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Utes land in 2nd in final AP Top 25 poll

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UTE FAN | 1:23 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
utes could have/would have stuck it to florida tonight and been crowned undisputed #1...if only they were given the chance.
UTAH GOT ROBBED | 1:29 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The Utes deserved #1 no question about it. Two wins over teams ranked in the top 7 and 4 top 25 wins. Oh, and did I forget to mention they went UNDEFEATED? WE BEAT ALABAMA MORE CONVINCINGLY AND BY MORE POINTS THAN FLORIDA IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD!

BYU's 1984 championship looks like a joke in comparison to what the Utes did this year. They didn't even beat 1 ranked team in the final AP Poll and barely squeaked by a 6-5 Michigan team.

LET IT BE SAID THAT THE TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF 2008 ARE THE UTAH UTES! THE BCS IS A SHAM AND UTAH PROVED IT!


AzByuFan | 1:40 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah #1!!!! FL and UT had one common opponent and the Utes were clearly the superior. USC and UT had one common opponent, USC lost and the Utes won. Texas won by inches in their bowl game against a lesser opponent than Utah played. My favorite moments of the season was BYU's historic 59-0 thrashing of UCLA and the looks of the players and fans of Bama while the Utes steamrolled to 3 early touchdowns. If the BCS thinks FL is #1 than a new entity/movement needs to be developed to declare the brothers to the north the NCAA football champs for the 2008 season. Congrats Utes for well representing the state and conference and for all the non BCS teams and little guys in general.
Comments continue below
danburtreynolds | 3:22 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
#2 stings a little, but, it is still really cool, and looks great on those recruiting letters. This year went a long way to establishing national credibility for the program, and, though the system is totally unfair, it will be tough to keep the Utes out of the championship game the next time they do it.

Great season guys.
Fireside team gets #25 | 3:30 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I think we can be proud of the BYU Fireside team which also earned a #25 ranking in football. Who would have thought they played that too?
Nate | 4:37 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I wouldn't have anyone else for UTAH's coach. Mack Brown backed out of his comment that he would vote Texas #1.

Way to go coach Whit.

Go Utes!
Big Smile | 5:22 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Best final ranking ever. I'll tell you what, I'm not going to go around complaining about not being #1, because there are about 118 teams (out of 120) that would like to be where we are right now. I never thought once comming into this season that Utah would be undefeated and beat an SEC team in the Sugar Bowl. Just take some time to think about what that means for Utah's future. We will have other oppertunities to take home that crystal football in the next ten years I promise. Recruiting looks great and we have a great coach and hard-working kids. Congrats to everyone involved from the administration to the coaches, to the players, and the fans. I'll see you in the tailgate next year and start planning that trip to Oregon. GO UTES!!!!
RED QUAKE | 5:27 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Florida,Oklahoma was not an impressive game i fell asleep for most of it and didnt finish watching the rest, There was nothing that was electrifying about that game as the sports casters predicted, I know now just watching that game, that these teams are over rated. I was bored with how the QBz paused to find out what play was called,as if the QB couldnt read the defense and make the adjustment themselves, Utah is a much better team in execution, in its QB, perfect in no huddle offense, and an outstanding defensive scheme. Utah is the best team in the Nation.
bannertime | 5:33 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
What do you mean "settle for #2"?

Is there an NCAA rule that states that Utah cannot place a "National Champions" banner in their stadium? Forget about "voting" (and really, can we just stop pretending that you can "vote" a champion?). If no, there should be a "National Champions" banner unveiled during the first home game (2 actually). If yes, pay the fine and do it anyway.

Look, this state was settled by people saying "forget you" to the rest of the country. We need to do the same to the BCS. Utah ran the table + they were the only ones = national champions.

It's time for some independence and clear thinking here. Be national champions and proud of it. If someone tells you that you aren't, make them take down the banner.
Does anyone know | 6:22 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
What ranking the Utes will start the 2009 season out at?
Ken | 6:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I love the Utes but after watching last nights game,I believe Utah would have struggled playing either team. A third ranking may be more realistic
Play anyone? | 7:13 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I'd first like to see a rematch with TCU in Texas. If they can clear that, then I'd say let them play with anyone. Florida is by far better than Utah would ever be.
Bob | 7:14 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I also love the Utes and I believe they would have done much the same against either team that played last night. In fact, Fla and OK both looked a little Bama like in the first half. No, if the Utes come out with the same intensity, it's a good bet that no team in college football could have stopped them on that night. That game was no fluke. The Utes played in tough games all year and seasoned themselves. They were much better prepared and they executed when it mattered. Unlike the wonderful, but flawed 84 Coogs, this team was the match of any team in the nation and they proved it in their bowl game. Not against a 6-5 Michigan team, but against the pride of the SEC and a team that gave Florida everything they could handle and more. The Utes stomped Bama. That can never be taken away.
@ Ken | 7:15 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
People said the exact same thing after the Alabama / Florida game. "I love the utes but after watching last nights game, I believe Utah will struggle with Alabama."
No.... | 7:20 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
...national championship. Sorry, but no one from the state of Utah will ever be able to get one again, no matter how dreamy their season is. The current system prohibits it. You can thank BYU, when they got theres, for this mess, because they didn't want a team like that being crowned again.

Still just one NC for the entire state.
bannertime | 7:29 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I could not agree with bannertime more. Why should we go along with the total fraud that just played out before our eyes? This is not the Soviet Union, for crying out loud, where we are forced to accept everything the man crams down our throats despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The BCS champion cannot be the "national champion" because the BCS does not include the nation. The national champs are the undefeated Utes!!
Ute fan | 7:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I hope the Utes start out in the top 5 but you never know. I don't know how good they will be but if they don't start in the top 5 and go undefeated then they will never make the championship game. Even if they go undefeated again those slime balls from the BCS will probably keep them out of it. WE NEED A PLAYOFF SYSTEM!!!!!! NO MORE BCS!!!!!!!!! People can say what ever they want, the Utes deserve a shot at a title. Maybe they would get beat but to just assume they would is a joke. Why won't Pete Carrol or Mack Brown be more vocal for a playoff??? I love/hate college football.
Re: Ken | 7:47 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
"I believe Utah would have struggled playing either team".

Uh,. . . I think both Florida and Oklahoma struggled with each other.
Tommyk | 7:47 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: bannertime | 7:58 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
what would your banner read "self-proclaimed National Champions"? or how about "close but no cigar National Champions". or to incorporate your rivals "we sorta have one too National Champions".

Napoleon crowed himself and look where that got him in the end!

Be happy with your teams season, don't make their 'failure', right or WRONG, become the focus.
re; utah got robbed | 8:01 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
something has to be yours BEFORE you can be robbed of it.

Utah had a great season, They achieved a great deal for their program, their conference, and even for their fans. Celebrate their success!
Re: various posts | 8:05 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
re: ken I agree. Utah does many things well, but those two "overall" do them better.

re: does anyone know: I think Utah will be top 13 or so depending upon how people view the loss of Brian Johnson. IF the voters believe they can overcome his loss to some degree they'll be ranked high. If not they'll still be top 25.
Utes | 8:14 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
It doesn't matter matter what ranking a team is at the end of the season for next. Utah might be in the top 25, but they base it on how many starters are coming back, and you guys are losing a ton of starters.
Florida Fan | 8:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The Utes had an outstanding season, and while they did not get the chance to play in the final game, they will be assured to get favored polling next year. I know it is know conselation, but by beating Alabama in the Sugar bowl, it really made their season legitimate, which is why they advanced so far in the final Poll.
See you guys next year and good luck.
re: AzByuFan | 8:46 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
You're one classy BYU fan! I would wish the same on the Y if the tables were reversed. I hope the Y kicks Oklahoma to the curb next year! This was the best year for the MWC! A #2 ranked team in the AP that would've been #1 had they been allowed to play for it, and a #7! How many other conferences achieved that? Pac 10? No! Big East? No! ACC? No! The SEC, Big 10, and Big 12 all tied the MWC for two each in the top 10, and the PAC 10 and WAC grabbed one place each in the top 10! The non-BCS schools took 30% of the top 10! Hopefully this will be the impetus to put a stake in the BCS heart and give us a playoff!!
BlueCoug | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
CONGRATULATIONS UTAH!

This was a banner year for the Utes.

Finishing #2 in the final AP Poll and going undefeated is a fantastic accomplishment!

Utah may have been the best team in the country.

They certainly had a better argument for winning the National Championship than any other team and they deserved a chance to prove it on the field.

We need a playoff.

Stumbling out of the gate last season against Air Force and UNLV may have been Utah's undoing.

Those games killed any chance of the Utes being ranked last season and doomed them from being ranked to start this season.

Starting the season unranked and with little momentum from the previous season makes it nearly impossible to climb to #1, especially if you're a "mid-major" who gets little respect anyway.

Utah did crack the first AP Poll at #22, but they didn't get into the Top 10 until late October and never really got much notice as a serious championship contender until after their Sugar Bowl win. USC and Texas being contenders also hurt.

AP Poll Weekly Progression
Week_Date_Rank
1..2-Sep__22
2..7-Sep__22
3.14-Sep__20
4.21-Sep__17
5.28-Sep__15
6..5-Oct__14
7.12-Oct__14
8.19-Oct__12
9.26-Oct__10
10..2-Nov__10
11..9-Nov__8
12.16-Nov__8
13.23-Nov__8
14.30-Nov__7
15..7-Dec__7
16..9-Jan__2
re: bannertime | 8:52 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I agree! We didn't win the BCS because their rules didn't allow it, and we didn't win the AP beauty contest, but UTAH was the only unbeaten team! They had four top 25 wins, two in the top 10 just like Florida, and unlike Florida, they didn't have a loss. A loss at home to Mississippi! We declare the Utes the National Champions, and in the absence of a game between Florida and Utah to prove it, I think our National Champion beats the BCS and AP Champions! I think we should put up a banner for both 2004 and 2008! In the absence of a play-off, our banner would be just as credible as those of the Charletans!
re: Ken | 9:03 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I don't see where you reach that conclusion! Both Florida and Oklahoma didn't look that impressive. I look at Florida's record, and Utah's record, and they are the same with one major difference! Both have four wins over top 25 teams. Both have two wins in the top 10, but only one is undefeated! Utah had some close games, but they never lost! You can't say that about Florida who lost to Mississippi at home!!!!! I bet you didn't think Utah could beat Alabama either! I did. I was surprised by the total domination, though. There is another interesting fact to look at. Utah dominated Alabama the whole game! Florida was losing to Alabama until half way through the 4th quarter! Do you honestly think that a team that beat Alabama so convincingly, would have so much trouble against a team that just pulled out the win against Alabama in the 4th quarter? Am I positive Utah could win Florida? No, but nobody can be positive that Utah couldn't win. In the absence of a play-off, I have to go with what I've seen, and Utah has the better record, and the better game against the common opponent! UTAH #1!
To Fireside Team Gets # 25 | 9:12 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congrats to Utah on a terrific season. I think the shot you take at BYU's firesides is quite funny though. Doesn't KWhitt copy Bronco and now also do firesides? Oh, but we wouldn't want to make fun of KWhitt though.
B.Y.Who? | 9:17 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Everyone talks about common opponents for Utah and USC, and Utah and Florida. No one seems to remember the common opponent that Utah had with Oklahoma (a two loss team). This opponent was TCU, Oklahoma was a lot better against them than Utah was. There are just as many arguments against Utah as there are for Utah and none of it is going to make Utah batter. If they did play in one of the BCS conferences they would not be undefeated.
re: bannertime | 9:50 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
The Utes can hang any banner they want as long as it doesn't violate NCAA and MWC rules, but a "championship" banner would be feel good, but meaningless, unless the Utes finish #1 in some poll -- AP #2 and Coaches #4 are already decided; are there any other meaningful polls?

The Utes aren't the first, and certainly won't be the last, team to finish an unbeaten season and still not be crowned national champion -- see Penn State and Auburn.

Undefeated would be a lock for a national championship if we had a playoff.
Utah#1 | 9:57 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah - National Champions! Amen, end of story!

Re:B.Y.Who? | 10:09 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
"There are just as many arguments against Utah as there are for Utah..."

Please explain these to me. Let me spell this out for you.

Utah played in a conference that was ranked 4th in the country above the ACC and the Big 10 (is that correct? Or was it the big east. I'm not sure) If a team in the ACC went undefeated they would have reached the number one or two mark midway through the season, and they would play in the national championship. Utah's strength of schedule matched any of those teams, especially the Pac 10 and they proved they were legit on the field man handling what America claimed to be a "far superior" Alabama team in their own back yard. Oh yeah, Bama was ranked number one for FIVE WEEKS during the regular season.

Allow me to summarize. Utah beats ranked teams. Utah handles the runner up to the championship game. Utah should be playing in the NC at the very least. But they weren't... which brings us back to square one.

The BCS is a bogus beauty contest.

All right... Now explain to me your arguments against Utah. I want to hear them.
re: Utah got robbed | 10:58 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Cry my a river. Teams get robbed every year. Welcome to the BCS my friend. You think you are the only team that ever got robbed? Give me a break and wake up to reality. You are just this year's victim. Great season. You can bring banners to the RES next year that say "We're #2!!!!!". Have fun with that. Oh, and by the way, you will NEVER and I do mean NEVER win a national championship. This year is as good as it will ever get. Enjoy it.

National Championships:
BYU- 1
Utah- 0

SCOREBOARD
Alabama "OVERRATED" | 11:07 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Even the espn guys were saying that during the regualr season. The SEC wasn't that strong this year so to make ALabam this powerhouse just because they have SEC on their jerseys doesn't make them great. Utah hasn't played like that the whole season so let;s get real about that. THe true champion should be USC. They lost on the road to Oregon st by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Florida lost at home to OLD MISS, PLEASE!! GET IT RIGHT! We will be back next year! FIGHT ON TROJANS!
@ utes | 11:20 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah is not losing a ton of starters...10 returning starters on Defense, YES 10. and 6 returners on offense. Anyone who returns 16 starters is in fine shape. Research before you post dummy.
Congrove Computer Rankings | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
CCR - Congrove Computer Rankings
AP - Associated Press Poll
Coaches� - USA Today Coaches Poll

Team_CCR_AP_Coaches'_W-L
Florida_1_1_1_13-1
USC_2_3_2_12-1
Texas_3_4_3_12-1
Utah_4_2_4_13-0
Oklahoma_5_5_5_12-2
Boise State_6_11_13_12-1
Penn State_7_8_8_11-2
Alabama_8_6_6_12-2
TCU_9_7_7_11-2
Texas Tech_10_12_12_11-2
Ohio State_11_9_11_10-3
Oregon_12_10_9_10-3
Georgia_13_13_10_10-3
Ball State_14_*_*_12-2
Tulsa_15_*_*_11-3
Cincinnati_16_17_17_11-3
Missouri_17_19_16_10-4
BYU_18_25_21_10-3
Oregon State_19_18_19_9-4
California_20_*_25_9-4
Iowa_21_20_20_9-4
Mississippi_22_14_15_9-4
Florida State_23_21_23_9-4
Virginia Tech_24_15_14_10-4
West Virginia_25_23_*_9-4
Oklahoma State_26_16_18_9-4
Michigan State_29_24_24_9-4
Georgia Tech_38_22_22_9-4
This is wrong | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Florida lost AT HOME to a team that is 9-4. The system is flawed and biased, Utah is the true champion.
I love this | 11:33 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
the difference between 2004 and 2008 is that there is a ton of talent left in the cupboard. Virtually the whole defense returns next year and the offense returns a ton of playmakers with outstanding underclassmen and new recruits entering the mix. The QB will be a question mark but look for a lot of success from the utes for years to come.

Utah will find its way into the title game before too long. The peices are there and 2008 is a stepping stone.
USC? | 12:55 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Someone tell me what USC did to deserve any attention? They beat the top two teams from that AMAZING Big 10 (at home both times) and play in that AWESOME PAC 10 conference. This is why we need a playoff system. USC, you lost, nothing changes that. Sit down. Anybody with a 0 in the loss column stand up. Only one? Well who is the national champion then?
Jeremy | 1:22 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
So, the BCS is some entity operating inside the rules of the NCAA and consistently places whom it wants in the NC game. Why doesn't a new entity just start a new championship series, based on the rules of the NCAA, and fashion it like every other major sport in the nation - one with a legitimate playoff system?

I'm a die-hard BYU fan, but I gotta hand it to the Utes, they came to play and were the better team.
J R | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Let Utah join the Pac 10 or SEC and see if it ever goes undefeated.

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