Deseret News | What others are saying: Utah Utes are perfect champion

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What others are saying: Utah Utes are perfect champion

Denver Ute | 11:34 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I'm glad other writers around the country are noticing the deserving Utes.

fredmore2 | 11:39 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Good article, but unfortunately it won't get much press because of the location of the writer and paper, but ge does have an unbiased and good perspective. Hopefully some thinking AD's , college presidents and conference commisioners will see its value. Hopefully ate AP voters will also see the merit of his argument.

TrueCoug | 11:51 a.m. Jan. 6, 2009

How about this one: Let's have a BCS Champion (Florida or Oklamhoma) and a National Champion - UTAH!!! That's fair! Let's print this on a T-Shirt!

Comments continue below

UteGary | 12:02 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Great idea from TrueCoug.

Hmmmm, | 12:07 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I think TrueCoug has got something there.......

Somebody do it!!!

Don't blame the system | 12:11 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

MWC and Utah fans need to quit blaming the BCS system for their lack of national recognition this year. First off, the MWC decided to sign a media deal with the Mtn instead of ESPN or another major carrier. As a result, Utah suffered from a severe lack of media coverage this year. In addition, Utah was highly inconsistent in many of their televised games. Anyone who saw the Michigan, TCU or Oregon State games would have been impressed with the 4th quarter comebacks, but I doubt those games would have made anyone believe that the Utes were a national powerhouse.

So while I think college football needs a playoff to determine the national champion, I don't think the BCS is the source of all the Ute's problems this year. Some blame has to be assigned to the MWC for its retarded media contracts and to the Utes for not winning more than one convincing game all year long.

Brian | 12:11 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

All of you are questioning the BCS but it the leaders of he big schools that are just bank robbers and should be lock up or their schools should be kick out of the college football. At this point if Utah not the #1 team then who is picked will be a joke on all football fans. A team goes 13-0 and the only team to do so, will a dumb are we the fan.

world war 2 | 12:22 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Check out the article about applying the BCS formula to WW2. Pretty funny! they had Germany Winning ( because they had more victories and they were early on) France was #2 and the USA was I believe 4th because after all they only had two victories and they were late in the season. (Oh yeah they were against Germany and Japan) Any way it shows how bad the BCS syetem really is.

re: Don't blame the system | 12:24 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You are correct about the curse of the Mtn. I live "back East", and only saw a few Mountain West Conference games. The MWC shot itself in the foot with its deal with the Mtn.

Perspectives | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Unimpressed by the Ute comebacks (inconsistancies), take a look at Florida and Oklahoma wins. Ask yourself, "Who did they play who had a top notch defense?" Oklahoma played Texas, and lost. The did beat TCU who was off their game losing to Utah also.(Only 2 losses for TCU)Florida lost to Mississippi. (2nd place under Alabama)What other "Top" schools did either of them play that was any better than Utahs foes? There is more than statistics involved when determing a champion. There is the hearts and desire of a player, a team and a coaching staff to succeed under extreme challenge. Utah though not the most talented has provided proof that they have it. Oklahoma and Florida so far have not. UTES #1 !!!

re: blame the system | 12:11 p.m | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

If you truly believe the BcS you're shoveling, you're just as pathetic as the talking heads and conference commissioners and bowl committees who've force fed us their tripe that "the system" is producing what it's supposed to produce: a legitimate national champion.

A truly great football team shouldn't have to rely on "promotion" to prove themselves. They should be able to do that on the field. Football, is, afterall, an athletic contest, not a popularity contest. At least it should be.

MN Coug | 12:39 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Unless someone beats Utah, they cannot be denied #1.

True Ute | 12:43 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

To think the MWC was the problem because of TV coverage is crazy. Yes the coverage was bad. But if we were still with ESPN we would have had less games on TV.
Just a thought, but wasn't Boise State on ESPN, but yet Utah was still ranked higher in the polls. That tells me that the real football fans still saw what was going on in Salt Lake.
To try and blame this on anything less than the BCS is a scam. The BCS Schools and their Presidents are the only reason we are not going to be ranked #1 this year.
All Football fans should be upset with how this season ended. As a Ute Fan I believe we should be #1 in the Country. But I also believe that USC and Texas should have a shot at the championship as well.
The best way to end the season is for the AP to vote Utah, USC, and Texas #1. This way there would be 4 #1 teams in the country and screw the BCS Champion.

Frozen Chosen | 12:46 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

You can whine about the deal the MWC did with CSTV and the Mtn all you want but the fact of the matter is that the deal that ESPN offered stunk. They were offering half the money and most of the televised games would've been played on Wednesday or Thursday night. ESPN treated the MWC like a doormat. Besides, if I'm not mistaken the Sugar Bowl was on national TV, wasn't it?

The real dirty little secret about the BCS is that half the conferences with automatice bids are worse than the so-called "mid-majors". Have you checked out the (not so)Big-10's bowl record lately? 1-6 this year and 9-20 over the last 4 years. What a joke!

The NCAA should be dissolved immediately for allowing this travesty to continue.

2 issues | 1:15 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

already mentioned that made the difference and will for some time, no matter how good Utah, BYU, or TCU finish - When the conference decided to walk away from ESPN (which reigns supreme over college sports), they marginalized the MWC. I live in SEC country and the mtn (or mountains, for that matter) cannot be found. I'm an alum and a huge Utah fan, but what CT and the univ presidents did was a monumental disgrace. They should be accountable for this mess and the pressure should be on them to fix it. This is the big time fellas. Give it back to the mtn and warm back up to ESPN. Fans (I mean the paying, donating kind) won't put up with this nonsense.

Yep. the BCS did it again | 1:15 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The BCS failed once again to determine the correct and undisputed national champion. They will crown Florida or Oklahoma, when Utah, Texas, and USC all have legitimate claims to share the title with the BCS pick. The BCS champion is ONLY the champion of the BCS championship game and can claim a share of the national title equal to the other 3 mentioned. The ONLY ONLY ONLY way to crown a true national champion is on the field. Bring it on!!!

Perfectione | 1:17 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

All I know is Bronco was off by about 46.31 miles. The Quest for Perfection was achieved - but north of Provo.

BCS and NCAA | 1:30 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Could someone explain the relationship between the NCAA and the BCS? How can they be independent? It seems like the NCAA should be able to step in and take control of the post season. Unless both organizations are populated by the same people. Any explanation would be great.

RE: Brian at 12:11 | 1:43 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I'm truly hoping that there was a coherent statement in your mind as you blundered through typing it on the comment board!!!

Not always behind the Utes | 1:52 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

All season I doubted the Utes. I called them overrated when they squeeked by OSU and lucked out against TCU, both on their home field. But in the end, after the way they beat Alabama like a red headed step child on national TV I think their argument for a national championship holds as much water...or more...than any of the 1 loss teams.

As hard as it would have seemed to praise the Utes earlier in the year, they have my attention and my vote without question now. Listen to all the national TV and radio shows. They're all pointing out the BCS buffoonery and how Utah has exposed their silliness.

I wonder if Barry Switzer has all the egg cleaned off his face yet??? At least when I bad mouthed the Utes it wasn't on national TV!

Congratulations Utes, you earned it. Revel in the moment.

Oregon Cougar | 1:54 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

The BCS was created to prevent another 1984 where BYU were the National Champions. I love that all they did was create more controversy. Utah certainly has a claim to the national title.

Now, if you hate the Mtn, then you only have the MWC to blame. They didn't just cut a deal here, they actually created the station. And they were stupid to not release big games out to the other networks. The country watched Washington State and Washington duke it out for last place in the PAC-10 the day BYU and Utah played.

As for world war 2: learn some mathematics before you try to comment on the topic. World War 2 meets none of the criteria for Elo rankings to work. Stochastic models aren't something you can go applying willy-nilly to whatever you want. The computer rankings have in many cases actually been better than the coaches or sports writers. If you want to see how it can be improved, go to lunarmotion dot com.

Still, a playoff system is what we should have.

Ken Pelton | 2:01 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

not only are the Utes the only team in division 1 footbalol with a perfect record, but by their overwhelming win over Alabama they have shown that they are the best team in division 1 and can play with anyone. Alabama went to play. Utah went to win.

RE:Perfectione | 2:05 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Give it a rest. Let it go. It's not funny any more, and I'm a Ute fan. Coach Mendenhall's "quest" never had anything to do with BYU going undefeated. Give him some credit for establishing some honor in the BYU program again after what Gary Crowton left behind.

We keep using BYU (along with TCU, OSU and Alabama) as justification for the good teams we've beaten, and rightfully so. Let's quit tromping on the "Y" while they're down. The better they look the better we look as having beat them!

Yes Blame the System!!! | 2:34 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Yes the MTN deal messed alot up, however you have to blame the system!!! IT IS BROKEN!!!! Who is the best team USC made a bid, Utah made a huge statement and beat a team USC could not, Oklahoma, Florida soon to come. Texas beat Oklahoma and should have lost to Ohio state, Florida lost at home to a pathetic team so who is best team in college football???? Let it be settled on the field bottom line the BCS was established to keep the little guy out, the little guy continues to prove they belong yet they will always be on the outside looking in!!!

Anonymous | 2:39 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

It's interesting that all these stories are popping up from across the country. Hopefully the AP voters take notice. Someone above mentioned that this article will get little attention because it comes from NH. However, I read a similar article today from a newspaper in Orlando.

re: perspectives | 3:10 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

"Take a look at Florida and Oklahoma wins. Ask yourself...What other "Top" schools did either of them play that was any better than Utahs foes?"

Utah played: Michigan, UNLV, Utah State, Air Force, Weber State, Oregon State, Wyoming, Colorado State, New Mexico, TCU, San Diego State, and BYU.

Florida played: Hawaii, Miami, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, LSU, Kentucky, Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina, Citadel, Florida State, and Alabama.

Which schedule would you rather have?

Utah had an amazing season and can claim that they deserve a shot at the national title. But they didn't win convincingly against teams that they should have beaten handily and as a result, they have to live with the fact that most of the nation gives them little respect.

Pel Kenton | 3:25 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

re: "Ken Pelton | 2:01 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009
not only are the Utes the only team in division 1 footbalol with a perfect record, but by their overwhelming win over Alabama they have shown that they are the best team in division 1 and can play with anyone."

Does the best team in Division 1 beat a 4-8 New Mexico 13-10?

What is footbalol? Sounds like you and Brian @ 12:11 p.m. are working on your GED together. Good luck with that guys. We need more "edumuchashated" Utah fans.

HSFAN | 3:33 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

In any other town in this State, the Mayor would be rallying a day recognizing the Utah Utes as Our National Champions...but because its SLC and Beck er is only fond of Gay activities....it won't happen in SLC! Maybe the U should move to Sandy?

Randall | 3:50 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

And we already HAVE the t-shirts!
Turn the "Quest for Perfection" shirts inside out.
Utah National Champions!

True Coug knows... | 4:30 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Everyone who thinks this way should rally to the cry...BCS Champ plays the National Champ.I think Utah could well clean their clock and establish the fact that BCS teams are not all that good. Many, just average.

1. Keep the BCS and let them play their bowl game.
Then

2. Let them play the NON BCS US College Champions. That would let the hot air out of the BCS football. It would be a schoolyard fight everyone would love to see. Wish it could happen this winter, just after the "BCS" bowl. How do we make it happen fans.

Alex | 5:14 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

In the eyes of this BYU Cougar, Utah earned it this year all the way. I will be disappointed should the championship go to the BCS playoff champion.

Typical Ute Fan | 5:54 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I have zero expectations that the Utes will get any more than a handful of #1 votes in the AP poll. Although that would be cool, since I'm a several-decades-long Ute fan and BSC hater (whether the Utes are involved or not).

But if the mighty Utes DID finish #1, I'd have to call in drunk to work the next day!!

Typical Ute fan.

akk | 6:54 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

A corrupt system does not deminish what the Utes accomplished... I am proud to be a UTAH MAN SIR. We did evewrything that was asked of us... we are #1.

smutz | 8:57 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

My humble opinion: Put the Utes up against the USC defense and offence and see what happens. Now that would be real national championship barn burner. It has only one problem: too realistic....

Al Czervick | 9:09 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

This is an easy one; winner of Florida v. Oklahoma is #1, USC is #2, Texas #3, Utah #4, and loser of Florida v. Oklahoma is #5.

re: Don't blame the system | 9:15 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

I'm sorry, but I consider the fact that Utah is the only undefeated team, and a team with two wins over teams that will be ranked in the top 10, and two other wins over teams that will be ranked in the top 25 a pretty convincing argument! A much better argument than Florida's. A team that has beaten only two currently ranked teams (Georgia and Alabama), and lost to Mississippi. Then there's USC who lost to Oregon State who lost to Utah. They have wins over Penn State, Ohio State, and Oregon. Good, but still not as impressive as Utah, and not a team that is undefeated. How about Texas? Wins over Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Missouri. This one is much closer to Utah, but then there is the fact that they lost to Texas Tech. Some have mentioned close games Utah had, but it had no losses compared to Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and USC. I didn't see anybody complaining about Alabama's close call to Kentucky or USCs close call to Arizona. The article is right, the BCS is a sham!

Of course my vote counts | 9:45 p.m. Jan. 6, 2009

Final Rankings:

I had to get these in, I'm busy Thursday.

1) Utah... undefeated... AGAIN! w/ several great wins over highly ranked teams
2) Florida... assuming they win > two touchdowns... bad day at home against Ole Miss... to bad, so sad
3) USC... nice final home game... bad day against Beavers... besides, they have no answer to a Utah pass rush... Utah would win this one, no doubt. Last time these two teams met on a neutral field Utah was victorious and Trojan was coached by Pete himself.
4) Texas... overrated all year... Big 12 overrated... Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team that played anyone decent out of conference... Longhorn is now full time whiner anyway
5) Oklahoma... assuming they loose to Florida
6) TCUï¿½ their defense is awesomeï¿½ ask Bronco fan
7) Alabama... ouch... you got rolled
8) Boise St... scoring machine

Penn St, Texas Tech, Ohio St, Cinn, Oklahoma St, Georgia Tech, BYU all fall about five to seven spots.

Cinn and VA Tech not even in the picture but they got the filthy BSC money.

Finally, BCS 120 out of 119. The cartel is finally broken. God bless America and college football.

Re: Don't Blame the System | 8:02 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Yes it's terrible that the Utes didn't win more impressivley against Michigan, Oregan State, and TCU. They only beat #4 Alabama and top 25 BYU impressively. You would think that a close win against the previous 3 I mentioned should still be more impressive than a loss to Ole' Miss or to Texas Tech.

Look no Futher | 12:17 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

You don't have to look no futher then the BCS comittee. The chair of the BCS commitee is the head of the SEC, also on the committe is the head of the Big 12 etc. Go in and look as to who all is on the BCS Committee and you will get your answer. The one that control the MONEY control the power. ESPN just gave the SEC a HUGE ammount of money to show their games, BIG 12 also got a deal. Bottom line is MONEY

Bevo | 4:21 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

No need for all of this quibbling on this board. Texas is the real deal and should be the #1 team in the land. What is a Ute anyway?

BCS Bowl: FL vs OK | 10:15 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The NATIONAL champs thrashed mighty Bama in SEC country. Beat 2 top-10 teams and 2 more top-25 teams and are the only team that is undefeated team in the nation.

End of discussion, good night!

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