteria for voting for ranking teams in the AP? Is it...
criteria for AP vote? | Jan. 9, 2009 at 12:08 a.m.
lol -- now that is clueless. Louks might not even be the starter next...
re: re: real clueless | Jan. 8, 2009 at 11:29 p.m.
- Soccer MVPs know how to win 1:56 a.m.
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009 1:56 a.m.
- High school soccer: Past MVPs 1:37 a.m.
- Senators want food tax restored 1:27 a.m.
- Utah women lag in higher education 1:16 a.m.
- Hatch empathizes with Muslims 1:14 a.m.
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP 1:13 a.m.
- Mitchell seeks to block witnesses 1:12 a.m.
- Party insiders may take on Bennett 1:11 a.m.
- Input sought on nondiscrimination 1:11 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Hope for single moms
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Matheson gets no thanks from GOP
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!
