Deseret News | BYU, Utah Ute football: It's been awhile

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BYU, Utah Ute football: It's been awhile

Dreamer | 1:20 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I'm a dreamer, I'll admit it. I have this dream that the Utah-BYU game on November 22 has two undefeated teams. It's a rivalry game that always is significant, but a game like that would be the kind that could have national title implications. Remember, BCS people, I'm a dreamer; hold your comments about strength of schedule. I'd like that game to mean something special.

Both goin BCS Bowling | 3:20 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

It may be possible for both team to go to a BCS! When they both meet at the end of the season undefeated, and one team squeaks out a win. I wouldn't be surprised to see both teams in the BCS!

utesfan100 | 8:11 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

For both to get into the BCS they would need to be both in the top 14 and at most 2 BCS conferences having a second alternative.

The SEC and Big 12 would need to have a great season and the Big 10 and Pac 10 need to beat themselves up in conference play, except possible a single undefeated champion.

The ACC was dealt a serious blow last week and the Big East is tarnished as well.

Comments continue below

Re: Both goin BCS Bowling | 8:31 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but both can't go to a BCS bowl. As it turns out, provisions within the BCS prevent any more than one non-BCS team from competing in one of their bowl games.

Ross | 8:33 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

It is not unusual for some conferences to have 5 teams in the top 25 most of the time, the WAC and MWC could gain a great deal of national prominence if they were to accomplish that feat. Kind of make the BCS look silly.

InMyDreams | 8:58 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I wish Utah could schedule teams like Eastern Illinois, Northern Iowa and Eastern Washington. It would make us feel so.......so.......well, just so happy!

Re: Both | 8:59 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Both can go, it's just that the BCS only has to guarantee one spot to teams that qualify. With 5 games now, both could go but it's not likely. Really, it's not likely that either will be there.

Both in the BCS | 9:04 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

More than one "non-BCS" team can go to a BCS bowl. Only one team gets an auto-bid. The other team could get picked as an at-large if they're in the top 14.

Not likely, but it could happen.

Anonymous | 9:39 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Utah does schedule teams like Eastern Illinois, NOrthern Iowa and Eastern Washington; they schedule Utah State and Michigan.

one game.... | 9:44 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Can we please ease up on the BCS talk. Both teams look pretty good. The Utes beat a rebuilding Michigan team and the Y beat a division 2 school.

Let's at least wait until after week 3 before we make hotel reservations.

It's a long season - it's very rare for any team to go undefeated - chances are neither one of these teams will be in November.

The Utes still have shaky coaching and the Y has good athletes (for the MWC).

Re: InMyDreams | 10:17 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Typical ute, complain about BYU's schedule while utah is playing Northern Arizona (2006), Weber State (this year) and Utah State every year. Are you happy now?

CougarKeith | 10:28 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Let's be honest, BYU looked shaky for a bit against Northern Iowa, and UCLA hung in there to knock off Tennessee! Utah took out a Michigan team who quite honestly didn't play Ryan Mallet, a very talented Sophomore QB who "Doesn't Fit Their New System", instead they played inexperienced QB's, and paid for it. Utah surprised me actually, they really did! BYU could have trouble against Washington and will have all they can handle against UCLA if that same team who played Tennessee shows up. If they are both undefeated after week 4, then we can start to talk about a undefeated face-off in November for the Mountain West Title and a trip for at least one of them to a BCS game. If Utah vs BYU is a 1 play nail biter, then we can keep our fingers crossed for both to go to a BCS game. Don't pack yet, don't make reservations, unless it is at Las-Vegas or San Francisco or Fort Worth-Dallas at least just yet. Look at the positive, the "runner-up" probably goes to the Las-Vegas Bowl, and can probably kick the trash out of the 4th place PAC 10 team this year... Big Deal!!!

Fresno State..... | 10:28 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Could run the table and be a BCS buster this year.
They have defeated Rutgers and play the Wisconsin Badgers on the 13th of Sept. (At their place) They also play UCLA this year. If they win all their games and get all the exposure that ESPN gives the WAC, Utah or Byu could be shunned by the BCS. Bummer!

Utah plays the big boys | 10:38 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I'm glad Utah schedules us big boys instead of the patsies BYU always plays.

Signed,

Northern Arizona
Utah State
Weber State

MWC | 11:02 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

With how bad the conference is, I don't think both team could be in the top 16 with 1 loss (when they paly eachother, one will lose). I think 1 loss with their schedules would put them out of the top 16 spot. Would be fun to see them go at it though.

To: Utah plays... 10:38 | 11:04 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Allow me: Kettle, this is pot. Pot, kettle. (E Washington, Nevada Reno, etc...)

Schedule smack is worthless - let's pick it up after we're a bit further into the season.

TO: UTAH PLAYS | 11:36 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Has utah ever played a number 1 ranked team? and beaten them? I just want to know.

To MWC | 11:46 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

BYU had two losses last year and was in the top 16. 1 is less than 2, correct?

Re: InMyDreams | 11:51 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Please stop making the rest of us look stupid.

Regards,
Ute Fan

BluEyeDevil | 11:59 a.m. Sept. 4, 2008

I've simed this season a bunch of times in EA Sports NCAA Football '09 and if both teams go undefeated they were always both ranked in the top 10 when they meet. One of the outcomes was they met ranked 4th and 5th, BYU won and went to the title game with Ohio St. ranked 2nd and Utah went to the Fiesta Bowl ranked 8th.

As far as schedules go need I say more than Northern Arizona?

RE: TO: Utah Plays | 12:07 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Let's draw the line somewhere, I'm sure back in the 40's or 50's Utah did something impressive, and the Y did great things in the 70's and 80's... Let's keep the argument to at least when most houses had color TV's, eh? I can't remember us (the Y) ever playing an undefeated team like that and winning. I'm happy for it, but the Holiday Bowl thing was a bit a fluke. (Not that the current system is any better).

Fresno | 12:14 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Don't worry about Fresno. They always lose games they should win. Boise will handle them just fine.

Where's Stocton??? | 12:42 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Ref: Fresno State
Three points on your BCS run for Fresno (1) Rutgers 2008 is not Rutgers 2006..... (2) Wisconsin is probably the most underrated team this season....and a probable massive bump in the road for Ohio State..........and the real catcher are the massive holes that Norm Chow will shred in Fresno's defense. As slim as the odds are that either BYU or Utah are in the BCS, I wouldn't even contimplate a remote possibility for Fresno.

MADRYBEG | 1:37 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

This is what it comes down to. Utah fans and BYU fans do not hate the other team. In fact, deep inside everyone wants to cheer for the other. It is the fans of the other team we all hate. The Lakers and Spurs for instance. Has anyone been to the ESA when either team plays Utah. Their fans are the MOST obnoxious fans that show up out of anybody. I used to hate L.A. until I realized I hated see Jack Nicholson and all of the other celebs during broadcasts. I am watching the game, no the fans. So, all the rebuttles about whose team is this and that remember not to let your ignorance take center stage. Make sure you ACTUALLY know your facts about the other team you comment on...the bad AND the good! If you can't bring both stay away!

Texas Cougar | 1:52 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Fresno beating Wisconsin: That would be a killer upset.

Someone earlier mentioned that, if the UCLA that beat Tennessee showed up, BYU would have their hands full. I hope that UCLA shows up (especially Kevin Craft, with his four interceptions in the first half) because BYU would crush them. However, I'm worried that a real UCLA team will show up in a week and a half.

UCLA | 2:11 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Tennessee isn't that good this year. They were ranked because there Tennessee, but I have friends that live in SEC country that say they're not that good, so it's not the impressive that UCLA won. Just wanted to make my two cents

I BLEED RED!!! | 2:33 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

All of you. . .lets be honest the U is a much better school in general, and I hope and pray they kick BYU's big blue butt!!!

I Bleed BLUE! | 3:53 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

BYU has 10,000 more students than Utah, has a higher GPA and ACT score per student, and has more conference championships in football than Utah, and how is Utah better mr. "I BLEED RED"???

Go Cougars!

To InMyDreams | 4:10 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Kinda like scheduling unlv, utah state, and weber state THREE GAMES IN A ROW?

Northern Iowa would tear up on weber state.

salt lake man | 5:09 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

please Ute's have a big winning season, Im sick of byu winning all the time and talking about all there good seasons in the past. We need to have more then one great season (2005), then they'll have to respect us. Until then we really are a one hit wonder. GO UTES

wow | 5:22 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Why dont we let the playing on the field do the talking???

LOL | 7:55 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

anyone who thinks northern iowa is better then michigan should not be allowed to say anything about college football again, and then go play in traffic.

A realist | 9:00 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

The Utes are probably the best team on this whole dang planet! BJ himself could throw a football over them mountains!

Seattle | 11:19 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

For as long as it lasts, how about both Utah and BYU fans to root for eachother? By both of them winning they help eachother and the conference. Once one or the other has a couple of losses then we can go back to the backbiting & smack talk etc.

In this spirit I hope Utah wins against UNLV.

I dont know what week Utah plays Wyoming but what if Wyoming upsets Utah or takes out a key player like the quarterback on a questionable hit. Wouldnt that be a tragic. Or would it be carma?

For now, it is good vibes all around.

byu realist | 11:37 p.m. Sept. 4, 2008

Both teams have scheduled some weak games. I have to say though that Utah going to Michigan and winning, regardless of what Michigan is like, is a big accomplishment. I also have to say that nobody knew when Utah scheduled Michigan that Michigan was going to be having an atypical year. So give Utah credit where it's due, hope they win out, and then we will soundly end their season and hopes for a BCS bowl.

to To In My Dreams | 8:43 a.m. Sept. 5, 2008

UNLV is a CONFERENCE GAME - MORON! And, BYU also plays Utah State. So, Utah plays Weber State, Utah State, Michigan, and Oregon State. BYU plays Northern Iowa, Utah State, UCLA, and Washington. Sounds pretty even, and pretty strong for both sides, SO ENOUGH OF STUPID TALK ABOUT SCHEDULES.

kyle | 8:22 p.m. Sept. 6, 2008

The only reason Utah is playing Weber St. is becuase of the history with Mcbride. Utah is doing him a fovor. and Utah St is a historical game and was a great game back when they were a decent team (like Emmit White, and Curtis's hay day) Now it is just a tradition but they should replace the game in the future with a ranked team to amp up the season.
Both Utah and BYU have a weak schedule but hopefully in the future we will see better big name teams wanting to play them. Part of it is those teams have seen the upsets Utah teams can bring we will see what happens.

a BCS bust would be great but only itme will tell. either way the hole conference wins if one of them make it cause they all get a fat check for the program.

re madreybeg | 5:13 p.m. Sept. 7, 2008

I'm with you on that one, I don't hate BYU, I strongly dislike BYU fans, and I'm sure there are plenty of those who dislike me, and I'm just fine with that, they aren't supposed to like me!

Both schools need each other! | 12:11 p.m. Sept. 9, 2008

Perhaps the best hope for either school to get "strength of schedule" points is for both schools to win out until Nov. 22. BYU may well be the only 'competitive' team on Utah's schedule, and Utah may well be the only 'competitive' team on BYU's schedule... at least I hope both are still competitive & undefeated on Nov. 22nd. Then the game will truly mean something!

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