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Utah Utes football: Forget BCS; U. is No. 1 for Utahns

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Hey "we learned a lot".. | 12:26 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

are you Ylife from the cougarboard???? Because you sure sound like it...

I choose to ignore your bitter comments and commend the rest of the cougars who have posted... we appreciate your words... the utes had a great season and if you take away the bcs and compare it to what the 1984 cougars did, there is no doubt the utes would be crowned national champions...

Can't wait until next year... with Utah, TCU, and BYU representing the MWC - we can all keep this thing rolling...

GO UTES!!!! National Champions!!!

Short memories | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

How can you say this Utah team is the best ever in state history? Have you all forgot that this Ute team won two games on luck? They should have lost to both TCU and Oregon State. The best team ever in the state of Utah was the '04 team. Then this team, and then the 84 BYU team.

BYU Fan | 1:03 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Congratulations Utah on the big win, I was rootin for you guys. You deserve a place in the NC game!

But,
How can we declare a best team ever in the state of Utah without a playoff? 84 cougs, 04 utes, 08 utes... the argument about which is better is kind of useless unless they actually play eachother on the field. All are great teams and it would be impossible to declare one better than the other.

Again, congrats utes on a great season, a huge win, and what should be a national championship!

Comments continue below

Thanks... | 1:20 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

BYU fans, most of you are very complimentary towards the Utes regarding their win. Best of luck to both teams next year.

Randall | 1:25 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

It's Inexcusable the Gov was not in Attendance to support this "State Funded Public School".

Sgt. Friday | 1:31 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

As Sargent Friday used to say "Just the facts." Ok here we go

1. Utah is MWC Champion.
2. MWC went 6:1 vs. the PAC-10.
4. Utah beat Oregon State, who beat USC.!
5. Utah beat TCU, who beat Boise State!
6. MWC went 9:5 vs. BCS conf. teams.
7. Beat 5 teams that either are or were ranked in the Top 25 this year.
8. Beat 4 teams ranked in the final BCS top 20.
9. Beat 5 teams that went to bowl games.
10. ONLY non-BCS team to win 2 BCS games.
11. Beat Alabama - ranked # 1 for 5 weeks and # 2 for 3 weeks. Top team ranking in the nation.

Next year | 1:57 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Utah is still going to have a good team. The defense was what helped utah to an undefeated season and nine of the starters are coming back. Yes we will loose most of the offense but we will keep most of the d. Utah will be good for years to come. Utes are number one.

Steve | 2:01 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

The BYU fans who are knocking the Utes should re-read some of these posts and focus on what they said. The facts are: 1) The state of Utah is becoming less Mormon. Where are these Utahns going to want to go more? BYU or Utah? 2) As Utah has more recent success, LDS athletes will look more at Utah than before. After all, Utah's president and coach are LDS. The Prophet went there, BYU wanted Utah's coach, etc. 3) Non-LDS players from around the country will look more at Utah than at BYU, as always. With the honor code, if/when BYU wins the Sugar Bowl, can non-LDS BYU players go to Bourbon St. to party? Even to have just one or a few drinks? Even one drop?

1984 was a long time ago. Recruits today weren't even close to being born then. I'm not saying BYU is done for, but I am skeptical about BYU's football future against Utah overall.

Blue Man | 2:09 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I bleed BYU blue. But, I was just as excited for the Ute victory over Alabama as I was for any BYU win.

Utah played a fabulous game. The defense was absolutely awesome with 8 sacks and pressure on Alabama every play. (How I would love to see a Cougar defense like that). Brian Johnson calmly dissected the Alabama defense with pinpoint passes. Utah was not just the best team, they pounded Alabama.

If there is an end to the BCS or the MWC gets an automatic bid, it will be thanks to the performance of the 2008 Utes.

This is one Cougar fan who can state with pride "Utah is number 1".

NAMES | 2:22 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

The DN continues to let people make comments using the epithet "yewets" as opposed to the correct usuage UTE'S.

Would the DN approve the epithet "CULTS" as opposed to the correct usuage COUGARS?

CONGRATULATIONS UTES!

WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR CULT NATION!

Just hold on now | 2:24 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Okay- enough of the" byu is done" talk. Just calm down. This was a great ute win, but the cougs are back.. So we stumbled a couple times- all teams do. We were ranked no 7 in the country at one point. We'll be fine, you'll see.

New Ute Convert | 2:43 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I have rooted for both BYU and Utah for all of my life. And, truth be told, I have probably leaned blue over the course of that time. But the program that Kyle Whittingham has assembled in SLC, along with the class that pervades it, is causing me to start to lean red in my allegiance. Rather than listening to Mendenhall's annoying CEO gibberish, I prefer Whittingham's down-to-earth approach to the game and to life.

The Utes have made a name for themselves as the premier football program in the state, the MWC, and among all the non-BCS "outsiders". Their win over the Crimson Tide will stand for years as one of the finest performances ever seen in a big game. BYU's team could learn a lot from the attitude and focus with which the Utes approached their bowl game. In fact, until they do just that, they are going go be living life as the "second-best" team in the state.

Congratulations, Utes!

Whatever | 2:53 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

The BCS is right. The top two teams in the country play for the title. Outside of Utah everyone knows that. But I think we should have a Ute day in Utah Huntsman. Give everyone a day off.

Who Cares about BYU | 3:15 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

BYU lives in the 1980s in these posts. Your championship was more than 20 years ago. It is irrelevant. What you have done in the last 5 years pales in comparison to Utah. Most BYU fans are congratulating the Utes, but some seem bitter that someone from the MWC did so well, and that someone was not BYU. Grow up. For how many more years will 1984 make you feel good about your average current team.

Congratulations to the Utes on a great season. Utah should be national champions, and BYU fans, of all fans, should be supporting this so you can be national champions if you ever turn your team around.

Do some research | 3:18 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

"The BCS is right. The top two teams in the country play for the title. Outside of Utah everyone knows that."

Is that why a majority of fans in every state by Oklahoma have said Utah deserves a piece of the National Championship?

Utes shouldn't live in the past | 3:37 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I think the Utes need to stop living in the past. So you've won 2 BCS games...blah blah blah. Who cares?! Quit living in the past already!! Live in the now!!!

UNLV Doc | 3:44 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Congratulations to this yearï¿½s iteration of the BCS. It has devolved to a loserï¿½s bracket game to determine which team may be the best one-loss team in the land. Congratulations to the University of Utah Utes, National Champions.

The now hurts BYU fans | 3:53 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

The "now" is this year--Utah beat BYU, Utah won its bowl game against the #4 team in teh country---BYU lost to Utah 48-24 and lost its bowl game to an unranked Arizona 31-21. BYU lives in the past because the now is too painful, and in not supporting the Utes bid to be recognized as national champions is cutting off its nose despite its face. Again, grow up.

Reality doesn't exist in the BCS | 3:53 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

In reality, there should be a BCS Champion, and a NATIONAL CHAMPION, who says they have to be the same. The BCS shouldn't own the right to name the national champion.

You can go to your BCS bowl and win, but the national champion should be the team with the best overall record.

acc | 4:14 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

AS AN ACC FAN GOOD GAME UTES BUT I THINK YOU ARE THE BEST TEAM IN FOOTBALL AND SO THANKS FOR THE GREAT GAME! HOWEVER YOUR SPORTS WILL NEVER BE LIKE THE POWER HOUSES UNLESS YOU PLAY US MORE

to acc | 5:03 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

The acc teams and other big conference schools dont want to play the better teams in the mountain west or wac because if they do lose their title hopes go out the window. thats why you never see a east coast school playing against utah or byu in utah. if they do finally consent to play them its always on the east coast in recent history. its all about scheduling weak non conference schedules for the big name schools so they dont get beaten on their home field and lose a shot at the championship

To ACC | 5:16 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I hope you have some pull with the AD's in your conference and the SEC, because right now it's the schools out East who don't want to play us, not the other way around. We'd love to play them, but they won't put us on their schedules because they are afraid they'll get "Sugar Bowled" just like Alabama.

Boo Hoo | 5:22 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Fair or not the Utes will not get a national championship. Cougars 1 Utes 0. Scoreboard!!! Enjoy it now Utes - the balance of power will return to the south next year.

The NIT WIT | 5:27 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Hey NIT WIT. Whittingham has no class. Don't you remember the Wyoming game from 06. On side kick up by 30. Real class!!!

USU Aggie Fan | 5:35 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Congratulations Utes! Thanks for giving me a football team to cheer for in a post-season bowl game. And ask me if I'm not happy that Andersen will be our couch next season.

Iron Cold Steve | 5:41 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

OK!!! I'll eat my words. They don't play as tough as football down in the SEC as I thought and Utah? Oustanding job Utah. That's the best bowl game I've seen yet. At this rate you could put Utah up against Florida or Oklahoma and they'll stay undefeated, they're that good of team. Undefeated deserves to be National Champions. This will be debated heavily on the Jim Rome show. Way to go Utah, I was impressed. AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE!!!

UTE HA! | 5:59 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Utah and byu have been top 25 two years in a row now. And Utah has been undefeated twice in the last 5 years. I think the BCS is Bull crap. Utah and byu both have great programs.

NC | 6:06 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

There is no way utah will get NC i think they deserve it 110% but the fact is florida and oklahomo lol have too much hype. They are bcs schools so they will automatically get the votes I agree with mr. "There is no thing as national champions" it is true just a bunch of bowl games. Ya we can take guesses for who is the best but we will never know for sure

acc | 6:42 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

NO OFFENSE BUT DO YOU THINK MIDMAJOR TEAMS WANT THE CHANCE TO BE IN THE TITLE? WELL YOUR GOING TO HAVE TO PROVE YOUR SUPERIORITY TO THE COMISSIONERS THAT YOU DO BELONG IN THE BIG HOUSE. THE SAD THING IS YOUR SCHOOLS ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH SO THEREFORE I THINK SMALL SCHOOLS PLAY ONLY THE SMALL SCHOOLS AND THE BIG SCHOOLS PLAY THE BIG AND THEN WHO EVER WINS THE SMALL AND BIG PLAY EACH OTHER FOR THE TITLE GAME THAT WAY THERE WILL BE NO DISCREPANCIES!

rvalens2 | 6:55 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Re: Short Memories

I gotta agree with you. Talent wise the 2004 team was better than the current version. They thumped everybody that year and looked great doing it. I have tapes of most of the 2004 team's games and almost all of their games were wipeouts of the opposition.

It's too bad they didn't get a shot at USC for the National Championship.

However, this years team was also very good and made a huge step when they played Alabama. The game plan was amazing!

In the end though, I have to say this year's team must be given the mantra of "Best Ever at Utah" because they did something no other Ute team ever did.

They went 13-0 and beat a tradition laden team (Alabama) in a Big Bowl game.

Now, I want Florida and Urban Meyer to crush Oklahoma. It will give even more credence to Utah's claim of deserving the AP National Championship banner.

But in the end, if that doesn't happen I'll still be happy if Florida ends of number 1 with Utah number 2.

Two teams with deep Utah ties going 1 and 2 in the final rankings ... that's incredible!

Fun to Watch | 6:57 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

These posts are "fun to watch"! Almost as much fun as the game. Congrat's to the Utes players and coaches on a job well done. Congrat's to Utah's fans who have another undefeated season. I'm truly not sure but believe that's 2 for Utah (04/08) and 1 (84) for BYU. HOWEVER.. going undefeated does NOT make you National Champions! NOT EVEN CLOSE! Many teams from BCS and Non-BCS leagues have gone undefeated and NOT won it all. Before the BCS many more went undefeated and did NOT win the National Championship. Utah enjoy your success! It's been a great season. Win 10 or more a year for the next decade, go to 3-5 more BCS bowls, and you'll become a true powerhouse and earn the respect you feel you're not getting.

Let's Be Honest | 7:22 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Utah had a great team, but let's be honest..They had close games against a lot of average MWC teams. They pulled out miracle victories against Oregon State and TCU. I know a win is a win, but can you honestly say that if the Utes played the schedules that Oklahoma and Florida played, they would be in the same position. No.. They would have dropped 2 maybe 3 games. You CANNOT say that they would run the table in the Big 12. WOULD NOT HAPPEN.!!! Alabama was a good team, but overrated most of the season. Utah did all they could do, but THAT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!! You can wish all you want, but NC will not happen. Because AP voters are smarter than you are. Utes had a great year, a great team..but will be remembered a lot like Boise State ha been remembered. Great year. No National Championship.

Boo Hoo Aptly Named | 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

You are living in the past, where the rules were different and then pointing to a "scoreboard," as if it were keeping scores of the same thing. Bottom line--Utah in two BCS games in 5 years, won them both. BYU--no BCS games, and a horrible record against lesser opponents. Face it, BYU has slipped. Utah is the dominate force in the conference. If the Mountain West gets any respect, it will be due to Utah, not BYU. BYU only reinforces the stereotypes that fill the substances o the arguments in these posts as to why Utah (and a similarly positioned BYU) do not deserve to be national champions. You have so much to be proud of.

aberrated coug | 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

RE: We learned a lot.

To bad you haven't learned that hypotheticals are irrelevant in the sports world (if my team... then your team...). Nice try!!! Facts are the only thing that matter in sports. Fact is everyone thought BYU was stacked (returning all starters) blah blah blah and didn't even give Utah a second look. We proved to the world that the Y was way over-rated, soft, and slow and also that the U was the real deal. Can't wait for class to start tomorrow so I can go get my picture taken with our new Sugar Bowl trophy. Hopefully I see Brian Johnsen so I can slap him some fives.

Hey "Let's Be Honest" | 7:40 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

As long as we are being honest, when the Big 12 was the Big 8, did Nebraska and Oklahoma play anyone other than each other and their bowl opponents? Yet they were always in the title hunt. You play the teams on your schedule. It is not Utah's fault that Michigan sucked this year. Would USC go undefeated in the SEC, would Oklahoma go undefeated in the SEC, we don't know, do we. Utah beat 4 top 25 teams, one of which was ranked #1 for weeks. They DOMINATED the #2 team in the SEC, and they were doing so (14-0) before Alabama lost their left tackle in the game. None of this shows Utah should be national champs, it just undermines your points and demonstrates the need for a playoff so we can find out who is best, like in college basketball. The BCS is a joke.

Texasfan | 7:45 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I am a Ute that lives in Texas and travels quite a bit. In August in New York, I got lots of comments on my Ute hat. All positive. I had to travel to Aberdeen UK the week of the TCU game. In the airports in Houston and (yes) in Amsterdam, I was asked many times if Utah was still undefeated. When I answered yes, the reply was always "good". The BCS is just set up to keep the money rolling into the old guard after the number of scholarships was limited, not to actually determine a "champion." Utah has captured the attention of a lot of folks. Congrats on a great year and being a thorn in the side of the BCS... Again!!!

acc | 7:46 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

WELL I AM GLAD THAT UTAH WAS ABLE TO BEAT BAMA, HOWEVER YOU CAN NOT BE NUMBER 1 BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT PLAYING THE NATIONAL TITLE GAME.

uTaH | 7:51 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Great compliments from most Y fans the other comments come from total idiots. At the end of the day the only thing that matters is the W, not how it came, but just that it did come. Utah beats NM by 3, Utah barely gets past TCU and Oregon State, Utah completely slaughters the Y and Bama...so what? in the end we are the only undefeated team in the country and probably the best team in the nation.

U4Life

Truth | 7:53 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

There are only winners and losers in sports. Utah are Winners!!!!!

acc | 7:59 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

HOW MANY OF YOU OUT THERE SAY UTAH IS THE NC? AND HOW MANY WANT FLORIDA OR OKLAHOMA TO WIN?

HELLO!!! | 7:57 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

What a joke!!! Having a 9 year olds comments in this article??? Come back to reality, utah. USC, Texas, Florida and OU would end your dream.

Hey Hello | 8:04 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I suppose you would have put Alabama on that list last week, as did 90% of the public. Point made. Shed your bias. The Moutain West is here to stay.

Boo Hoo | 8:09 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

It doesn't matter why. BYU 1 NC - Utah 0 NC. Look it up - scoreboard!! Besides, who is living in the past. Lest we forget BYU beat the Utes in 06 and 07. BYU also got the better coach. Here's to 09.

Boo Hoo Still Crying | 8:15 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

You just cannot admit the Utes are better. BYU was better in the past, Utah is better now. Around the country, BYU is nothing because even in the 2 (of the last 7) years they beat Utah, they did nothing else that was noteworthy. Our coach turned you down, and he has turned out to be much better. Face it, BYU has slipped from national attention. Nobody has cared about BYU for nearly a decade, and nobody except you has a reason to care next year. What does BYU aspire to, beating the Utes, going to a mediocre bowl, and maybe winning it, but probably not. The Utes meanwhile reload for a BCS game, and talk of a national title. Again, you have so much to be proud of, and to look forward to. 1984 is all you have. Pathetic.

Anonymous | 8:16 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

HA! YOU GUYS WON'T BE IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT FOR BASKETBALL BECAUSE YOU CAN'T BEAT THE BIG BOYS!

BYU fan | 8:27 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

I would like to congratulate the Utah Utes, they prove to me and the whole nation that they are very talented team and they deserve the win, not only was it good for the the U of U but it was huge for the mountain west and i know BYU let down on their bowl game but utes beating bama proved that MWC is a great conference and that we are on the rise to play anyone. well Congrats on the win Utah, you deserve it.

The new BCS deal | 8:40 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

Quietly, last year, before Obama won, the BCS lords signed a TV contract that runs way into the future and involves the same silly system for the next several years.

It will take a huge effort, with threatened lawsuits and strong voices from Washington DC, to get this thing changed. It is more a matter of $$ than it is a matter of a playoff.

One thing positive that happened this bowl season: USC, whose president is a big supporter of the current BCS system, is ready now to be in a playoff if there was one, but instead, is thru with its season and goes home. This president is hearing the boos from USC fans and its rich boosters.

acc | 8:43 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

WELL UTAH FANS YOU CAN NOT PLAY OK OR FLORIDA THEY ARE BETTER THEN YOU AND THE BIG 12 WOULD WEAR YOU OUT!

BCS is a JOKE! | 8:54 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

congrats utes. I am a die-hard coug fan yet I was off the couch cheering you on most of the game. The Utes are the better team this year. My hat is off to you.

acc | 9:06 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009

WELL I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL NEXT SEASON! GOOD LUCK UTES AND IF YOU PLAY AN ACC TEAM MAYBE I WILL ROOT FOR YOU!

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