Deseret News | Reader comments: Utes' finish was expected

Reader comments
Mike Sorensen: Utes' finish was expected

Jim McD | 1:39 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

"fail to consider the logistics"? You make is sound like there are no playoffs in college football. 1AA teams have been overcoming these "logistic" challenges for years and somehow seem to manage a fan base at the games during the playoffs. If it's too hard for you and the rest of the 1A schools that are supposedly bigger and brighter then I have a suggestion. Call the 1AA selection committee and ask for pointers on how this works. Maybe they can educate you on how the "logistics" can be worked out. This has got to be the weakest of all arguments I have heard for not having a playoff. Unbelievable.

Reality | 2:16 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Why is it OK for basketball fans to travel to 2 or 3 cities for a playoff and not for football fans?

The BCS teams played on average, tougher competition than Utah did. For example, Utah only played and beat Oregon State (at home), while USC had to play ALL the PAC 10. Not the same...

I seriously doubt that Utah could beat USC and Texas this year. Be happy you got number 2 - you're lucky there was not a playoff.

Larry H. | 5:41 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I have been watching a lot of articles about the Utes (wow, did they ever whip Alabama! I am a BYU grad, though I went to the U for one quarter, so I guess I am a bit like the U coach.. anyway, it was thrilling to see Utah not only win the game, but win it decisively! Isn't it interesting that the MWC was probably the conference which initiated the process to create the BCS system, when BYU was #1 in 1984, now, Utah may be the team to at least modify the BCS, having won in both BCS games it has played in! So the MWC is having quite an influence on national college sports..). I have been waiting to see if anyone mentions the fact that the players on college teams do also, sometimes, have classes to attend! If a playoff system was implemented, it would have a negative impact on the classroom performance of at least some of the players who may not be as gifted in the classroom as on the field. We need to just enjoy the games more and not try to make college ball a semi-pro league....

Comments continue below

Can't believe it | 7:32 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I don't live in Utah and I never read articles about UofU sports on the Deseret News. But I do read a lot of articles about BYU on here. And in EVERY SINGLE ARTICLE some anti-BYU fan (and many times these fans are also anti-LDS) will make a negative comment about my school and often times my church.

I live outside of Washington DC and apparently the UofU marching band was a late invite to perform at the inauguration. Our LDS stake has taken on itself to organize housing for the band because all of the hotels are full.

I am not participating mostly because I'm not comfortable bringing complete strangers into my house (I have 4 kids). Aside from that, after reading all of the negative anti-LDS comments from fans of the UofU on this board over the years, there's no way that I'd go out of my way to help their institution.

I'm sure there are plenty of people in my stake who will turn the other cheek and help here. It bothers me that the UofU will take advantage of our church's organization and service when it helps them but ridicule us every other day. Sad.

RE: Reality | 7:42 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Your name is meant as a joke right? The MWC teams were 6-1 against PAC 10 teams, and Utah topped them all, we proved it on the field. The numbers in the win column are not a fluke as many people so desperatley want to believe. Then on top of that we THRASHED Alabama who for 5 weeks was #1 not to mention they were undefeated in the SEC untill they ran into Flordia, so you need a reality check the Utes only crime was to play in the conference they are assinged to by people who are apologists for elitest BCS conferences like yourself.

BamaGunny | 8:59 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

There is parity in college football. I am not surprised that Utah beat Alabama, just heartbroken. Next time just beat us by a couple of points, okay? Sports fans, Alabama was for real this year. What Utah did was some of the best football Iï¿½ve seen. After the first touchdown it was over.

Florida is very good; very deep and fast. Bama pushed them against the ropes until that freak Tebow decided he was going to beat us anyway. I love SEC football and pulled for Florida to beat OK. However, I think football is about much more than running plays on each side of the ball. I think itï¿½s about character: coaching, players and fans. Like the old BYU team of the 80s, Utah has it in spades. I have watched you guys over the years. Too bad the Alabama team hasnï¿½t.

The MWC is as good as any conference ï¿½ always has been. Yï¿½all stay out there so we can continue to beat our chest and pretend we are the best! I canï¿½t believe Coach Saban didnï¿½t vote Utah #1. Utah can and would beat any team in America.

Roll Tide and GO #1 UTES

lack of reality | 9:00 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Still in that BYU denial set ? What is with the comparisons? Face it, it is what it is and BYU just blew a so so bowl game that added nothing but a black eye on the MWC.

We need a playoff | 9:04 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

The already successful playoff systems in I-aa (I know), Div II and III already prove that the logistics can be worked out. The revenue from television would be huge as excitement builds with each round (see March Madness). The so-called major bowl games could rotate hosting the various rounds of the playoff, preserving their tradtion. The plethora of lesser bowls could continue to host "bragging rights only" games just as they do now, allowing the teams not qualifying for the playoff the same experience they currently have (a great consolation prize- see NIT). We would still have many happy teams at the end of the season. Even teams who qualify for the playoff but lose would feel success- just as sweet sixteen and final four teams take pride in a great season even if not successful in winning it all. Instead of all the arguement about who could beat who, and instead of all the frustration with a beauty pageant system of deciding who wins a national title we would award the title the same way every other college sport does- based on actual play on the field.

Logistics???? | 9:06 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

11 conference champions plus 5 highest ranked at-large teams (AP/Coaches polls combined)

Seed according to combined rankings, but avoid first round same conference matchups when possible

Play each Saturday beginning the 1st Saturday after Christmas

1..#1..Oklahoma..(Big..12)
2..#2..Florida..(SEC)
3..#3..Texas..(at..large)
4..#4..Alabama..(at..large)
5..#5..USC..(PAC..10)
6..#6..Utah..(MWC)
7..#7..Texas..Tech..(at..large)
8..#8..Penn..St..(Big..Ten)
9..#9..Boise..St..(WAC)
10..#10..Ohio..St..(at..large)
11..#11..TCU..(at..large)
12..#12..Cincinnati..(Big..East)
13..#14..Georgia..Tech..(ACC)
14..East..Carolina..(C-USA)
15..Buffalo..(MAC)
16..Troy..(Sun..Belt)

1st round at home of higher seed, Dec 27

Troy at Oklahoma
Buffalo at Florida
East Carolina at Texas
Georgia Tech at Alabama
Cincinnati at USC
TCU at Texas Tech
Ohio State at Utah
Boise State at Penn State

2nd round in Orange, Sugar, Fiesta and Rose Bowls, Jan 3

Fiesta: #1/#16..winner vs. #8/#9..winner
Orange: #2/#15..winner vs. #6/#10..winner
Sugar: #3/#14..winner vs. #7/#11..winner
Rose: #4/#13..winner vs. #5/#12..winner

Semi-Final in Tempe and New Orleans, Jan 10

Tempe: Fiesta vs. Rose winner
New Orleans: Sugar vs. Orange winner

National Championship in Pasadena, Jan 17

Tempe vs. New Orleans winner

The rest of the bowls could be played as usual on any day other than Saturday.

EVERY team would start the season with an equal opportunity to win the undisputed

TRUE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!!

AND, 27 teams WOULD STILL finish with a win!

Academics would not suffer | 9:17 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

A football playoof would largely occur during the winter break. Lower division college football players already have a playoff and their players seem to manage academics just fine. Only a very few teams would play more than one game anyway. Basketball players play more games, traveling to mid week games as well as weekend games, and have a huge end of season playoff involving many more teams than would be involved in a football playoff and they seem to manage academics just fine. The academics arguement against a playoff just doesn't hold water.

JMT | 9:21 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

To Realit, Your a troll and you need to crawl back under your bridge. Deep down you are most likely a BYU fan and are trying to stir the pot, so I won't comment on your stupidity.

To Larry H. You must be or have been a member of the band or choir. If you were any kind of athlete you would realize the accomidations schools make for their athletes. And no, not favortism, in fact, the athletes have it harder then most students. Try learning and keeping up with the 5 inch play book while preparing for a chemistry exam. The faculty do make some accomidations by allowing extra time on some work but keep in mind the athlete has to work much harder than the average Joe to keep their grades up and play sports.

Zelph, the Sport Guru | 9:50 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Like the article says, the MWC teams must beat non-conference opponents. BYU is only 1-21 against ranked teams. BYU really needs to make some major improvements if they are going to get respect and help the MWC.

Need a Playoff | 9:55 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

This whole paragraph below is Exhibit A why there needs to be a playoff. It's ridiculous that a game with a scoreboard continues to determine its national champion like a figure skating competition.

"A lot of folks have pointed out that Florida was the best team in the country and thus deserved the No. 1 ranking. Probably so. But in other sports, the best team doesn't necessarily win championships every year. It's the teams that are the best at the end of the season. Look at the Philadelphia Eagles, who sat in last place in their division most of the year and needed a series of fortunate outcomes two weeks ago to even make the playoffs. Now the Eagles are a game away from playing in the Super Bowl. Florida was very good at the end, but so was Utah, which played its best ball of the year over its last four games. ..."

Playoff | 10:27 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

There are several ways and means to schedule a playoff. The ony draw back is the BCS! Don't expect a playoff anytime soon...or ever for that matter!

Sports Newbie | 10:40 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Until 2008, Utah had NEVER beaten a Top 10 team in football! Utah needs to step it up next year and not tank again like they did in 2005.

USU Fanatic | 11:02 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

To: Sports Newbie,

Compare the win-loss record of Utah against ranked teams to BYU's 1-21 against ranked teams. LOL!!!

I await your answer. The answer is going to hurt and embarass you a little bit!

Why not? | 11:45 a.m. Jan. 12, 2009

People use the Bowl system as a reason that you can't have a playoff. Why not couch a playoff in the existing bowl system. Keep all the bowls...the Meinke Car Care Bowl, the Sun Bowl, the New Mexico Bowl, the Poinsetta Bowl, the Liberty Bowl, the Cotton Bowl...and let teams with 6-6 record or better go to bowl games. But let the top 8 teams playoff in the existing BCS bowl system. 1 vs. 8 in the Rose, 2 vs. 7 in the Fiesta, 3 vs. 6 in the Orange, and 4 vs. 5 in the Sugar. All you need is a semifinal game (Let's do it in the Cotton Bowl) in addition to a BCS championship game which already exists.

I know there are some logistical challenges, but if Barack Obama can save the world, and he wants a playoff, why can't we make it happen?

Re; Can't believe it | 12:05 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Funny, you brought that up before anybody else. Don't jump the gun on accusations before they happen, that really weakens your comment and opinion

Otherwise... Go UTES!! They had a great season and, they way they are rolling, could hang with USC or Florida. I'm not saying they would win, but you couldn't count them out at this point.

Also, arguing that USC had to play the entire PAC 10... big whoop! The Pac10 was pretty weak this year. They finished okay in the bowls, but the WAC and MWC conference records against you guys this year would indicate that the PAC10 was the worst of these 3 conferences this year. This was NOT a strong year for the PAC, sorry to break it to you.

Re: Can't Believe It | 12:27 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Wow, talk about taking stereotypes too far! First, were you aware that over half of Utah's football team and coaching staff are LDS? There were several articles about them in the Mormon Times section during the season. I don't know the precise demographics of the band membership, but it's probably pretty close.

Second, every fan base has its idiots, even (gasp!) BYU's. It's not the University that is bashing BYU or the Church, it's the dorky fans who get too involved in the rivalry. If you did read more articles pertaining to the U, you would see on a regular basis that BYU fans say the same things about the U - U fans absolutely DO NOT have a monopoly on rudeness and ridicule.

As a fellow Church member but U alum and staunch Utah fan, probably the most irksome thing about BYU fans is their assumption similar to yours that we're all a bunch of drunks who hate the Church. I'm not saying such people do not exist (I know a few...), but it is SOOOO far from the rule that your stereotyping the U is only reinforcing others' stereotype of the holier than thou BYU fan.

not ALL BYU fans | 12:54 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Just to clarify, there are only SOME dumb U of U fans and only SOME dumb BYU fans!!! I wish people wouldn't put all fans into one category. I'm an LDS, BYU fan and I cheered for the U. to win! I don't assume that ALL U of U fans are drunk anit-mormons... only SOME of them are. Let's try not to make blanket statements on here folks.

Still Can't Believe It | 1:00 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I know some BYU fans can be annoying and worse, and I've never claimed that the UofU has a monopoly on bad fans in this rivalry. However, you have to admit that ridiculing another school because of a rivalry is one thing while belittling another's religion is entirely different.

My point remains the same though. I never said that UofU fans are all drunks or that all of them hate our church. But, almost every single day in this paper UofU fans make fun of BYU because it is affiliated with the LDS church. Then that very same church goes out of its way to help arrange housing for the UofU band.

How am I supposed to get excited about housing students from a school whose fans (and students) ridicule my church on a DAILY basis? I don't think that's a holier than thou attitude. Maybe you think it is. I think it's just a logical reaction to the daily barrage of church bashing from the UofU's fans in places like this forum (at least on the BYU articles) and the LDS church bashing I've seen first hand at BYU-UofU sporting events I've attended.

RE Cant believe it | 1:23 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Just one question.

When was the last time BYU honored a prominent leader of the LDS church by wearing his initials on their helmet during the biggest game in their history?
'
You (BYU) talk such a great talk...It's time to start walking

Re Can't Believe It | 1:32 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

Never said that all UofU fans are drunk and anti-LDS. Nor that all BYU fans are always appropriate or nice. I just am not interested at all in supporting a university whose fans ridicule my church on a daily basis in this newspaper. I understand that every UofU fan may not feel that way, but the treatment I've received and seen over the years from many of their fans has left a really bad taste in my mouth. So I am not interested in letting their school's band members stay at my house. That's all. Perhaps you think that's a 'holier than thou' attitude...I think it's a natural reaction to the many anti-LDS rants I've read over the years from UofU fans.

Re: Can't Believe | 3:47 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I CAN'T BELIEVE what you're writing. First off, this article is about the 3 best football teams in the history of the state of Utah and you're going off on why you don't like Utah fans or the band? Not only that, but living in DC, when did you have the chance to go to a Utah BYU game? I don't quite believe a word you're saying. Also, did you see the sticker in the back of the U players helmet for the Sugar Bowl? Looked a little like they were supporting the church to me...

RE Cant Believe It | 4:37 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

I will agree with you in that I would also be hestant to do the same for BYU as a result of endless comments ridiculing the character, inteligence, and nature of the students and fan base of the U. You are free to feel justified in your sterotypical view... just as I am in mine. Fans are both side take the rivalry MUCH too far, and make way to many personal attacks.

More to Can't Bellieve It | 5:10 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

About your more recent comment: you "are not interested at all in supporting a university whose fans ridicule my church on a daily basis..." Switch the words "university" and "church" and you'll get a sense for how we LDS Utes feel about BYU fans like you.

Here, let me help you: "I am just not interested at all in supporting a CHURCH whose fans (or members, if you prefer) ridicule my UNIVERSITY on a daily basis in this newspaper."

Luckily, my testimony is stronger than that, and I still attend church every week. But take a step back and try to realize how narrowly you are casting any Church member that supports the U. As others have pointed out, the U just put a sticker on their helmets acknowledging the life of Elder Wirthlin and his affiliation with Utah football - did BYU sports teams do anything when Pres Hinckley passed away? Coach Whittingham and half his staff, plus over half the players at the U, are LDS!

Perhaps you think THIS is a "holier than thou" attitude, I think it's just a natural reaction to the many anti-Utah rants I've read over the years from BYU fans.

play it | 6:00 p.m. Jan. 12, 2009

give all the big confrences home field atvantage in a playoff system and we will still beat them... you think no Michigan fans would show up to a Michigan game at the big house??? Too cold?? what is your argument to how all the other divisions do it?. small schools with no money.. not one of the most profitable biz in the states right now.. Did you get a nice gift bag this year???

RE Cant Believe It | 7:57 a.m. Jan. 13, 2009

Wow. I am a very active LDS member outside of Utah and a Utah alum. You are taking the stereotypes way too far. I have seen more negative comments and articles from BYU fans towards Utah than the other way around. There is definitely far more hypocrisy wearing blue and white than there is wearing crimson. I hope you can work through your issues, because it is definitely YOUR PROBLEM.

As A Ute fan | 1:12 p.m. Jan. 13, 2009

guess I shouldn't have invited BYU athletes into my home when the football team visited Jacksonville several years back or some of the womens golf team into my home here in St George during the NCAA a few years back......I have to get better at your stereotyping MR Can't believe it......guess I should go burn my Ute gear right now

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