Did ya hear that, BYU fans?? | 1:07 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
"It is the best team that ever was in Utah."
The Utes rock.
Happy Cougar Fan | 1:17 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
My hat's off to the Utes...great game plan and outstanding execution by the team. Superb year for the entire conference. Utes deserve to be #1 for their season's accomplishments...

I'll go to my grave a Cougar...but I could't be happier for the Utes right now...again...congrats on a great season.
The NIT | 1:44 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The 2008 University of Utah football team is class - class with excellence. Coach Whit sets a great example and the team has followed perfectly. Congratulations to the team, the school and the State of Utah! Go UTES!!
Comments continue below
egorr | 1:42 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The reason that there is a BCS at all is because a NON BCS conference team won the national championship in the past and the big conferences could not stand it.....thus they put together as system that essentially said, "never again" is a non BCS team going to be national champion. And they have succeeded.

The Utes did what no other can claim.....which ever team is crowned national champions they still were not the undefeated team.

As Johnson said "what else do we have to do"

The current system is set up by the powerful for the powerful. In business we call it a monopoly, it violates the antitrust laws currently on the books and until the law gets involved there will be no changes.
browntown | 1:57 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
This was not the best team ever in the state of Utah. This was a good team that didn't get a chance to lose in a playoff.
TheHailstorm | 5:26 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Fanntastic Game for the Utes !
Utes, Utes get the recruits !
Everyone in the state and the MWC came out winners, and we keep koach Kyle. How sweeeet is that ?
Granny | 6:09 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Maybe excluding some teams from the national championship has to do with their erratic records. Utah's best teams (usually the U of U and BYU) are rarely consistently good year after year, unlike Alabama, Florida State, and Oklahoma etc.
Crim Son | 6:15 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The U had a good team this year. But luck has no place in the BCS standing. Wait about 10 years.
put up or shut up | 6:59 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I believe the Utes should PUBLICALLY challenge the winner of the national championship FedEX game to a match. If they are turned down, they can say PUBICALLY that the winners are afraid of playing/losing to the Utes. If the challenge is accepted, the Utes can get what they want--a chance to REALLY be the top dogs in the country, OR to crash and burn, and be told a million times: "See, we told you you shouldn't be playing the Big Boys". Either way, the Utes would know what they are really capable of, and the rest of the country would know. It would but the whole matter to rest. Everybody (BCS included) would have to put up or shut up.
RE: Crim Son | 7:06 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
"The U had a good team this year. But luck has no place in the BCS standing."

Are you serious? What about pre-season rankings? If Utah was ranked in the top-15 prior to any games being played they would have a shot at the 1 or 2 spot.

Since BYU was ranked in the preseason that overrated team had a better chance at the title then the unranked Utah team.
Intensity and Emotion | 7:49 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I am continually amazed at Utah and the way they can get up for the big games and do what they need to do in the little ones (UNLV, UNM, etc.) I wish my beloved cougars could show a little more intesity and emotion for the big games. They treat Bowl games, or big conference games (TCU, Utah, etc.) like they are playing eastern washington. You can say it's not true, but I was at most home games this year, and it sure as H*** looked like it. Not all teams are created equally. Kyle has figured this out. That's why we needed collie on 4th and 18 last year. They get up for big games. As a former coach, you have to learn from other coaches. A coach who thinks he already knows it all will get left behind. Ask Joe Pa and La Velle. The sooner Bronco and Anae figure this out the better. Or are you going to leave it up to Austin Collie to try and rally the troops at half time.

Good job Utes. You did the job that my cougs couldnt.
utahmanami | 8:00 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
When the final history of the BCS is written, it will be noted that the BCS came to be largely because of what BYU did in 1984 and ended, at least in part, because of what the University of Utah did in 2009.
Utah best program in state | 8:00 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
From a BYU fan, Utah has the best football program in the state. Better than BYU. Look at the number of new head coaches that the U produces every couple of years. That only happens from great programs and the U has eclipsed the Y in football. Too bad the U doesn't have a 60000 seat stadium because they would fill it. The Y can't compete on a national level like the U simply because of the BYU honor code and the gap between the two is widening every year I believe. Bronco just can't get the same caliber of athlete as the U or TCU and I think this win for the U will make that gap between the two programs even wider going forward. Another thing this win for the U does is add prestige to the university on a national level both athletically and academically. The "Utah" name is bigger today because of this win.
Who's Number 1? | 8:06 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The Utes are. The BCS system needs to be thrown out. It's garbage. Maybe the non-BCS conferences should have their own playoff system, not invite anyone from the BCS conferences and determine their own national champion. I think a lot more people would watch college football playoffs, even if the non-BCS teams are not included. Until the BCS is thrown out, the non-BCS teams should have their own playoffs and not accept any bowl invitations to play BCS teams. Instead of fighting the BCS every year, let's just create another system for non-BCS teams.
DennyG | 8:24 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The Utes are every bit as much #1 this year as the cougs were in 84'.
Without the BCS I may have turned out as such. Who cares, they're #1 to all of us.
Way to go big RED!
Mr_rhinoguy | 8:29 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Im a die hard BYU fan, But way to go UTAH. It appears the BCS is a lot like the Electoral College. Neither make alot of sense.
SunDevil | 8:36 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
"I may go to my grave as a Cougar, but surely be resurrected as a Ute."

This is a team that doesn't care about "labels," otherwise they would have been defined by rhetoric that never gave them a chance.

Integrity is Integrity; and Integrity knows whose best--and this year in collegiate football with integrity the Utah Utes become the very definition of "Champion."
Ellie | 8:42 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
From a TCU fan: GREAT GAME! GREAT TEAM! I am proud of your awesome accomplishments! You have made history that hopefully will make a way for changes in the flawed BCS system. Enjoy this great moment!! We look forward to playing you next year!!
Bob in line | 8:42 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Can I do an 'I told you so'?

For a few years now I have heard my Ute buddies mock the way BYU won the national championship in 1984. We beat a 16th ranked Michigan team and then had to play politics, having had a perfect season. We were not allowed into the national championship game and could only 'play the teams on our schedule' I think were coach Witt's words. We did everything we could, to include beating a #2 ranked Pittsburgh team at the beginning of the year. In the end, we got the national championship by default, and thus was born the BCS.

Now you are in the exact same position, maybe better in one regard: You beat a solid #4 ranked Alabama, not #16 Michigan. Now you have to just have to hope and pray. Sadly, you can't do anything more than beat every team on your schedule.

BYU's national championship in 1984 is every bit as legitimate as your claim this year. I hope you get it but know that it is HIGHLY unlikely. Even though you throttled an Alabama team in a more convincing manner than Flordia did.

Let's hope for the AP.
Florida/OK | 8:46 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009

If either team wins NC, it will be with an asterisk (*):

(*): In 2008, University of Utah football team finished 13-0, beating 4 top-25 ranked team including #1-ranked most of the regular season Alabama 31-17 in Sugar Bowl. According to a football fan from ESPN, 66% agreed Utah should be named National Champion.

SoCalUtahFan
Texas Cougar | 8:47 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Granny:Since you mentioned the great programs at Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma (and they are), I did a little research. Here is won-loss records for the last five yeas.
Alabama 33-30
Florida State 41-23
Utah 46-15
Oklahoma 54-13

Strength of schedule? Over that same time period, Alabama, FSU and Oklahoma played the powerhouses from Northern Illinois, Troy, Western Michigan and Rice, to name a few. CONGRADUALTIONS UTAH.

Get Used To It Cougs | 8:55 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I'm a huge Cougar fan and ever since the Cougs lost to Utah I have been behind the Utes 100% during this run. But BYU fans need to understand that their self-imposed recruiting limitations will only increase the talent gap they have with Utah and TCU (and the BCS big boys). BYU recruits mission-bound eagle scouts almost exclusively. That is fine if football remains priority #4 or 5. But it simply does not produce the kind of athletes from top to bottom that can do what Utah did.

Utah actually has the best of both worlds right now in recruiting. They are able to draw mission bound kids just as easily as BYU. They have a very rich LDS structure at the U in terms of student body, fellow LDS players, strong institute program, and quality LDS coaches. And they can also bring in quality athletes who are not LDS and actually let them have a life. On top of that, the very best LDS players have been choosing BCS schools with regularity for quite a while. BYU fans need to just enter reality and recognize that BYU's mission is to promote the Church - not beat Alabama.
Now is..... | 9:05 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
the time to lure all the best high school recruits to flock to Utah, hopefully a lot of them from the State of Utah itself.

The Utes are number 1 in my book. Go Utes!!!
Hats off.. | 9:12 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I just happened to be flipping through the channels and saw a 21-0 score on the screen. I must admit I was a shocked. I ended up watching the rest of the game just to see what would happen. I am not a UTE fan but, I must say they played one heck of a game. They deserve to be ranked in the top spot. Congrat to all of you Utah fans!
wm | 9:13 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
As long as this world has "dukes of hazzard good ol boys" and greed the BCS will be here until the end of the world. Greast job Utah way to show them!
sami | 9:14 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The whole affair is a reflection of our nation today. The golden rule..those that have the gold rule...It does not matter what we think, does not matter how good we are, or who we beat. The western teams are looked at as Bryant Gumball said (about BYU) "Podunk U". So, how do we as a state get past this and have our teams receive the national recognition that they deserve? I think the BCS is actually afraid of the non-BCS teams, esp Utah. I agree!!!, non-BCS teams!!!, have our own playoffs and put Mitt in charge of the whole thing!
true NATIONAL CHAMPS | 9:21 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Anyone who saw the game on friday night and witnessed the Utah Utes become the true National Champions in college football...no matter what the outcome is on the "so called" bcs title game..I believe America knows who the true national champion is...and that team resides in Salt Lake City, Utah...."end of story"

2009 NC UTAH UTES!
Nice Try | 9:29 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
National Championship = "The best team there ever was in Utah".
Next.
The "A" | 9:47 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The only way to get rid of the BCS is to simply quit attending the games and quit watching them on TV. Boycott the sponsers!! Utes are the best!!!
re:Did ya hear that, BYU fans?? | 9:52 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
First post is a slam at BYU. For all of the class the cougar fans have shown the Utes, don't you think it's time to learn to be gracious winners. Isn't the classless fan routine getting a bit "played out", tiresome, old, and just sorta stupid?

And aside from Gov. Huntsman getting caught up in the moment (and attended the U before graduating at U of Pennsylvania), there have been many great football teams (and basketball)from all three major schools over the years. Even Weber State had a great season. I think Utah State will look good in the coming years.

It's time we all realized that Utah is a great place for college sports, and stop the scoolyard bickering over who's best. Can't we all just say we enjoy watching the teams play, in good years and bad?

Congrats Utah for a great season, and a great Sugar Bowl win.
Cougar Backer | 10:14 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Man, those yewts bug me! But the Gov. is right -- they deserve a share of the national championship. (And as far as I'm concerned, that will just make it more fun when BYU beats them next year.)
Chicago Cougar | 10:19 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Awesome Job Utah! Unlike Utah Fans (toward BYU) I am a "BYU Fan," not a Utah hater. Being what it is...you should be "National Champs." Great game, great win and great season! We'll see you next year.
Gov's Comment | 10:17 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Best team that ever was in Utah? Good grief. Ya just lost my vote, Gov. (Obviously, I'm a BYU guy.)

But I will say this, Utah should declare themselves national champs and celebrate like it. I wanna see t-shirts with nat'l champs 2008 on them! Who has a better claim -- no one. (Though it makes me slightly sick to my stomach to write it, it's true.)
Re: True National Champs | 10:44 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
The closest the Utes will ever come to winning the National Championship will be having their fans say they won it in these comment boards.
BamaFan | 11:08 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I'm an Alabama fan. I watched both the SEC Championship (Alabama v. Florida) and the Sugar Bowl. Utah's defeat of Alabama looked even more convincing than Florida's. Utah deserves the National Championship, period.
Protest! | 11:15 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Has anyone considered organizing a peaceful protest at the BCS NC game protesting that Utah be crowned champs or allowed to play the winner of the UF/OU game? I would, but I am physically unable.
Ute in Wisconsin | 11:17 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Memo to Chicago Cougar. I am a Utes fan totally ... and do not really care from week to week what BYU did or did not do. I do not believe I am alone - at least among Ute fans and alumni that do not live within a couple hundred miles of Provo. Go Utes ... end of story.
Fan Behavior | 11:20 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
I have to give it to the Coog fans who have posted. For the most part you have been humble, gracious and have shown the proper respect to the best football team that has ever played in the state of Utah. Just kidding--classy would be a better word and I'm serious. Thank you for your words of support and congrats. Football in Utah would be no fun at all without Utah/BYU. The fact that most fans on both sides are great people and great fans usually goes unreported and that's a shame.
Re: True National Champs | 11:19 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
You're not paying attention. It's not just the fans that are saying they won it in these comment boards. There are many people in high places saying the Utes are the best, and that's not just happening here in Utah...it's throughout the country. Learn to live with it.
John Cougar | 11:23 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Certain events have changed my mind on a number of things. At the begining of this football season I thought:
1. BYU was a better football team than Utah,
2. Max Hall was better quarter-back than Brian Johnson,
3. Bronco was a better football coach than Kyle.

Congratulations Utes on a great season. Hope we can give you a run next year.


No doubts... | 11:32 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009

that the 2008 Utah team is the best/greatest football team ever in the state of Utah history.

1984 BYU team was good.
2004 Utah team was excellent in making BCS history as first non-BCS to make to a BCS bowl.
2008 Utah team was the GREATEST --it confirmed that 2004 was no fluke and that UTAH is worthy of National Championship in beating 4 top-25 ranked teams including #1-ranked-for-most-of-regular-season Alabama. Not only they defeated Alabama, they dominated the game.
ESPN national poll... | 11:34 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009

of football fans...show 65% agree Utah should be NC.
mhelal2 | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
As a UTES fan, I have to give some credit to BYU, they push us to better and we push them to do better. Without rivalry between the UTES and BYU, it would be hard to achieve such level.

Thanks for showing class BYU fan, I rooted for BYU when they played Arizona.
No such thing as National Champ | 11:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Until there's a playoff, there's no such thing as a National Champion in football. Not Florida, not Oklahoma, not Texas, not USC and not Utah. Until they beat each other in a playoff format all you can say is we have a bunch of bowl-game winners.
Wilsod | 11:50 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Michael Young should know that the NCAA does not award a national champion in the top division in football. Let the winner of the Florida/Oklahoma game be awarded the BCS championship, everyone else should vote Utah as the true National Champion, or, if you prefer, the Mythical National Champion.
We learned a lot... | 11:53 a.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Utah is the best team ever in the history of the state of Utah that had a favorable home schedule, middle-of-the-road non-conference schedule, and won on the scoreboard every time it lost statistically. While the 2008 Utah team is definitely in the Top 10 and possibly Top 5 ever in the state of Utah, the 2004 Utah team would have eaten its lunch, as would the 1983, 1984, or 1996 Cougars. Sorry, that's just life.

BYU started with the more favorable national ranking because they appeared to have the players necessary to make a run at the big time. They choked. However, they're still undefeated at home the past 3+ years. If Utah had played at TCU or Oregon State this year it would have lost, and the BYU game would have been different (maybe still a win, but Hall's not a good enough QB to play as well on the road as he does at home).

Congrats on a great season and the dagger through the heart of the BCS! Enjoy the victory and get ready for next year. Utah's cupboard is bare, and the "TDS" is loaded except the offensive line (which didn't do much this year, anyway).
TJ Smith | 12:09 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
First off, what a tremendous victory by the Utes! Also, what an incredible season! I know I picked up a little ribbing on my Tribune post on January 1 when I picked the Utes by 11 over Alabama (just as I was taken to task weeks earlier for predicting the Utes over BYU by 25). But the Utes pulled through, as I knew they would.

Now for the rankings. Absolutely the Utes deserve the #1 ranking in the country. To briefly review, Utah beat 4 top 25 teams: TCU, Oregon State, BYU, and Alabama. Remember, Oregon State beat USC, USC's only loss; TCU beat previously undefeated Boise State; and, of course, Alabama, a team that held the #1 ranking for 5 weeks, beat Georgia (who ended up 10-3) and LSU, and came within one quarter of playing for the national championship. Also, Florida beat Alabama by 11; Utah beat Alabama by 14 in New Orleans, basically a home game for Alabama.

(continued)
TJ Smith | 12:10 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
(Part 2)

The best thing Ute fans can do now is to flood the AP voters with our e-mails and remind them of these obvious facts listed above, coupled with the fact that the Utes are UNDEFEATED, a claim that no other team in America can make. Neither Florida nor Oklahoma (Texas, and USC, for that matter) can honestly make the same claim because of each of their one losses. It is actually possible for the Utes to be ranked #1 in the AP poll. This split happened 4 years ago in January 2005 when USC was voted AP#1 although LSU received the BCS title. (Reading the fans comments on many national online papers, there is a huge amount of support for the Utes across the U.S.)

Thanks for an unforgettable, history-making season, Utes!!!
Protest the NC game | 12:11 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Ok,

Here's the deal. Everyone needs to boycott the NC game. Don't turn on the TV. Let the network and all the advertisers know that this is not a true NC game and, thus, you will not be watching it. Make it the lowest-rated football game of the year, and the people with the money who made up this atrocity will decide there should be a change.
Except... | 12:18 p.m. Jan. 4, 2009
Except, of course, for the team that was National Champions.

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