The intriguing thing for the Utes isn't just getting in; it's that they could compete immediately, no warm-up required. Arizona and Arizona State have seldom shone, despite being in the Pac-10 since 1978. Between them, they've won one Rose Bowl. But the first two years they were in the conference, USC was a monster, going 23-1-1 and winning a national championship.
No such monster exists now.
Oregon is good, but that's about it, and its quarterback just got kicked off the team.
Since 1999, Utah has defeated every Pac-10 school except the ones it hasn't played (Washington, Stanford and Arizona State). Considering Washington went 4-5 last year in the conference, ASU 2-7 and Stanford 6-3, it's safe to say nobody's unbeatable.
Bowl jokes aside, maybe the only stop Ute fans make in Vegas from now on will be to gas up on the way to the West Coast.
e-mail: rock@desnews.com
DeseretNews.com encourages a civil dialogue among its readers. We welcome your thoughtful comments.
— About comments
Brad Rock, a.k.a. "Rockmonster," has been a sports columnist at the Deseret News since 1994. Prior to that he worked as a beat writer, covering the Utah Jazz (1990-94). He has covered the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four, NBA more ..
- High school boys track: Davis wins another 5A...
- If hired, Jeff Hornacek will face same...
- Dick Harmon: BYU coach Mike Littlewood...
- High school girls track: Davis wins...
- High school football: Orem player responds...
- The offseason status of NFL players with Utah...
- Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle: Balancing...
- High school baseball: Snow Canyon overcomes...
Subscribe
Mobile
RSS
- USA Rugby: 'What BYU won ... was a...
76 - Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle:... 66
- Ryan Teeples: Ziggy Ansah's story... 64
- Utes football recruiting: Polynesian... 62
- High school baseball: 5A, 4A state... 49
- High school football: Riley Nelson... 27
- Utah Utes football: Dr. Chris Hill... 24
- High school recruiting: Jackson Barton,... 20
With the usc sanctions it is very likely we have a rose bowl win the first or second season. The pac 10 is not as dominant a before. No reason we can't run the table and make nc game within a few years. And it will be a real nc unlike the cewgs. More..
Good luck guys, I admit, I am jealous - still hoping for the Big 12 invite, though it sounds less likely every day : (
BYU is still a pretty unique school that will do quite well despite this, but it certainly gives U the edge in-state for More..
Chris, you are always so far out there.
But, yes, Utah should be competative from the start.
Kyle has a great team going, and the PAC-10 has been struggling.
Might not be a good time to enter the Pac-12, but to get More..