Utah Utes: Team celebrates unbeaten regular season with BCS anticipation

Published: Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008 12:08 a.m. MST
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Now, the big question.

Where will the Utes be going bowling?

After qualifying for a second trip to the Bowl Championship Series, they're guaranteed a spot in the Fiesta, Orange, Rose or Sugar bowls — even the BCS Championship Game is a possibility.

The Sugar and Fiesta, however, are the most likely destinations — although things are still far from being decided. The official announcement of Utah's postseason game won't come until Dec. 7, and it may take that long for things to sort out.

Representatives from the Fiesta, Orange and Sugar bowls attended Utah's 48-24 win over BYU on Saturday. The victory capped a 12-0 season for the Utes, who were ranked seventh in last week's BCS standings.

"It's obviously not my decision alone, but we're obviously very serious about Utah," said Terry Alarcon of the Sugar Bowl committee.

"It would depend on who was available at that particular time. There's a lot of games still to be played."

Alarcon was one of two Sugar Bowl reps who made the trip to Rice-Eccles Stadium.

"We're here because we are very interested in Utah," he added.

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" ... We are going to do what's in the best interest of the BCS, and if we have an opportunity to take Utah, then I think we would not shy away from them."

The Utes, he continued, are definitely in the mix for a trip to New Orleans, where they would face an SEC team — most likely Florida or Alabama.

"It doesn't matter," Johnson said. "It would be cool to play the Gators, though."

A reunion with former coach Urban Meyer, though, would not materialize if Utah ends up in the Fiesta Bowl against a Big 12 opponent.

"Absolutely they're still on our radar. Why wouldn't they be?" said Mike Allen of the Fiesta Bowl committee. "They're undefeated, ranked seventh in the BCS, and they are great friends with the Fiesta Bowl."

Allen noted that Utah's 2005 appearance in the Fiesta Bowl showed that the Utes' fan base isn't really an issue.

"What it will come down to is coming up with a good matchup that serves the need of the college football fans and our community as a whole," Allen said.

THIS IS THE PLACE: On his way out of Utah's postgame press conference, head coach Kyle Whittingham was asked about his future.

Recent comments

Utah won't get a shot at the Nat'l Championship game this year. Too...

Best case scenerio: | Nov. 25, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.

"Am I going to leave? No. No. I love it here"
--Kyle Whittingham...

Attn: Chris Hill | Nov. 25, 2008 at 7:44 a.m.

Congratulations to Utah on the win. Now go on to win out with a big...

BYU Fan | Nov. 24, 2008 at 9:02 a.m.

Image

University of Utah fans cheer as their team defeats BYU 48-24 and possibly earns a BCS berth. The Utes won the Mountain West Conference title outright on Saturday night at Rice Eccles Stadium.

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