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USA Today Top 25 Poll

Keefie | 12:50 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Looks like they let Whittingham's vote stand. Great job Utes, in proving that a lot of "experts" really had no clue.

Here's to doing it again with some new found credibility and really becoming legends.

Big Smile | 5:14 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Is there a final BCS ranking?

Great Job Utes, you make us proud.

USA Today Poll | 6:15 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

This Poll really stinks by putting Utah as the 4th ranked Team. At least the AP Poll has a clue.

Comments continue below

The experts | 6:45 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I agree, they had no clue. Utah should be No. 5. If the Utes had to play Florida, Oklahoma, Southern Cal and Texas, they wouldn't beat any of them. They also wouldn't beat Alabama again if the two teams played.

Darrell | 7:24 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I love how, despite cold, hard facts that indicate the contrary, you still have people basing their opinions on the same old, tired notions about traditonal powers being better based solely on tradition. It doesn't matter if Utah would lose to Florida, Oklahoma, Southern Cal or Texas (or Alabama again). The point is that they beat everyone on their schedule, including 4 Top 25 teams. That is more than any other team, including Florida, can say. The whole thing is a ridiculous fraud that makes me feel like I'm living in Russia.

Dapper2k | 7:40 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

To "The experts" above:

You're the one who has no clue. How can you say they wouldn't beat Bama again? Did you watch the game? It's not like they squeaked by and barely won the game.

Everyone said that the Utes didn't have a chance against Bama either and we all know how that turned out. Who's to say they couldn't have done the same to any of the other teams you mentioned.

You're worse then the so called experts not only do you give the Utes no credit for what they could do you try to take away what they have already done. The Utes proved on the field that they could and can compete with the best of college football. No speculation needed.

UTES!

To The experts | 7:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Go back to Cougarville, your mimic of "no clue" tells everyone you wear BYU ties to sacrament meeting. Also stop wearing your 1984 royal blue "championship" sweater, you would never have beaten Barry Switzer's Oklahoma. Looking forward to seeing your Cougs v. OK in the new Texas stadium. I'm sure Stoops, if he stays, won't try to make a statement with you against the MWC, but given your stellar defense I'm sure you'll be just fine. I ch-j-eered for the Cougs against Arizona but it's fans like you that remind me when Brigham was alive and had the choice, he established the University of Utah, not BYU.

Utes #2 | 7:50 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Number #2 okay! I"m a huge Utes fan, but I hate the dumb logic, utes fan have here on this forum. Utes should be number one because we beat Alabama better then Florida? Did you guys forget, we almost lost to TCU? which Okalahoma destroy? then they got beat by the gators? So we played great against alabama, but not TCU, which okalahoma destroy and was beaten by a great gator team, okay #2 is where we belong. But after watching last nite game, utes would struggle against that gator Defense!!

Re: Experts | 8:14 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

First your not an expert. Second, they said the same thing about Utah beating Alabama. The end results are in. Utah beat Bama much easier than Florida. These voters need to get some guts. They are only protecting the big schools, so the money keeps flowing.

Statman on the Hill | 8:22 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Hey "The experts" On what basis do you make any of the guesstimates in your post? I say if the Utes had to play Florida, Oklahoma (they are relieved they didn't embarrass themselves again like they did vs. Boise State a few years back), So Cal, and Texas they would have as good a chance to beat them in a bowl game as they did vs. Alabama. A 50/50 chance. My guess is you are just a sour grapes TIDE fan who, like so many others predicted an Alabama rout of the Utah Utes last Friday night. Also, I believe if the same 2 teams (with their same coaches & team rosters) played 10 games, Utah would probably win 7 or 8 of those games . . you see speed kills and while I saw a lot of that in the BCS finale last night on both sides of the ball, the TIDE with their ethically-challenged coach displayed very little on either side of the ball (although I for one was really impressed with Ingram, Julion Jones, and Arenas).

RE: The experts | 8:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

If they played again? What kind of logic is that? They played once, and they won. If USC played Oregon State again, they might win too. If Alabama played Florida again, maybe a different outcome? If Texas played Texas Tech again, maybe Crabtree doesn't make that miraculous last-second catch. My mother used to say if your aunt had whiskers she'd be your uncle. Not exactly true, but it makes the point. You can't vote based on what MIGHT happen, you have to vote on what DID happen. To suggest that Utah should be no higher than 5 is absurd. They DID beat Oregon State, who beat USC. They beat Alabama much more handily than did Florida. They proved that they can compete with the very best teams in the country. They finished undefeated, and they should be Number 1. Period.

Close Vote | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Less than 20 points separated USC, Texas and Utah. The great finishes by Utah and TCU probably helped keep BYU high at 21. BYU didn't finish like a #21 - the AP was more accurate with them at #25. But the MWC finished with a very strong rep and I expect all 3 to be ranked to begin the season next year. I do think Utah, TCU and BSU will all be ranked ahead of BYU to begin the season.

Zelph, the Sport Guru | 8:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Congrats to TCU and Utah for finishing ranked in the top ten. That really helps the MWC. I just wish BYU would be able finish in the top 10. I don't think that will happen until they can bring in some real good recruits. BYU is only 1-21 against ranked teams. If I was Bronco, that statistic would keep me up at night. Go Utes and Horned Frogs!

RM | 8:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Why do we keep referencing the AP poll. They're not even part or the process - irrelevant!

Re The experts | 9:49 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Please don't say your a BYU fan. Real BYU fans know how to give their rival their just due - and Utah earned everything they got this season! After watching the NC game last night I believe the Utes would have beaten both those teams. Both Utah and TCU would compete very well in a 4-team playoff this season and I'm afraid BYU would get beat even worse if they had to face either tomorrow. BYU got DESTROYED by good teams and barely beat bad teams (other than UCLA). It just is what it is so let's have some humility Cougar fans. A lack of it is largely what got the Cougs into this season's predicament to begin with. With some hard work, humility and a nice home schedule we just may be the BCS busters next season.

This poll is bogus | 10:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

These are the coaches...they don't pay as close attention to all the teams all season long as the AP. Those guys study this all day long while the coaches are out coaching. Good job UTES! You beat more top 25 teams this year than Florida

THIS POLL IS GOOD | 11:09 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I buy this poll as adead on. USC should be 2nd. HEy pac 10 haters how did the pac do in the bowls again?
5-0 what?

Bundy | 11:11 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

How are Texas Tech and BYU ranked higher than the teams that beat them (Mississsippi, and Arizona)? Does this poll have any reflection on reality?

Re; this poll is good | 12:23 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Good point. Pac-1 was 5-0 in bowls. How were they against the mountain west overall? 6-2? yeah, just checking.

Savant | 4:38 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Absolutely ridiculous.

USC played a soft schedule (UCLA, WSU, UW, etc), lost to Oregon State (who Utah beat), and beat #8 at home by 14 as they should have.

Texas needed a generous spot and a lucky break to beat #10.

Utah went undefeated, beat two final top ten teams (Alabama, TCU) and two other top 25 teams and beat the #1 team for 5 weeks in what was practically a home game for Bama - and beat them badly.

If they would have traded schedules, Utah would have still finished undefeated and USC would have probably lost at least twice - to Oregon State and TCU.

The poll is WRONG!

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USA Today Top 25 Poll