Deseret News | Utah Utes, BYU football: Utes, Cougars ranked among top 20 in preseason poll

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Utah Utes, BYU football: Utes, Cougars ranked among top 20 in preseason poll

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Cool | 12:09 a.m. June 18, 2008

Looks like BYU will be the underdog at Rice-Eccles in November.

Can't wait.

Eye Dee Ten Tee (Buckeye) | 1:05 a.m. June 18, 2008

The Phil Steele Poll? Get real. Why not wait for the AP or USA Today poll to run this story.

Anonymous | 1:16 a.m. June 18, 2008

Who's this guy? Utah ranked higher than byu? Utah ranked at all? What a joke

Comments continue below

Right! | 1:29 a.m. June 18, 2008

An 11 and 0 BYU team will DEFINITELY be the underdog when they go to visit the 8 and 3 Utes at L.E.N. Stadium!

Anonymous | 2:20 a.m. June 18, 2008

Who is Phil Steele?

Never heard of him or his rankings.

meh | 2:41 a.m. June 18, 2008

As with all that was said about the earlier polls, these mean nothing.

Ralph | 3:23 a.m. June 18, 2008

Nobody told Phil about the great Bronco Mendenhall and his quote of the year "qwest for perfection." How could this be, Utes ranked ahead of BYU next year? BCS is what every cougar fan dreams of, something the Utes already accomplished. Could it be the year of the UTES returning to the BCS!!!!!!!

We'll see | 4:03 a.m. June 18, 2008

This will be great for the Utes...until two weeks into the season when they lose 5 in a row - it's the Whittingham way! Pre-season polls mean nothing.

Go Cougs!

BBKing | 4:35 a.m. June 18, 2008

Could you imagine a season in which both teams go into Rice Eccles undefeated?!

I know, too much to ask, but that would be incredible. And if they did, starting the year higher in the polls like this that would mean that by the time they get to November both teams would certainly be in the top ten, and the winner would be guaranteed a BCS bid!

That would be world class football right here in Utah!

And of course, they have that charity golf game between Utah and BYU coaches that goes back to Lavelle Edwards and Ron McBride. The loser in Golf has won in football since Mendenhall and Wittingham have taken over.

So that means that BYU wins in November and goes BCS hunting. And Utah whips some chump PAC10 team in Las Vegas.

Getting ahead of myself but this could be a great season if both teams play consistent and stay focused.

Of course, go BYU!

Phil's Steele is in his head | 5:15 a.m. June 18, 2008

Let's see, a team that finished in the top 15 and returns 10 of 11 starters on offense should be ranked lower than a team that finished where? Please, Phil Steele shows his bias here. THere is no justifiable football reason to rank the Utes ahead of the Cougs. On paper the Utes are certainly not as strong as BYU. Oh yeah, and which team won the past two seasons in head to head competition and won the conference? Switch the two around and Phil may be on to something, but I wouldn't put the Utes in the top 25 of college football quite yet. Let's see how they do at Michigan first.

DHK | 5:43 a.m. June 18, 2008

Phil Steele is an idiot. Ranking The yewts at all is stupidity let alone ahead of the Cougars. He took an over dose of his medication.
Go cougars!!!!

What? | 5:44 a.m. June 18, 2008

For a team that returns almost all of it's offense from a team that finished in the top 15 last year and BYU is ranked behind Utah? How many starters are Utah returning?

Anyways, that would be cool if the rankings hold up. It makes for a great finale for the Mountain West Conference championship. Too bad two ranked teams will be playing for the championship on The Mountain.

Bandaid | 5:48 a.m. June 18, 2008

This ranking will last about 1 week (if that) when the U loses to Michigan and BYU beats a pansy team. Yeah, it's a pansy team but it's a win. Utah, however, will drop out of the top 25 and won't see it again for the rest of the season.

This just in | 6:10 a.m. June 18, 2008

man has landed on the moon.

???? | 6:21 a.m. June 18, 2008

Who is this guy? Utah 14th? Does he watch football?

Anonymous | 6:19 a.m. June 18, 2008

That doesn't even make sense since BYU beat Utah last season and were #1 in the conference

Utah?? | 6:32 a.m. June 18, 2008

The Utes couldn't wipe the boots of the top 20 teams. Who is even coming back for Utah this year? BYU at least has their QB, best WR, best TE, best RB. Utah is due to get a dose of reality at Ann Arbor as well while BYU plays Washington and NE Iowa (not close). Look for BYU to win the MWC and Utah to be 3rd or 4th.

And how could LSU go from number 1 to number 14? Not much in this poll makes sense.

I bleed Red. | 6:39 a.m. June 18, 2008

I love my Utes, but 14? Come on. Who's Phil Steele, anyway?

The Entire Country | 6:47 a.m. June 18, 2008

Riiiiiiight!!!

Finally some respect for MWC!! | 6:47 a.m. June 18, 2008

Love to see both Utah schools garner a little respect nationally. Hope it is that way come November.

How about a matchup with both the Cougs and the Utes undefeated and in the Top 10 battling for a place in a BCS bowl with combined victories over UCLA, Michigan, Washington, Boise, etc. The first two or three Saturdays of the season will be important for both squads. Would love to see the Utes go into the Big House and come away with a victory.

And what will be even sweeter is a Cougar win in RES that will burst the BCS dreams of the Kyle and the boys and propel the mighty Cougs back into national prominence.

All the best to both teams in the upcoming season!

Conversation Starter | 7:07 a.m. June 18, 2008

It's nice to see a couple of MWC teams ranked in a pre-season poll, but, as I've said before, pre-season rankings are meaningless because nobody really knows how good the teams are until they've played a few games.

Until then, it's just on-paper guess work.

I would like to know who Phil Steele is and his rationale for his rankings. Maybe we can get an update from a brave soul willing to shell out a few bucks to read Phil's magazine.

I would have ranked BYU about 14th and Utah about 20th. Ohio St. should be the pre-season #1.

JIMI | 7:07 a.m. June 18, 2008

nice ranks. lol love it!
keep cryin zoobs. its funny

BlueCoug | 7:14 a.m. June 18, 2008

Don't take the Utes lightly.

The Utes could surprise a lot of people this year, like they did against UCLA last season, or they could have another one of those up and down seasons where they drop a couple like the did against UNLV.

I'm waiting to see how they do against Michigan.

Regardless, they'll probably be BYU's toughest game this year.

I'll post my pre-season rankings in August when more people are tuned in to football.

Nothing To Do | 7:21 a.m. June 18, 2008

Wow, there really is nothing to do but fantasize about sports right now...

50 days to the olympics...

74 days to college football...

Whatever will we do, but daydream and bicker for the rest of the summer?

Oh, there is always baseball or soccer. NAH!

Stupid Comments | 7:28 a.m. June 18, 2008

Look, now one knows who Phil Steele is is a fine comment, but to state that because Bronco said "(Qwest?)quest for perfection" that such will be true has got to be one of the most ignorant comments I've ever heard...

BYU has the easier schedule of the two teams which might add to such a quest, but remember getting out of the MWC undefeated will not be easy for any team this year. TCU, Utah & BYU all have good teams capable of upsetting anyone. Health is always an issue as well, look at the Utes, they had a great team last year but then lost several key players and ended up having a respectable year. So, having said that, if both teams stay healthy it will be a great game. Now before anymore of you BYU fans make such ignorant comments, please read, re-read and then post a comment that is not as ignorant as some of your hypocritical buddies.

GO UTES!!

Ignorance | 7:30 a.m. June 18, 2008

You Cougar fans are really showing your ignorance here. Phil Steele puts out the biggest Preseason College Football Magazines in the country, that is read nation-wide by millions.

Why would Utah be ranked over BYU in these rankings? Several reasons, the first of which is the schedule. Utah has a realistic shot at beating a down Michigan team in the opener, and then has BYU and TCU at home this year.

Do you Cougar fans really think your team is that much better than a Utah team that has had a lead on you with a minute to go in the last minute for two consecutive years? Yes, the comebacks were amazing and you should enjoy them; but BYU has by no means dominated this matchup.

It also should be remembered that last year Utah lost it's best QB (BJ), best RB (Asiata), best WR (Casteel), best OL (Boone), best LB (Jianonni), and best DL (Long) for significant amounts of time to injury. Be honest with yourself zoobs; would the Cougs fair as well without Hall, Collie, Reynolds, Unga, Jorgenson, Nixon? Don't think so.

Both teams should be tough this year. Show some respect, not blind ignorance.

This is fun | 7:31 a.m. June 18, 2008

I doubt BYU or Utah should be in the top 20, but it sure is fun to see the BYU fans melt down at the thought. Actually, it doesn't surprise me that Utah is ranked ahead of BYU. They had a tough time due mainly to injuries and still came back and had a good season. If they stay healthy... well that is always the key. BYU is one injury away from the season Utah had last year. Injury or not, my guess is that BYU will start off 1-2 and that will burst the bubble right there. P.S. I am amazed that some BYU fans still haven't gotten over the fact that Whittingham turned them down. Come on guys.

TMONEY | 7:33 a.m. June 18, 2008

How many Games did Notre Dame win last year. How could they possibly be in someone's top 25. It doesn't lend much validity to this poll

Yewtes ranked at all | 7:38 a.m. June 18, 2008

Well if the Yewtes are 14th, then UNLV should be number 1, since they SHUTOUT, I said SHUTOUT the hapless Yewtes who were "afraid" to tackel their running back. Did I say UNLV SHUTOUT!!!! the hapless yewtes??

credibility | 7:57 a.m. June 18, 2008

I don't think anybody should be paying attention to this poll. Forget where BYU and Utah are ranked, he has Notre Dame in the top 25 and how did they do last year?????? Why did the Dnews print this???

Alma the Wiser | 7:59 a.m. June 18, 2008

Utah returns a balance of starters on both sides of the ball, with most of their offense coming back. I

BYU only returns 3 defensive starters from a defense that was directly responsible for winning half of BYU's games last year.

Utah has a more favorable conference schedule than BYU. It is very possible that Utah will end up with a better record than BYU this year.

Utah 34 BYU 23

Go Utes!!

Zac | 8:10 a.m. June 18, 2008

Re: Stupid Comments, yours aren't much brighter. BYU actually has a tougher schedule than your Little Red Ladies. Weber State ring a bell? Plus all the best MWC teams at home. I know you like to bag on BYU because they are playing N Iowa, but I like how all you Ute fans conveniently forget that you are playing Weber State. And Michigan is breaking in a new coach and quarterback. That should be a win. But here's to having two quality teams gutting it out for the MWC Championship and the right to a BCS Bowl. GO MIGHTY COUGARS!!

grumpolman | 8:15 a.m. June 18, 2008

To say Utah has a tougher schedule when they are playing both Utah State and Weber State is like saying my girls friend is beter looking because she has less zits. Who cares about pre-season rankings it's the final rankings that matter and they don't even matter that much.

RESPECT | 8:19 a.m. June 18, 2008

Good to see both schools getting some respect. Probably a little high for both schools (I would say BYU #21, Utah #24), but at the end of the day, being mentioned in one of the country's biggest preseason college football magazines is an honor for both schools. All the BYU fans freaking out on here should calm down. I'm seeing a BoM pride-cycle coming on in Provo if you're not more careful. You are one big hit on Max Hall away from going 7-5. Be humble and respectful, and your team will have a great season.

grumpolman | 8:17 a.m. June 18, 2008

The cougars program is on the rise and the utes are going downhill, when the cougs win in RES that is what really matters.

sob | 8:21 a.m. June 18, 2008

it would be interesting if the utes are favored over michigan at the start of the year

Phil Steele | 8:37 a.m. June 18, 2008

For anyone acting ignorant and saying "who is Phil Steele?" SHAME ON YOU if you consider yourself a real college football fan. Throughout the country Steele is very well known and respected, and yearly publishes an in depth magizine of College Football, viewed with much respect by millions of fans, coaches, players, and AP writers you send in their AP top 25 ballots come August.

RE: Zac | 8:42 a.m. June 18, 2008

Wow, talk about ignorant Cougar fan. Any half way intelligent football fan can see Utah has a much more difficult schedule this year. And this is coming from a BYU fan. Please think before you say something like that, and make the rest of us look stupid.

Thanks | 8:42 a.m. June 18, 2008

Thanks D.N. for finally giving us something to fight about, the last few weeks have been pretty dry.

However, regardless of how you feel, I would really like to hear the rational from this "expert" that nobody has heard of.

andrewute1 | 8:49 a.m. June 18, 2008

byu fans- First of all, like it was said earlier, phil steel's magazine is the best college football preseason magazing and is well respected around the nation, that includes espn. I totally agree with the ranking, utah is the better team! Yes byu won last year but if it was not for the 4th and 18 play utah would have a 9 game winning streak going into the preseason. Utah gets back basically everyone on offense, and has one of the best secondaries in the nation returning. The truth is that byu gets a great offense back, but it really hurting on defense. What happens one game if byu's offense struggles a couple games, can the defense be there to pick them up like last year? We will just have to see. . .

GO UTES!!

Dutchman | 8:53 a.m. June 18, 2008

I've got seven chair seats on rows 39 and 40 in Rice Eccles for my fall football games. Can't wait to celebrate the victory over BYU and the preacher Bronco in November!

Nate | 9:02 a.m. June 18, 2008

Not only is the Utah ranking ridiculous, but how in the world is Notre Dame in the ranking? I think he just put a bunch of school names in a hat and pulled them out at random.

General comment to all FANS | 9:08 a.m. June 18, 2008

BYU fans... relax... it's just a preseason poll.

Utah fans... it's a good sign, but it's just a preseason poll.

Geesh, don't y'all have jobs that you need to get to?

Cheers (as I have to get back to mine)

Polls | 9:10 a.m. June 18, 2008

The only polls that matter are the USA today, AP coaches poll and the Harrison poll. Because the coaches poll and the Harrison poll along with some computer polls determine the BCS poll. Do yewet fans really think that they will be ranked in either the AP poll or the Coaches preseason poll? Phil Steels polls are made to sale magazines but they will have no influence on the AP and USA today preseason polls. Utah will be an honorable mention in both of these polls at the bottom of others receiving votes and BYU will be ranked in the top 25. Utah being ranked in this poll is laughable given the UNLV game last year and looking at the ND ranking. And yes being ranked higher is an advantage if you win your games. To make the BCS you need a final ranking of 12 in the BCS. To have any shot at a national championship (which is only a pipe dream for a MWC team) a MWC team would need a preseason ranking of probably 12 or higher and still need teams ahead of them to lose. Cougars!!!

Phil Steele | 9:13 a.m. June 18, 2008

Before you ignorant cougs make yourselves look any more foolish, please google Phil Steele. You will find that his preseason magizine is one of the largest and most respected of it's kind. Out of curiosity, I researched the magazines end of year accounting statement. 11.2 million in gross revenue from the preseason football magazine alone. All of you saying that you have never heard of him are just embarrasing yourselves. Millions do read the magazine, the accounting numbers prove it. Please stop being ignorant Cougar fans.

Utah Rules | 9:15 a.m. June 18, 2008

The Utehs rule and we should be ranked in the top 10. Phil needs to do some homework or something like such as.

Go Utehs, I need to get back to the counter to take some orders.

hot air | 9:19 a.m. June 18, 2008

Being in the top 20 is common for the Cougs. I can see why the utes are so excited, it's their first ranking all year.

By the way, 4 & 18 didn't win the game. It only got a first down. You still had a chance to win that game and you blew it. I don't know why utah thinks they are going to run into the BCS, they are the most hated team in the MWC. Every team saw onside kick when up by 40. The league is tired of you popping off when you've done no better than third place with Whitt. You run your mouth but never back it up. I.e. shut out at UNLV.

Anonymous | 9:26 a.m. June 18, 2008

grumpolman,

BYU plays in Logan this year too. The polls mean nothing because both Utah and BYU will lose in Logan. Ok, maybe they wont. But a guy can dream. Go aggies!

Tokolosh | 9:29 a.m. June 18, 2008

This should create excitement that both teams are geting respect... instead the supposedly great "football fans" of BYU are showing how disconnected they are from the college football scene. If you discount this ranking because you have never heard of Phil Steele then you are a college football idiot. Preseason polls typically aren't worth much more than publicity but that publicity can go a long way if the teams start off the season backing it up. Especially when the pub comes from someone like Phil Steele. That carries a lot of weight.

Anonymous | 9:34 a.m. June 18, 2008

Fans, you guys are ridiculous. If you don't know who Phil Steele is then you aren't a college football fan. He has an annual college football magazine that is one of the most informative. Rankings are guesses. The Celtics weren't predicted to do much before the season but they came out on top.

Keep crying Cougar fans

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