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Utes finish No. 2 in AP poll

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UTE Man | 12:25 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Great Job Utah #2 in the nation. We all know you are number 1. way to go!!!
Poor Utes | 12:31 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride!
Nathaniel | 12:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations Utes!

Thank you for a great season. I love every minute of it.
Comments continue below
Cjcheese | 12:36 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Its a little sad that they didn't get #1 but hey they did their best and #2 is better than BYU! I think the BCS is crap but whatever, they people who get their paychecks from it would argue differently!
andrewute1 | 12:36 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I dont care what any so called experts say because. . .

UTAH UTES 2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!

GO UTES!!

p.s. UTAH UTES 2010 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!
Whining | 12:37 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Guess all that begging and whining paid off. I'd put Utah at No. 3 though. But no way they beat USC.
utes rock | 12:40 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
almost a National championship
Alaska UTE | 12:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations on a great season Utes.

It's been a long week trying to wrap my head around this convoluted system...but at the end of the day I am so proud to be a Utah Man.

I hope Coach Mcbride gets recognized at the victory parade. This program rose from the ashes under his care.

GO UTES!!!
Brandon | 12:47 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I'm a huge BYU fan, however, I couldn't be happier for the Ute's and their incredible season! Way to represent the mountain west
Justin | 12:45 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
To be the best you need to play a tougher schedule. I give you credit for winning all your games, but would you be undefeated in the SEC, Big 12, Pac 10, or the Big 10. You barely win at Michigan(no post season), squeak by a Oregon St. team at home, TCU true freshman kicker hits the chip shots who knows, and squeak out another win to New Mexico. Beef up the weak schedule and then talk about being number one.
Keefie | 12:47 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Good job, Utah, for a great season. You proved a lot of people wrong. Even if some are still unconvinced, just look at what you've done.
Finally.... | 1:00 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I don't have to hear about how Utah is the real National Champion; because they did not win any part of it. Even the third, fifth, or half part they were hoping for. As a Southerner who loves the SEC and the Florida Gators living in Utah, I am so glad to be done hearing about how Utah is the best team ever. Although, it does bother me that Florida was not a unanimous number 1 in the AP poll, jk, I could care less. And Utah people, you know that the only reason you got sixteen first place votes is because people hate the BCS, nobody actually thinks you could hang with my Gators. And don't give me the Alabama comparison: We played Bama without our best player, Harvin, and you played an unmotivated Bama without their best player, Smith. Get over it, as they say "second place is the first loser." So technically you are the champion of the losers. Congrats.
Anonymous | 1:26 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Go Utes! I still feel we got robbed!
Utes #1 | 1:33 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
This is not even close to undisputed for anybody. 1st place votes are going to various teams. At 13-0 and the only undefeated team in the country, I think it is only fair to call the Utes the "disputed" #1 team in the country! Sounds like a great t-shirt slogan to me!
RE: Poor Utes | 2:02 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
If Utah was the bridesmaide this year then BYU was the ugly stepsister that gets beaten. I guess Vegas bowls and first round tournament exits are as good as it gets at BYU. Have fun!
Anonymous | 2:06 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Justin, did you just seriously ask if Utah would be undefeated in the Pac-10? Our conference DOMINATED the Pac-10 this season, finishing with a final record of 6-2!!!!!!!!! I think the real question you should have asked is: would USC be 12-1 if they played in the Mountain West?! The Mountain West was BETTER than the Pac-1+9 and the Big Ten this season. The league also finished with the best winning record and percentage of ANY conference against "BCS" competition. If you need anymore corrections and proof, just go to THEMWC.COM. They have an entire section devoted to the reasons that the MWC is a league on the rise and should be under staunch consideration to receive automatic qualifying status.
Utah Alum CS 2001 | 2:11 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Whining | 12:37 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Guess all that begging and whining paid off. I'd put Utah at No. 3 though. But no way they beat USC.
==============================

Look who's whining!!! You are right no way do we beat USC... that's because the SEASON IS OVER!!

#2 is just the first loser BUT it beats being the #3 or #25 loser any day!!!

Congrats to my Utes! Can't wait till next year!!
RE: Justin | 2:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
TCU win is still better then FL's home lose to Old Miss on any given game day!!!

So go away!! The season is over, you can post next year when BYU actually does something.
BIG D | 4:41 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
HOW DO ALL THESE TEAMS CLAIM NO.1 WHO HAVE LOSSES?
IF I WERE PLAYING IN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND HAD 1 LOSS, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER TEAM THAT WENT UNDEFEATED, I WOULD NT FEEL THAT I DESERVED TO NO.1, I WOULD WANT TO PROVE TO THE NATION THAT MY TEAM CAN BEAT AN UNDEFEATED TEAM, BUT NONE OF THESE TEAMS HAVE THE GUTS TO ACKNOWLEGE THAT, I GUESS THE TEAMS THAT CLAIM NO.1 ARE ALL UNDEFEATED. ON THE FIELD THE NATION KNOWS REGARDLESS OF AP OR BCS, UTAH IS THE BETTER TEAM, WHAT I WATCH LAST NIGHT BOTH TEAMS OVER RATED. I WAS NOT IMPRESSED, SAN DIEGO COULD BEAT THESE TEAMS EASILY.
Mario | 4:53 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
A win is a win, no matter how ugly. The Utes won em all. Who else has not won with the chip shot or barely squeaked by. Were #1, were #1, were #1 yeahhhh!!!! Well done U of U Utes!! It's a fine day to be in Utah!! Ahh it's beautiful man!!
RED QUAKE | 5:04 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah is No.1, the only undefeated team in America.
My kids asked me why a winning team that hasnt lost is No.2. An innocent question deserves a clear answer, something not even the BCS or the AP can answer clearly. 13-0 vs 13-1, another thing that isnt clear is National Title Game. Is it the NCAA title or the bcs title? Why have a championship game when half the NCAA football teams are excluded from a shot even when they are undefeated. If Utah lost 1 game at #6 utah would drop down to #17 or #19
#4 Alabama dropped 2 spots to # 6, its not only confusing to the young minds, but it is also one sided. UTAH is NO.1 END OF STORY, AP didnt get it right either everyones has been confused for so long that right has become wrong and wrong has become right, go figure.
Big Smile | 5:10 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations Utah Utes! Best final ranking ever. Thanks to everyone involved with the team for working their butts off, and thanks to all the fans for supporting them. We will never forget the great time we had in New Orleans. This year's recruiting class is looking great, work hard in the off season, and come back even stronger next year. Playoffs baby, playoffs. "We'll fight for dear old crimson cause a U-tah man am I.... GO UTES!!!
utefan | 5:39 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Justin...a tougher schedule? Says who? You? Please!! The Utes strength of schedule was nothing to be ashamed of and tougher than Alabama's and several other top 10 teams. The MWC record against the PAC and the SEC is another indicator that their conference wins were not easy wins. You ask if they would go undefeated in the one or another BCS conference. Who would know? Certainly not you! So crawl back to Provo, eat some more ice cream....pray for perfection...and with Collie gone hope you get tickets to this year's BYU/UTAH game when Max "the turnover King" Hall will provide an almost totally intact Ute defense with even more of his delicious turnovers!! Go, UTES!!
interesting | 5:45 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I guess Mack Brown is a liar, he said he would vote his team #1 but only Utah and Florida recieved first place votes. Didn't Carrol say the same thing?
Sharjah Cougar | 5:55 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Justin - the same thing could be said for any team. The fact is that the Utes won those games. The beat two top ten teams and two other top 25 teams. Nobody else can boast of the same record. The BCS needs to be dropped.

Well done MWC - two top 10 teams and my beloved Cougars in at #25. Particular kudos to the Utes.
DennyG | 5:56 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Looking at the final polls lifelong Utah fans can't help but be really proud of this team. I couldn't sleep in 64' after they won the Liberty Bowl and I was only 12.
The best Utah team ever and I'll take #2 and undefeated anyday.
They did it all!
Travis | 6:00 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Justin... you conveniently left out that we completely dominated Alabama for an entire football game and were the only team that does not have to explain why they lost a football game and still deserve the championship.

AP voters are sheep to the BCS... Utes are real #1!
Not even close | 6:15 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Top 5:
1. Florida
2. USC
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Utah

And as a BYU fan I say that BYU should be about #25.
Good season Utes. But UTES don't deserve anything higher than #5. Honestly, you couldn't have beaten any of the elite teams this year: Oklahoma, Texas, USC, and Florida would have pounded you.
UpperUS | 6:15 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Justin is the only one who has made any sense since January 2, 2009. Change the name and colors and you all sound like LSU.

Jimmy R | 6:27 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Just face it Utes, the only reason you finished as high as you did is because pollsters are making a statement against the BCS, not because you are the 2nd best team in the country. You would get beat by Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, USC, Penn St., and a host of other schools. If the pollsters voted according to how they actually thought you would compare to these other teams you would probably finish 7th or 8th, or even lower. These pollsters are making a statement to the unfairness of the BCS, not a statement about how good they actually think you are. If I had a vote I would drop you out of the top 25, but that's just because I don't like you. And I know you don't think that's unfair, because it is that same type of thinking that got you at #2. Deserve had nothing to do with it.
Should be No. 3 | 6:34 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Southern Cal was more impressive than Utah. The Utes had a great season, but USC's win over Penn State was better. USC has the nation's best defense by far. So other than having Utah and Southern Cal switched, the rest of the Top 5 is accurate. Voters must have got caught up in the sentimental favorite (Utah) when voting and not watched the games.
To Utah | 6:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Beggars can't be choosers...Face it your #2 and will always be in this state.
James | 6:34 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations, Utah! It was truly a magical season. Keep it up! Most of our defense is returning next year. Even though we didn't get #1, this season put a big chink in the BCS's armor. Hopefully this will help lead to a playoff in the future. This season will pay off big dividends in recruiting as well.

Congrats to the MWC also, especially BYU and TCU. I hope BYU can beat Oklahoma this fall.
Floridian | 6:40 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
What is going to be sad is when the pre-season poll comes out for the 2010-2011 season and Utah is ranked below some of those they are now ranked higher than, like USC, Texas, and Oklahoma. If all of them go undefeated, Utah will never have a higher ranking, if history repeats itself, and will be left out of the National Championship game, once again. Anyway -- congrats Utes!
Hoosier Coug | 6:42 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations, Utah. You had a great season.

Let's continue the work in the MWC. Here's to hoping for more big upsets next year over those BcS teams.
DennyG | 6:49 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
re: Notevenclose

BYU should be ranked no higher than 50 to 60th.
What were you watching?
And next year, when the Bougars lose about 6 maybe 7 games, what will be your chant? "They had too difficult a schedule!"
Drink some milk.
Embarrassed at BYU fans | 7:01 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I'm a BYU fan, but WOW, I'm very embarrassed about some of their comments. This past season was one of the most fun, and exciting in a very, very long time - due to both teams. And Utah's season - UNBELIEVABLE, INCREDIBLE, etc. I'm so proud the Utes are from Utah - and they couldn't have represented Utah any better. Jealous, ignorant BYU fans - knock it off, and quit embarrassing us.
proudamerican | 7:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations (from a Couguar) on a great season, Utes. And thank you for making such an undeniable case against the BCS.
Hmmmm, | 7:19 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah can't beat Texas, Oklahoma, USC, or Florida? I think I heard that all the way up to the Sugar Bowl kickoff about Alabama to. I think the 2008 Utes can beat those teams. Why did Texas refuse to play the Utes last season? Answer, they were afraid of being humiliated like Alabama was.

To YbU fan, you are jealous that our #2 ranking is much more impressive than your 84 #1 ranking. Crawl back to Zoobee land and drink some more kool aid.

A challange to you BCS pouge schools, add Utah to your scedules next year, if you dare. Utah can and will beat most if not all of you.

YbU fan, we are bored with you, but we dominate you in every way next year.
Re: Interesting | 7:28 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
This is the writers poll, not the coaches poll.
Re: Not even close | 7:32 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
You said the same thing about Alabama...that they would pound the Utes. You were wrong. You byU fans have been complaining about the AP poll all year. Reality is, you're lucky to still be in the Top 25 after a loss to a mediocre Arizona team. Your green is showing through your blue. Face it...Utes had a phenomenal season...you're just mad it isn't you. Live with it, it's going to be a regular occurrence.
re: DennyG | 7:35 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Good rebuttal;

if you disagree with someone else's opinion, it's always best to resort to name calling and baseless predictions that have absolutely nothing to do with the opinion you're trying to rebut.

That'll show 'em!
RE: DennyG | 7:35 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
You're too funny. In one breath Utes boast (and rightfully so) that they beat 4 ranked teams, then out the other side of their mouth they feel like "BYU should be ranked no higher than 50 to 60th."

You can't have it both ways. Which is it? Did you beat a good BYU or did you just beat another patsy? No question you were better than BYU this year, but 50 or 60th? Now you've gone back to your fantasy world, the one where you think you could actually beat USC, the real best team in the country.

I guess you could print T-shirts that say "We're #4, We're #4" if that will make you feel better. Or, "We vote ourselves #1".

Oh, and if you'd like to see what a national championship trophy actually looks like I'm sure you could catch a glimpse of one if you drive down to Provo, where the state of Utah's only one resides.
The experts | 7:35 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I agree, they had no clue. Utah should be No. 5. If the Utes had to play Florida, Oklahoma, Southern Cal and Texas, they wouldn't beat any of them. They also wouldn't beat Alabama again if the two teams played.
Justin | 7:43 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Justin, my friend, please do a little homework before making a posting claiming that Utah's schedule was too weak. Utah's schedule was ranked 10 places higher than Alabama. For five weeks of the season Alabama was ranked No. 1 and, if it had not lost to Florida, would have been in the BCS Title Game. Utah also played the same number of ranked teams that Florida did, and it actually beat all of them while Florida lost to Ole' Miss. So please quit with the same, tired and very trite "weak schedule" bogus. You remind me of the old dinosaurs who run college football and the media who cover it. They ignore cold, hard facts and instead base their decisions on what they want to believe about reality.
winning | 7:50 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
A win is a win. Period. There is no changing the BCS. To be a true number 1, there should be a playoff of between the best of the west and east, but it won't happen because there is too much money involved, and the BCS people have to much say and influence.
Congrats! | 7:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congrats to the Utah players and staff! Thanks so much for such an incredibly memorable season!
Thanks to the gracious cougar fans.
To the bitter cougar fans...it must be killing you that in the year of your idiotic self proclaimed Quest, only Utah could finish what you so arrogantly started.

Congrats again to Utah! What a season!
knowwhat | 7:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Should be No. 3....Don't even dream about a win over a Big 10 opponent is better that a win over a SEC opponent. Big 10 in bowls this year 1-6, SEC in bowls this year 8-2. Big 10 is the most overated conference in the country. They should be rated with MAC 0-5 in bowls and the WAC 1-4 in bowls. MWC this year was 2-0 vs. SEC and 6-2 vs. PAC 10.
Midwest Cougar Fan | 7:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
How silly that BYU fans have to use this article as an opportunity to belittle Utah. Even more absurd is the fact that some Utah fans use an article that doesn't even mention BYU as an excuse to bash their rivals to the south. At some point, I hope all of you children will realize:
1. That Utah was much better than BYU this year and several past years, and deserved to finish the season very highly ranked, if not no. 1.
2. That BYU got a boatload of money because Utah made it to a BCS bowl game, and therefore should be thanking them, not dissing them.
3. That the MWC as a whole had an outstanding season, and that we need each other's success in order to continue making the argument that the BCS is an unfair system.
U | 8:00 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Congratulations Utes on your highest finish ever.

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