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U. owes Y. a thank you

Really? You are serious about this? Bwahahahahahahahaha!!!!

First of all, BYU did not go 14-0. Ever. They've had ONE undefeated season in their entire history - that was 25 years ago. And BYU went 12-2 in 2001 - getting destroyed by a bad Hawaii team and humiliated in their bowl game against Louisville.
Second of all, how does BYU's 13-1 season in 1996 have any impact whatsoever on Utah's successful season this year????
Third, Are you really going to call out Utah players for not respecting their opponent? Really? Did you pay attention to this past season at all? Did you not see the audacity of BYU's coaching staff and athletic department to create a motto 'Quest for Perfection'? Did you not hear countless interviews from Austin Collie and his boys NEVER give respect to their opponents? Even after they got killed by Utah, they said that 'Utah didn't beat them. They lost it themselves.'

Watch how Utah respected Alabama before and after the game and make sure Bronco is taking notes. That's a guy who still doesn't know how to be gracious.

By the way - if BYU ever wins an NCAA game again (last one: 1992), they can thank Utah. Or something. ??

What? The BCS rules weren't relaxed in 2004. In 2004 a non-automatic qualifier had to be #6 in the BCS standings to gain a BCS birth. A feat none of the BCS folks thought possible. Utah did it anyway. The looser rules didn't apply until 2005 when Boise made to the BCS party. So no, Utah doesn't need to thank anyone (with the possible exception of Wisconsin.) Moreover, this season, Utah once again finished the regular season ranked #6 in the BCS. Under the old rules Utah would have automatically qualified. Therefore,even without the "relaxed" BCS rules Utah would have played in a BCS game.

For the record, BYU's 1996 schedule was 14-1 not 14-0 (a great team with a great Cotton Bowl win but not an undefeated team.) The 2001 record was 12-2 not 12-1, just for clarification.

BYU was 14-1 in 1996 & 12-2 in 2001.

it for every non-BCS team. The Y fans were throwing tortillas on the field after nearly every win. The AD was proposing filing a lawsuit for not being allowed into a BCS bowl game. And what does BYU do? They get beat 72-45 to a bad Hawaii team and then get killed in their bowl game vs. Louisville.

It's a wonder that Utah was even given a shot in 2004 - but that's only because they killed every opponent and crept into the #6 spot. The BCS had no choice.

So, Utah owes NOBODY anything except for themselves. In fact, in 2004 and 2008, Utah shouldn't 'thank' BYU for the tough competition. Both of those games were BLOW-OUTS.

But, as a Utah fan, I will thank you. For the laughs and for the support you give to continue the stereotype of the typical BYU fan, thinking that everything revolves around your world in Utah County.

I read many posts where UT fans wished BYU well in the Vegas Bowl. Take your blue goggles off.

With the critical errors in your facts you lost any credibility. Sorry babe

In any case, I'm a cougar to the bone and was quite happy about Utah beating Alabama.

There is a bit of irony in this. I have read for a couple years now how some Ute fans have beat up on BYU for winning the 1984 National Championship as though we didn't really deserve it. The Utes find themselves in an almost identical situation. They have a perfect season, great bowl win and now have to beg, borrow and steal and then...maybe!

I strongly support the Utes claim to a National Chamionship, just as I did BYU's back in 1984. We have to wait until this evening is over to see. No matter who wins the Utes are going to have to make aa '6 degrees of Kevin Bacon' argument.

In any case, congrats to the Utes. And hopefully this will once and for all settle the 1984 question. Let me add, BYU beat a #2 ranked Pitt team that year. It was every bit as solid as the 2004 or 2008 Utes.

I was once told that whenever I saw the phrases "always" or "never" on a particular test - the answer would be NO. Ms. Pain overstates her case by using the "not one" phrase. Obviously her overstatements extend to BYU's actual records during the referenced years.
The Utes have not fallen into the USC and Texas mode of saying that "no one can beat us", which in the case of those two schools. ONLY the Utes can say that "no one beat us in 2008/09". The Utes stand alone and have done it with as much class as athletic teams can.

All I heard from BYU fans this year was "I hope Utah doesn't embarress the conference when they play Alabama." And then they go and "loose" to a crappy Arizona team in the Las Vegas Bowl. Way to help the conference out. Thanks

The only thing we need to thank them for is being our little brother who always was and always will be our little brother.
Thanks for the congrats, but really, take a look at the histories of both programs. Utah is simply better so no thanks is needed.

If Utah (the good team) had started out ranked where byu (the over hyped team) did, then they might actually be in the championship game. I guess we should thank byu for that (sarcasm). And thanks for looking like a high school team in the Vegas bowl.

Lauren, you're wrong, in nearly every aspect.

First of all, BYU wasn't undefeated.
Secondly, the current BCS system was not created or altered because of BYU's seasons.
Thirdly, BYU gave absolutely not credit to their opponents. The loss to TCU? Lack of focus. Even Bronco said that it was his fault for not preparing his team. They never once said that TCU beat them.
Against Utah? It was because Hall threw so many interceptions.
Against Arizona? They just kinda mumbled and grumbled and said, "WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR."

BYU has a lot of answering to do. They hyped up this season, as the QUEST FOR PERFECTION. It failed, miserably.

Don't expect us to be all happy and supportive as their team clearly UNDERACHIEVED this year. Unlike the Utes...

alot of vitriol

Don't stereotype. There are ignorant Utah fans and BYU fans alike. There are exceptional fans on both sides. There are some in the middle. I have BYU fan friends who trash talked Utah before the season. Brian Johnson is a wimp and a hack. Defense will continue to give up big plays. Utah has no running game. I saw these friends last week. Did they say anything positive about Utah's Alabama win? Of course not. Instead, I got good luck next year with no coaches. Utah will be a middle MWC team.

I take this in stride, because I also have BYU fan friends who were pulling for the Utes. Who told me after the game that Utah deserves the national title more than the BYU national champion team. As a strong Utah fan, I was pulling for BYU in Vegas. It makes the conference look good, and I wanted another victory over the PAC 10.

The Utes are trail blazers when it comes to the BCS. BYU didn't do it for them. They got in first, which lead to a BCS change, and, hopefully this year, they will help in making the BCS a thing of the past.

Factual errors = FAIL!

Reading through the comments, I think you jump to a lot of conclusions, have assumptions and are quick to cast stones. Bad form and I am not a fan of any one team, just a guy who enjoys sports.

To JMT: Let's be clear that there are only 20 teams in the top 20. Pittsburg was rated #2 in the preseason bowl, but ended up not being ranked in the top 20 by the end of the year. In fact, that 1984 championship team manged to play and win 14 games all against unranked opponents. There is no comparison to being a team ranked #2 preseason, but who ends up unranked to playing a team ranked #4 at the end of the season in a BCS bowl. Even BYU's bowel opponent, Michigan, ended the season unranked. Remember: There are only 20 teams in the top 20, and non played BYU in 1984. That 1984 team may have been good. How can anyone tell?

No Lauren, we owe YOU and the editors here the thanks!
You for presenting a bunch of blue-colored garbage, and the editors for not throwing it into the trash where it belongs, and actually publishing it.
Comic relief for everyone!!
Drinks are on me!
Mike

typical byu fan,just like the church you feel its the only true football program.worst fans ever