Deseret News | College football polls: BYU 8, 9; Utah 13, 14

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College football polls: BYU 8, 9; Utah 13, 14

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Re: Jokester | 3:29 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Agreed...no local fans should actually be calling for a playoff this year. Neither team is good enough to win in that system this year. The '04 utes and '06 cougars were good enough to gripe about a playoff system. But the U's Offense isn't powerful enough, and BYU is too weak away from home to win against top tier teams in a playoff system. The BCS is actually the best scenario for either...win your games, and hope for the best game of the year in a BCS bowl (unless it's against a Big East of ACC team...the same level of football being played in the state would elicit a win over one of those teams). Are Utah and BYU good? There's no question about it. But they're probably not better than their current respective rankings.

Meaningless | 3:37 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

I'm as die hard a Cougar as there is. But let's be honest. We ARE NOT a top 10 team. Simple. We have played no one. I cheer for the Utes only when they don't play BYU....so most of the time. They are not a top 10 team either. Nor have then played anyone. That all changes in the next few weeks, starting Thursday night at TCU. Of course we cheer for our teams to win, but let's not get carried away with rankings. The MWC championship is key, not the meaningless rankings that everyone can poke holes in. Go Cougs. Go Utes. Go Weber State. Go Aggies.

Jokester to Lehi | 3:51 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

RE: Lehi Cougar Fan

Anything could happen, but:

1. It isn't likely that Texas and Alabama both go undefeated.
2. Penn State is actually better positioned to run the table than either of the above.
3. The sportswriter community would love a either a Penn State vs Texas (or Alabama) match up for the NCG.
4. Don't assume that BYU will go undefeated yet - there are still six more games (3 of which are losable).
5. A lot can still happen in the ACC and Big East - but at this point you can rule out a team from either in the NCG (and that is about the only thing that you can come even close to guaranteeing.

There are at least 6 teams that are legitimately better than BYU or Utah. That doesn't mean on a given day that BYU couldn't pull the upset.

I still contend that this current system works better for BYU than a play-off. BYU is years away from beating two or three top-10 caliber teams over back to back weeks. Their best hope is to run the table, have the longest win streak, and have a great single game.

Comments continue below

ME | 3:52 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

For all of you that think LSU was really ranked 3 look at there schedule. they bet on good team in Auburn other than that they have played nobody. And Auburn has been in a downward spiral, this is why no rankings shoould come out until the BCS rankings come out because all the rankings are before then are on potential and when it comes to that the bigger schools will always be in the polls.

The Fix is in | 3:54 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Polls are a joke. By the end of it you might see teams with 2 loses ahead of an undefeated Utah or BYU. TCU's defense is going to shutdown BYU and end their winning streak. The road will not be kind to the Cougars next week.

Jokester | 3:55 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

I don't understand how so many "feel disgusted" with how BYU played when they came away with a 21-3 win.

Is that an implicit acknowledgement of how weak BYU's schedule is? Just a question - but I would appreciate it if some one would man up.

Down in SEC land, a 21-3 victory is considered cause for celebration!

me | 4:01 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

to all those that keep say BYU and Utah couldn't compete with the big boys if that is so why are the big boys puting lower division teams on there schedules instead of BYU or Utah, why dosn't the great Utah Idle Meyers put Utah on his schedule, i will tell you why beacuse if for some reason he lost that would be the end of him in Florida.

also if recruits new they could play in BSC game if they choose BYU or Utah then some of the recruits that were going to BCS confrences would choose one of these schools there for making them better and would then compete.

Re: Lehi CF No to BCS | 4:03 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Are the non-BCS teams bound by a BCS rule to accept one of their bowl invitations, or are they contractually bound somehow? I am not aware that they are.
Based on past experience, I doubt the BCS would place any non-BCS team in a bowl game against another undefeated team, even one from outside the BCS, nor do I expect an undefeated non-BCS team to be matched up against any BCS conference team ranked in the top three. They want to be able to claim that their "system" results in a clear-cut national champ, even when that is simply not the case.
But, because of the big money involved, I cannot see any school turning down a BCS bowl bid, even though in the long run telling the BCS to take a hike would send a strong message about the need for a playoff.

Frankenberry | 4:09 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

On the way to Provo to see the Y/UNM game live (a first for me), my friend and I listened to the U/WYO game on the radio. I was interested in the offensive struggles Utah is having. Then I watched the Y beat the Lobos and they seemed a little flat. Here's my observation, and I'm asking for quiet discussion here, not hysterics: Is it just me or do both of these teams seem to be some kind of funk over the last few weeks? They're playing well enough to win but neither really taking total control. Utah sort of blew out Wyo. but it was the defense and special teams that did it. And UNM is a solid team but I thought the Y should have had a couple more scores. What's your thoughts?

rvalens2 | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Re: William Banks

It's time to stop living in the past. BYUs 1984 National Championship was 24 years ago.

Even though I loved Utah's 2004 Fiesta Bowl victory, I'm ready to let it slide into the dust bowl of history.

It's time for all BYU and Utah fans to live in the here and now.

AZ Cougar | 4:41 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

FOLLOW THE (BCS) MONEY!!!

No surprise that BYU, Utah, and Boise State did not move up in the polls this week. Any one-loss BCS team the pollsters can move ahead of BYU, Utah, and Boise State, they will do so the rest of the season.

The pollsters are sending a message to the uppity non-BCS schools--we let you in twice before, but a "threepeat" won't happen.

Non-BCS schools have set the pattern for every two years:

Fiesta Bowl 2005: Utah 35 Pitt 7
Fiesta Bowl 2007: Boise State 43 Oklahoma 42 (OT)
BCS Bowls 2009: Only BCS schools need apply!

How embarrasing it was for the BCS to lose to non-BCS schools the two times the BCS let them in to the party.

REMEMBER:

FOOL ME ONCE (TAKE MY BCS MONEY), SHAME ON YOU!
FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME!
FOOL ME A THIRD? NOW YOU ARE THE FOOL!!!

FOLLOW THE (BCS) MONEY!!!

Trolls galore | 4:42 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

All the BYU and Utah fans who are down on "their" teams because they are suddenly being "realistic" are a joke.

Have you really watched all of these other so-called "power" teams? Most have plenty of subpar performance and guiltly of the same thing BYU has done the last two weeks, playing to the level of their competition.

Most teams only play their best for 4 or 5 games each season.

For all the naysayers, this week you'll get your chance to either prove you were right, or to eat a little crow. TCU offers a true test, a Top 25 team, with only one loss to last week's #1-ranked team.

If BYU passes the test, the naysayers will be have nothing more to complain about. If BYU fails the test, BYU fans will just have to accept that the naysayers were at least partially correct.

435 | 4:53 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU fans stop crying!!! Two of your wins have come from two of the ten worst teams in the nation.(and they were close games) you dont even deserve to be in the top 25!

BYU 38 TCU 24 | 4:53 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU wins in Fort Worth.
BYU wins out including a
21 point win at Utah to
silence the liberal goofs
up on the hill.
BYU 42
UTAH 21

SOS logic | 5:07 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Higher SOS = Better Team

Which means Washington (SOS-1) and Washington State (9) are vastly under-rated.

Which creates a cunundrum because #5 Texas Tech (105), #8 BYU (121), and #10 Oklahoma State (94) are all ranked above

#13 Utah (72).

Will #4 USC (3) suddenly become a worse team after they play Washington and Washington State because the Trojan's SOS will drop?

The SOS arguements are so full of logical holes they could pass for swiss cheese.

Bear Laker | 5:08 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

opinions are like butt holes. Everybody has one.

HookEmHorns | 5:10 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

I went to the Texas game last week in Boulder. The Longhorns are playing in a class far beyond that of the Utes and the Cougars. Texas still has to play Missouri, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and Kansas. I would pick any one of those teams to man handle TCU as OU did earlier this season. The odds makers say Texas is not likely to win all of its games including the BIG XII championship. Would you seriously put the Y ahead of a 1 or 2 loss Texas or Oklahoma? I would pick a ferrari with a couple of dings over a clean one-owner chevy nova everytime.
HOOK-EM-HORNS!

lol at Low Rate Troll | 5:12 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU beat UCLA 59-0 and UCLA beat Tennessee. What empirical data do you have to support your hypothesis that BYU and Utah would be ranked with Tennessee in the SEC?

because | 5:43 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

If they were to play tommorow USC vs. BYU or UTah, SC would roll over both schools. The pollsters know how good USC is because they hae beaten some pretty good teams this year and are a proven top 5 team year in and year out. BYu and UTAH not so much.

RPH | 5:52 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Hey, come on, I'm a liberal goof and I love the Cougars.

Gratitude | 5:59 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU should show more gratitude and follow the admonition of Elder Hales. Be grateful for your top 10 ranking it is a gift, remember many gifts we receive are not deserved but "someone" sees fit to give us gifts anyway. Your ranking is a gift, you are not that good, so quiet down about how you have been dealt with unjustly and say THANKS, set a good example you example setters:)

Skippy | 6:14 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Go Cougs!

re frankenberry | 6:17 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

yeah, I'd agree, I watched the byu game after rootin for my utes and it actually looked like most of the game was in slow motion. And just one thing about Utah's offense, yes it struggled, and did so against OSU as well until the last minute and a half, but it is incredibly hard to get into a rhythm when you never get the ball because spec teams and defense scores, not to mention the howling wind. But yes, I am a bit worried. Personally, I think we need to leave Louks in for more than one or two plays at a time- he isn't afraid to take a hit and is FAST!

magnus | 6:33 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

I simply can't believe the way USC is climbing in the Polls. The Pac 10 is no better than the MWC this year and USC is moving up in the polls based on how good people think they should be and not how good they actually are. I watched a couple of quaters of their game yeasterday and I was not impressed, I think BYU TCU and Utah could have taken them.

The Big 12 and the SEC are a different story, if Florida or Oklahoma make the National championship game with 1 loss instead of an undefeated BYU or Utah I can accept that but if USC does I am going to ... complain and moan like an impotent jerk. But seriously, I will be very upset.

missing the point | 6:33 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU, Boise State, Utah, TCU ect. are not up to par with some of the upper echelon schools from the SEC or the Big 12. But that is true of anyone from the Big East, Big Ten, ACC and even the PAC-10 this year. In this school year the MWC is a much tougher conference than the Big East, ACC, PAC 10 and arguably the Big Ten . But the conference winner of the MWC, unless they go undefeated,(which is hard no matter what conference you are in ask USC)will be rewarded with the lowly Vegas bowl. While the teams that suck the least from the aforementioned BCS conferences will get paid big bucks to lose in BCS games to SEC and Big 12 schools. The game is rigged. The rankings aren't the problem, the problem is the BCS itself.

Dave | 6:36 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

I think that both BYU and Utah should have moved up this week. It really bothers me that there are still people out there who keep saying the SEC is better or the Pac 10 is better. What are they smoking???? I agree that most often those conferences are better all around than the mountain west, but still LSU got there signature win this year against Auburn who have went on to loose all their next two. All hail the mighty SEC!!! The fact that all these supposive superpower teams in this ellite confrence are loosing to no names and then when they beat each other up they all stay ranked high because they are in the SEC... I saw a comment about BYU not being able to stick with LSU if the two teams were to play, and I think that not only would BYU stick with them, but this year, 9-10 times they would win. So all you that sing the praises of the SEC get your own oppinion about college football and stop being spoonfed by the folks at ESPN. Herbstreit is a fool, and corso is too old to even pick up a football anymore.

Rose Holladay - Lehi | 6:38 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

The Utes sould be number one. They deserve it more than the zoobies.

DH | 6:47 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU has only played one good game this year. I'll admit that in the win over UCLA they looked impressive but they have not looked that good since, especially offensively. I think they are believing their press clippings a little too much.

SEC , Big 12 What a crock | 7:01 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Listen, if BYU, Utah, Boise State, or any other non-BCS school can crack the top five they are better than those schools. Let me tell you why. These schools do not get the money to recrute like the BCS schools. If they are lucky they can make a BCS game and split some of the money. They are playing on talent and coaching. If any of these schools go to a BCS school where they can get more national exposure and more money because they are a BCS school and could be in a national championship game then they would get better recruits.
A non-BCS school will never get the chance because no one wants them too. Good Luck to any non-BCS school.
On the other hand I love to watch good college football and any rivalry in college football can throw out the rankings and play.

Fully Invested | 7:02 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Jokester, you don't get it. As a BYU fan I could care less if th Cougars were having a good year or a bad year; I would still want a playoff. It's not about how my team would fair one year out of ten. It's about creating equality for all teams. Just ask the 04 Auburn team. Try pulling you head out of the BCS sand and you might understand this concept.

Frankenberry, I have a theory on your thoughts. I think Utah and BYU are getting the best shot other teams have to offer. I also think that the MWC is much stronger this year than most. As BYU and Utah go through their conference schedule, it will be harder to pitch the easy blowout. Look at how tough CSU played TCU.

Not fooled by hype | 7:07 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

>Would you seriously put the Y ahead of a 1 or 2 loss Texas or Oklahoma

Well, I've watched all three of those teams play a number of times this year (and for many years), and neither Texas nor Oklahoma has impressed me more than BYU. Those teams, as well as Big Ten and SEC teams, are mostly hype, play a bunch of pansies then focus just on the few games against big teams. If Texas and Oklahoma or any B10 or SEC team had to play a MWC schedule against mostly good teams with a couple of great teams, year after year, they would not have the records they usually enjoy, and if they weren't so over-rated and over-ranked at the beginning of each season, and actually had to work their way to the top, they wouldn't be at the top with a loss or two every year.

RE: Harris Interactive | 7:20 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Amen. The Harris Poll just lost any credibility it may have had.

re AZ Cougar | 4:41 p.m. | 7:29 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Where were you last year when non-BCS Hawaii was let into a BCS game?

Actually... | 7:43 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

AZ Cougar, it actually goes like this:

REMEMBER:

FOOL ME ONCE (TAKE MY BCS MONEY), SHAME ON YOU!
FOOL ME TWICE, SHAME ON ME!

FOOL ME THREE TIMES AND WE MUST BE TALKING ABOUT OHIO STATE FOOTBALL.

Mark in Peoria | 7:43 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

To all you SEC lovers out there:
While I concede that the SEC is an excellent conference I maintain that they benefit from serious inbreeding (playing each other) and vastly subpar non-conference opponents (NCOs).

Consider these out-of-SEC FACTS:
--#13 LSU's wins v NCOs were against a Div 1-aa team and North Texas; with mighty Troy and Tulane still on the schedule.
--Arkansas ventured out against Texas and lost by 42. This was preceded by wins over Louisiana Monroe and W. Illinois (div I-aa) by a combined 4 points. Arkansas just beat mighty Auburn.
--Tennesee lost to UCLA and barely beat N. Illinois.
--Mississippi State who knocked off upstart Vandy lost to LA Tech (22-14) and GA Tech (38-7).
--Kentucky whallopped Middle Tennesee State by 6 and has wins v Western Kentucky and Norfolk State.
--South Carolina beat Wofford by 10.
Markee NCO wins by SEC teams: Florida over Miami, Alabama over Clemson, and Georia over Arizona State...and they made a freakin' huge deal out of each of those games!

So, bottom line, SEC is overrated.
Those with the truth pound the truth. Those with the facts pound the facts. And those with neither pound the table.

Not Excited | 7:53 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

I have to say that WMC football has been pretty dull recently. I am a Ute fan and wasn't that impressed. Defense and Special teams Outscored the Offense and a "Cold" Johnson. BYU was struggling too. Had a lot more entertainment watching Notre Dame, Penn State and Florida games. Big XII was more exciting and I think will have a NC winner this year. I am afraid the MWC will self destruct like always. Maybe a WMC vs WAC championship can materialize. The Two missed CSU passes could have been exciting in a defeat of TCU but it didn't happen.

Lehi CF RE: No to BCS | 7:54 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

RE: "Are the non-BCS teams bound by a BCS rule to accept one of their bowl invitations, or are they contractually bound somehow? I am not aware that they are."

No, the non-BCS teams are not bound by a BCS rule to accept the BCS invite, but there is an agreement between the BCS and other bowls that gives the BCS bowls priority picks over non BCS bowls such that the BCS would have to waive its priority picks before a non BCS bowl could pick. That being said, it would never happen that a team would turn down a BCS bowl in favor of a non BCS bowl. That would be ludicrous.

Mark in Peoria | 8:00 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

re: Hookemhorns

I'm guessing you said that two years ago when Boise State played OU...Oh well.

The BCS dudes will take an undefeated BYU over a two-loss Texas or OU or Mizzou or Kansas or TTech or OK St, if the Big 12 ALREADY has TWO teams going to the BCS. There is precedence for that. No conference gets three. Last year Mizzou, with two losses---both to Big 12 champ OU, got left out while Kansas and Illinois got in despite LOSING to Mizzou.

Re: Bear Laker. | 8:06 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Amen brother that is so stinking true...no pun intended.

Lehi Cougar Fan to Jokester | 8:16 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

RE Jokester:

You make a good point on Penn State. I also think Penn State will run the table although they play @ Ohio St., which will be a good game. Penn State probably does have the advantage with its schedule considering they don't have to play a championship game like in the Big 12 and SEC.

Texas definately has several tough games to play on its schedule, but I think they'll run the table, including the Big 12 championship game that will probably be against Mizzou. They have an excellent QB and a tough defense. Plus they play both Mizzou and OK St. at home. I don't think they'll lose to Texas Tech on the road after Texas Tech barely beat Nebraska yesterday in OT. Alabama's stiffest test will be at LSU, but I don't think LSU can pull off a win.

It's definately early in the season to be picking BCS game matchups, but fun nonetheless.

JUST WAIT!! | 8:21 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

You think this hurts now with all the one loss teams ahead of you, just wait till the 2 loss big 12 and sec teams are ahead in the polls late. I feel BYU, Utah and Boise all belong boise and utah especialy because they have had the opportunity to prove it and capitalized. The deserve to be in the top 12 at least regardless of schedule and teams they have played and beat. However, the system does not want us and will not allow us to stay

Get Real People! | 8:33 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

BYU fans should be greatful their team is ranked where it is. They just had back-to-back pathetic performances against terrible USU and UNM teams. A team like Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, etc. would destroy both BYU and Utah. Let's face reality: even if BYU or Utah remain undefeated, they will NEVER get a chance to play in the championship game. Most Utah fans understand and accept this. Unfortunately, BYU fans can't.

byu best=utah worst | 8:33 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Utah has played better in their worst performance than BYU in their best. Therefore the easy conclusion is that Utah is just better than BYU. Sorry BYU fans but its true. Whoever believes BYU is better is a liar and should be punished for thier unrighteous thoughts.

Wow, Random | 8:36 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Anyone else scratching their heads after the Longhorns post? How random was that?

To the earlier poster who also longs for civil conversation on these articles, I agree both teams have been in a funk. BYU especially. Not sure how to explain it. It seems like the last 2 defenses we've played have really taken us out of what we like to do. The main thing with the UNM game, was how they run the clock so well (UNM, that is.) BYU had very limited time to go down and score. The final score really was indicitive of that.

The Utes have looked pretty good IMO, but the offense doesn't look too "crisp".

As I think about it BYU's offense is much better than Utah's, and Utah's Defense seems much better than BYU's (not by the numbers, just by observation.)

Which will prove the deciding factor in late November should be interesting to see.

Anyone else care for civil College Football discussion without ripping your rival fans heads off?

(I'm a BYU fan by the way..)

TCU's got a gripe | 8:38 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

The only team I think has legit gripe at this point in the season is TCU. Their only loss it to Oklahoma! And they became the #1 team in the nation that week. TCU should be much higher.

Both are good this year | 8:45 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

Go to the football comparison site, like the BCS when it comes out in a week....

College Football Ranking Comparison
Saturday, October 11, 2008 (48 Rankings)

Utah is ranked 11th and BYU 16th.

What Hurts | 8:56 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

So BYU beat up teams like UCLA & Wyoming and won a few more less impressively...

They really only have #13/14 Utah as a possible "Feather in their cap" because if they beat TCU, Then the Horned Frogs fall to like #50. Utah would probably fall out of the top 25 with a loss to BYU (Just like TCU did with a loss to Oklahoma)So looking at their opponents, this is what really hurts them:

CBS Sportsline Poll (Sun 10/12/08):
#33 - TCU
#59 - Air Force
#66 - UCLA
#73 - UNLV
#74 - Colorado State
#88 - New Mexico
#103 - Washington
#117 - Utah State
#118 - San Diego State

OUCH.

VEGAS UTE | 9:22 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

WAR KITTENS 17
TOADS 21

WAR KITTENS COMPUTER RANKING 35

EVEN IF YOU BEAT THE TOADS YOU'LL FLIP WITH THE UTES
AFTER THE FIRST BCS POLL, WITH THE UTE COMPUTER RANKING OF 4.

Anonymous | 9:35 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

LOL! I love reading these boards when stuff like this happens. Whenever, I need a good laugh I come here and read about how everyone in college football is against non-BCS schools and how great the "Beloved Y" is. It is great to hear BYU fans rant as to why the "Y" did not move up in the polls, but fail to realize that "Yes there is a disparity in college football and that a win in the Mountain West does not mean as much to the voteres as a win in the SEC, Big 12, PAC 10..." Do BSC schools get a "Do over" (as it was mentioned previously and this is coming from PAC 10 fan and yes I know that the Mountain West has done very well agains the PAC 10 this year and good job to the Mountain West for that.) after lossing a game? YES! I cannot believe that any Mountain West fan would be surprised at that. Look at last year's BSC title game OSU and LSU. Both lost games before playing the championship game. LSU lost 2.

I actually watch the games. | 9:53 p.m. Oct. 12, 2008

>A team like Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, LSU, etc. would destroy both BYU

Hahahahaha! It appears that you haven't watched any of those teams play much this year.

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