Utah Utes football: Antsy Utes finally about to find out fate
The undefeated Utah Utes will find out tonight when the Bowl Championship Series reveals its pairings.
"The opponent is going to be top drawer, no matter which way we go," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "So it doesn't matter. Let's get the opponent lined up and let's go."
After Saturday's championship games in the Southeastern and Big 12 conferences, the Utes' list of probable opponents have likely been reduced to Alabama in the Sugar Bowl or Texas in the Fiesta Bowl.
"We are going to prepare to play the best opponent the Utes have ever faced in over one-hundred years of football," said offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. "Whoever it's going to be, we know they're going to be a very good football team."
And the Utes, he added, will be ready.
They'll return to the practice field on Wednesday as one of just two unbeaten teams in the nation. Boise State is the other.
"We're going to do what made us 12-0 and try to be focused, prepared and execute at the highest level we have all year, " Ludwig said.
"It's just a great experience and one that is very memorable," Whittingham said. "I'm just excited our players have the opportunity to do it again."
Quarterback Brian Johnson, who was a true freshman on Utah's first BCS team, knows the Utes will face a greater challenge this time around.
"It doesn't matter who it is," Johnson said. "We know we are going to play a very good team, and we have to be ready."
Waiting to find out who it is, however, has required tremendous patience by some of the players.
"It's been killing me ever since the BYU game," said linebacker Stevenson Sylvester, who added he is tired of guessing about who the Utes will play.
The junior is not alone.
"I can't wait for them to announce it. I just can't wait. I'm really eager to see who we play so I can start my film study. That's a big key for me," said senior cornerback Brice McCain. "I don't care at all (who we face). I just want to play. I want to play against a good team and get respect around here. That's all I want to do."
As the first two-time BCS buster, Utah will be in the national spotlight regardless of its destination. It comes with the territory.
Location, location, location doesn't mean a lot.
"We have no preference. We're just excited to find out where and who," Whittingham said when asked if the Utes cared about which bowl invites them. "We're just very anxious, very curious and anxiously awaiting the announcement.
Players, coaches, athletic department officials and Crimson Club brass will join family and friends at a private gathering at Rice-Eccles Stadium to watch the BCS Selection Show on Fox.
Projecting the BCS
Today, 6 p.m.
TV: Ch. 13
Radio: 700AM
E-mail: dirk@desnews.com
Recent comments
You know, I didn't pay close enough attention during the TCU game and...
BleedCougarBlue | Dec. 7, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.
Ohh the Utes will lose big time... Bama will have there way with...
TAG | Dec. 7, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.
Good grief. Yewt fans have got to be just about the worst.
I...
Animosity, Anyone? | Dec. 7, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.
- Wolf recovery at crossroads 10:54 a.m.
- Holiday television program listings 10:53 a.m.
- USA Track modifies coach selection 10:47 a.m.
- Mapping spacecraft to be launched 10:39 a.m.
- Nadal closes season with title 10:32 a.m.
- Violence erupts on riot anniversary 10:22 a.m.
- Iran slows Internet access 10:09 a.m.
- Gunmen kill 4 Iraqi policemen 10:05 a.m.
- Bin Laden in Afghanistan? 9:59 a.m.
- Kuwait sells Citigroup stake 9:52 a.m.
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- George lost in rivalry hatefest
- Snowy roads cause accidents, delays
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
309 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
248 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
198 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
128 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
109 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
92
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting (perhaps speculating) that Utah...
I got some e-mail from Aggie fans regarding a column I wrote last week...
I think Misinformation sums it up pretty well. Government health plan...
The number of people in this state who choose to berate and belittle...
In case any of you are wondering, there was no physical reason Fes couldn't...
I just love it.
Are: Remember! Remember! I'm glad there is someone out there who remembers...
Key Games in Vegas Bowl History: 2001 - Utah 10 USC 6 2005 - Cal 35 BYU...
Kurt has been working 30+ years and has dozens (maybe over a hundred now) of...
It's the # of bad shots this guy takes. He takes off balance shots. He...
This is a dysfunctional issue. A city person is so ill equipped (bike breaks...
I can't believe the Deseret News can buy into this liberal agenda of putting...

