Deseret News | BYU ranked 15 on AP, USA Today polls; Utah sits at 22, 23

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College football: BYU ranked 15 on AP, USA Today polls; Utah sits at 22, 23

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MWC should be the ACC | 4:39 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

The ACC shouldnt get an automatic bid for a BCS berth this year. They only have one team in the top 25, when the MWC has two and hopefully by the end of the month make it 3 with TCU. Wake Forest will be decent this year but not as good as BYU or Utah. Give the MWC some lovin and get both two teams in the BCS bowl games.

Utes = App. St. | 5:02 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Didn't Appalachian State beat Michigan in the Big House last year? So Utah is as good as Appalachian State was last year. Now how did they finish up? What conference do they play in? Utah hasn't accomplished any thing impressive yet. Their fans need to smoke a little reality!

Re: ute fan from Tennessee | 5:02 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

ok lets start out by saying i AM a Utah fan! Probably one of the most die hard you'll ever meet I know pretty much every player and go to every game! That being said I root for BYU when they play out of conference! Let me tell you why! 1st off this is mwc not the sec. This conference is not considered the toughest around! And quality wins are tough to come by. A school like Tennessee plays 5 to 6 tough games a year... So they essentially hold their own fate in the palms of their hands! So BYU losing to Tulsa and UCLA or the year before that to Boston college and Arizona DOESNT help a conference scraping for credibility. So if you TRULY are a Utah fan and not just a cougar hater than we are all pulling for the cougs on Saturday!

Comments continue below

Been There Done That | 5:03 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Congrats to the Utes for their win against Michigan. Welcome to the club. BYU did that back in the 80's, where the game involved the National Championship.

Listen, both teams did what the prognosticators expected them to do. Its nice to have week one out of the way. But the real issue is now week two.

Ernest T. Bass | 5:04 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! We got into the Top 25 after totally dominating Michigan! I'm so happy that we scored those three "insurance" points in the second half. That was very wise planning on Coach Kyle Whittingham's part. He is a GENIUS! And he's easy on the eyes.

I sure hope we score at least 3 points against UNLV this time. I'm very nervous about that game. Maybe if ther nickname wasn't "the Rebels" but something a little friendlier then I'd feel better. Could someone please contact them and make a suggestion? Thanks!

re idea | 5:11 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

I agree with everything but your bit about one win or loss. Sure it doesn't for a big name team, but a win or loss for the Utes or that other team would be disastrous, unless it comes against each other.

The NIT | 5:52 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Who's this goofy, annoying guy with the "yewts" term and that can't even spell Michigan? Answer - old and boring and usually irrelevant. Utah had a nice WIN, that should of, and could have, been by a bigger spread, but it's still an away WIN over a Big Ten team with the most victories in college football history. Maybe they are not as good as past Michigan teams - time will tell. But it's still Big Ten talent and the Utah talent - offense, defense and special teams - was clearly superior on this particular Saturday. I guess the experts that vote on both major polls saw something to move Utah up to 22 and 23 - but what do they know? They should be checking with the bloggers to this article - obviously.

AZ Dave | 6:05 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Get by the 2 middle of the pack PAC-10 teams and then you can dream about playing with the big boys and in their bowls.

oh brother | 6:11 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Yootah u beat a big name, not a good team. U got into the polls on a fluke because there are too many voters that love Michigan and want to believe they are good.

Get over yourselves, you're not that good.

Kitty Litter | 6:09 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Utah played a team that had a name and won BYU kittens played a HS how did they go up in the ratings. BYU will lose this weekend

Dray | 6:12 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

I can't believe how jealous Cougar fans are that the Utes beat Michigan at home. Like the been there done that statement, come on, most of us weren't even born then. Cougars, please don't embarrass the conference by losing to Washington this week, you guys are horrible on the road. I really don't think that the Cougars will beat UCLA, I hope they do, I want both teams undefeated going into the last game, which Utah will win. MWC needs to beat the BCS schools. Utes don't do the usual disappearing act against a patsy MWC school.
GO UTES!

Michigan was a weak team | 6:27 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Utes = App. St. | 5:02 p.m.

It's not a fair comparison.

App State beat a team that had the star players before they graduated, who knew the coaches playbook, and were expecting to win.

Utah caught a big program at a down time, without leadership, star players on the field, and a new playbook without the personel to run the offense or defense.

Utah accomplished what a team comparable to NIU did last year to a better Michigan team, by three points, not two, which makes them almost as good a NIU.

You were given a win, and a ranking. you are still not in the top twenty, so I doubt BYU is jealous, or envious of you 23rd or 22nd spot, from their position at #15.

Majerus always was proud and often said he had a top 20 program. Your challenge is to get there. You might want to worry about Frank the tank and Samford before you begin pulling down any goalposts.

Utah, congrats and do what winners do.

Shut up, and prove it on the field.

Personally, I question both Kyle's and the Utah Football Team's manhood.

Stop talking nos and prove it to us...

Riverton Ute | 6:41 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Congradulations to both Utah and BYU for their wins Saturday. I am a diehard Ute but I will cheer for BYU until they play the UTES. It is the only way the conference...err BYU/UTAH will get the respect they deserve. I would take BYU and UTAH against any team in the ACC or Big East, and most any other team from the BCS conferences.

Anonymous | 7:03 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

utah 14 wins vs bcs schools how is that not good? go utes 12-0 baby

From WA | 7:02 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Great win by Utah, ok win by BYU.

But as everyone goes off on the schedule and how Utah added Michigan late and BYU added NIU late, remember that Utah had Weber(1-AA), USU (Non BCS and maybe worse 1-A in all the land), and OSU (BCS) on the sched when they added Michagan. BYU had UCLA (BCS), UW (BCS), and USU(Non BCS and maybe worse 1-A in all the land). So Utah had to look to a 1-A school, prefer a BCS for the money on the road and reputation. BYU more or less had these but could put in a 1-AA game. Do I like it, no, but the sched really come out even. Comparing adding NIU to UM is comparing apples to oranges, compare NIU to Weber or Michagan to Washington for a true comparison (we'll have to see sho's worse after the year). That said, going into the Big House and winning is a great feat and my hats off to U of U, especially as an Ohio State grad.

Levin | 7:18 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Last time the Y and U were both ranked was Nov. 2, 1996. The U went out and got dismantled by Rice, whom the Y shut out the following week before tromping the Utes in SLC. Utah, let's not lose to UNLV. Mkay, thx.

Mr Hand | 7:42 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Levin,

Let's try not to lose in Seattle to a Division 1, Pac 10 school (Not Northern Iowa Tech School for Mentally Challenged). Mkay.

Hmmm... | 7:51 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

I think it's entertaining seeing BYU fans try to discount Utah's win at Michigan. I know if BYU would have gone to Michigan and won, I'd be pretty happy about it. And Utah fans that are trying to rip on Northern Iowa should be looking forward to their next game against UNLV, a team no better than Northern Iowa who shut out the Utes last year.

Both Utah and BYU have good teams this year and both teams have things to work on going into this week's games.

Are You Kidding Me!? | 7:55 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Michigan a cupcake? You might be the first one to ever call them that. I dont care if they do have a new coach and lack depth, they are still better then any of BYU's non-confrence opponents. A game in the Big House is never a cupcake game.

In the Stands | 8:06 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

BYU and Utah are both ranked. There are still a lot of games to play before 11/22. A lot can happen between now and and then. Enjoy it while it lasts.

There is a lesson regarding Utah and Michigan that everyone in the BCS conferences already know: Everything goes in cycles. Even the greatest programs have down years for a variety of reasons, coaching, bad breaks, poor team chemistry. What makes the great programs truly great is that they come back. Michigan will, Alabama will, even Notre Dame will.

These schools and their fans have developed a real tradition and passion that is passed from generation to generation. They take their lumps (like losiing to Utah or Louisiana Monroe) and figure out how to rebuild.

There is a target on both of your backs now. Wear it well, there are several teams on both schedules that have a shot. Rather than talking about "inching closer" to undefeated seasons, you should probably focus on next week - that is how good programs become great.

I want a play-off. Your success helps us reach that outcome, but at best it gives you the opportunity to play in a tougher world. Good Luck.

true blue | 8:13 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Don't knock michigan. They helped BYU get a Natn'l championship in '84

Re: Are You Kidding Me!? | 8:13 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

"Michigan a cupcake? You might be the first one to ever call them that."

Naw. Folks have been saying that about the '84 Wolverines for decades now. He might be the first to say it this year though.

Strength of schedule | 9:01 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

It's hilarious how Ute fans are complaining about BYU playing Northern Iowa when they have Weber State on their schedule. At least UNI is a good 1-AA team. Playing Weber St almost cancels out the fact you played Michigan.

BTW, here are a few notable teams and their opening games this year.

Georgia - Georgia Southern and Central Michigan
Ohio St - Youngstown St, Ohio, and Troy
Oklahoma - Chattanooga
Missouri - Southeast Missouri St and Buffalo
LSU - Appalachian St, Troy, and North Texas
West Virginia - Villanova
Auburn - Louisiana-Monroe
Texas - Florida Atlantic
Florida - Citadel (They play at the end of the year)

These are all top ten teams right now and look at all the cupcakes they are playing. I'd say a lot of teams are guilty of the same thing when it comes to scheduling.

Dave | 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Am I the only one that is sick and tired of reading the pathetic and worthless comments from "Ernest T Bass"??

I highly doubt it!!!

Gretzky | 9:32 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

did anyone watch the UCLA vs. Tenn game? is UCLA really that good or is Tennessee just not up to par this year without senior QB leadership since Eric Ainge graduated? is Norm Chow working his magic again?

KEEP DREAMING | 9:54 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

I truly don't understand where BYU fans get this idea that BYU could go undefeated. They played a terrible team and still looked SLOW! Lets be honest BYU plays Washington AWAY, TCU AWAY, Air Force AWAY, and UTAH AWAY! Undefeated...BCS... KEEP DREAMING COUG FANS! UCLA isnt going to be a cake walk, you should have scheduled them earlier in the season before they figure things out...NORM CHOW is going to eat your lunch... I cant wait to watch you go down in flames. UTAH on the other hand has an easy schedule the rest of the season, and any tough games they play at home. You watch as the UTE'S continue to climb the rankings. They are the only team in Utah that has a realistic chance of going undefeated!

Yoda | 9:59 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

A cupcake Michigan is.

re: Dave | 10:02 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

"A day without Ernest T. Bass is like a day without sunshine." - Socrates

I doubt that "Dave" is your real name.

RE: Gretzky | 10:09 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Yes UCLA is that good. and yes Norm Chow = magic.

re: strength of sch. | 10:22 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Yes when you play in the SEC it is okay to sch. a 1AA team because the conference sch. is hard. Notice all the teams you listed are all in BCS conferences....NOT THE MWC. When byu scheduled their 1AA team both Florida and Rutgers needed a game to sch., but leave it to byu to "tone down" their and go 1AA.

true blue | 10:27 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

hey strength of schedule guy Central Michigan is no walk in the park for georgia they have the best or second best dual threat quarterback in the country.

No perspective | 10:34 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Utah fans are looking at just this past week. BYU's opponent was NIU, while Utah faced the "once" might Michigan Wolverines. In a couple of weeks, Utah will play the mighty (not) Weber State Wildcats, while BYU plays the previously unranked and unrespected UCLA Bruins. I'd say after just one week that a oppenent comparison, puts BYU's Strength of Schedule higher than Utah's. But I digress... I'd love to see an undefeated BYU/Utah game in November. And Commisioner Thompson, if you are reading this, make the major broadcast channels pay dearly... especially if it is ABC/ESPN.

Michigan cupcake comments | 10:36 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

I remember when Utah beat Texas A&M in 2004 how everyone said that they must be down, way down, and it was hard to tell if Utah was any good based upon that game.

Then, Texas A&M went 8-4, ended up ranked, and came within one play of beating Oklahoma (who ended up in the BCS championship game).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Michigan make Utah look good as the season progresses. It will be interesting to see if UCLA can do the same for the Y.

Ann Arborite | 10:50 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

As a Michigan fan in Ann Arbor who came across this article, I find it fit to comment.
First, I congratulate Utah for the win. But, don't make too much out of it. We are weak right now. Very weak! Your team exposed this weakness. In fact, with the fact the we almost came out with a win, you should be a little embarrassed given the hype that your commentators and local articles expect out of your team. I just hope we don't remain week. Too bad we don't get another show down next season.

As a final thought. Utah should trash their helmets. Even here in Ann Arbor, I don't think giving the feminine touch with the glitter on the helmets would go over too big. The glitter makes you look weak on the field.

Fully Invested | 10:51 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

To re:strength of sch., you better do your homework before you go spuoting off and making things up that aren't true. Where do you find this Florida and Rutgers needed a game. Where's your source? Back it up, and remember that BYU needed a home game. Maybe we should go back and see how many D-1 schools were looking to schedule a game the week that Utah scheduled Weber St. If you're going to pop off about your schedule, you better be able to back it up. Not make something up.

pk | 11:17 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

Ok I just have to say this, impressive win Utah. Your defense rocked, they were fast and got into every play. The offense in the first half was dominant and looked very sharp. With that said the next time Utah only gets 30 yrds total offense in the second half they will be slaughtered. Lets not forget the fact that Utahs offense looked like the my little brothers team playing on offense. But at least their defense was good right?

Mike Johnson Fallon NV | 11:33 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008

re: Double Standard? | 2:46 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008
"It's interesting how when Utah beats a "storied program" that is probably terrible, it is hailed as the greatest victory ever. But when BYU beats a "storied program" UCLA that was also fairly terrible, like last year, they are derided as playing cupcakes. I am happy that both BYU and Utah won. There are always exceptions, but it seems that mostly the BYU fans are the only one praising the other team."

BYU lost to UCLA 17-27 last year. It was Utah who beat UCLA last year 44-6.

I agree | 12:12 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Let's not call Michigan cupcakes anymore.

I like cupcakes.

Lets call them patsies...

Would that make the little men on the hill that play in Romney Olympic Stadium happy???

Brettski | 1:28 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

BYU fans must take pride in sounding stupid and immature.

to the ignorant utah fan... | 4:50 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

you said "utah scheduled michigan before they knew they weren't goin to be good." hmmm, well lets see, you all scheduled them after last season, and unless eligibility rules have changed in the NCAA your AD knew very well of the attrition to the offense and how bare that offense would be...not to mention they knew very well about the new coaching change and scheme. All in all this was a great situation for utah, im not faultin you for that, on the contrary i give you props for smart scheduling. Just don't pretend that it was advanced scheduling with the anticipation of a loaded wolverine team...

re: Double Standard? | 5:51 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

"There are always exceptions, but it seems that mostly the BYU fans are the only one praising the other team."

(1) Just because a FEW BYU fans have praised Utah's success at Michigan, it does not require Utah fans to reciprocate. Suggesting otherwise would appear less altruistic, and more a self-interested fish for a compliment.

(2) It's easier to praise one team for beating Michigan - in Ann Arbor no less - than to praise a team for chalking one up in the "win" column against ANY...I repeat ANY...D1-AA team. Even a "highly ranked" D1-AA team.

(3) Utah fans are NOT praising Weber St. on their schedule. They're not trying to make them out to be, "Ooooh, we're playing an UNDEFEATED 1-AA opponent", and the only ones that will try to boast their victory over Weber St. would be over a more solid opponent than any of BYU's BCS opponents this year would be cougar trolls.

(4) Cougar fans admit SDSU, Colo. St, and UNLV are not good teams. Then state UNI's Sagarin rank is slightly above them. Then somehow rank their HOME victory over them as better than a win against Michigan in Ann Arbor. Double standard?

Buster | 7:45 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

"utah scheduled michigan before they knew they weren't goin to be good."

Nope.

They just lucked into playing them when they were the most hapless team in the country.

Fan from Cedar Rapids Iowa | 8:10 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

I just thought I'd come on here and tell you that we are also in a down year. You beat a weak team. Our qb is too fat to beat anyone with his legs, yet your slow secondary let him scamper for 45 yards in the first half. Our O-line is half the size of your D-line and we still managed to move the ball and move it well. The only place you guys have a weakness is probably your slow and unathletic secondary which we managed to expose only a few times. Any good team will be able to exploit your secondary and hammer you through the air. Its funny how some of you are arguing that a win over UNI is as valid as a win over Michigan at Michigan. I have been a loyal Panther fan for 15 years and there is no way this years team could even play on the same field as Michigan.

Craig R | 8:47 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Obviously Utah and BYU don't need the BCS system to be successful....so stop obsessing. If a BCS bowl invitation comes, turn it down, that will invalidate the system the money conferences have rigged to protect the status quo.

Anonymous | 9:02 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

--Utes don't do the usual disappearing act against a patsy MWC school.--

AFA 20 Utah 12
UNLV 27 Utah 0
BYU 17 Utah 10

Congrats on that win v Michigan though.

and to answer Gretzky, most of the folks that I've talked with (here in SEC country) consider the Vols inept this season. Some will disagree, but you'll have to look for a trailer with a big orange flag flying from the side to find them.

to the ignorant cougar fan.... | 10:35 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Utah scheduled Michigan LAST AUGUST. That was actually PRIOR TO last season's 9-4 team, and PRIOR TO any talk of Lloyd Carr retiring.

RE: Cupcake | 11:39 a.m. Sept. 3, 2008

Are you serious?! NIU looked better than Michigan?! If that's the case, it's because your boys made them look great by the pathetic game they played! Is it really that tough for you BYU fans to admit the U got out of Michigan with a GREAT win?! Wow. Way to show your maturity.

Scoobie | 1:29 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Ref: Utes on the rise.

Yes your "Great Escape" from the big house was impressive......reminds me of a line from Top Gun when Jester points out to Maverick that his flying was great right up to the point where he an Goose were killed........Admit it guys..... your slew of 15 yard penalties racked up in the 2nd half nearly did you in. The media is playing up Michigan's defense but we know better don't we.

ex college player | 9:08 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008

if you actually watched the utah michigan game you would see that utah was sloppy. and michigan was even more sloppy. call it first game jitters but utah should not be ranked in the top 25 because michigan has a new head coach a new offensive scheme and michigans defense was average. michigan has had a great past which makes them out to be better than they are. all those who know sports especially football at the college level knows how hard it is to transition from one offensive shceme to another with the number of senior players that michigan has. utah is set for a good game against byu but i see byu winning the conference because utahs secondary will falter in byu's incredible passing game. oh and watch out for pitta. nov 22 3 td's and 200 yrds

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