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Utah Utes football: Party, hardly — U. players practice it up in Big Easy

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Go Utes | 3:54 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Even though the BCS was formed in 1998 w/ the so called Top 6 conferences, non-BCS schools were allowed to play only in the past 5 years. In 2004 a Top 6 finish was required to get Utah into a BCS bowl. Since then the requirment has been lower to a top 12 ranking. Non-BCS schools played only 3 times. The kitty kats have had the same opportunity as any other non-BCS team to bust a BCS bowl, and yet they haven't. The 20 BCS bowls in the last 5 years means 40 teams have played and Utahs been there 2 times. Yners need to look at reality and stop talking and talking and talking about Utah's success. Quit living in 1984
bcs+bcs=2 bcs trirps | 4:06 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
dang i cant wait to get down there i will be leaving on tuesday and i just cant wait to watch the utes play in another big game. win or lose this will be a great trip for my family and i, i just want to thank the utah football team for making this season one of the most enjoyable and nerve racking as i have ever seen. I havnt missed a ute bowl game since the vegas bowl against usc because of a family death the day before but im glad to say im a ute win or lose this game.


GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you seniors we will miss you
USU Basketball | 4:44 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Roll Tide love all officals.
Comments continue below
Hope you enjoy it | 5:02 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
because you are going to get spanked by the Tide.
TexasCougar | 6:01 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
I am really looking forward to this game and hoping Utah will come out a big winner. GO UTES.
I can't bear to watch.... | 7:27 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
...it's like seeing a car wreck happen and you can't do anything about it.
Someone call 911!
aloha
re:Hope you enjoy it | 7:27 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Spanked or not at least we are there!!!
Go utes! (just ignore the "roll tide roll" cheer you hear a million times during the game and keep playing hard!!!!
The.... | 7:58 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
best of luck to the Utes...
17 million dollars | 8:13 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
is a lot of money. So it is going to be a tense and physical game and I can't wait to watch.

May the best team wins.

Season Ticket Holder since 1984 | 8:47 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Wish I could be there, hope the powers that be will find a travel agency that will work with those with a smaller budget next time.

GO UTES!!!!

UTEFORLIFE | 9:29 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
This is truly historical. It's also comical to see the envy of the kitten. The Utes are "supposed" to get smashed. If that happens (which I fully believe it won't), big deal, it was "supposed" to happen. However, if we win? Shoooooot, we're legendary. Either way, we made it in, for the SECOND time. How many times has provo made it in? EXACTLY. Go UTES!!!!!!!!
You people are..... | 9:52 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
A big fat joke!

The Utes make it to the Sugar Bowl and all you guys can still talk about is how BYU is jealous! You "true" Ute fans need to get over your inferiority complexes and just enjoy the game!

Good grief! You're an embarassment to your team! The only people to bring up BYU is YOU!
RE: You people are... | 10:13 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Hey, lighten up!!! We will enjoy the game, and we are enjoying the whole Sugar Bowl experience. Don't be so quick to jump to any conclusions about who keeps bringing up BYU. Do you read any of the comments here, or do you just scroll to the bottom and write them? It gets pretty ugly on these posts, and you shouldn't jump to conclusions about who is at fault.
You people are..... | 9:52 p.m. | 10:23 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
"Good grief! You're an embarassment to your team! The only people to bring up BYU is YOU!"

I would invite you to read the posts from BYU fans. Some, even many, are congratulatory and wish the Utes well. True class. Others...well, they are on posts that spark the negative reaction.

Ute fans...let's ignore the BYU nay-sayers (like a stray cat, they will eventually go away), thank the class BYU fans who are well wishers, and focus on the task at hand. A week from now, we will represent the conference in a huge challenge.

Good luck Utes!
Slow ticket sales | 11:11 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Not surprised to read that ticket sales are slow for Utah and the Sugar Bowl. You can say what you want about the Cougars but they do follow their team whether they are bad or good. It is very well known that BYU travels well.

I will be watching the game and anxious to see how Utah does. I think 'Bama will be surprised about how good the Utes are.
Go Utes | 11:26 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
Beat Alambama.

--Cougar fan
Zoobs R Confused | 11:52 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
I can't bear to watch.... | 7:27 p.m. Dec. 27, 2008
...it's like seeing a car wreck happen and you can't do anything about it.
Someone call 911!
aloha
-------------------
Yea I don't blame you Zoob Quest for Perfection season was a disaster. Maybe next year they should set Quest for 84.
Big Daddy | 5:12 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
TOP GAME OF THE BOWL SEASON!!!

UTAH Beats ALABAMA

GET em UTES!!!!
Re:slow ticket sales | 6:40 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Could it be that BYU relies on a broad member base all over the country? Little misleading to say that the school travels well. In today's economy, I'd say the Utes did a good job in selling as many tickets as they did. Pretty expensive trip for even the most loyal fan. GO UTES!
Utes travel well | 8:45 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
The Utes should travel well since most of their homes are on wheels.
Travel | 9:10 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
It's not that BYU travels well. They just sell a lot of tickets to the local wards and branches in the region. That way, families can attend the game and stay under the $95 budget for BYU football.
spuds mom | 9:19 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Go Utes.
We are the beginning and the end.
We are football and it came to pass that that game day was upon us.
The stars told us the time and the place.
The universe shall stop spinning and watch the glory of the Utes stop the tide.
We are the stars and the moon controls the tide.
we are one with the force of nature that is called the UTAH UTES.
God Bless the Utes (and no one else!)
Re: slow ticket sales | 9:24 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Because BYU sold all of their tickets to 'The Veg'? Nope. And that's with a ton of LDS members in Vegas. In the end, I have a feeling that Utah will have just as many fans in New Orleans as the Coogers had in Vegas. All things considered, not bad.
Crimson Club | 9:30 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Go Utes! I'm very happy and proud of what you have accomplished as a program over the last few years. The State of Utah deserves a great football team, and the Utes are it!!

Utes 35 Alabama 17

P.S. I was only one point off on predicting the BYU, Arizona game, and 3 points off on predicting the TCU victory over Boise. I'm so accurate it's scary.
Re: Slow Ticket Sales | 9:31 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
It is easy to travel with you team, when every year they go to Vegas! Travel 2000 miles and see how many fans travel with the Kitties.
Nothing | 10:28 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
would make me happier than to watch Bama roll over the Yewts and wipe that smug, arrogant look off of Whittingham's face...Roll Tide Roll
RE:Slow ticket sales | 11:10 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Good comparison Yner, The travel time and costs are a lot different to go to a real bowl game. It is not tough to load up the minivan and drive to Vegas every year. Cougars are so jealous taking shots at the Utes, coach Whittingingham, Utah fans etc. It is also easy to sell the tickets to local sheep that think they get points for supporting the herd. BYU fans need to take shots because they have NOTHING to cheer about, underachievers!!!!!!
mackalicious09 | 11:28 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Go Utes!! See you all in the big easy..I'm heading out tuesday! Oh and byu maybe next year they will create a new bowl game for you..the mini van bowl sponsored by rogaine and knee shorts, ya'll are so goofy and jealous its a joke! Utes by 15!
Anonymous | 11:38 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Guess what, bowl ticket sales are way down across the board, even for Ohio State and Alabama. Economy down, travel costs up, pretty simple. Boise State / TCU only drew 34,000 and that was a marquee two top-12 teams that drew some CF fans from San Diego as well. Flying cross country and staying in a hotel is a little more expensive than driving 6 hours to Vegas and crashing on your cousin's couch. All that said, guess what? I leave on the 30th and return on the 3rd. Go Utes!!
Nothing, | 11:39 a.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Man you are so jealous, listen to you!
Anonymous | 12:09 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
RE: Slow Ticket Sales

At least the Cougars go to a bowl every year! Why do you think Vegas Bowl took the Cougars instead of the better record TCU??!!! Because they fill the stadium!

There is no doubt in my mind that if the Cougars had been good enough to make it to the Sugar Bowl that all their tickets would already be sold out!

I traveled to all the BYU games at Notre Dame and every ticket was sold out and I had to get tickets from Notre Dame!! Wait until the Utes finally play in South Bend and you will see how hard and expensive it is to get a hotel there. We travel WHEREVER they play because we don't just support our team when they are winning!!

I would not be surprised if many of those buying tickets to the Sugar Bowl in the area are Cougar fans so they can support a team from the MWC...so lighten up!


Anonymous | 12:21 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
To Anonymous 12:09

"Why do you think Vegas Bowl took the Cougars instead of the better record TCU??!!! "

Because they worked out a behind the scenes deal to have a real bowl game, that people cared about, in San Diego.

No one cares about the LV Bowl, the organizers know that, so they wanted a nearby team, in order to even stand a chance that there would be fans there.

But the powerbrokers definitely wanted the marquee match up of BSU/TCU so they were motivated to make it happen. I have a relative on the periphery of the deal, and trust me, it was all about the good SD match up.
Re: Anonymous | 12:27 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Well, BYU may go to a bowl every year but UTAH wins bowls every year. How's that Quest coming along? It's no secret BYU has a bigger fan base, especially across the country because of the ties to the church. There's more to a game than just selling out... there's that little thing called WINNING.
Ernest T. Bass | 12:58 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
I'll wager that Utah plays in it's third BCS bowl loooong before byu makes it to it's first.
Did you hear that? | 1:12 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Utes are going to get smashed by the Crimson Tide. Can't wait to watch it.

Excuses begin | 1:19 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
"At least we are there". Let the excuses and "moral" victories begin.

If you are serious about it then go to win - and don't accept anything less. But you poor Yewties are so unsure of yourselves that you are simply "happy to be there".

We all know you don't belong there and unfortunately Alabama will expose your for who you are. But heck, a 21 point loss or less will be a "moral victory", right???

Let's hear it for moral victories!!!
RE: slow ticket sales | 1:44 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
As reported by this paper; BYU came up 1000 tickets short of selling there allotment to the Las Vegas Bowl. You call that traveling well? its 300 miles away from provo versus 2000 to New Orleans with flights costing $900.
I am personally very pleased with the 12,000 - 15,000 that will be traveling to see the Utes. That is a great showing all things considered
attendance smack | 2:17 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Is that all that Cougars are left with?
Ute Convert | 2:24 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
As a long-time BYU fan, I have still rooted for the Utes when they're not playing BYU. But since Whittingham and Mendenhall began their respective tenures, I have found myself increasingly impressed by the Utes and distressed by the Cougars. When the "Quest for Perfection" motto was announced earlier this year, I was shocked and chagrined. "How could they be so stupid and arrogant?" I asked myself. Throw in Mendenhall's seemingly endless supply of meaningless management gibberish ('fully invested', etc.) and I have started to feel more and more alienated from the team I grew up with.

The past year has only made me respect Whittingham more as my distaste for Mendenhall's approach and CEO-esque psychobabble has increased. Whittingham talks like an intelligent football coach. Mendenhall sounds like a typical, clueless corporate manager, clumsily parroting jargon that belongs in a board room, not on the gridiron.

Whittingham and his team come across as mostly humble, yet fierce competitors. Mendenhall and his team come across, more often than not, as though they believe they are ENTITLED to success.

I'll enthusiastically root for the Utes against Alabama, and hope that Mendenhall and his team learn from this season of humiliation.
Anonymous | 3:04 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Article from yesterday....

"Saban tells fans to respect Utah"

Quote from the article...

"But will Alabama be mentally ready to rebound from a loss that cost it a chance to play for the National Championship and face a program whose best accomplishments are in women's gymnastics?"

Go Utes and show them what you are made of! We have more at the "U" than just gymnastics! I can't believe this was written?! I have always thought that we were nationally known and respected.
The NIT | 3:14 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
I generally agree with the previous post. BYU - even after their so-so 10 and 3 year is already talking about the GREAT season they are going to have next year. As Harmon alluded to in a recent article - they appear to have not learned one bit about humility. That's where they need to start - taking them one game at a time - and trying to win the game. Every team plans to win all their games before the season starts, but most teams do it with a little bit of humility, hoping that they can play well and win the game. I love Coach Whit and feel that he deserves every bit of his new contract. Coach Bronco needs to display a little - just a little - emotion in a most emotional game. I was rooting for the Cougs in the Vegas Bowl but they just couldn't seal the deal. They looked slow against an OK Arizona team. We'll see what next year brings, but for now - GO UTES!! Take it to Alabama.
re: Ute Convert | 3:33 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
You've expressed my feelings to a T. I've been a huge Y fan since the Virgil Carter days. Like you the Whittingham, Mendenhall era has completly changed my position. Whittingham is the better coach and runs a better program. I look to see Utah have far more success in the coming years.
Anonymous | 12:09 p.m. | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
"There is no doubt in my mind that if the Cougars had been good enough to make it to the Sugar Bowl that all their tickets would already be sold out!

"I would not be surprised if many of those buying tickets to the Sugar Bowl in the area are Cougar fans so they can support a team from the MWC"

That's a lot of supposing my friend...do you have support of ANY of this. No. Because it did not, and will not happen.
Ditto... | 4:51 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Ute Convert | 2:24 p.m.
The NIT | 3:14 p.m.
re: Ute Convert | 3:33 p.m.
Disco Vega | 4:06 p.m.

Exactly! The team reflects the tone at the top. And that is the reason that I believe Utah will continue to move forward and that BYU is in for a very long season next year.

Congratulations Coach Wittingham and the UTES!!
Travel Well | 6:22 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
I for one feel 12,000 of the 15,000 alotted tickets sold is great with the economy the way it is and just after christmas I think that is a substancial amount. Alablam will trave well because it is virtualy a home game for them. I wish I could join in the festivities but a family my size has better uses for that kind of money as do many other UTE families. Go Utes Roll the Tide!!!!
anonymous | 7:34 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
In reply to the fact that Alabama will travel well because it is closer for them. In 2000 when BAMA traveled to UCLA for the season opener in the Rose Bowl almost 40,000 BAMA fans were in attendance, as many as UCLA had for a home game. Also, in 2 consecutive seasons BAMA finished the regular season in Hawaii and both times were represented by 10,000 to 12,000 fans.
These were not bowl games and most of the time Alabama travels well given a good reason.
Any | 7:55 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
Kittie Kewger smack makes me feel good about the Utes. Lets me know that whY fan has a lot to grip about and Utah has everything in the world to look forward to in the football world. See you all in New Orleans !!!!!!!!!
CougarKeith | 10:10 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
I give the Ute's credit, they earned this trip to New Orleans! Everybody knows how I feel about Whittingham and how he chooses to win sometimes, but he is in a BCS game and BYU isn't. Make us proud!!! I hope the Ute's focus on the game, everyone seems to think they will get blown out, I got news for everyone, I think it will be closer than everyone thinks, that is, if the Defense shows up! Alabama doesn't have much of an offense either, and Utah CAN beat these guys! They really can beat these guys and I will be cheering them on, even though my wife has ties with Alabama, I WILL BE CHEERING ON THE UTES! Yes you heard right, I will be cheering on Kyle Whittingham and the Ute's! They proved me wrong, and deserve to win the game!!!
Nervous | 11:12 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.
The Prudent | 11:33 p.m. Dec. 28, 2008
thing to do as a Coug fan, is to cheer for the Yewts to win, it would be great for the MWC.....but I cant do it. I hate the Utes and hope they're embarrassed and exposed as the over rated, lucky over achievers that they are. Roll Tide

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Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

University of Utah football players are transported from the Louis Armstrong International Airport upon arrival Saturday for the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

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Utes arrive for Sugar Bowl
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