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.

"After the game, it started to sink in. I'm a guy that never wants to get ahead of himself and try to go out and speak anywhere but on the playing field. And that's what we did," said Whittingham, who recently made his case on "The Jim Rome Show" along with U. alumni Eric Weddle and Jordan Gross.

"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.

"Hearing from a few people that I know and having seen a few columns out there that people have written, I think everybody has a little bit different stance on it," said Franchuk. "I think some people will vote playing the political card that they would like to see change (to the BCS)."

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