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Utah Utes football: Poll voters face dilemma with U.
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The arrogance of the PAC-10 | 1:28 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Funny how Rick Neuheisel, whose team got crushed 59-0 vs. BYU, voted Utah no
higher than #8 even though Utah killed BYU.
And Mike Riley, from Oregon State, voted Utah #8. Even Belotti put Utah as high as #7, as did Mack Brown.
And that clown from Missouri who put Utah at #15 should never be allowed to vote again. Especially after it's been revealed just how bad the Big 12 was this year.
And Mike Riley, from Oregon State, voted Utah #8. Even Belotti put Utah as high as #7, as did Mack Brown.
And that clown from Missouri who put Utah at #15 should never be allowed to vote again. Especially after it's been revealed just how bad the Big 12 was this year.
Not many teams | 1:39 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
from the MWC have votes I guess.
I was wondering where Bronco voted them.
I was wondering where Bronco voted them.
Comments continue below
Prediction | 6:05 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Utah
5. Oklahoma
72. BYU
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Utah
5. Oklahoma
72. BYU
Real Prediction | 6:45 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
BYU gets blown out by OU and FSU next year
Max Hall out for season injured after only 2 games
Cougars go 7-5 for the season make Humanitarian Bowl
Bronco opts out; accepts coaching offer from Purdue
Utes Re-tool and go 11-1
Max Hall out for season injured after only 2 games
Cougars go 7-5 for the season make Humanitarian Bowl
Bronco opts out; accepts coaching offer from Purdue
Utes Re-tool and go 11-1
Thanks | 6:51 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Thanks for the #72 ranking from our die hard Utah fan. I'm a die hard BYU
fan and would vote Utah #1. It's nice to slam the team you hate but
classless, nonetheless.
The polls are as bad as the BYU system. In Basketball, rankings are nothing but tournament seeding tools. In the end, the teams decide it on the court and many times, teams ranked anywhere in the top 10 or even 15 have a legitimate shot at winning it all.
In football, you can be undefeated, even with very strong strength of schedule and because you are not in a monopoly run BCS conference, you can't get in. This has been proven by Utah twice (congrats, by the way) and Boise State. And in all three cases, the NON BCS team won. It's fixed. It's about money. It's about exclusivity. And it's not about fair competition. BYU's national championship in 1984 was the reason it all started. A team outside of the BCS monopoly has absolutely no chance of winning it all. Lavell testified of this fact before congress years ago.
Regardless of the hate from Utah fans...congrats Utah from a BYU fan. You are deserving big time.
The polls are as bad as the BYU system. In Basketball, rankings are nothing but tournament seeding tools. In the end, the teams decide it on the court and many times, teams ranked anywhere in the top 10 or even 15 have a legitimate shot at winning it all.
In football, you can be undefeated, even with very strong strength of schedule and because you are not in a monopoly run BCS conference, you can't get in. This has been proven by Utah twice (congrats, by the way) and Boise State. And in all three cases, the NON BCS team won. It's fixed. It's about money. It's about exclusivity. And it's not about fair competition. BYU's national championship in 1984 was the reason it all started. A team outside of the BCS monopoly has absolutely no chance of winning it all. Lavell testified of this fact before congress years ago.
Regardless of the hate from Utah fans...congrats Utah from a BYU fan. You are deserving big time.
Undefeated? | 6:57 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Why does everyone feel an undefeated season makes you National Champions? There
have been MANY, MANY teams from "BCS conferences" and all other
conferences who have gone undefeated and NOT won the National Title?
RE: Prediction | 7:06 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
What?!? You are waaay wrong. Here's how it's going to go down:
1. OU (florida really doesn't stand a chance)
2. Utah
3. Texas
4. USC
5. Florida (MAYbe, and that's a BIG maybe)
1. OU (florida really doesn't stand a chance)
2. Utah
3. Texas
4. USC
5. Florida (MAYbe, and that's a BIG maybe)
Big 12 MUCH stronger than MWC | 7:31 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
I agree with the unfairness of Utah getting snubbed by voters but when people
like "The arrogance" write ... "just how bad the Big 12 was this
year" it cheapens the argument into being a petty whiner. Remember that the
Big 12 is boasting Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma State all
of which are teams that nobody in the MWC except Utah could get by. And
that's ultimately the problem the voters have, that Utah played a bunch of
MWC teams this year.
Poll Voters | 7:38 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
MWC coaches that vote in the Coaches Poll and their rankings from the last
poll:
Gary Patterson (TCU) - #7 Utah, #10 TCU, #19 BYU
Joe Glenn (Wyoming) - #5 Utah, #11 TCU, #14 BYU
Kyle Whttingham (Utah) - #5 Utah, #11 TCU, #18 BYU
Rocky Long (New Mexico) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, #16 BYU
and others:
Chris Peterson (BSU) - #8 Utah, #9 TCU, #14 BYU, #7 BSU
Urban Meyer (Florida) - #5 Utah, #13 TCU, #20 BYU
Mike Price (UTEP) - #8 Utah, #10 TCU, #16 BYU
Steve Kragthorpe (Louisville) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, #16 BYU
Rich Rodriguez (Mich) - #9 Utah, #11 TCU, #15 BYU
Mike Leach (TxTech) - #8 Utah, #11 TCU, #16 BYU
Joe Tiller (Purdue) - #8 Utah, #12 TCU, #23 BYU
Mike Belotti (Oregon) - #7 Utah, #12 TCU, #16 BYU
Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) - #8 Utah, #12 TCU, #16 BYU
Tyrone Willingham (Wash) - #7 Utah, #15 TCU, #18 BYU
Dan Hawkins (Colorado) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, #17 BYU
Les Miles (LSU) - #8 Utah, #15 TCU, #18 BYU
Pat Hill (Fresno St) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, UR BYU, #6 BSU
Gary Patterson (TCU) - #7 Utah, #10 TCU, #19 BYU
Joe Glenn (Wyoming) - #5 Utah, #11 TCU, #14 BYU
Kyle Whttingham (Utah) - #5 Utah, #11 TCU, #18 BYU
Rocky Long (New Mexico) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, #16 BYU
and others:
Chris Peterson (BSU) - #8 Utah, #9 TCU, #14 BYU, #7 BSU
Urban Meyer (Florida) - #5 Utah, #13 TCU, #20 BYU
Mike Price (UTEP) - #8 Utah, #10 TCU, #16 BYU
Steve Kragthorpe (Louisville) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, #16 BYU
Rich Rodriguez (Mich) - #9 Utah, #11 TCU, #15 BYU
Mike Leach (TxTech) - #8 Utah, #11 TCU, #16 BYU
Joe Tiller (Purdue) - #8 Utah, #12 TCU, #23 BYU
Mike Belotti (Oregon) - #7 Utah, #12 TCU, #16 BYU
Rick Neuheisel (UCLA) - #8 Utah, #12 TCU, #16 BYU
Tyrone Willingham (Wash) - #7 Utah, #15 TCU, #18 BYU
Dan Hawkins (Colorado) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, #17 BYU
Les Miles (LSU) - #8 Utah, #15 TCU, #18 BYU
Pat Hill (Fresno St) - #7 Utah, #11 TCU, UR BYU, #6 BSU
Real Prediction = Real Clueless | 7:46 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
It's too bad the DN can't create a blog for the 12-year-olds to post
their clueless blather and ban them from the serious sports blogs.
Boise BYU Fan | 7:58 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Just so you know, Mike Prater is largely regarded in Boise as a complete and
utter buffoon, as is his Idaho Mis-Statesman newspaper.
And for the record, I think the Utes should be #1 after that impressive beatdown of Alabama.
Interesting to read the comments on the DesNews and SLTrib. 95% of BYU fans are complimentary of Utah's accomplishments this season, with about 5% still too jaded to acknowledge the Utes' success.
Conversely, the vast majority of Utah fans' comments towards BYU are still derogatory. Silly "Quest" comments, etc. that display their ignorance and stupidity.
When you're legitimately on top as Utah is this year, there's no need to belittle others to attempt to make yourself look better. Like your coach said on Jim Rome yesterday, he let his talking be done on the field. Too bad most Ute fans aren't as smart and classy as the coach!
And for the record, I think the Utes should be #1 after that impressive beatdown of Alabama.
Interesting to read the comments on the DesNews and SLTrib. 95% of BYU fans are complimentary of Utah's accomplishments this season, with about 5% still too jaded to acknowledge the Utes' success.
Conversely, the vast majority of Utah fans' comments towards BYU are still derogatory. Silly "Quest" comments, etc. that display their ignorance and stupidity.
When you're legitimately on top as Utah is this year, there's no need to belittle others to attempt to make yourself look better. Like your coach said on Jim Rome yesterday, he let his talking be done on the field. Too bad most Ute fans aren't as smart and classy as the coach!
Darrell R | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
They are a good team but they played an Alabama team that had their offensive
line all messed up. They were missing the best offensive lineman in the country.
They wouldn't beat a OU or Texas team and definitely not a Florida team.
Congrats on the great season but you are the #3 team in the country behind the
winner of tonight's game and Texas. USC deserves to be #4. Beating Oregon
State will help them finish higher than USC because USC lost to Oregon State.
Bottom line is we need a playoff system but money and politics will prevent this
from happening. I wonder what the BCS commish John Swofford makes from this BCS
system. He is the commish of the ACC and the BCS. I bet his pockets are full
from this BCS system. Kudos to Utah for destroying this BCS system that was
supposed to be perfect.
what? | 8:15 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
How did some joker from the Provo Herald get an AP vote? Who are these guys? How
many of them, by percentage, actually watched more than their assigned team this
season? What a system!
Perception is Reality | 8:17 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
in college football.
Why are Florida and Oklahoma playing in the BcS "championship" game instead of Utah and Boise State? perception
Why did Oklahoma get the nod over Texas? perception
Why did Florida get the nod over USC? perception
Why is the SEC considered a better football conference than the MWC? perception
(teams from the SEC and MWC hardly ever play each other)
Why is a 10-2 team from the MWC or WAC not considered as good as a 10-2 from the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 or Pac 10? perception
EVERY national championship, Heisman Trophy, and other major award ever awarded in college football's top division is given based on only one criteria: perception
Why will a 13-1 Oklahoma or Florida win the BcS "championship"? perception
Being the best in major college football is meaningless.
Being the most deserving is meaningless.
Being the most popular is everything.
Enjoy the Miss Football Beauty Contest tonight!
The BcS should award the winner a tiara instead of a trophy!!!
Why are Florida and Oklahoma playing in the BcS "championship" game instead of Utah and Boise State? perception
Why did Oklahoma get the nod over Texas? perception
Why did Florida get the nod over USC? perception
Why is the SEC considered a better football conference than the MWC? perception
(teams from the SEC and MWC hardly ever play each other)
Why is a 10-2 team from the MWC or WAC not considered as good as a 10-2 from the SEC, Big 12, Big 10 or Pac 10? perception
EVERY national championship, Heisman Trophy, and other major award ever awarded in college football's top division is given based on only one criteria: perception
Why will a 13-1 Oklahoma or Florida win the BcS "championship"? perception
Being the best in major college football is meaningless.
Being the most deserving is meaningless.
Being the most popular is everything.
Enjoy the Miss Football Beauty Contest tonight!
The BcS should award the winner a tiara instead of a trophy!!!
SCR | 8:32 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
These AP voters need to read "Moneyball" before they cast their votes.
They are obviously voting based on inaccurate perceptions and biases and what
they want to see and believe about the traditional powers. They are ignoring
cold, hard statistical evidence that Utah is at least as impressive as any other
contender and that their undefeated season should put them over the top.
Dumb argument | 8:43 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Darrell, Bama's o-line wasn't "all messed up". Yeah they
were missing that one guy, but Utah didn't have perhaps their best
linebacker Nai Fotu. Why don't I ever hear any of the "experts"
mention that? And I wasn't aware that their o-line was supposed to be
covering Utah's receivers.....what's your excuse for that?
"Utah wouldn't beat OU or Texas and definitely not Florida." Yeah? Prove it. Oh wait, that's the problem - we can't! I can't honestly say Utah is better than any of those teams, just as YOU can't honestly say Utah is worse than any of them. That's the whole point - the system we have makes it so all we can do is speculate. We can't settle the argument on the field. We need a playoff. Give Utah a shot at Florida or OU.....just tell us when and where.
"Utah wouldn't beat OU or Texas and definitely not Florida." Yeah? Prove it. Oh wait, that's the problem - we can't! I can't honestly say Utah is better than any of those teams, just as YOU can't honestly say Utah is worse than any of them. That's the whole point - the system we have makes it so all we can do is speculate. We can't settle the argument on the field. We need a playoff. Give Utah a shot at Florida or OU.....just tell us when and where.
RE: Undefeated | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
I will answer your question with one of my own. Name another sport, or football
at any other level, which at the end of the season, the lone undefeted team is
not the champion?
Utah # 3 at Best | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Without Utah and TCU there is nothing of substance this year in the MWC. TCU
took care of Boise but was wasted by OU. Utah struggled to beat some very
average teams during the regular season.
Utah deserves to move up after dominating Alabama, but its un-impressive regular season does not campare to what Florida, Oklahoma and Texas have fought through this year.
Florida/Oklahoma and Texas take the top two spots. Trojans probably a favorite for third place.
Make up all the excuses you want to, but that is how the AP will see it. Of course the BCS bylaws require the BCS top two spots go to Florida & Oklahoma.
Since the BCS has its own agenda, the independant AP's poll holds a lot more weight in picking the national champion.
Utah deserves to move up after dominating Alabama, but its un-impressive regular season does not campare to what Florida, Oklahoma and Texas have fought through this year.
Florida/Oklahoma and Texas take the top two spots. Trojans probably a favorite for third place.
Make up all the excuses you want to, but that is how the AP will see it. Of course the BCS bylaws require the BCS top two spots go to Florida & Oklahoma.
Since the BCS has its own agenda, the independant AP's poll holds a lot more weight in picking the national champion.
The fact is the AP doesn't care. | 8:54 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
AP voters have ignored undefeated teams in the past and will continue to do it
until there is a playoff (just look at the times Joe Paterno's Penn St he
was denied #1 after going undefeated). Utah's only chance to finish in the
top three is top have Oklahoma soundly whipped by Florida. With Texas Tech
losing and UT having a close game with an OSU team that was blown out by USC and
Penn St the Big 12 will look weaker than they have been perceived to be by AP
VOTERS all season long.
Jimmy's Mother's Sneakers | 9:01 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Pinkel's vote card should be taken away.
re: Darrell R | 9:02 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
I thought SEC teams, the most powerful college football conference on the
planet, had 2nd, 3rd, and 4th stringers who are better than the 1st stringers
for MWC teams.
I thought SEC teams signed more bluechip recruits EVERY year, than MWC teams sign in a decade.
oh, btw, it wasn't Alabama's o-line that allowed the Utes to score 3 quick TD's before Alabama's offense had even worked up a sweat.
Quit whining and just admit that Alabama got beat, soundly, by a Utah team that is just plain better.
Utah couldn't beat Oklahoma or Florida?
PROVE IT!
I thought SEC teams signed more bluechip recruits EVERY year, than MWC teams sign in a decade.
oh, btw, it wasn't Alabama's o-line that allowed the Utes to score 3 quick TD's before Alabama's offense had even worked up a sweat.
Quit whining and just admit that Alabama got beat, soundly, by a Utah team that is just plain better.
Utah couldn't beat Oklahoma or Florida?
PROVE IT!
Perceptions has some reality | 9:07 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
SEC members national championships 24
Big 12 members national championships 18
MWC members national championships 1 (questionable)
The big conferences play a tougher level of competition year in and year out.
Big 12 members national championships 18
MWC members national championships 1 (questionable)
The big conferences play a tougher level of competition year in and year out.
AP Vote | 9:10 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
"How did some joker from the Provo Herald get an AP vote?"
Because, unknown to Utah fans, there is a world outside the Salt Lake Valley bubble.
The world is our campus.
Because, unknown to Utah fans, there is a world outside the Salt Lake Valley bubble.
The world is our campus.
disingenuous | 9:19 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
"It has sparked a debate about the unfairness of the Bowl Championship
Series, which has two one-loss teams � Florida and Oklahoma
� in its title game tonight."
Wasn't it coach Kyle, who before the Michigan game, stated "One loss does not make or break a season".
I guess he really didn't mean it then?
Or does he now believe it?
Funny how Kyle spins things to fit "his" particular situation.
Wasn't it coach Kyle, who before the Michigan game, stated "One loss does not make or break a season".
I guess he really didn't mean it then?
Or does he now believe it?
Funny how Kyle spins things to fit "his" particular situation.
Look at the Schedules | 9:27 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Rather than casting a "protest vote," here is THE reason AP voters
should vote Utah #1.
Take the final AP poll of the season and look at how Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, and Utah played against the teams that ended up in the top 25.
Florida beat 2 such teams.
Oklahoma beat 5.
Texas beat 4.
USC beat 3.
Utah beat 4.
Of the 3 teams that played against the toughest competition, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, only Utah finished without a loss.
If Oklahoma wins tonight it can argue that 6 wins against the ranked teams negates the loss to Texas and it should claim the championship, especially if it wins "big."
If Oklahoma loses it's an absolute no-brainer that Utah deserves the national championship because of its schedule and won/loss record, and not for any other reason. And, it can make the same claim even if Oklahoma wins -- because, as the Utah Coach has said, "we don't have to explain away a loss."
Either way, the figure-skating analogy holds and "the system" has got to be fixed.
BTW, Urban Meyer's teams are very tough when they have a month or more to prepare for a game.
Take the final AP poll of the season and look at how Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, and Utah played against the teams that ended up in the top 25.
Florida beat 2 such teams.
Oklahoma beat 5.
Texas beat 4.
USC beat 3.
Utah beat 4.
Of the 3 teams that played against the toughest competition, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah, only Utah finished without a loss.
If Oklahoma wins tonight it can argue that 6 wins against the ranked teams negates the loss to Texas and it should claim the championship, especially if it wins "big."
If Oklahoma loses it's an absolute no-brainer that Utah deserves the national championship because of its schedule and won/loss record, and not for any other reason. And, it can make the same claim even if Oklahoma wins -- because, as the Utah Coach has said, "we don't have to explain away a loss."
Either way, the figure-skating analogy holds and "the system" has got to be fixed.
BTW, Urban Meyer's teams are very tough when they have a month or more to prepare for a game.
Elementary Statistics | 9:29 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Anyone who has ever had the most basic statistics understanding knows that
whenever you introduce bias then you will skew the results.
Enter college football where everything from schedules, records, and the beauty of coeds is under extreme bias and therefore skewing the results.
Utah is the only team that you can give the national championship to without any bias. Any genius that tries to argue for any other team is introducing their own bias because heaven forbid that Utah had the best college football season. Just look at their language "Florida would beat Utah if they played." Everyone was saying that about Alabama last week when Utah was supposed to be the BCS sacrificial lamb this year. Even when Utah wiped the smear that was the crimson tide off the bottom of their cleats some clowns still won't admit that they are wrong. Ever heard of group think?
BTW- Mack Brown who thinks that Texas is the number one team because of the �commanding� win over the Ohio State University. Come on who doesn�t beat tOSU in BCS games. Take a number and go the back of the line with that anemic performance.
Enter college football where everything from schedules, records, and the beauty of coeds is under extreme bias and therefore skewing the results.
Utah is the only team that you can give the national championship to without any bias. Any genius that tries to argue for any other team is introducing their own bias because heaven forbid that Utah had the best college football season. Just look at their language "Florida would beat Utah if they played." Everyone was saying that about Alabama last week when Utah was supposed to be the BCS sacrificial lamb this year. Even when Utah wiped the smear that was the crimson tide off the bottom of their cleats some clowns still won't admit that they are wrong. Ever heard of group think?
BTW- Mack Brown who thinks that Texas is the number one team because of the �commanding� win over the Ohio State University. Come on who doesn�t beat tOSU in BCS games. Take a number and go the back of the line with that anemic performance.
Navy UTE | 9:36 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
RE:Darrell R. The national pundits said the same thing about us not beating
Bama.They gave us no shot. Truth is you have no idea how the Utes would do
against OU, UT or UF unless they played, so stop the useless spectulation we
have all grown tired of hearing. As for Bama, I was at the game and could see
how fired up the team was to play so you can't say because the "Line
was messed up" that's was the reason for the beat down. The Utes are
13-0. No other team can say that. Utah deserves #1 consideration!
Who Cares | 9:48 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Who cares what some sport journalists thinks? This is ridiculous. College
football has become a popularity contest. Tonight's game is a sham.
Perception | 9:56 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
"MWC members national championships 1"
Questionable???
No more questionable than this year's BcS "championship" game winner being awarded the "national championship".
btw, MWC member National Championships 2
BYU 1984 (concensus national champions: AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI)
TCU 1938 (AP, the only "selecting" organization that year)
"The big conferences play a tougher level of competition year in and year out."
Meaningless, unprovable, but, most importantly, irrelevant speculation when comparing individual teams.
The MWC beat the SEC 2-0 and the Pac-10 6-2 in head-to-head matches this season.
PROVE that Florida could beat Utah.
PROVE that Oklahoma could beat Utah.
The cold, hard fact is, you can't prove that Florida, or Oklahoma, or Texas, or USC, or Penn St, or Ohio St is better than Utah.
The only thing SOS proves is whether teams have been challenged, or not. It absolutely DOES NOT PROVE which team is the best.
PROVE that Utah isn't the best team this season. Utah is the ONLY team that hasn't lost a single game.
Questionable???
No more questionable than this year's BcS "championship" game winner being awarded the "national championship".
btw, MWC member National Championships 2
BYU 1984 (concensus national champions: AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI)
TCU 1938 (AP, the only "selecting" organization that year)
"The big conferences play a tougher level of competition year in and year out."
Meaningless, unprovable, but, most importantly, irrelevant speculation when comparing individual teams.
The MWC beat the SEC 2-0 and the Pac-10 6-2 in head-to-head matches this season.
PROVE that Florida could beat Utah.
PROVE that Oklahoma could beat Utah.
The cold, hard fact is, you can't prove that Florida, or Oklahoma, or Texas, or USC, or Penn St, or Ohio St is better than Utah.
The only thing SOS proves is whether teams have been challenged, or not. It absolutely DOES NOT PROVE which team is the best.
PROVE that Utah isn't the best team this season. Utah is the ONLY team that hasn't lost a single game.
hoofhearted | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
To Darrell @ 8:02 AM and the others (including that ESPN clown which debated
Jamal Anderson on Utah's wothiness to be #1) who say: "Alabama had a
player missing". Read the responses to that idea. Let me list them for you.
A) It wasn't Alabama's offense that couldn't stop the Utes. B)
The Utes were also missing a star. I would also like to add C)The same could be
said about many games this season. Remember when Ohio State played USC? Ohio
State had their star running back out. Where were your excuses for Ohio State
then? The point is... that is the way the ball bounces throughout the season. An
injury here or there could have done this or that is only speculation. The proof
is in the final outcome.
NOWAY | 10:01 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Utah will not jump over USC and Texas in the rankings it just wont happen
Utah is #4 | 10:13 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Sad..... but true
Reality check | 10:21 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
If Oklahoma wins tonight, especially if they kill Florida, they are clearly the
best team in the country. They will have beaten 6 top 25 teams, including TCU
by 25 points, and their only loss to Texas, by 6 points. They have scored 60+
points in their last 5 games, and against 3 top 20 teams. They've scored
under 45 only twice.
Going undefeated is a "perfect" season, but just winning doesn't mean you're the best team over the course of a season or at the end of the year. Just like the champion of NCAA b-ball is whatever team happens to be the best at the end of the year by winning enough consecutive games in the tournament, regardless of its record during the regular season, the best football team is the one that is the best at the end of the season.
Without a playoff, I have to assume that OK is the best, given their thrashing of every opponent since 10/11. If it's not them, then it's Texas.
Let's get real.
Going undefeated is a "perfect" season, but just winning doesn't mean you're the best team over the course of a season or at the end of the year. Just like the champion of NCAA b-ball is whatever team happens to be the best at the end of the year by winning enough consecutive games in the tournament, regardless of its record during the regular season, the best football team is the one that is the best at the end of the season.
Without a playoff, I have to assume that OK is the best, given their thrashing of every opponent since 10/11. If it's not them, then it's Texas.
Let's get real.
Kyle is the anti-Bronco | 11:10 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
"Once the season was wrapped up in its entirety, then that, in my opinion,
is the time when you voice your opinion on what you think."
EXACTLY! Kyle rocks red!!!
EXACTLY! Kyle rocks red!!!
Real Reality check | 11:26 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
"Going undefeated is a "perfect" season, but just winning
doesn't mean you're the best team over the course of a season or at
the end of the year."
Are you kidding? Since when does beating someone not mean you are the better team?
"Just like the champion of NCAA b-ball is whatever team happens to be the best at the end of the year by winning enough consecutive games in the tournament, regardless of its record during the regular season, the best football team is the one that is the best at the end of the season."
So if a NCAA b-ball team went undefeated over the regular and post-season, thay are not, somehow, the best at the end of the season?
Your argument could be made for a loss at the begining of a season is not as bad as a loss at the end of the season, but if a team HAS NO LOSS, your argument is null and void.
Are you kidding? Since when does beating someone not mean you are the better team?
"Just like the champion of NCAA b-ball is whatever team happens to be the best at the end of the year by winning enough consecutive games in the tournament, regardless of its record during the regular season, the best football team is the one that is the best at the end of the season."
So if a NCAA b-ball team went undefeated over the regular and post-season, thay are not, somehow, the best at the end of the season?
Your argument could be made for a loss at the begining of a season is not as bad as a loss at the end of the season, but if a team HAS NO LOSS, your argument is null and void.
Randall | 11:27 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
The AP Voter from the Provo Herald is the One "guy" who votes for
Cosmo No Matter what their Record.
FB&BB
I wondered who it was.
Now we know.
FB&BB
I wondered who it was.
Now we know.
htown | 11:35 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
For now get over it all...BCS blah blah blah..Good for the utes. until BCS
changes, that is how it is..anyway get over thrashing on everyone else in the
mountainwest...teams change from year to year, it is tough eating crow, when
Utah wont be on top always...P K can now get a job at Benihana's..Congrats
again to utes.........
Re: Perception | 11:36 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
If Notre Dame or any team from any of the BCS conferences had a similar record
(Undefeated, 4 wins against top 25, also 4 wins against bottom 25) they would be
in the NC game because they are UNDEFEATED. The same consideration is not given
to the conferences outside of the good ol'boys club.
Re: Perceptions has some reality | 11:54 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Let's look at the past 8 years of the BCS and talk about questionable...
2000 - Oklahoma over FSU (legitimate)
2001 - Miami over Nebraska (questionable) not saying Miami wasn't the best team but they should have played Oregon, not the Nebraska team who lost their last game of the season to Colorado 62-36 and didn't even win their own conference.
2002 - Ohio State over Miami (legitimate)
2003 - LSU over Oklahoma (questionable) why was Oklahoma playing in the game over USC when Oklahoma didn't even win the Big12? AP voted for USC
2004 - USC over Oklahoma (legitimate)
2005 - Texas over USC (questionable) GREAT game but who's to say that undefeated Auburn or undefeated Utah didn't have rights to play in that game?
2006 - Florida over Ohio State (questionable) Ohio state was #1 based on perception and they were exposed by a 2 loss Florida team
2007 - LSU over Ohio State (questionable) a 2 loss LSU team gets the title over an average Ohio state team, there were around 6 or 7 teams that would have beaten Oh state last year...
2000 - Oklahoma over FSU (legitimate)
2001 - Miami over Nebraska (questionable) not saying Miami wasn't the best team but they should have played Oregon, not the Nebraska team who lost their last game of the season to Colorado 62-36 and didn't even win their own conference.
2002 - Ohio State over Miami (legitimate)
2003 - LSU over Oklahoma (questionable) why was Oklahoma playing in the game over USC when Oklahoma didn't even win the Big12? AP voted for USC
2004 - USC over Oklahoma (legitimate)
2005 - Texas over USC (questionable) GREAT game but who's to say that undefeated Auburn or undefeated Utah didn't have rights to play in that game?
2006 - Florida over Ohio State (questionable) Ohio state was #1 based on perception and they were exposed by a 2 loss Florida team
2007 - LSU over Ohio State (questionable) a 2 loss LSU team gets the title over an average Ohio state team, there were around 6 or 7 teams that would have beaten Oh state last year...
BIG BAMA FAN | 11:57 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
As a BIG Alabama Fan living here in Tuscaloosa (Home of the TIDE)I can and will
tell anyone that Utah beat BAMA stright up. No excuess,we got BEAT!!! Having
been following the Tide since the Byrant years, I have seen alot of teams (SEC
& Big 12 and Big 10 (11)) and yes Utah can play with the SEC, Big 12 and so
on and can beat most of them on any given day. Can they play week in and out? I
don't know. Utah has a good team (this year) the question is can they be
this good to play with the "Big" money schools each year. Now that
they have made a name for themself can they do it each year or is this year a
fluke. I will fun to see. I must admit that until this game I had no idea who or
what Utah was or where they played, and I'm not alone. I would like them to
get the AP NC, but I don't think they will.
now and "then" | 11:57 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009
"If Oklahoma wins tonight, especially if they kill Florida,..."
stop right there; your scenario isn't going to happen, so it's pointless to continue with the "then"
Utah deserves the National Championship more than any other team.
In gymnastics it used to be a perfect "10"
Bo Derek was a "10"
Utah is the perfect "10" this year
9.9's won't cut it this year
why must we settle for 99.9% pure gold when we have 100% pure gold available?
stop right there; your scenario isn't going to happen, so it's pointless to continue with the "then"
Utah deserves the National Championship more than any other team.
In gymnastics it used to be a perfect "10"
Bo Derek was a "10"
Utah is the perfect "10" this year
9.9's won't cut it this year
why must we settle for 99.9% pure gold when we have 100% pure gold available?
re: Randall | 12:09 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Smart, very smart. Insult the one Utah voter who can actually cast a vote that
will have any significance in deciding whether Utah wins a share of the national
championship.
The hatred of some fans is so obsessive that any rational thought ceases to exist.
The hatred of some fans is so obsessive that any rational thought ceases to exist.
Utah is from a weak Conf | 12:24 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
The MWC is a middle tier division one conference and is much weaker than the
SouthEast or the Big 12 as well as the Pac 10. No one disputes this. It is much
more difficult to get 10+ wins in one of these conferences than in the MWC. So
do we grant Utah the national championship simply because they were undefeated
like we did BYU back in 84 or do we consider the strength of schedule as well? I
personally think it is a joke to think Utah is the champion and I am sure most
other teams in those other three conferences feel the same way. A TRUE playoff
is the only way to crown a champion - not this bogus voting nonsense.
Matthew | 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Take note that the BCS was apparently not sure enough of their two
"annointed" teams to pit either of them against Utah. It would have
been interesting but it was the BCS that blinked, not Utah.
Blather all you want about woulda, coulda, shoulda. The BCS picked what team to put up against the only undefeated team in the nation (insert fine print details) and Utah beat that team. Woulda, coulda, shoulda put up an school from OK or FL. Didn't therefore Utah is #1
Blather all you want about woulda, coulda, shoulda. The BCS picked what team to put up against the only undefeated team in the nation (insert fine print details) and Utah beat that team. Woulda, coulda, shoulda put up an school from OK or FL. Didn't therefore Utah is #1
Randall | 1:25 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
The AP Voter at The Provo Herald will Vote Alabama ahead of Utah.
Don't worry about insulting him.
He's already made up his mind.
Don't worry about insulting him.
He's already made up his mind.
C.W. | 1:34 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
You'd think the teams themselves (Florida or Oklahoma)would feel a sort of
hollow victory if they're named No. 1 and they know they're not!
re: Utah is from a weak Conf | 1:57 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Are you serious? The Mountain West went 2-0 against the SEC this year, 1-0
against the Big 10, and a whopping 6-2 against the Pac-10. We don't even
need to discuss the other so-called "power conferences" like the Big
East and ACC with their automatic BCS bids.
You want to talk strength of schedule? Check the Sagarin ratings....
Oklahoma 13
Utah 20
Florida 38
Alabama 41
Texas 42
USC 66
That's right: Among those in the national championship discussion, only Oklahoma played a tougher schedule than Utah.
Sorry dude, you're the definition of a BCS honk and I just owned you all over the place.
You want to talk strength of schedule? Check the Sagarin ratings....
Oklahoma 13
Utah 20
Florida 38
Alabama 41
Texas 42
USC 66
That's right: Among those in the national championship discussion, only Oklahoma played a tougher schedule than Utah.
Sorry dude, you're the definition of a BCS honk and I just owned you all over the place.
BearOne | 2:29 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
Easy solution----
Kyle Wittingham should get on national TV after the game tonight and challenge the winner to a real playoff game for all the marbles!
Of course the other coach and school will say its not possible (and it probably isn't) but that tells the world that the UTES are not afraid to play anyone! That is the whole point--to let the world know that the other team, the BCS, the NCAA are all afraid of the outcome and thus are not willing to take the chance on a winner-take-all game.
Somebody tell Coach to do it!!!
Kyle Wittingham should get on national TV after the game tonight and challenge the winner to a real playoff game for all the marbles!
Of course the other coach and school will say its not possible (and it probably isn't) but that tells the world that the UTES are not afraid to play anyone! That is the whole point--to let the world know that the other team, the BCS, the NCAA are all afraid of the outcome and thus are not willing to take the chance on a winner-take-all game.
Somebody tell Coach to do it!!!
re: Randall | 2:36 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009
It's a good thing for Utah that The Provo Herald voter is much more
open-minded than you.
Guaranteed, you wouldn't vote for BYU if the situation were reversed and you were the Utah sportswriter with the vote.
Guaranteed, you wouldn't vote for BYU if the situation were reversed and you were the Utah sportswriter with the vote.
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Oklahoma isn't even the undisputed champion of its own conference! It's record was the same as Texas and Texas Tech, and it got into the big 12 title game through a computer choice! They did that in a classless way by running up the score!
Until there is a legitimate playoff system, with at least 16 teams, everything else is a fraud.
Untill there is a playoff system, then the season is the brackett, and Florida, Oklahoma, USC and Texas were all knocked out of their brackets with losses.
Utes #1
Signed,
BYU fan