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Orlando Sentinel: Voters should make Utah the national champions
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goutes332 | 8:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I believe that the university of utah is without a doubt the best team in the
country, I disagree with mr. whitley, if the U played florida or oklahoma ten
times they would win at least eight. ALL i have to say to the doubters out there
is 31-17 and 13-0.
BoiseBob | 8:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah had a good season - and they did beat an un-motivated Alabama team. But
Florida is an NFL caliber team this year....Utah would not stay close in a game
with Florida or Oklahoma. Utah just does not have the ponies.
To the Citizens of Utah | 8:54 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
What are your plans to rid yourself of this pesky Osmond association?? Good
grief, aren't you sick of it??!!
Comments continue below
Zell | 9:00 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
As much as I dislike Utah football, (BYU fan) not giving them the national title
is a huge injustice. They proved their worth beating 4 nationally ranked teams.
Good Job Utes!!!! You got my vote on this one!!!
Johnny Moser | 10:48 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Just another reason for Utah Fans to hate BYU. The '84 title is the cause
for why Utah is not the national champs this year. Too bad it has become so
political. But, since it is political maybe Obama can get some politics
involved, and "solve" this. Even with DC politic involved I don't
think it can be any more messed up that it is today. If I could vote, Utah is
#1. Buy the banner or flag and hang it in RES.
re: goutes332 | 11:16 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Look we all agree, all non-ute fans that is, that utah had a pretty good season.
But don't get carried away here. I would venture to guess that if the
utes played alabama ten times that alabama would actually win eight times. The
utes had ONE really good quarter, the FIRST quarter against alabama, after that
the tide held their own, they made the adjustments they needed to make.
If you watched that game last night, the national championship game, and you were impartial to any team in college ball. You would have to say florida was the best team for any bowl game played this year. They would have completely shut down the utes and any other team for that matter. But to even try and say that the utes would beat florida or oklahoma eight out of ten times is ridiculous.
I will even go one better, TCU would beat utah eight out of ten times given the opportunity and every other fan (except ute fans) would agree!!! Give utah a final four or five national ranking, records aside, and that would be EXTREMELY generous, but hey, i am a generous guy!!
If you watched that game last night, the national championship game, and you were impartial to any team in college ball. You would have to say florida was the best team for any bowl game played this year. They would have completely shut down the utes and any other team for that matter. But to even try and say that the utes would beat florida or oklahoma eight out of ten times is ridiculous.
I will even go one better, TCU would beat utah eight out of ten times given the opportunity and every other fan (except ute fans) would agree!!! Give utah a final four or five national ranking, records aside, and that would be EXTREMELY generous, but hey, i am a generous guy!!
Aphelion | 11:37 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
"Utah had a good season - and they did beat an un-motivated Alabama
team."
Wow. A team who's last appearance in the Sugar Bowl was in the early 90's. Who's program is on the rebound after a remarkable season, and they are 'un-motivated' to be in the prestigious Sugar Bowl?
I know, I know - they were HOPING to play for a NC. That's still no excuse, especially when your program is several years ahead of where it's anticipated it to be. Enough with the excuses.
I don't buy it. They appeared unmotivated because they were dominated on both sides of the ball. Good teams make other teams look bad.
Not being motivated had nothing to do with it. And if you honestly think that, then perhaps your working knowledge of the game needs some re-thinking.
Wow. A team who's last appearance in the Sugar Bowl was in the early 90's. Who's program is on the rebound after a remarkable season, and they are 'un-motivated' to be in the prestigious Sugar Bowl?
I know, I know - they were HOPING to play for a NC. That's still no excuse, especially when your program is several years ahead of where it's anticipated it to be. Enough with the excuses.
I don't buy it. They appeared unmotivated because they were dominated on both sides of the ball. Good teams make other teams look bad.
Not being motivated had nothing to do with it. And if you honestly think that, then perhaps your working knowledge of the game needs some re-thinking.
Oval Office | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Obama more likely will call Utes to the oval office along with Florida and have
a final game in his back yard for the introduciton playoff!
Go Cougars! way to go Utah but not in our house!
Go Cougars! way to go Utah but not in our house!
Re: Boise Bob | 11:51 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009
What a crack up to hear you say Alabama was unmotivated. They were more than
motivated because losing this game would show them how overrated they really
were. Nick Saban felt the pressure and you could see it during the game. He
about roasted his team for dinner on the sidelines that night.
And what could one guy like their All-American lineman Andre Smith do? His difference would have probably been an extra field goal made for Bama, but he wouldn't have been any help to the 21-0 start of the Utes. When I watched the Gators last night, I saw the same plays Utah runs- the options, the quarterback draws, the shuffle passes, etc.
I'll tell you one thing- hope Boise State comes to the Mtn. West and we'll definitely be a BCS conference. That team of yours is for real! BYU will then be middle of the pack if that happened and it will always be Utah, BSU, TCU and those pesky AFA cadets.
And what could one guy like their All-American lineman Andre Smith do? His difference would have probably been an extra field goal made for Bama, but he wouldn't have been any help to the 21-0 start of the Utes. When I watched the Gators last night, I saw the same plays Utah runs- the options, the quarterback draws, the shuffle passes, etc.
I'll tell you one thing- hope Boise State comes to the Mtn. West and we'll definitely be a BCS conference. That team of yours is for real! BYU will then be middle of the pack if that happened and it will always be Utah, BSU, TCU and those pesky AFA cadets.
RE: Boise Bob | 12:02 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
You missed the whole point this article as well as the whole conversation around
the BCS. Let me tune you in. Under the current set up everything is speculation,
if games were decidided that way Alabama would have won by 10 or more. By the
way Bob, that NFL caliber team you speak of lost at home to OLE Miss.
stop the kool aid | 12:40 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
K guys here is some reality for you. Utah has never played that well before.
They needed a comeback last second field goal to beat Oregon st. at home. A team
all you utah fans have been saying well we beat OSU and they beat USC. USC
played them away and only lost by a touchdown. USC would roll Utah. The
difference is USC plays consistently good and Utah showed up for a big game. I
don't care what Kyle Whittingham thnks about being number one, there's
no way, you line up florida or a USC team and it's a wrap. FIGHT ON! Will
be back next year, will you?
The Utes.... | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Have a better defense than the gators. Alabama only scored ONE offensive
touchdown in the sugar bowl. (And that was on a very short field)
With Brian Johnson running the O and the Utah defense, I like our chances in a close game. I SAY BRING EM ON!
GO UTES
(And shame on Urban for not sharing the title with us)
With Brian Johnson running the O and the Utah defense, I like our chances in a close game. I SAY BRING EM ON!
GO UTES
(And shame on Urban for not sharing the title with us)
Croc | 1:36 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah fans take a hike. Florida is the National Champs and the only deserving
team. They would beat any team in college football today. Tebow should have
won the heisman also. Florida had twice the strength of schedule as any other
contender. They paid there dues. Tebow faced double the top 25 defences as
Bradford. Texas, Utah or USC would not be in the top 10 if they played in the
SEC.
Bum Steer | 1:44 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Utah has as much claim to the title as any of the top five. Florida beat OU
which has a record of losses in big games, hence the name for Stoops, Big Game
Bob. Oh, it's supposed to mean that he wins? Wow! I think that Florida
showed the nation that a good, balanced team can beat the Sooners, just as Texas
did. Ole Miss showed the nation that they were rather special themselves,
beating the Gator Nation at the Swamp, using a Longhorn reject at quarterback.
I'd love to see the system changed to be a playoff. As it now happens, we
have the idiocy of writers and computer geeks telling us who is the best. Bottom
line is that every team in the top five has an "oops" on its record
save Utah. When Utah beat Alabama, it showed the football world that it was
equal to the heat of "big games."
Huh? | 2:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
>The utes had ONE really good quarter, the FIRST quarter against alabama,
after that the tide held their own, they made the adjustments they needed to
make.
After that the Tide held their own? Duuuuude! The only thing the Tide was doing was trying to keep their head above water. Their game is smash-mouth football - the run, and they were shut down. Completely. One touchdown was on a Utah turnover with a very short field - the other was on a punt return. Sure they got three points on one of their few drives into Utah territory - but it was slim pickin's the entire night for 'Bama.
And if the Tide 'made the adjustments they needed to make' then Saban should be run out of town. 8 sacks...and held to 60+ yards total rushing...if that's the adjustments they needed to make then WOW, that's some heads-up planning by the Alabama coaching staff!
Me, personally, if I'm going to make adjustments, I'd at LEAST include trying to win in those plans.
You make me laugh.
After that the Tide held their own? Duuuuude! The only thing the Tide was doing was trying to keep their head above water. Their game is smash-mouth football - the run, and they were shut down. Completely. One touchdown was on a Utah turnover with a very short field - the other was on a punt return. Sure they got three points on one of their few drives into Utah territory - but it was slim pickin's the entire night for 'Bama.
And if the Tide 'made the adjustments they needed to make' then Saban should be run out of town. 8 sacks...and held to 60+ yards total rushing...if that's the adjustments they needed to make then WOW, that's some heads-up planning by the Alabama coaching staff!
Me, personally, if I'm going to make adjustments, I'd at LEAST include trying to win in those plans.
You make me laugh.
Hey Croc... | 2:58 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
if Utah, Texas or SC played in the SEC, they would be able to attract the top
blue-chip prospects (not like SC or Texas doesn't already). This is one of
the weakest, over-used excuses out there and it makes no sense. If ANY team
played in the SEC, and they were blessed with a good coach like Whitingham,
Brown or Carrol, they would build a strong program with all of the resources
allotted to them from being in the conference. Duh. And your point would be....?
HUH??? to Huh? | 3:01 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Duuuuude yourself!!! you mentioned that one of alabamas touchdowns was off a
turnover with a short field, maybe i am wrong, but wasn't one of the utes
td's off a turnover and on a short field? i think so.
PLUS, i noticed that you made no reference to my other comments concerning florida or oklahoma or TCU, that is only because you know those are the FACTS and the TRUTH. So keep on laughing "duuuuuude" that is probably the only way you can justify your point without having your whole world come crashing down all around you.
You make me ............... cry, with laughter that is!!!!!!!
Sounds like you need to make some adjustments in your little world. Roll tide roll, even if they failed to get up for this game.
PLUS, i noticed that you made no reference to my other comments concerning florida or oklahoma or TCU, that is only because you know those are the FACTS and the TRUTH. So keep on laughing "duuuuuude" that is probably the only way you can justify your point without having your whole world come crashing down all around you.
You make me ............... cry, with laughter that is!!!!!!!
Sounds like you need to make some adjustments in your little world. Roll tide roll, even if they failed to get up for this game.
Jeff in San Antonio | 3:11 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Let me first make it clear that I hate Florida with a passion, it's bread
into me as a Volunteer, but Utah the Naitonal Champs? Give me a break and go
ahead and start writing society columns buddy. You are no a legitimate sports
analyst that's for sure!
Steve Irwin | 3:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
I agree with Croc! Florida is the only deserving team. After all they only lost
one home game and won the other EIGHT. They even handled the mighty Citadel in
the swamp! But wait they also went to Tennesee and took out the mighty Vols just
like Wyoming did.
Bottom line there is only 1 team that doesn't have to explain away a loss. This Cougar Alumn is proud of what the Utes have accomplished and jealous of the red hot fire I see up north and dismayed at the cold blue complacency I see down south.
Bottom line there is only 1 team that doesn't have to explain away a loss. This Cougar Alumn is proud of what the Utes have accomplished and jealous of the red hot fire I see up north and dismayed at the cold blue complacency I see down south.
John Jung | 3:24 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Although Florida won the BCS title, I truly believe Utah is the true national
champions. They were the only undefeated team left standing and did not have a
patsy schedule. They should have been the one playing Oklahoma in the title
game. I just hope one organization names them national champions. As we all
know, there is no true NCAA recognized national champion in Division I football.
Different organizations recognized their on champions.
Steve | 3:28 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Get rid of the BCS!....get rid of the BCS!....get rid of the BCS!...get rid of
the BCS!....get rid of the BCS!
Huh to huh to huh | 3:31 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
Get up for the game - if your Tide can't 'get up for a game',
then they should move over to the MAC or some other conference where they can
make excuses and nobody will care. With what you're saying, then they also
were not up for the SEC championship game, being that they lost that one too.
Geez...the two most important games of the season and they were not up for
'em?
I didn't respond to the other part of your brilliant post being that if we took YOUR logic, EVERY TEAMS WINS WOULD BE QUESTIONABLE. It's not realistic. If Oregon State played USC 10 times, then they would win 8 of those times. So what? They don't play 10 times...they play ONCE, and during that ONE game, you either win or lose. Your TIDE LOST. There's no do-overs' in college football. It's speculation and it's worthless.
What if Oklahoma and Florida played ten times. What if Ohio State and Texas played ten times? When we're done with this line of thinking, let's play a game of Chutes and Ladders!
The only thing Alabama 'rolled', was over. End of story.
I didn't respond to the other part of your brilliant post being that if we took YOUR logic, EVERY TEAMS WINS WOULD BE QUESTIONABLE. It's not realistic. If Oregon State played USC 10 times, then they would win 8 of those times. So what? They don't play 10 times...they play ONCE, and during that ONE game, you either win or lose. Your TIDE LOST. There's no do-overs' in college football. It's speculation and it's worthless.
What if Oklahoma and Florida played ten times. What if Ohio State and Texas played ten times? When we're done with this line of thinking, let's play a game of Chutes and Ladders!
The only thing Alabama 'rolled', was over. End of story.
Anonymous | 4:41 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
It's so easy to hate Florida and Oklahoma! I mean people like Steve
Spurrier, and Barry Switzer come to mind. LOL If that isnt reason
enough?????????????
RE: goutes332 | 8:38 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
"The utes had ONE really good quarter, the FIRST quarter against alabama,
after that the tide held their own, they made the adjustments they needed to
make."
LOL!!! I guess all sport writers are wrong and you working for min wage at Walmart are right on.
The fact is Utah torched Bama.
What adjustments did Bama make, I recall 8 sacks 3 in the 4th the last one causing a fumble that ended all hopes with 5 minutes left and Utah up 14.
How did the tide hold their own? Bama defense could got rolled by BJ for 31 points same as FL. Bama offense scored a single TD only after a Ute TO at their own 30. 1 for 3 on LONG field goals (can't use the TCU excuse).
So yes I can see why a BYU fan thinks Bama held their own... same reason they think 48-24 was a close game even though football is played in 4 Qtrs... and BYU should have gone 21-1 IF they ran the ball.
Seasons over Utah AP #2!!!
Go Utes!!
LOL!!! I guess all sport writers are wrong and you working for min wage at Walmart are right on.
The fact is Utah torched Bama.
What adjustments did Bama make, I recall 8 sacks 3 in the 4th the last one causing a fumble that ended all hopes with 5 minutes left and Utah up 14.
How did the tide hold their own? Bama defense could got rolled by BJ for 31 points same as FL. Bama offense scored a single TD only after a Ute TO at their own 30. 1 for 3 on LONG field goals (can't use the TCU excuse).
So yes I can see why a BYU fan thinks Bama held their own... same reason they think 48-24 was a close game even though football is played in 4 Qtrs... and BYU should have gone 21-1 IF they ran the ball.
Seasons over Utah AP #2!!!
Go Utes!!
Here's Some Kool Aid | 8:50 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
stop the kool aid | 12:40 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009
K guys here is some reality for you... USC played them away and only lost by a touchdown. USC would roll Utah. The difference is USC plays consistently good and Utah showed up for a big game.
===================================================
Here's the only reality, not what IFs...
Utah is 13-0, torched #4 Bama on the road, beat 2 AP top-10 teams and 4 top-25 teams.
USC at 12-1 lost to OSU and beat #8 Penn in a home game and beat 1 AP top-10 team (Penn).
FL 12-1 lost to then un-ranked Old Miss at home, I bet you a dollar at the time they wished OM missed a few field goals.
With that said REALITY is FL with their SOS are the champs... but Utah (even Texas over OK) deserves a chance at the title game. Thus, FL is the DISPUTED BCS champs.
K guys here is some reality for you... USC played them away and only lost by a touchdown. USC would roll Utah. The difference is USC plays consistently good and Utah showed up for a big game.
===================================================
Here's the only reality, not what IFs...
Utah is 13-0, torched #4 Bama on the road, beat 2 AP top-10 teams and 4 top-25 teams.
USC at 12-1 lost to OSU and beat #8 Penn in a home game and beat 1 AP top-10 team (Penn).
FL 12-1 lost to then un-ranked Old Miss at home, I bet you a dollar at the time they wished OM missed a few field goals.
With that said REALITY is FL with their SOS are the champs... but Utah (even Texas over OK) deserves a chance at the title game. Thus, FL is the DISPUTED BCS champs.
Ing | 4:18 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009
"They will take the obvious way out and follow the BCS line. Many of them
will actually believe Thursday's winner would beat Utah, mainly because
that's the truth."
A lot of people here arguing about whether that's the truth or not. The answer is obvious. It's NOT THE TRUTH. It's what that guy (and a few of you) think is the truth. It's opinion only.
The truth is what happened on the field when the games were played. Everything else is pointless speculation.
The truth is that the BCS did what it was created to do, which was to rook teams like Utah out of a shot at the national title. I prefer the old way to the BCS, myself -- at least then nobody pretended there was always a legitimate champion.
The Gators have been named the champs. They're a darn fine football team. That's reality. Those realities don't make their championship legitimate or right. They won a championship of opinion, speculation, and peculation; the product of a system that has foreordained that fully half the teams in it are not allowed to take the top spot, no matter what they do.
Wonder when we'll get a playoff?
A lot of people here arguing about whether that's the truth or not. The answer is obvious. It's NOT THE TRUTH. It's what that guy (and a few of you) think is the truth. It's opinion only.
The truth is what happened on the field when the games were played. Everything else is pointless speculation.
The truth is that the BCS did what it was created to do, which was to rook teams like Utah out of a shot at the national title. I prefer the old way to the BCS, myself -- at least then nobody pretended there was always a legitimate champion.
The Gators have been named the champs. They're a darn fine football team. That's reality. Those realities don't make their championship legitimate or right. They won a championship of opinion, speculation, and peculation; the product of a system that has foreordained that fully half the teams in it are not allowed to take the top spot, no matter what they do.
Wonder when we'll get a playoff?
enough! | 6:18 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009
The whole system just plain stinks. I think I'll go to watching ping
pong.
AT least there you have a true winner.
Urban decided to take the low road and couldn't share with his younger brother that he knows would beat the living daylights out of him. Ole Miss??? come on...you got to be kidding and I thought their loss was a to a ranked team. Who the heck is Ole miss? They must be division II. Dont worry this will be in the courts and the BCS dissolved.
AT least there you have a true winner.
Urban decided to take the low road and couldn't share with his younger brother that he knows would beat the living daylights out of him. Ole Miss??? come on...you got to be kidding and I thought their loss was a to a ranked team. Who the heck is Ole miss? They must be division II. Dont worry this will be in the courts and the BCS dissolved.
UTAH | 8:07 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009
Who does Utah have to beat next to be crowned #1? 13-0. roll credits........end
of story.
u of u | 8:14 a.m. Jan. 10, 2009
USC coach Pete Carroll summed up the feelings of many college football fans when
he said Thursday, "I don't think you know who the best team is. You
just know which team got the most votes."
SEC fan | 6:56 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
Who is Ole Miss? The team that just beat TEXAS TECH in their bowl game! All SEC
teams have a tough schedule because they play EACH OTHER. When Utah has a tough
schedule, then they can argue. I give them their due. They are a great team. BUT
# 1, they are not. Why don't they pony up and pay the BCS dues, and see if
they can play with the big dogs? Or can't they afford it? All the rich
mormans go to BYU I guess...
HEY SEC FAN | 9:29 p.m. Jan. 10, 2009
do you not know anything about the sport? pay to get into the bcs? since when
did paying the bcs allow a conference to become a member? we'll know in
four years if the mwc becomes a bcs member. and in answer to your question, most
mwc conference teams have already proven they can 'play with the big
dogs'. but being that you're an sec fan, your knowledge of football
doesn't extend beyond your conference, so you wouldn't know that. and
don't look now, but it looks like your double-wide is rolling away.
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