Deseret News | Utah Utes: Whittingham, Utes happy with No. 2 ranking

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Utah Utes: Whittingham, Utes happy with No. 2 ranking

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you betcha | 12:23 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Ute fans, you will always be number two as far as we are concerned.

Love,
BYU fans

BYU | 12:32 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

and you will always be number 25 as far as we are concerned.

Love,

Ute Fans

FUNNY! | 12:37 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

and what was BYU ranked in the AP and Coaches polls?
'nuff said =]

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Considering BYU is scraping the bottom of the barrel these days, nationally-speaking at least, I say "thank you" for your graciousness.

You betcha back | 12:42 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

BYU fans, you'll always be number 25 as far as we are concerned

Love,
Utah Fans

UTBUFF | 12:41 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Hey you betcha, it is a sort site better than losing to a 7-5 Arizona team in the Lost Wages Bowl.

Congratulations on losing your best player and finishing 25th. The quest for perfection indeed!

Scoreboard, love the Utes!

mikeb | 12:41 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

You betcha- you will always be an overrated number 25 as far as we are concerned. Oh I forgot thanks for giving us the idea of a Perfect season. In case you were wondering it feels great as a fan. You probably don't know that cause you weren't born in 84 or was just a toddler.

Love
The best team in the country and their fans, utah

BYU Fan | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

That is the problem...we were number 3 in the conference, 25 in the AP poll. It is time to say great job Utah and putting the state and football on the map...because believe it or not over 60% of the team is home grown..unlike our Cougars..

Big Red | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

As a follower of both the Utes and the Cougars, I feel this season was quite an accomplishment for the Utes and the Mtn. West. Under the current system, the Utes were as good as it can get for any mid-major team in the country (#1 team in the nation in my opinion along with Florida - title should have been shared). Way to go Utah (and BYU/TCU and the rest of the Mtn. West). Can't wait for next season.

Hey how 'bout that | 12:45 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Too bad the AP poll doesn't actually count for anything anymore...

Playoff Proponent | 12:47 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

What baffles me is why the teams who end up being voted number one are satisfied with the system. As a sport, football is about as far separated as you can get from a popularity contest; so why should the so-called national "champions" want to listen to (almost always legitimate) complaints about what they've actually accomplished. The lack of a playoff system has always cheapened being voted number one or going undefeated. Local cases in point are Utah's 2008 & 2004 seasons and BYU's 1984 season. Any true fan should have wanted to see how far all of those teams could have gone rather than simply settling for an opinion poll based on the vagaries of regular season scheduling and corrupt bowl/conference alignments. Ultimately, Florida ought to be just as disappointed with a system that prevents them from silencing the naysayers as Utah is about being prevented from proving its true worth.

Utah is #1 | 12:51 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I'm disappointed at the comment from "you betcha". My own loyalty to BYU does not diminish Utah's outstanding performance this year on the field! Congratulations for a flawless season Utah!!! I hope the fervor over the BCS system failure to have a playoff will in the future allow Utah to take their rightful #1 place with a repeat season. At a BYU game, we'll always cheer in the Blue section, but we're cheering for the RED today. Way to go Utah!!
Love,
BYU and UofU fans

Ute T-shirts next year | 12:53 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Why not us????
Why, why, why???

TrueCoug | 12:59 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I wonder if Kyle has conceded to being #2 because of Urban Meyer ...hmmm??? If Oklahoma had won, he may have pushed for aggressive campaigning for #1, but maybe out of respect for his buddy and former Ute head coach, Kyle may have decided to hold back ....anyway, itï¿½s OK! - okay, not Oklahoma. Thumbs Up!!!... for the Utes and a great season! You have my vote for #1.

congrats! | 1:05 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

The Utes just completed the greatest season of any football team in this state.
Beat 4 ranked teams and Dominated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. No other team has ever had a season that can even compare.

Rob Schofield | 1:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Thankfully Kyle will use this latest sucess to be a strength in our recruiting efforts. Majerus thought the final rour in 1998 was the top of the hill, and did nothing to enhance the opportunity. Kyle won't let that happen. The future loks bright!

BYU fan | 1:08 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Congratulations to Utah on a great season. I'm a big Cougar fan but the Utes have had a magical year and should be congratulated. Any real BYU supporter and sports fan would show class to Utah. I didn't even cheer for them against Alabama until it was 2 minutes to go and I realized they had done something real cool. So way to guy Utes. I am proud to say you kicked our faces in. See you in November.

Chucky D | 1:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

What is sad is looking back?

When invited to the BCS Bowl, several BYU fans posted that the Utes should be disappointed there was no playoff, and they should politic for the NC Bowl-- and their responses were "We don't need no stinking playoff, were just happy with a second BCS invite and all those millions".

I did not understand it then, but the Ute fanbase always knows everything.

Except now, they realize a playoff would have given them a shot.

I see they are finally understanding that the BCS is unfair, and even though they have their money, it left an empty hole, because they did not realize how good they were, and they settled.

They should have been clamoring for NC title game between the end of season and bowl announcements. They had beat OSU, and ranked TCU and BYU, and were the only undefeated team in the country.

Their fate was sealed when the bowl invites came out.

Hind sight is 20/20.

you betcha | 1:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

you ute fans will get a surprise next season even before you come to Lavell Edwards Stadium! It will be the Y's BCS Welcome party!!!

You are #1 in our hearts | 1:14 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I don't care what the BCS good ol' boys say, Utah slew the goliath Alabama, on national TV......and got some respect nationally. Now, lets get more MWC teams on the national stage and start playing the SEC and Big 12 and the other "BCS" conferences. It all comes down to LINE UP AND PLAY!!! Let the teams to the talking on the gridiron. Then we'll see who is Number 1.

Re: Ute T-shirts | 1:18 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Let's not bother with T-shirts...we know how that fared for our friends.

SEC Fan | 1:17 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

The Utes are not champions of College football because the MWC is still a weak conference compared to the SEC. Yes they beat Alabama, but only the first win by Utah against the SEC in six attempts....hardly evidence showing they are better. Be more consistent against us and we'll talk but nothing proves they are better than an Ole MIss, or Georgia, or Florida for that matter. Playoffs, and not just a plus-one system, will be the only way we will have a real champion.

bluetooth | 1:26 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I am a BYU fan, and I am surprised that Kyle Did not try to get Bronco and the other MWC coaches to vote with him. I was surprised that the other MWC coaches didn't do it on there own. The Utes deserved it.
Go Cougs

Grats | 1:43 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Well done Utah.

BackAtcha | 1:43 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

you betcha: other than your post and accidental and random placement, the letters "Y" and "BCS" will never be in the same sentence. Sincerely, A. "7th round" Cawlie.

Re: Schofield | 1:52 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

You are so right. Big Rick just gave up after that in recruiting after that huh. Oh wait, who is this Andrew Bogut you speak of? Leave your pitty shots at one of the best college basketball coaches in provo. The guy was great, his success in wins and trips to the big dance prove it and shut anything you have against him down.

This is interesting because it | 1:51 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

is not like even the BCS schools support the current system. Read Pete Carroll's comments, pretty much not pleased with the current system. Mack brown, same. Urban, same. These are the coaches of the "privileged" conferences!!!

Then you move to the conferences that are actually getting hosed and good glory we should have an uproar. There were numerous pundits who said USC should be number 1???

How the BCS pulls off the monopolization of College Football's money is quite amazing and disgusting all together.

To SEC FAN-take your weak Alabama smack back to the swampy, fungus full, infected bayou and stay there. Didn't Wyoming also beat Tennessee this year-oh poor SEC how the mighty have fallen. Unfortunately Florida may be the best but the majority of the fans in the country do not recoginize them or their conference as "champions" Quite a shame isn't it?

All we are asking for is something better than this lame set up!!!

DOWN WITH THE BCS.

re: SEC Fan | 1:52 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

The only weak thing associated with your post is the mind that created it.

to bluetooth | 1:54 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Bronco doesn't vote in the coaches poll. Not all coaches have a vote. Joe Glenn does but as for other MWC coaches I don't know.

re: bluetooth | 1:55 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Bronco doesn't vote in the coaches poll, which only includes 61 of the 120 Div 1A coaches.

True BYU Fans | 1:58 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

are extremely proud of what the Utes accomplished. Every team's fanbase has it's share of idiots. Most fans from both teams recognize that a truly quality rival only helps each other. I suggest that the success of Utah and TCU is the ONLY reason the Cougs remained ranked. Thanks for that and the several hundred grand from your bcs bowl game Utes!

I am a huge BYU fan but in hindsight am quite embarrassed by several things about my Cougs this season - Hall's absolute meltdown against anyone decent, Mendenhall's inability to speak english, Collie's insistence that good play comes from personal righteousness (wow those Ute's must be some righteous dudes!!), the freakin' Quest, and the inability to just let football be football rather than some extension of The Plan of Salvation.

Hopefully some well-needed humility will set in over the offseason and the Cougs take advantage of a nice home schedule and some key losses by the Utes. Until then - congrats to the Utes and TCU. You guys made us and the conference look good!!

Alumnus | 2:05 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

As a U fan for the past 42 years (I'm 47) - I have been reading a large number of posts for the past several years. And a much higher number recently for obvious reasons.

I would have to say that I am rather embarrassed by quite a number of Utah posters who cannot seem to help themselves when it comes to rubbing Cougar Fans noses into their dung.

Stop already - have some restraint and demonstrate some class!

Most of the Cougar Fans have been extremely gracious. Ignore the occasional one who acts like yourselves.

I've always despised the Cougars - especially during the days of when I attended the University of Utah (1981-1987). But I have always want them to succeed save when they played us. They are 'Family' and our brothers. And yes, there is sibling rivalry as in all families but we strengthen each other push each other to excel.

Go Utes and yes - go Cougars! I love you my brother...(and I'm not even LDS --- :-) )

Ute Fan Forever | 2:16 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Hey, Kyle call Urban, since you are good friends and ask him to meet you in the middle. Like meet you half way between Utah and Florida and settle this thing. The game would be a sell out and then the nation would have as close of an answer as their going to get. What a game that would be. I think the Utes could do it. Never happen but I like the idea. GREAT JOB UTES!!!!

you betcha? | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

as if the substance of your comments were not enough to show you are an idiot, the fact that you think BYU will be BCS bound prior to the Utes visiting LES, let alone for thinking BYU will be BCS bound at all, is conclusive evidence. Go sit at the kid's table.

Re: SEC Fan | 2:18 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

You say this is Utah's first win against the SEC in 6 attempts. I thought the polls were to determine which team was the best this year, not which team has been consistently good for a long time. As far as I know, the 2008 Utes beat the SEC in their first attempt. Why do you care what previous ute teams did against previous SEC teams? Completely irrelevant to 2008.

Good Job Whit | 2:26 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I love that Kyle stuck to his guns and voted the best team in the nation #1. I saw that before the bowl games, Missouri's coach had Utah ranked 15th. If Whit loses his vote for putting us #1, Missouri's coach should lose his for clearly being uneducated about his vote.

Rankings | 2:25 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Utah
2008 #2 AP, #4 Coaches
2007 - AP, - Coaches
2006 - AP, - Coaches

BYU
2008 #25 AP, #21 Coaches
2007 #14 AP, #15 Coaches
2006 #16 AP, #15 Coaches

Some of the BCS computers liked the Utes. Several of them had Utah #1. The Utes should hang a banner in their computer science building.

Congratulations on finishing #2 in the AP poll; Utah's highest finish ever! #4 in the Coaches poll was the same as 2004.

IowaUte | 2:31 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

So proud of the Utes and what they did this year. Makes me proud to be a "Utah Man" (even in Iowa). We know (and so does the rest of the USA) that the Utes ARE #1 and they can't take that away. Great season...can't wait for spring practice.

I already miss college football. :(

ps-to the bitter bywho fans, get over it.

Mark | 2:34 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

All, really? Number 2 is excellent. Someone has to be number 1, someone number 2. Considering that more then half of Utah's schedule was against teams that were near automatic wins is just a problem. MWC needs more than 3 quality teams - ok, four if you throw a bone to Air Force - to be taken seriously. BYU's non conference wins were against horrible teams. Air Force the same. TCU deserve kudos for making the MWC look better. But as a conference, you have to be able to beat quality non-conference teams. The U made a good step in that direction. TCU helped. But the rest of the conference needs to pick it up or they will never be viewed seriously, and there will always be questions about Utah because of their conference mates. Unfair. Yes. The way life is, yes.

Enjoy your year - it was great.

Give it up for the Utes! | 3:37 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Congrats! Well deserved. I was cheering for you against 'bama all the way. Lots of class. You turned a lot of heads.

BYU Fan

Max | 3:39 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Should be #1. BCS is a scam. Give us a playoff.

you betcha | 3:50 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

mark my words yewt fans, BCS bound is what BYU is next year. The glory is yours now, but it is ours next year!

GO COUGGGSSSSSSSS!

B.Y.Who? | 4:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Too bad BYU and Air Force had to ruin the Mountain West by losing their bowl games to supposed mediocre teams. I still can't believe that BYU is ranked. They did not play like a ranked team the last four games.

Congratulations Utes! Maybe if Boise State jumps to the MWC you could then get an automatic berth.

SoCalUtahFan | 4:13 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

I will say this...it's been a tremendous season for Utah. 13-0, beat #1 Alabama, beat 4 top 25 teams, MWC has 2 top 10 teams, and BYU at #25. GREAT YEAR!!!

No need for further debate about BCS being BS.
Those who can not recognize that fact are "mentally underprivileged".

Until next football season...

Anonymous | 4:30 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

A Utah Man Sir...A Utah Man am I! Great Season Utes!

emShorts | 4:42 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Germany would have won WWII if the BCS was running it.

If the BCS is still around running things into the ground when I die (hopefully in many years), I'm going to put "The BCS killed this poor sports soul buried here"

I'm embarrassed to be an American with the BCS around. Playoff system or bust. Several teams could have outplayed those two last night.

RE SEC dude | 5:01 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Pretty relevant considering Utah had not played a SEC team since 1984 ... didn't they wear leather helmets and the ball was round back then ? ? What a comment ... we were better 25 years ago ? Who cares.

Loyal BYU St. George family | 5:14 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

If you knew my family and walked into our house during the Utah vs Alabama Sugar Bowl game, you would have thought (by the way were cheering for the Utes) that a BYU game was on!! We are not known to be lovers of the Utes, HOWEVER, we respect Coach Wittingham and the accomplishments of the U of U program this year! A sincere congratulations to the Utes of Utah, from some DIEHARD Cougar fans in St. George! =) Great win and way to represent! We honestly cheered you all the way to victory!! Hey fellow Cougars... don't hang your heads-- we lost two of our three games to #2 Utah and #7 TCU. Despite the loss to Arizona, 10-3 is a great season! GO COUGARS and uhhmm.. go utes too!! =)

I want to see "we're #2" signs | 5:49 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Hey Ute "fans":

I expect to see alot of "we're #2!!" signs at the RES next year.

National Titles:
BYU- 1
Utah- 0

SCOREBOARD

We're #25 | 6:23 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

That is a much better signs for the Cougs. Or, we live in 1984 and don't acknowledge anything that happened since. Another great sign. Only a delusional BYU fan would say such a ridiculous thing. I suppose current K.C. Chiefs fans should feel quite smug when talking with Chargers fans since the Chiefs won a Superbowl in the 1970s. Nice logic. Face it, BYU has not been a national player since Edwards retired. Utah, 2 BCS bowl appearances, two BCS bowl victories, and 2 undefeated seasons. BYU---cannot win a big game when it matters, but you did in 1984, so be proud, stick out your chest, find your "Like a Virgin" record, log on your Apple IIe, and after you finish watching the A-Team, stick your beta tape of the BYU 1984 season in to watch on your black and white television. It will all make you forget the last decade. Come and talk when your team plays in a BCS game, let alone wins one, let alone goes undefeated yet again.

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