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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Classic | 9:35 a.m. June 18, 2008

I believe in anything that ruffles the Cougs' feathers is a good thing. Afterall, how can the Cougs be so great when they have downsized their level of comptetion so that the average winning percentage of the teams they'll play this year was below 50% last year. It's called pathetic scheduling. I'm sorry, when you brag that Washington is your best nonconference game and they were terrible last year, then you have issues with scheduling. That's one way to get noticed, to do what Hawaii did last year and then get their butts kicked at the end of the year (@ Rice Eccles Stadium, might I add).

Re polls guy | 9:38 a.m. June 18, 2008

Its the Harris Poll, and if your going to act like you know what your talking about, atleast figure out how to spell it

To Cougar faithful.... | 9:37 a.m. June 18, 2008

I am a Y fan but I think this is great. I know we will have a great year. Think of the Y/U game at the end of the year. Our schedule does lack a little strength and this game would help. Plus the Y/U rivalry has been one of the best in the nation lately and this game would further help it along. Our conference lacks respect and this ranking of #14 for the U (if true) would help. Look, if we are as good as we think we will be it should be a W. This year should be a lot of fun. I hope the U goes undefeated and lose to the Y.

Comments continue below

Re: Gumpolman | 9:37 a.m. June 18, 2008

Utah is going down hill? Are you kidding?

Utah has won 7, 8, & 9 games the last three years. Anyone can see that Utah is trending upward. BYU on the otherhand peaked at 11-2 the last two years and with all of the players they lost on defense, they are most likely on the way down this year.

How does 8-5 sound for the cougars? Very realistic.

Probable losses at Washington, home vs. UCLA, home vs. New Mexico, at TCU on a short week, and at Utah after playing on the road at Air Force.

Utah on the other hand is very likely going to win 10+ games this year.

Their only real possible losses are at rebuilding Michigan, home to Oregon State on a short week, at New Mexico after a bye, home to TCU on a short week, and home to BYU of course. Utah is likely going to be favored in all of these games and for good reason too.

Zane Taylor Fan | 9:39 a.m. June 18, 2008

show em what you got!! and Byu better watch out for UCLA as they will pay!

GO UTES! | 9:42 a.m. June 18, 2008

Outside of Provo nobody cares about BYU, they finally beat a not very good UCLA team in their second try, a team that an inconsistent, not so great Utah team stomped. Both teams are going to be good going into next season, preseason polls don't mean anything (Michigan ranked #4 in 2007). The fact both teams are ranked in this poll is good for both of them. But BYU in the BCS is something they have to earn, something they've failed to do so far. I can't wait for November! GO UTES!

Re: andrewute | 9:51 a.m. June 18, 2008

"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"

If only, but...

what you're conveniently forgetting is that Utah never lead during the entire game until 1:34 left in the 4th and only held the lead for 56 sec.

BYU's turnovers deep in the blue zone and missed field goals are what kept the game close on the scoreboard.

BYU dominated in every other facet of the game, except kicking.

First downs - BYU 21 Utah 14
Net yards - BYU 424 Utah 244
Rush yards - BYU 155 Utah 115
Pass yards - BYU 269 Utah 129

Utah the better team? Definitely NOT last year and pure speculation this year.

Utah will be improved, but so will BYU.

Jamie Hill will work wonders with BYU's defense. I'm not in the least bit worried that BYU won't have a solid defense this year, together with a high-powered offense and a MUCH improved kicking game.

Ute-less | 9:54 a.m. June 18, 2008

Can't we all just get along? Give the Utes a doughnut, like UNLV did last year and I'm sure they will settle down!

Byu Fans | 9:59 a.m. June 18, 2008

If any of the byu fans read the Phil Steele magazine they would have notice what he said: BYU ONLY HAS 3 RETURNING STARTERS ON DEFENSE! Byu may have all of their offense returning but it is defense that wins games. Byu had the best defense in the league last year and still LOST two games and was close to losing 4/5(TCU,UCLA,Utah) games last year!

When byu plays teams with athletic defenses they struggle, ie Arizona,UTAH and UCLA(twice last year)! 17 points that "great offense" was held to against UCLA twice and Utah, but last year it didn't matter because byu defense held the other teams lower than 17 points. What happens this year when Washington/UCLA/TCU/UTAH all keep byu under 20 points? Then Washington/UCLA/TCU/UTAH all score over 30 points on one the the worst defenses in the league? =2/3/or4 loses.

That is right: "byu will outscore their opponents!" Just like Tulsa '07, TCU'05,.... it must suck to score more than 50+ points and still lose!!

For those fans who want ESPN quality comments:Todd Mcshay pick Utah to win the conference and beat byu!

Hilarious | 10:13 a.m. June 18, 2008

Suddenly the arrogant BYU fans who claim Ute fans as merely BYU haters are now the ones doing the hating. How quickly the tables can turn.

It's funny that when a similar story came out about Athlon sports magazine pre-ranking the Cougs #14 there was a bevy of posts from BYU fans citing the indisputable legitimacy of Athlon sports magazine. But when one of its main competitors (Phil Steele) comes out with a similar poll pumping up the Utes its credibility comes into question. Life isn't made of double standards ladies and gentlemen, no matter what BYU fans would have you believe.

hackiman | 10:13 a.m. June 18, 2008

I think ranking the Utes that high is a little crazy... But I believe that Utah can be that good. I don't think they have earned the right to be ranked in the top 25 yet, but they can work their way up to lose to BYU.

Go Cougs

Utah County Bubble | 10:16 a.m. June 18, 2008

It's always a joke that BYU fans are in the "Utah County Bubble" and these cougar posts are proof. Phil Steele is famous for the best pre-season college football review magazine. He really does his homework, on every team...not just the BCS teams. His work is more objective than...say...ESPN (the MWC spurned ESPN for the MTN so we get no respect).

As a Ute fan, its great to hear the BYU fans moan over this. All summer they can't wait for another football article to pronounce themselves the MWC winner and BCS bubble buster. Looks like you've got some competition

Utah DOES have a tougher schedule this year!!!

Utah has a good portion of their offense back and most of their stellar defense back this year too. All the best players with injuries are coming back (best RB, WR, QB) so the Utes, assuming they are healthy, WILL be a force this year. I'm not predicting a MWC championship or BCS year, but the Utes will be good and have the same, or better potential, than do the Cougars.

Re: go utes | 10:16 a.m. June 18, 2008

"Outside of Provo nobody cares about BYU"

LOL. Actually, many Utes care as much or more about BYU than they do their own team.

BYU in a BCS game is not the end goal, but a stepping stone to their ultimate goal, earning a shot at another National Championship; something Utah fans can only dream of because of BYU.

If it hadn't been for BYU's 1984 13-0 National Champions and BYU's 1996 14-1 Cotton Bowl Champions, there would have been no Boise State, Utah, or Hawaii BCS busters.

Anonymous | 10:17 a.m. June 18, 2008

Talk is cheap. Pre-season rankings are meaningless. Looking forward to the season and a November date in Rice Eccles. Go Utes!

umm..... | 10:20 a.m. June 18, 2008

Is this guy really serious? Geez, where does he get the idea of the Utes being 14th!? Utes fans and players don't even think they'll be 14th at any time this coming year! What is Phil Steele smoking?

PHIL STEELE IS RIGHT | 10:31 a.m. June 18, 2008

If you don't know who Phil is...Pat Forde from ESPN said that the 5th best college sport day in the entire year is the day that college football preview magazines hit the stands and says that "This is the day Phil Steele has made." Get out of the Utah County Bubble and see the world!!!

Utes rated higher than the Cougars........thats the way it should be. Suck it up zoobies...still trying to acheive what Utah has..a BCS birth and an undefeated season (see: Utah 2004).

To Most Ute fans.... | 10:35 a.m. June 18, 2008

I sometimes feel myself wanting to pull for the Utes.
1) You are a Utah team
2) The MWC needs respect and if you win it helps the conf.
3) A Ute win (over someone other than the Y)helps the awesome BYU/Utah rivalry.

But then I come across Ute fan. Some of you are ok. Most of you are angry and pretentious.

Go Cougs.
Yes I know there are some arrogant Y fans as well.

COUGAR FAN | 10:38 a.m. June 18, 2008

who the heck is Phil Steele never even heard of him so why are we even talking about this because everyone knows that BYU is going to be a much better team then Utah this next Year. Even you ewt fans know that BYU is better and know that UTah shouldnt be ranked that high in the polls U ute fans just wait till November when BYU kicks your but and make it into a BSC game

all I hear | 10:40 a.m. June 18, 2008

All I ever read about on these posts from cougar fans, unti today, is what you team will be ranked in the pre season polls. Now you changed your tune about pre season polls. It is amazing how a cougar fan will pick and choose what is wrong and right. I am sure you will be debate this at your next family night activity up at Squaw Peak.

Re: Bubble | 10:41 a.m. June 18, 2008

"Phil Steele is famous for the best pre-season college football review magazine. He really does his homework, on every team... not just the BCS teams"

Obviously, Phil doesn't dig as deep as he should in doing his homework because he left one of the most important factors out of his equation in evaluating BYU's defense -- Jamie Hill, who took 4 walkon DB's last year and molded them into a unit that hardly anyone noticed, because they were so solid.

They were burned by trick plays early in the season during the Tulsa game, and then shut down the trick plays the rest of the season. Utah tried at least half a dozen trick plays during their game at BYU and every single one was stopped for a loss or minimal gain.

3 starters returning, plus a solid group of backups, plus Jamie Hill = another solid defense for the coming season.

Bronco's vision of building a program, rather than a team. Preparing all of his players to be ready to play whenever they're called upon.

Notre Dame ranked? | 10:44 a.m. June 18, 2008

Are you kidding? Nine losses last year.

BYU Crazed | 10:43 a.m. June 18, 2008

Are you kidding me!! Is this guy stupid?! I don't know who this guy is but i think he needs to research these teams more and find out who really is the better team. BYU is ranked 12th in the national polls and Utah is not even in the picture of any type of national attention. This Phil guy needs help!

To To most ute fans...... | 10:43 a.m. June 18, 2008

Some arrogant? hmmmm......

Stop already | 10:45 a.m. June 18, 2008

U fan will say "1984 was in the past, let it go"

U fan will also say "Utah has BCS win, see 2004"

Hey Hilarious, is that a double standard?

Go Cougs.

BYU RULZ | 10:48 a.m. June 18, 2008

This is awesome. I wish all polls looked like this. It only adds to our credibility as a conference

Richard Noel | 10:54 a.m. June 18, 2008

Go Utes!
There are a lot of starters returning and true athletes grace the Utah Sidelines.
I cant wait to watch this season unroll.

PS. Utah has 20 more victories than BYU in football head to head, so all the BYU fans can come talk trash to me about Utah when they tie the series (assuming they win every game for the next 20 years. I will be at least 46 by then, but you and I know that we will never see the Cougars catch the Utes.

Keep crying BYU fans! | 10:54 a.m. June 18, 2008

Ha Ha Ha Ha!!!

I love this! BYU fans are all up in arms because Utah is getting more love from a national publication than they are getting. Ha Ha Ha!!!

I think the real issue for BYU fans is that they KNOW Whittingham is on the verge of doing great things at Utah, and they are SCARED.

Kyle | 10:57 a.m. June 18, 2008

I am a die-hard cougar, but I think most BYU fans here aren't giving Utah the respect they deserve. We squeaked out 2 wins over them in the last 2 years. It was a miracle, to say that Utah is anything but tough would be inaccurate. I would say that the rankings are a little off, but it's great to see both BYU and Utah ranked. I don't get why most BYU fans love to see Utah get beat by UNLV. The only thing that does is take credibility away from our wins over them. We should cheer our guts out for the Utes when they play everyone else, then destroy them and hate them with the hate of a thousand burning suns when we play them. That's what a good rivalry is.
I say go Utes when they play anyone else (we're all in the MWC) but GO COUGARS when they play us. Both teams will be great this year! My prediction for this year- BYU will beat UW, then dominate UCLA for 3 quarters and then collapse and give the game away in the 4th. Also, Utah will destroy Michigan, only to lose to Utah State. Go Cougars!

Good to see Utah ranked! | 10:55 a.m. June 18, 2008

The cougar win over the utes will provide some timely leverage at the end of the season. And Yes, BYU will beat UCLA, but UCLA will be the PAC 10 champs and play in the Rose Bowl.

Stand by for the Cougars and the Gators in the BCS championship game!!!

That's right folks, your read it here, FIRST!!!

Some arrogant? hmmmm | 10:55 a.m. June 18, 2008

I love this. You have nothing of value to say, so you use hmmmmm. Is it that you are thinking of something witty to say, hmmmm.

MKL | 10:59 a.m. June 18, 2008

This poll is a joke, they have Georgia at 9, Notre Dame Ranked, Phil Steele needs to watch more football. I see both Utah and BYU having strong seasons this year, but based on last year BYU should have the higher preseason ranking. All this preasons poll stuff is garbage anyways. "Thats why they play the games!" I can't wait.

@9:51 | 11:17 a.m. June 18, 2008

While BYU did have a statistical advantage in most categories, I'm curious why you think BYU's turnovers deep in their blue zone had such an affect on the game.

Both teams had two turnovers.

BYU threw an interception at the BYU 16 yard line (that is Utah's red zone, not BYU's blue zone). Then they fumbled at the Utah 25 yard line (not in the blue zone either). Thus, BYU didn't have one turnover "deep in their blue zone".

Utah threw an interception at the BYU 5 yard line (deep in Utah's red zone). Utah's other turnover was an interception at the Utah 43 yard line.

Thus, Utah had one turnover "deep in the red zone." BYU had no turnovers "deep in their blue zone."

It's interesting that the BYU turnovers deep in their blue zone (that never happened) had such a profound affect on the outcome of the game when Utah's red zone turnover didn't.

Get a clue BYU fans | 11:25 a.m. June 18, 2008

Phil Steele isn't basing this poll only off of how well teams played last year. It is based off of things like SOS from last year compared to this year, returning starters, injuries from the previous year, coaching changes, etc.

Interesting note from this magazine: Utah lost 51 starts to injury last year, which was more than any other team in the country. Historically, teams don't have back-to-back seasons with that many injuries. So, basically what this says is that even in a year where the Utes were ravaged by injuries they STILL put up NINE(9) wins and they are likely going to be healthy this year meaning they should be VERY GOOD, if not flat-out GREAT.

RK | 11:38 a.m. June 18, 2008

I'm a huge Utah fan but 14? Seriously he's delusional. We've had 3 mediocre seasons in a row where we've underachieved and suffered losses that never should have occurred. I think byu could be around 20 so their ranking isn't so unbelievable. Wow. I'm shocked by this. He must have different polls for each state to make the teams in that state feel good.

Andrew | 11:41 a.m. June 18, 2008

Go BYU. Don't worry Cougar fans. Utah is a good team too. Worry about Utah in November. Preseason polls do not mean squat compared to a loss versus a team you should beat especially if you have high expectations.

Anonymous | 11:48 a.m. June 18, 2008

BYU's "Qwest for Perfection" will end likely the first week when they host UCLA.

For those of you who don't know Phil Steele....then you aren't college football junkies. He runs a publication and has been and is much more accuarate than any other pollers out there. Now, the Utes at 14? I think that is way off base even though I love my Utes.

Coug fans, rather than cry be glad....the conference needs this to continue building it into a football conference. Don't be so negative.

GO UTES

andrewute1 | 11:50 a.m. June 18, 2008

I got the magazine and it is amazing, not just about utah but how detailed everything is with every team. It even says what kind of field they will be playing on like field turf or grass. I will not disagree and not say byu wont be good because they will, but utah will be very underrated when the season comes. I think the biggest factor this year will be how good brian johnson will be without having to try as hard as he did last year. He will have such a good supporting class around him that he will be able to let loose like he did throwing in '05. Utah's runningbacks will be amazing. Mack will hit 1,250 yards and I wouldnt be suprised if Asiata went for over 800 giving the utes over 2,000 on the ground. That will take a ton of pressure off BJ.

GO UTES!!

Amazing | 12:04 p.m. June 18, 2008

To hear the BYU fans tell it, you would think that BYU had beaten Utah by 30 points the past two years. Injuries were the problem for Utah last year. They are very good and very well coached. It will be a fun year to watch both teams.

Anonymous | 12:05 p.m. June 18, 2008

Phil Steele is just doing the best guess work he can.

But...

BYU is returning only 11-12 starters compared to Utah's 16.
Max Hall started and finished in two BYU losses compared to Brian Johnson, with a shoulder injury, starting AND finishing with only one loss (to BYU).
Utah has A LOT more defenders returning than BYU (defense wins championships. The fact that BYU had all that offense compared to Utah's offense at that last game and Utah was STILL very much in the game shows this).

Also, this doesn't take into account last season as much as you think nor does it predict where they'll be come December. It's just Phil Steele's best guesswork.

You cougar fans are funny though. One article that doesn't have your beloved Cougars ineffably praised, and you guys go CRAZY! I can see why you guys would want to be the University of Utah. Get a Nobel Prize Laureate. or some REAL professors for that matter, not just good seminary teachers.

Get a life.

Educated Cougar | 12:05 p.m. June 18, 2008

Phil Steele is not only a respected College Football expert, but his preseason magazine is the most accurate predictor of team performance of any of the major College Football magazines including TSN, Lindy's, or Athlon.

What's more surprising is that none of the other magazines or web sites give the Utes any respect in preseason rankings. For me, the scariest game on BYU's schedule is Utah. Nothing would be better than having both teams undefeated coming in playing for the conf championship and a BCS birth.

"...Sakoda lines up for the game winning 28 yard field goal from dead center...and...DOINK!...no good!!"

Oh wait, that's already happened before. Someone needs to write a new one.

Only a matter of time | 12:08 p.m. June 18, 2008

"Utah has 20 more victories than BYU in football head to head"

Thanks to the leather helmet era, BYU's record vs Utah is 30-50-3 (not including games played in the 1890s where the teams split 3-3).

During the last 50 years, however, BYU has a 29-21 record vs Utah; and during the WAC/MWC era (since 1962), BYU is 28-18 vs Utah.

The last tie, btw, was 6-6 in 1941.

All-time winning percentages:
BYU (1922-2007) - 55%
Utah (1892-2007) - 56%

Overall winning percentages since the WAC was formed in 1962:

BYU - 65%
Utah - 52%

Last 10 5-5
Last 2010-10
Last 3019-11
Last 4025-15
Last 5029-21

Anonymous | 12:09 p.m. June 18, 2008

Rankings don't matter. I hope both teams go undefeated into November. Imagine the publicity if two rivals like BYU and Utah are playing to get a BCS bid at the end of the season. To bad it'll be on the mountain. Gameday would so be at Rice Eccles again.

Anonymous | 12:14 p.m. June 18, 2008

anyone with Notre Dame on their top 20 list is suspect at best...

Who | 12:18 p.m. June 18, 2008

I'm not sure who Phil Steele is. But I would like to see what he is basing his decision to place Utah so high upon. They are good, but I think it's even a strech for BYU to be ranked that high and BYU is better than Utah. And i'm basing that decision upon the result of the last game the two teams played. plus their records. plus the game they played two years ago. plus max hall to austin collie.

Anonymous | 12:19 p.m. June 18, 2008

Pre season rankings are as reliable as, and mean about as much as a politician's promise to reduce spending and corruption in Washington.

Stoopid Phil | 12:21 p.m. June 18, 2008

Me bleed Cooger blue. Anyone who thinks BYU not #1 stoopid. Yewts are so stoopid they think they #14. Who is this guy anyway? How could the Yewts be picked above BYU because BYU won Utah last year.

Room for another view | 12:21 p.m. June 18, 2008

In the Rivals.com pre-season rankings, last season's BCS buster, Hawaii, is ranked 81st.

Utah State -- 118 (out of 120, OUCH!)
UNLV -- 105
SDSU -- 102
Colorado St -- 96
Air Force -- 88
New Mexico -- 56
Washington -- 51

BYU, Utah, TCU, Wyoming, Michigan, Oregon St, and UCLA still on the clock in the countdown.

Final poll from 2007:
BYU (11-2) -- 13
Utah (9-4) -- 24
Michigan (9-4) -- 19
Oregon St (9-4) -- 22
UCLA (6-7) -- 47
Washington (4-9) -- 67
Utah St (2-10) -- 116

Who's sorry? | 12:22 p.m. June 18, 2008

Trust me. There are very few Cougar fans, if any, who haven't thanked their lucky stars that Whittingham turned down the Y. And since Collie is coming back, he'll still be open.

Go BYU and MWC | 12:30 p.m. June 18, 2008

I am a BYU fan and think this is great to see the Utes in the top 25 as well. I would like to see TCU or another MWC school in it as also. The conference needs this kind of publicity or our conference will not get the respect from the rest of the nation. I hope the Utes go undefeated (until they play BYU). The BYU-Utah game is always better when both teams are good. The only thing pre-season polls are good for are pre-season respect - which translates to a higher ranking when you keep winning. Other than that, they are worthless. It is good to see Utah in a few top 25 polls.

Re: Anonymous | 12:32 p.m. June 18, 2008

Your last two posts 12:09 & 12:14 were great. Your others? Contentious. It's Utes like you that give your team a bad name. Your said Y fans should not be so negative, but a quick review of your posts shows that YOU should chill out. Your team will be good this year. The Y will be good. Be happy. I don't dislike the Ute football team/program. My dislike is towards the Ute fan attitude (Anonymous).

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