2004 v. 2008? It's a question of style v. substance, really. The 2004 squad was great--certainly good enough to challenge USC, Oklahoma, or Auburn that year--but their best win came against #19 Pitt. The 2004 Utes certainly looked like champions, but didn't have the resume to back it up (by no fault of their own).

On the other hand, the 2008 Utes rarely looked liked champions--nearly stumbling against lesser competition like Michigan and New Mexico. In workmanlike fashion, however, they complied four victories over Top 25 teams, including two wins against the Top 10 (TCU & Alabama). That's a championship resume for any team not hailing from a non-AQ BSC conference.

We'll never know how good the '04 Utes really were. Tonight, the '08 Utes put any doubts to rest.

I'll go with the 2008 Utes.

Love it ... TIDE ROLLED!

I want to congratulate the Ute players and their coaches, and also to eat some crow. I didn't think Utah was particularly great early in the season (too many nailbiters) and thought Johnson in particular was far too inconsistent -- but things started to come together for them at just the right time. Johnson was nearly flawless in his last 2 games, and emerged as the QB many people thought he could be.

That was a terrific game last night, and Bama didn't know what hit them for the first 12 minutes. I think that the '04 team had more overall talent, but this team accomplished far, far more than the '04 team did. Great win for the Utes and terrific statement for the MWC. I'm still irked that Max Hall likes red jerseys, but there's little shame in losing to Utah this year -- Utah earned it, BYU didn't.

I appreciate the JBW stickers on the Ute helmets. I'm sure that he was smiling somewhere.

I posted a prediction earlier that BYU would win and Utah would lose their bowl games. I'm now eating my words. I tip my hat to Coach Wittingham and the Utes. That was the best game ever played by a WAC or Mountain West team. Congratulations, Utes.

I'm glad the Utes always believed. I even struggled with my bowl prediction (I had 'Bama in a close game) because this IS a good 'Bama team. Though I think the SEC was over-rated this year, it is still an impressive win for the Utes. Regardless of the fact it was
'only" 21-17 at one point, the Utes clearly dominated this game.

The system is flawed.

Utah, undefeated at 13-0 and with an impressive array of conference and non-conference wins deserves consideration for a NC. Though they likely won't even get a split, ceratinly their victory coupled with possible USC and Texas finishing with similar records as the team that does win the BCS championship, will cause such a stir that I do belive there will be a playoff in Div-1a football in the next decade. It will be too little to late for the '04 and '08 Utah squads, but who know s what doors this team has opened. Historical win, Utes!

2008 Utah team has proven it is good enough to be national champions --and they should be. This team beat OSU, TCU, BYU and Alabama.

2004 Utah was good but it did not play number 1 team like Alabama so it could not prove itself.

Utah is possibly the best team in the country. They are faster and more physical than Florida. I would like to see them against Florida or Oklahoma. Congratulations Utes! I'm a Bama fan through and through but you guys deserve to be in the National championship game.

Get your poswers that be to schedule a rematch against Utah and you can come out and enjoy the Mountains in the fall.

The Clash of the Crimson Cousins ought to be an annual tradition.

How 'bout dem Utes? National Champs, baby!

We is da' numba one team in da' country, baby!

Why didn't Alabama show up for the game?