"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)."

Franchuk, however, isn't one of them.

"I don't think I'd make it as a political statement of any sort. I'd be hesitant to try and play my hand that way," he said. "I think where Utah really convinced me was when the Sugar Bowl got to 21-17. ... How Utah responded from there really convinced me that they're a legitimate No. 1 candidate."

The Utes' strong showing against the Crimson Tide, he added, proved to a lot of people that they're an awfully good team.

"I was not leaning toward voting Utah No. 1 before that game. My hesitations were that they played their tough games (Oregon State, TCU and BYU) all at home," Franchuk said while noting the advantages of playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium. "Utah's performance against Alabama just showed how really good they are."

Good enough, Franchuk believes, to beat Texas. And he's not convinced Florida or Oklahoma could stop Utah, either.

It remains to be seen, obviously, how many other voters feel the same way.

Whittingham, however, is holding out hope.

"I think anything is possible. I wouldn't count us out," he said. "We still have a game to be played (Florida-Oklahoma), which will add to the complexion of the situation. But, like I've said, I would never say never."

Mike Prater, a Utah alumnus who is a voter representing the Idaho Statesman in Boise, said the Utes belong in the national championship conversation.

"You have to look at Utah's body of work, and their body of work speaks for itself," he said.

Prater, though, is favoring the Florida-Oklahoma winner as his No. 1 team.

"I truly believe that Florida is the best team in the country and will win that football game. If they win that football game, I think it's a moot point for myself and a lot of voters," said Prater.

"Now, with that said, we all thought Alabama would have no problem beating Utah. So you really can't play that game. If Oklahoma wins, I think that opens up the door slightly more for Utah."

Not enough, he added, to lift the Utes any higher than No. 3 or No. 4 in the final rankings.

Prater plans to put them No. 2 on his ballot.

"I have no problem going that high," he said.

The AP rankings, he continued, are not intended to prove the BCS wrong. It's an opinion poll asking who he thinks is the top team in America.

Putting personal agendas aside and looking at the big picture, Prater explained, is his intention, and the BCS title game does pit champions from the top two conferences this season.