Deseret News | U. season greatest in our history

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Mike Sorensen: U. season greatest in our history

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Anne | 10:46 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

To: Re: Anne

The problem I see with BYU this year is this whole idea that they just need to execute and they will win games. They approached all teams with this idea that if they just play their game, they will win. They just didn't seem to give respect to their opponents or make any necessary adjustments.

As far as the Book of Mormon pride cycle, which I am assuming you are referring to- I actually think this year's BYU team fits better into it. The Utes showed great respect to each of the teams they played this year. They let their play on the field speak for them. BYU was a lot of talk, and I just think if they want to win out next year, they need to focus more on game play and show a bit more respect for those they play.

Re: Not one of those fans | 10:47 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Just curious, would Joseph B. Wirthin approve of Ute fans holding up signs that say "Where's your God now?", or chanting profanity-filled anti-Mormon sayings?

Some of us Y fans remember when Mormon-haters like Wayne Howard ran the Ute program. Back then if an LDS recruit interested in playing football for Utah wanted to go on a mission their attitude was he should go to BYU instead.

Part of the reason the Utes are no longer the doormat of the conference is that Ron McBride recognized if he wanted to compete with BYU for talented LDS athletes he needed to respect the LDS religion and welcome potential missionaries.

The Utah athletic department and coaching staff have clearly gotten that message: This year's Utah team had at least 30 returned missionaries on it, a situation that would have been unthinkable 25 years ago.

However, it would appear many Ute fans haven't gotten the memo yet. Perhaps the reason so many members of the Church are reluctant to support the Utes is the blatant and vicious anti-Mormon streak that some Utah fans display every time they play BYU.

Please | 10:56 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

As a returned missionary, active member of the church and a huge UTE fan, I find it annoying that the Church has to be brought into this argument. Please keep it focused on football. And BYU fans PLEASE stop giving the church a bad name with your horrible comments!

Comments continue below

Utah fans | 10:56 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Why all the bashing on BYU's 1984 win over a 6-5 Michigan team. If I remember right, Utah played an even worse Michigan team and squeaked by them. The fact is both 1984 BYU and 2008 Utah both went undefeated, which isn't too easy. So stop crying about BYU all the time. Utah didn't blow by every team on their schedule, just like BYU didn't. Utah deserves the national championship, just like BYU did.

Inferiority Complex | 10:58 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Arrrgghhh!

Utah had a great season. Good for you. BYU had the target on their back the last two years. Now everyone will be gunning for Utah.

Now which is better U'06 or Y'84. Different times, different circumstances, both extremely significant. How can you compare them? Does it occur to anyone that comparing them is a little ridiculous.

Why is BYU an issue in an article about Utah anyway? BYU and UTAH are two schools separated by 40 miles and one huge inferiority complex. Little brother? Big brother? More like obnoxious twins who are competitive, improving, and trading places looking down at the other. At least BYU is more polite about it. Utah, set lofty goals like BYU next year so when youï¿½re not "perfect", your devastated and Y fans can razz you all year.

Anonymous | 11:03 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

It's nice to see classy fans on these message boards. Especially classy BYU fans that give Utah their much deserved praise. What a great season!

BamaGunny | 11:12 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

As you all flap your feathers and crow (which us Alabama fans would be doing as well, had we won), try to remember how you felt before the game. Instead of bashing the Tide, as the Alabama fans would be doing now to you, realize that you beat a very good team. Most of you have been classy fans the month before the game. Calling names now takes away from your splendid victory. I am 55 years old and have seen a lot of Alabama foot ball. Back in the 60s a small Tide team beat a very large Nebraska team 38-6 and won the National Championship. Coach Bryant knew quickness beat size. The only bad thing I can say about Utah is that I hate you for breaking my heart. Utah beat Alabama worse that itï¿½s ever been beaten in my life time. The Utes were simply awesome. I thought the game was being shown in ï¿½fast forwardï¿½ mode.

Randall | 11:14 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

All Coug Fans:
We don't need your praise.
Say at home and close the blinds.
The Utah Utes will Party!

BamaGunny | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Instead of bashing the Tide, as the Alabama fans would be doing now to you, realize that you beat a very good team. Most of you have been classy fans the month before the game. Calling names now takes away from your splendid victory. I am 55 years old and have seen a lot of Alabama foot ball. Back in the 60s a small Tide team beat a very large Nebraska team 38-6 and won the National Championship. Coach Bryant knew quickness beat size. The only bad thing I can say about Utah is that I hate you for breaking my heart. Utah beat Alabama worse that itï¿½s ever been beaten in my life time. The Utes were simply awesome. I thought the game was being shown in ï¿½fast forwardï¿½ mode.

Wait... who won??? | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Utah just finished the best season in UTE history. But lets be honest- BYU beating Miami (the number 1 team) and BYU in '84 still win. Utah will finish the season ranked 3 at best, while in 1984 BYU finished number 1. Keep dreaming U of U- you'll never get a national championship and that's what it's all about!!!

Sorenson Right On | 11:18 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

To those who say the '96 Cougars are the best, they lost to a 8-3-1 Washington team and got sacked 8 times that day. That loss alone should leave them out of the discussion, as Mr. Sorenson seems to agree. Going undefeated is a feat that puts a team in a different class.

To "cougdad" at 5:24 a.m., it's ironic that you're worried that "we'll be hearing the gloating for years" from the Utes when your own message referenced the '96 Cougars (12 years ago), and several others mentioned the '84 Cougars (24 years ago).

I must say I have gained great respect for many Cougars and their classy congratulations. Thanks for acknowledging this dream season for the Utes. We will certainly be talking about it for generations because it will only become more impressive with time.

RE; Randall | 11:21 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

and that's exactly why I'm a BYU fan....

There in 84 | 11:24 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I was there in 1984 and have cheered BYU in every game since. LaVell and the BYU program changed football forever with their passing game and deserved the NC in 1984 according to the old rules.

But even this die-hard cougar fan has to give props to the Utes for what they accomplished this year. Who wouldn't love to see a Utah/Florida match up of Whit and Meyer teams going at it? I would trade that for all the Las Vegas bowls for the next ten years.

I am not sure if this Utah team is the greatest ever in the state, but their accomplishment is huge, huge, huge. I personally would vote it bigger than 1984 for BYU.

Way to go UTES! See you in Provo next year!

BamaGunny | 11:25 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Alabama paid for their arrogance, but had they been at full strength and with the proper attitude, I think Utah would have won. We have no excuses and we need none; we lost to a superior team. It was the best coaching/playing Iï¿½ve seen in a long while. Florida is close because of Metersï¿½ ties to the Utah. I donï¿½t care about Michiganï¿½s record; you guys went into the ï¿½big houseï¿½ and beat them. Michigan is always good ï¿½ forget the record.

I enjoyed reading and posting in here this last month. I am not alone among my Alabama friends in thinking MWC football is as good as it gets. The Undefeated Utah Utes put on a clinic, not only about fantastic football, but about character and the will to win. Your fans are classy and well spoken. And, I believe the Utes would have cleaned houe in the SEC these past few years and would have given Florida a great game.

Utah #1

Re: Inferiority Complex | 11:35 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

To "Inferiority Complex | 10:58 a.m." -

"More like obnoxious twins who are competitive, improving, and trading places looking down at the other. At least BYU is more polite about it."

You apparently need to spend more time reading these comments, or maybe you have a unique definition of the word "polite."

to RE:Inferiority Complex | 11:40 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

You apparently need to spend more time reading these comments, ie: Randall negative Utah fan, BYU till I die polite BYU fan

'Bama is classy | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Having been at the game, I want to thank the 'Bama fans for their class. Before and after, and on postings, they have been incredibly gracious. And this from some of the most passionate football fans around - where football is a religion (not inter-mixed with religion). Unlike many fans who post here, most 'Bama strike a good balance between passion, competitiveness, respect, objectivity and class. Many of us in Utah could learn something from them.

Re: Anne | 11:49 a.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I'm not sure that I would call a 10-3 season by BYU a failure considering who they played this year. Nor do I think a lack of humility was the problem; the team did, after all, beat 10 other teams and go undefeated at home.

But you are correct in the sense that BYU had some real weaknesses that easier-than-expected early season games didn't bring out. The defense had alot of holes from last year that weren't immediately obvious, especially after the Cougs pitched back-to-back shutouts against UCLA and Wyoming.

Bronco Mendenhall has shown over his brief coaching career that he is capable of making the adjustments necessary to win. Everyone seems to forget he took over a team that had suffered three losing seasons in a row and turned them back into conference champions.

This year was difficult to swallow, especially since our biggest rival had such an exceptional season (and I do recognize and congratulate the Utes for that).

But BYU's losses were completely predictable when you considered their weaknesses and the caliber of the teams that beat them. Arrogance had little to do with it.

Re:Re: Inferiority Complex | 12:00 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Okay, I'll retract the polite comment. BYU fans are often just as discourteous. Cuts both ways.

On a positive note. There have been a lot of Classy BYU Fans Congratulating UTAH on the fine season. I hope Utah will do the same when BYU is in the same position.

State of Utah Football Fans | 12:04 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

GREAT GAME AND GREAT SEASON U of U Football. Now let's keep it up. BYU knows what they have to do to have a year like the Utes did. If BYU puts together a year like the Utes had then I will be the first one to acknowledge them. But - the Jr. High Yners need to get over it, quit living in the past (1984) and the future (wait til next year) and support your team NOW. It's nice to see that there are far more classy BYU fans than immature Yners. Utah's run is great for college football, the Mountain West and the State of Utah. CONGRATULATIONS!

Oh Brother | 12:11 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Utah played a great game! They won! That's all that matters now. 84? 96? 04? Who cares? We live in the present people. ( I can't believe some commenting about the 80's season)totally different conference...get with the program. We are here to live in the moment and be hopeful for a next year victory. Go UTES!!

Randall | 12:18 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

It was Extremely Polite of Max to throw Four Picks.
Or was it Five?
Thanks Again.

Re: IF I was a Y fan | 8:28 a.m | 12:17 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Five turnovers and a 24-17 score and you think BYU dominated the game in 84. I would say if you had 5 turnovers agains a 6-5 game BYU was lucky, not dominating. However they did win, and that is really the only numbers that count, were undeafeted, and should have been the National champs, just like Utah should be this year. But like everybody else I am sick about listing to Y fans, that was 24 years ago, and isn't it about time to lay it to rest.

Yes they are #1 | 12:38 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I agree with the earlier poster who said we ought to hang a banner in Rice-Eccles Stadium telling the world that without the BCS "fixing" the outcome with their soiled sludge, the Utes are #1. They proved it on the field. The banner could read "2008 COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS - PROVEN ON THE FIELD". And remember that the NCAA wimps let the BCS get away with it. Follow the money$$$

Y Fans and 1984 | 12:47 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

To those of you who are congratulating the U on the Sugar Bowl, thanks for being classy and supportive! This is truly a case of "what's good for the goose is good for the gander."

To those who insist on bringing up 1984, are you really THAT jealous of the U's current success? "Ya you guys are 2-0 BCS, but it's still 1-0 for NC's." If you are so obstinate that you can't deal with the U's success, I'll repeat someone else's suggestion that you get a group together and go see Tom Holmoe about sending that nice fat BCS check back to the U. He'll laugh you out of his office!

And back to the point of this article: yes, the accomplishments of this season's Utah team outweigh Utah 04 and BYU 96, and especially BYU 84. I agree with Mike - best season EVER! GO UTES!!

Ohio observer | 12:56 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I was looking at an Alabama Crimson Tide blog yesterday (sorry, don't remember the name), and 45% of the Alabama fans polled said Utah should be voted #1.

Anonymous | 1:04 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

bama fans are classy!!! byu fans are not!!! and hang a banner with the 04 and 08 undefeated seasons and the true national champions!!!

AzByuFan | 1:05 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

The Utes should be number one unless Oklahoma has a blowout over FL, which I doubt would happen. After going to both school I am happy for their success, which is good for the conference and good for BYU, especially someday if the narcisistic PAC 10 invites both schools--chances are it would be a package deal and not just one or the other. The talk about who is the better programs is a good thing, who would have imagined, I grew up watching the late 70s and 80s and the rivalry was boring, BYU winning yet another WAC championship each year with an ocassional (78,88) Ute upset. Shame on those Y fans who dis the 84 team. There simply weren't any others that year that had a valid claim on the championship. The 2nd ranked team was Washington who didn't even win their conference. BYU handled them easily a few games later the next season. In the Holiday Bowl BYU had SIX turnovers to Mich's 1. A sign of a great team is playing poorly and still winning. In the hearts of many (mine included) UT is #1 this year. Per facts the state has had 1 NC.

RedHawk | 1:14 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Dear anti-Utah "Fantasy football" byu fans blogging "what-ifs" and "wait till next year" on here.

This Utah team is amazing and went 13-0 against good teams. 6 bowl teams. One team that was the longest holder of the #1 spot in the NCAAF nation. They beat everyone they played.

I know you (some) whiney coug fans can't admit that the 2008/2009 utah football team is better than your team and the Ute football program, players and coaches are better than anything BYU has had or has.

See college football isn't an "everyone wins" situation or an "I can debate and manipulate 'my' facts to say my team is better" situation either. It is a "put it on the field and play" situation and Utah won when they played on the field.

I know you can't handle the facts and all your lame mottos and sayings are totally exempt and exposed now. You bring it upon your arrogant selves and you're really not that great.

UTAH you are amazing and superior. Way to go Utes.

'04 the BEST F.B. team EVER!!! | 1:31 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

A year from now we will still be talking about how great the '04 TEAM was and yes, the '84 TEAM will still have their place in the record books.

Right on the head | 1:32 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Mike, you got it right with this paragraph, which is the real reason Utah won:
"I truly believe he (Saban) thought his team could just show up and roll tide on the yahoos from the WAC or wherever the heck they were from."

That's why Alabama played so bad. They had no heart in this game.

Ute Mom | 1:41 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Thank you Classy Y Fans. The Utes did Awesome and deserve recognition for that!

Miami game? | 1:42 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

How can anyone seriously put the Miami game up there with the win of Utah over Alabama? They were ranked #1 in the preseason poll which doesn't mean anything if you follow college football.

To the nice gentleman posting from Alabama, can you provide some links to some good newspapers that follow Alabama sports? I'm not having much luck using google. Thanks in advance.

AzByuFan--Your Per facts does not mean anything to us Utah fans because it is a different system today than in 1984. If the same system that was in place in '84 was around today, Utah would be #1 without a doubt. So let me say this once and for all. Per facts, this year's Utah team was way better than the BYU's 1984 team!!!!!!

RRP21944 | 1:59 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Utah is my 1st home Alabama is my home now. I'm lucky as I cheer for both teams and even BYU. Utah deserves to be National Champions this year. But don't foget Alabama has been National Champions 12 times and has never had a Hiesman trophy winner. Go figure. In the 70's Alabama was undefeated and ranked #3, #s 1&2 played to a tie, the National Championship was given to that lucky Irish team. How about a play off? I wonder where the Utes coach will be next year?

TCU FROGS in 2009 | 2:01 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I think it is interesting that this article is about the UTES and yet half of the UTES spend all of their time talking about the COUGS. What's up with that? In Texas, we talk about the FROGS and the heck with anyone else. Is this about pride or jealousy?
GO FROGS in 2009!!!

Re: Re: Re: Inferiority Complex | 2:05 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

"On a positive note. There have been a lot of Classy BYU Fans Congratulating UTAH on the fine season. I hope Utah will do the same when BYU is in the same position."

ROFL!!! That's a good one!!

Oh, wait, were you being serious?

Not that the situation won't ever be reversed; it will, and much sooner than most Ute fans think.

But the idea that Ute fans will ever swallow their pride long enough to say ANYTHING good about BYU or Bronco Mendenhall is beyond laughable: Just read the comments on any BYU-Utah football article posted here.

You're more likely to see the entire MUSS stone-cold sober at the next BYU game.

rvalens2 | 2:09 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Enough already ... can we please stop the talking about:

1984 BYU
1996 BYU
2004 Utah

Those teams and games are long since over ... If it hasn't happened in the past three years you're talking about ANCIENT history. Let's move on.

While we can learn from our and admire our past, I prefer to live in the present and plan for the future.

To: RRP21944 | 2:24 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Kyle Whittingham will be at Utah next year. He just signed a 5-year contract. He is a Utah (the state) born and bred man and will be loyal to the school that gave him a true shot as a coach (Not like BYU who wouldn't hire him when he was a young assistant even though he was a player and graduate.) As a Ute fan, I am stoked to have him sticking around for a while. Let's bust the BCS again!!!

Ole Miss | 2:59 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I think Ole Miss should be ranked #1. They had a more impressive win than Utah. They beat Florida and Texas Tech. I guess I need to correct myself they had twice as many impressive wins than the Utes. And they PLAY in the SEC. They didn't just play ONE team in the SEC.

National Champions | 2:59 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Way to go UTES!!!
I have a few points to bring out to everyone.
First, Utah should have claim to a national championship this year. They are the only undefeated team and if they do not receive recognition then I think a lawsuit should be in order.
Second, until the MWC gets rid of its TV network and lets the U, TCU, and BYU, not to mention some of the other schools play on a national TV setting we will never get respect.
Third, all of you BYU and Utah fans stop living in the past. 84, 96, 04 were all great years for both teams. The way these two teams play know only helps each of them for next year. Stop bringing back the past. Live for the now!!
Last, being a longtime BYU fan but a graduate from the U I love the rivalry. I have been to both stadiums numerous times and it is an incredible atmosphere. With the way both teams play you have to get excited for next year.
GO UTES!!! GO COUGS!!!

rvalens2 - History? | 3:00 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I'm not sure you understand sports. When does Sports not include a discussion of what has happened in the past? Certainly the modern era of football goes back to the last 70's, so why not compare teams - where's the harm.

I saw BYU beat SMU in 1980, and can compare BYU's offense, defense with what I saw on the 22d. I certainly watched every game in 2004, it's interesting to compare, it's part of sports.

Lets move on? - sorry youngster - history matters.

Tarheel Ute

BigUteFan | 2:57 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I've had a hard time being a Urban Meyers fan once he left Utah for the big boys where the so-called football is really played. He already had a strong talent base to continue with the football tradition in Florida.I've never watched a game as exciting as the 2009 Sugar Bowl. Kudos to "Coach Whit" for coaching a team instead of a bunch of so-called All-American's. He is the "09 Coach of the Year"
I would take Coach Whit over Meyers any day.
After all Coach Whit got Meyers where he is today...
The WEST can play with the big boys.....

CTR | 3:08 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I keep reading that the Utah program was a classier program than Alabama, Coach Whittingham, was a classier coach than Saban and the Utah players and Fans were classier than Alabamas...I just wish this would continue on in the comments pages. This article is mostly about the Utah football team, lets try being classy fans and quit bringing up BYU!

Re: CTR | 3:32 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

CTR 3:08 p.m. said ""This article is mostly about the Utah football team, lets try being classy fans and quit bringing up BYU!"

It's kind of hard to leave BYU out when the article was about '08 Utah being better than '84 BYU. Expounding on the article is not low class. It's interesting discussion. Ute players and fans prepared, played and won with class. These comments pages are great to allow an outlet for the euphoria. With a few exceptions of Cougs downplaying the Utes season, and Utes relishing BYU's losses more than Utah's day in the sun, the class has been commendable.

RE: Re: If I was... | 3:46 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Keep drinking your extra-blue, BYU kool-aid. Any time you lose a HEAD coach, your program will be in rebuilding for at least two years.

We didn't lose the head coach this time, and we are already seeing our top recruiting picks commit to the program.

We only have 7 senior starters that are leaving this year, and we've already got proven quarterbacks waiting in the wings.

And just wait till the Sugar Bowl and possible AP National Championship lands us an Offensive Coordinator ready to lead the Utes to further victory.

To Re Re If I was... | 4:05 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Speaking of OC, what names are you hearing that might be in the mix? The only ones I've heard are the current receivers coach, Aaron Roderick, and the Carolina Panthers QB coach and ex-Ute QB, Mike McCoy.

Hey Boise Fan... | 4:14 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

@ Kathleen from Boise:

It goes as follows:

Utah: Fiesta Bowl (yes, it is fIEsta)
Boise: Fiesta Bowl
Utah: Sugar Bowl

We are the original BCS buster!!!

GO UTES!!!

2008 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

13-0!!!

Cougars turn? | 4:21 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

Congrats UTAH UTES in arguably the best football game in UTE or BYU history. It was fantastic to watch and I was thrilled with the sheer dominance over the 'Tide. As a die-hard Cougar fan I must ask myself, why can't BYU put together that kind of a season? Why can't BYU step up to the national stage (except 25 years ago)? Will Max Hall become "big game Max" next season? Don't think so. I don't think Mendenhall has the fortitude to do what Whittingham did this season. The UTES deserve all the positive attention they get. I just wish the Cougs could muster the same season next year (our best chance for years to come) and step up when it matters most (TCU, UTAH, Arizona). Maybe next year...maybe not.

National Championship | 4:33 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I am a BYU fan and my second team is whoever is playing the U. I was pulling for Bama all the way and believed before the game that they were going to get killed.
After watching the game I still hate the U but here is a BYU view. I believe that the U should get the national title. They beat Bama who was the #1 team most of the season. They beat TCU and BYU who were in the top 10 during the season. They beat OSU who beat USC.
They are the only undefeated team. How can they not be the national Champ? How can you say a team that has one loss is a national champ when you have an undefeated team who beat 3 teams in the top 10?

Funny | 4:41 p.m. Jan. 5, 2009

I think it is funny that the U has the biggest win in the history of their program and all they want to do is bash BYU. Shows that we are in your head at all times!
Next year you play all the hard games on the road. You will be 7-5 just like last time.

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