Good Luck... | 12:41 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Being a byu fan. i am saying good luck to th utes against bama. I hope they can represent the conference well but, i dont see happening.
Bama 31
Utah 10
The best opponent in over 100 yr | 12:55 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Andy Ludwig seems to have forgotten that in 1984 the Utes played (and lost to) the eventual national champion..
God | 1:59 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
The Utes will play the Alabama Crimson Tide in the sugar bowl, and win 20-17
Comments continue below
a beating | 2:12 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
The Utes will give Bama a good ol mountain beating and make them a 2 loss team. Hopefully our little brother down south can make us proud in their much smaller bowl too.
Dick | 3:53 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I don't think Ludwig has forgotten about the 1984 BYU game. I think he's saying both Texas and Alabama in 2008 are better teams than BYU in 1984. I would agree with Ludwig on that.

In fact, I would put several teams ahead of the 1984 BYU team on the "best opponent Utah has faced" list, including other BYU teams - 1980 and 1985 for example.
Blah | 4:06 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Whoever the Utes play they will get demolish by. Unless of course they play VT or Cinci, which won't happen. Thanks for the money!
Hey Zoobie | 4:22 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Do you honestly think that BYU's 1984 team was better than 2008 Alabama or Texas? I was at the Holliday Bowl in 1984 and witnessed a come from behind 1 touchdown win by BYU over a substandard
6-5 Michigan team. Plus, don't forget about BYU's lucky last second win over unranked Hawaii that same year. Mythical National champion? Yes. Best opponent Utah has ever faced? Far from it. Sounds like you are suffering from a bad case of revisionist history. Enjoy 7-5 unranked Arizona in the Vegas bowl while Utah goes to its second BCS bowl in 4 years. The BCS is a long way from you.
Best ever | 4:38 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Nope,,,,he remembered.
utefan | 4:43 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Will Zoobies PLEASE refrain from mentioning their 84 National Championship...a dubious honor at best since they lucked out by having so many other teams lose! Living in the past is what you all seem to do so very well, but it frustrating to the vast majority would would prefer the present. I would bet that if the present evaluation system could be applied retroactively the school down south would NOT BE the National Champion.
Hey byu fans!! | 6:08 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Hey byu fans!!!
guess what?? We don't want your "good lucks" nor do you deserve to cheer for Utah! I know you want to live a bcs game vicariously through the U, but you can't!
48-24!!!! Go play your "espn 2 whatever bowl in vegas" and be quiet and design a even worse t shirt for next year..

Ouch! Sick burn
Remember Utes | 6:10 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Rudy, Hoosiers, are movies.

After the way you played against UM, OSU, TCU, UNM, BYU, you get against a real team...

You are soooo way out of your league.

I mean, we could be looking at potentially a 50-70 point blowout.

I mean, this could be the worst in college football history, leaving Hawaii to say that they at least kept it respectful.

Has a college football team ever scored over 100 points in a bowl game before?

Andy Ludwig will never, ever, in no way be ready for what the utes are about to do.
Bronco Blue in Provo | 6:12 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
"Best opponent in 100 years?" Let's hope the 2006 Boise State 38-3 old fashioned shelacking of Utah in RES, was the best team the Utes ever faced.

Otherwise, BCS 2009 could be a really, really, really, really bad experience for the Utes.

Go Utes!
REAL BYU | 6:38 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Here's a comment from one of thousands of BYU fans on how we feel. WE love BYU but we also have deep feelings for all the teams in Utah. I will watch Utahs game with as much heart as I do the byu game. I want Utah to win for the university of Utah, for the state of Utah and for the MWC. Go UTES!!
To best opponent in over 100 yr | 6:53 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
What Ludwig said was "We are going to prepare to play the best opponent the Utes have ever faced in over one-hundred years of football," Just because you win a national championship does not make you the best. i.e. 1984. YBU is not a national power to be reckoned with. Get off your high horse zoobee.
It'llbeUgly | 6:55 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Utah is going to get killed. It won't be a game after 2 minutes into the 1st quarter.
100 yr | 7:04 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
How come BYU fans are stuck in 1984? A BYU fan cannot speak more than 10 sentences straight without saying "1984".

The BCS didn't exist back then, and if it had BYU would not have been National Champs, they would be just like Utah this year -- playing in a lower tiered BCS game. So Ludwig's statement is fully legit.
Thanks byu fans | 7:08 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Thanks for reminding us that the cougs backed into a so-called 'national championship' 25 years ago. College football has changed tremendously since that time, it's just byu & Notre Dame that are still hopelessly dwelling in the past.
Bob in line | 7:09 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I hope they get Alabama though I think they have a decent chance of beating either Bama or Texas. I would take the SEC over the other conference. SEC is a much stronger one, storied and a win over that conference will do more for MWC football. And Utah must win for any respect.

Sadly, this is the match-up that Utah should have had back in 2004. That team lead by Alex Smith stood to beat any team possible this year, which is to say 2008 isn't as strong as 2004. In any case, I'm a diehard BYU fan rooting for the Utes.

Now to see if BYU plays freak'n Bodiddly State in the Vegas Bowl...again! Oh freak'n vey!!!!
Alabama | 7:10 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I think that Alabama will be dissapointed to play Utah after having just faced Florida (the eventual BCS champ). At least I hope this is the case!

If Alabama takes the Utes lightly this could open the door for a nice win!!

That said, I wasn't very impressed with the Utes game offensively against BYU (the only game I saw of theirs this year) and I hope that they have more firepower than that. Their defense looks like it can play well, but is a bit on the small side.

Go MWC and Go Utes!!
Bart | 7:37 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Bama? Longhorns? Either way...Utes are roadkill.
2 comments | 7:40 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
That's how long it takes for a BYU fan to mention their national championship on a comment board for an article covering the team they can't leave alone... even after they were left alone to watch our DB's running the other way with Maxie Pad's passes.

Fortunately, it's been so long since that championship game that none of the Zoobs remember that Michigan was 6-5 and had they won the game (which they almost did if not for someone living right), they would not have been crowned champs. That's because the system was even more screwed up then than it is now. It wasn't even a national championship game. It just turned out that way because nobody else would accept the invitation to a crappy little bowl. Now, had they played a real opponent...
No Way | 7:49 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Andy Ludwig forgot about the 84 Cougar team because that team wasn't anything to remember. Sure they won the national championship but that was over 20 years ago and BYU only beat Utah by 10 points barely. The worst team in the NCAA would crush your 84 BYU team. BYU is going to have a hard time ever catching up to Utah and ever going undefeated in this day age. Good Luck BYU, I hope you can cope with being 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th for the next 100+ years.
Reality Check | 8:08 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Utah - 7
Any Bowl Opponent - A whole lot more
Best team in over 100 yrs | 8:22 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
For once, Ludwig made a good call.

After watching the game last night, they looked really good. Hope the Utes can get up for this one.

A trip to New Orleans sounds like fun!
Re: The best opponent in over... | 8:26 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Are you kidding me? The 1984 BYU team that you are referring to barely managed to defeat the Utes, then went on to squeak by an undeserving 6-5 Michigan team 24-17. BYU was awarded the championship more or less by default, since everyone else had at least one loss.

The competition is much harder today, especially for the non-BCS teams. This makes what Utah has accomplished this season that much for significant. But, as in 2004, Utah is playing again not only for itself, but also for the 5 non-BCS conferences. And the quality of the Utes' opponent? Either a team that has been ranked #1 for the past several weeks (Alabama), or a team that is hurting for being shafted out of the title game itself (Texas). Both of those two teams are two of the top five teams out of all of the 119 in Division 1 football.

No, Andy Ludwig knew exactly what he was saying, and he is absolutely accurate. To have mentioned the 1984 BYU team would have been an embarrassment, as that team was not 1/10th as good as the team the Utes will face this year.
About to die laughing | 8:27 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
1984 BYU better than Texas or Alabama?? That's a good one. BYU was good but everyone outside of Provo realizes that the moon and the stars alligned just right for BYU that year to win.

BYU fan needs to wake up and realize that as well and quit living in 1984. What has the team done in the last decade? Answer - Nothing!

Utah gets a chance for to make people remember this BCS bowl - if they win; which won't happen. Sorry your Fiesta Bowl was forgetten because of your lame opponent. After this year the Utes will be 1-1 in BCS games that no one outside Utah remembers while Boise State will continue to be the poster child for BCS success and the favorite to be back next year after being the only undeafeated team in the country - Go Broncos!
Re: The best opponent in over 10 | 8:33 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I actually think Andie Ludwig is right. Any team the Utes play against, will prove a bigger challenge than a team that won a national championship almost a quarter of a century ago.
S Gil | 8:35 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Yeah, just think, if it were 1984, all the Utes would need to do is beat the 5th place Big 10 team (Iowa) in a mid level bowl game to be VOTED the National Champ. Unlike 1984 you actually have to play and beat someone to WIN the National Championship.
re:the best opponent....... | 8:37 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I think he remembers that, which is why he is saying this next game will be the best opponent they have played. Followed by who knows, but I'm sure it was at least in this decade.
S Gil | 8:41 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Just think if it were 1984, all Utah would need to do to be VOTED National Champs is beat the 5th place Big Ten school (IOWA) in a mid level bowl game. Coog fans struggle with the fact that there 1984 team while good, would have only finished in the top 3-7 if the BCS poll existed then.
re: The best opponent in over 10 | 9:10 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
No, he didn't forget 1984. But a team that backs into the NC by beating a 6-5 team or whatever they were, come on! Get real! WE'RE in the BIG TIME here! We are playing a big time opponent in a BIG game.
If Bama is.... | 9:14 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
the one then the Utes better be ready to double block that Bigfoot at Nose Guard.....I think he is about 400 pounds despite Bama claiming that he is only 365 pounds.....LOL!!
Re: Good Luck | 9:25 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Hold your good luck comment if you are just saying it to dish out a slam. So typical of sore loser BYU fans. BYU your season was a flop and win or lose we did what you set out to do"Quest for Perfection" Next time lower the level of your quest and stick a fork in your season your done. Have fun in Las Vegas:)

GO UTES and yes Good Luck to us!
re: best opponent... | 9:26 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Sorry, the Utes have already played better opponents than the '84 "national champions" including this year against TCU. An 11-1 Bama or Texas team would crush the TDS today as they would have in '84 had they played. And we all know the '04 Utes were far and away the best team this state has ever seen. So keep wiping your '08 tears with your '84 tissues because the "national champion" has and never will be truly determined until they decide it on the field.
I Doubt Ludwig Forgot | 9:27 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I think Ludwig knew that the 1984 BYU "national champion" team was probably the worst "national champion" ever and could not stay on the field with any team in this year's top-10.

Here is the first clue, BYU won the become "national champion" by barely beating a 6-win team in a bowl nobody watched. Utah's opponent will be a 10 or 11 win team on prime time television.

Here is the second clue, BYU did not beat a single team that finished in the top-20. Utah's opponent will have beaten 3 or more ranked teams, including beating a formerly ranked #1 team.

So, unlike some of the plays he calls, I agree with Ludwig, this will be the best opponent Utah has ever played.

Prepare well Utah. Go Utes.
1984 | 9:27 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
RE: 1984
No doubt BYU deserved to win the national champtionship. They were the only undefeated team in College Football. That being said, does not mean they were the best team in college football. If this year were 1984, Boise State would be playing Utah for the national championship. How much sense does that make? About as much sense as BYU winning the national title in 1984.
Andy Ludwig | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
was absolutely correct in what he said. byu 84 was nowhere near alabama 2008 (if that's who the Utes get). 84 was and always will be a myth (no BCS)playing 6-5 Michigan. What a joke.
From the Team down South | 9:46 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
At least we have a National Championship. Something the team of North will never accomplish. Enough Said.
Cougar Fan | 9:49 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Go Utes. Don't fall flat on your face
Attention Utes | 9:54 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
You're going to play Alabama.

The game will not be in Rice-Eccles Stadium but on the SEC's home turf.

Your defense will probably give up over 400 yards of offense just as it did to Oregon State, TCU and BYU.

Alabama's kicker will probably not miss two chip-shot field goals which lose the game.

John Parker Wilson will probably not throw three gift interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Nick Saban will probably not allow his team to play so listlessly to allow Brian Johnson to engineer a miracle comeback.

In short, your lucky run is over. Alabama is a much better team and unless the Utes play a perfect game they're going to be on the receiving end of a Hawaii-style beatdown.

I realize that the best thing in the long run for the Mountain West Conference is to have Utah win. But I can't help but look forward to Ute fans making excuses here as to why they got beaten like a rented red-headed step mule.
byu 84 championship | 10:11 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
IS A JOKE!
anybody alive at the time knows that
Meanwhile | 10:17 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
The Cougars will be in Vegas playing a Pac-10 version of Bo Diddley Tech... In the NOBODY CARES BOWL.
Anonymous | 10:22 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
All those BYU fans that say that Utah is obsessed with BYU, need to read this thread. These cougies sound ridiculous.
Red 'n Blue | 10:22 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Re: "No Way"!

I attended both schools, and so can cheer for both without any problem. But think, "No Way" (or does your title already suggest that you can't??). For you to actually say: "The worst team in the NCAA would crush your 84 BYU team." doesn't just suggest your over-enthusiasm for our Utes, but rather showcases your inability to have any concept whatsoever of rational thinking. Hello? Earth calling? Is anybody home? Does No Way even have a brain? No Way!

Or this second gem: "Good Luck BYU, I hope you can cope with being 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th for the next 100+ years." Gee, No Way--- which of these two great schools has finished FIRST 2 of the last 3 years? Hello?

I'm a Ute fan too, but you embarrass us all by your intense need to berate others with such irrational and downright stupid diatribe (that's the polite word for it). Think about it, my friend...or does your title eliminate that possibility, too?
RE:S Gil | 10:23 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
And you guys would have thrown away a NC banner if you got one in 2004 by beating a lousy Pitt, I think not, you guys would be defending your dubious NC to the last drop of blood... grow up Utah and give BYU credit for winning the NC in 84, without it you guys would still be in the WAC losing to BSU every year!
Anonymous | 10:26 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Utes are the worst. Can't stand them and never will. By the way, read the record books and see who was the national champion in 1984. Can't take it away - IT IS SET IN STONE. So keep crying and whining that BYU has something you never will have, so deal with it.

Okay, Hawai, errr Utah - onto your bowl game - and don't "lay an egg" because all of the worl, err, Salt Lake City cares about this game and is watching you.
to:Remember Utes | 10:28 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Learn to write in English.
GridironSam | 10:28 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
Question to BYU fan: what if there was no BCS and Utah was contractually obligated to go to the Vegas Bowl as the champion from the MWC with their 12-0 record. At that bowl, they meet up with PAC 10 5th place Arizona, who is sporting a mediocre 7-5 record. Utah beats Arizona in a close game. At 13-0, would they deserve to be voted National Champions? If you say "no", then you must say BYU's 1984 National Championship was also undeserving. Because that is almost exactly how things happened in 1984.
Sore "Uters" | 10:43 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
What a bunch of sore "Uters"!

Still can't get away from the little brother syndrome, can you? BYU has somehting you will NEVER have and it really bugs you, doesn't it?

Enjoy getting slaughtered by whomever you play!
Seriously | 10:47 a.m. Dec. 7, 2008
I love listening to all the zoobies talk about a national championship that in most cases on this board pre-dated them. Oh the good ol' days. Good for the team down South, they got their so called championship, which if the same qualifiers were in place today Utah would have played in the National Championship twice in the last 4 years. Comparing apples and oranges doesn't work even in a quest for perfection. Get off of the high horse, be grateful for what you have (relevant or not) and be thankful that you are going to get more money by watching the Utes than you will get for playing in your bowl.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

previousnext

Latest comments

Utah's math core curriculum should be revamped from elementary on up. In my...

Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing

Not all MORMONS go to heaven. Glen Beck is probably not the most perfect...

Deer hunt reduced to five days

Hunting in this state has become about trophy taking. I am sure that most...

Cougars look to bounce back

I think alot of BYU fans cared about what happened on Wednesday night in...

Another empty-suit teleprompter speech from the our resident community...

No kidding! We do need to see a contrast to Harry Reid to give us hope. The...

Mr. Twitchell forgets that he is not a reporter and thus shouldn't tell a...

The only thing that Max Hall should be a finalist for is "loud mouth" or...

To Arrogance, my comment is not directed to a theological argument but...

I agree with Tami. You can't force those with no math aptitude to learn...

Advertisements