Deseret News | BYU football: Bowl win clinched national title for Y.

Reader comments
BYU football: Bowl win clinched national title for Y.

Page:
1
2
Next >

Good but not Great | 6:42 a.m. July 16, 2009

I've loved watching BYU football for a long time, but I think sometimes we blow the 1984 "national champions" thing a wee bit out of proportion. Sure it can never be taken away, but anyone who believes BYU was the BEST college football team in 1984 is out of touch with reality. Anyone who follows college footballs knows that there has never been a good way to determine a true champion. It is closer now with the BCS, but still definitely still misses the mark. It's a shame that what I find the most entertaining level of football does not have a fair way to determine a champion.

NOT True | 7:07 a.m. July 16, 2009

It was NOT the Bowl win over a horrible MI team that won the title it was the judges in the media that awarded them the title a few weeks later.

Lets not change history, BYU has never played in a title game nor I believe any New Years Day bowl.

Ute fans | 7:21 a.m. July 16, 2009

are so jealous of the D-News' articles on the '84 NC team. Maybe in 25 years they'll write articles about the 2008 ute team. Or maybe not, because nobody cares about a team that finished SECOND.

Comments continue below

New Year's Day | 7:23 a.m. July 16, 2009

They haven't played in a true "National Title" bowl game like you said. The win in the Holiday Bowl that year "gave them a shot to win it". It was, essentially, a national championship game for them - WIN, you have a chance; LOSE - no chance whatsoever. However, they played in the Cotton Bowl, a New Year's Day bowl game Sarkisian's senior year.

Re: Ute fans | 7:30 a.m. July 16, 2009

Dude you can celebrate 1984 all you want...we'll celebrate our CURRENT team that absolutely dominated you last season. Boom. Roasted.

Re; Re: Ute Fans | 7:50 a.m. July 16, 2009

BOOM! Tough Actin' Tinactin.

I liked the boom in there!

Yeah, go ahead and celebrate your victory over BYU last year. We still have a national championship. You do not.
We both know the Utes will get torched by BYU this year, and we'll celebrate that too.

Cougar Fan: | 8:04 a.m. July 16, 2009

Am I missing something? Wasn't 1984 an awfully long time ago? Isn't this sort of like, "The older I get, the better I was???"

Eight-part series??? Slow news year......I'll still root for The Cougars" but come on, give it a rest.

Re: Re; Re: Utah Fans | 8:12 a.m. July 16, 2009

If the same standards were applied for your 1984 team, than we would have 2, because we finished undefeated twice recently. The media declared you National Champions for that exact reason. So go ahead and celebrate your undefeated season 25 years ago, while we celebrate ours twice in the last 5 years, and against legitimate opponents that is. Why don't you save your posts for when you finally beat a ranked opponent.

Re: Re: Re: Ute Fans | 8:32 a.m. July 16, 2009

Hey fancy pants, you probably weren't even alive to celebrate your "championship" so why don't you take the Tinactin you love so much and take care of the athlete's foot that MUST have spread to your eyes and fogged your vision enough that you're cheering for a team who can only celebrate past victories.

Roasted again

I asked | 8:32 a.m. July 16, 2009

I was skepitcal, so I asked my grandpa about it. He says it's true. He remembers this national championship from when he was a boy. I guess the Dnews was right. Probably good that they are documenting it now before everyone who was around has passed on.

Year? | 8:37 a.m. July 16, 2009

NINE-TEEN-EIGHTY-FOOOOUUUURRRRR!!!!

I guess this is what you do when your program slips downward and your rival wins two BSC bowl games in five years- live in the past!

BYU should play that Wake Up, It's 1984 song by Oingo Boingo at football games. Just turn LESs into everything 1984. Haircuts, clothes, food and beverage, everything 1984.

Re:Re:Re;Re: Utah Fans | 8:42 a.m. July 16, 2009

No, sorry, the Utes wouldn't have two championships just because they went undefeated two years. Yes, the Utes went undefeated but you're still missing the most crucial element. The '84 Cougars were NAMED THE NATIONAL CHAMPS by the entities that had the power to make that decision. THE UTES WERE NOT NAMED THE NATIONAL CHAMPS, not by anyone but their delusional fans. Thanks for playing and better luck next time.

BYU has been's | 8:47 a.m. July 16, 2009

Just like a coug fan to hang on to an "asterisk" win from the past. 25 years later ther're still looking for something to hold on to. Too bad! I hope they can find something anything current to celebrate. And soon, I'm tired of this has been.

Coug Fan | 8:47 a.m. July 16, 2009

Nothing wrong with celebrating Historical moments. Maybe during your 25 year annivesary you will consider not celebrating the event.

average guy | 8:48 a.m. July 16, 2009

If you are going to talk about standards, let's talk about talking standards. Learn the use of 'than' and then' before spouting about national champions.

Remember | 8:50 a.m. July 16, 2009

Poor Ute fans. They just don't get it. Let me help you out.

I have many great memories of important "firsts." I've been kissed many times, but I still remember my first kiss, even though it was many years ago.

I've had many cars over the years, but I still remember my first car with great fondness.

The Cougars are remembering their first national championship because it's a sweet, sweet memory.

Maybe someday the Utes will have a memory like that to cherish as well (or not).

Re: Re: Re: Re: Utah Fans | 8:56 a.m. July 16, 2009

The AP poll is the same today as it was 25 years ago. Is the media required to vote for the BCS National Championship game winner? No, they can vote for who they feel is the true #1. Even an undefeated Utah (twice)did not get enough #1 AP votes to have a split National Championship like USC and LSU in '03.

Lol | 8:58 a.m. July 16, 2009

The NC was given to BYU after everyone else lost their bowl game and left BYU as the only undefeated team in the nation. However, their accomplishments that year include zero victories over teams that ended the season ranked. More than half of the victories against teams with a .500 or less record. A near loss to a terrible Hawaii team.

The title was bestowed by two organizations one of which no longer exists.

By the same token Utah last year was awarded an "NC" trophy by several sports organizations.

BYU's NC trophy is like last year's MLB home run derby trophy. Justin Morneau won it but he full well knows he didn't deserve it after the other guy hit more homers in 1 round than he did the entire derby. Yep you have it.. everyone knows you didn't deserve it.

Oh I recall | 8:58 a.m. July 16, 2009

That was Bo Diddley Tech. not BYU

Re: Re:Re:Re;Re: Utah Fans | 9:00 a.m. July 16, 2009

Utah is always "close, but not quite" - came close to a National Champ, but not quite. Had a number 1 draft choice taken by the 49ers, but it's Alex Smith, not Steve Young.
Oh well. At least there's those nice gymnastic championships.

DRLL | 9:20 a.m. July 16, 2009

As long as the DesNews does a 9 part series about the Utes' Sugar Bowl and Fiesta Bowl seasons 25 years from now I guess I'm okay with all of this coverage about the most pathetic "national championship" of all time. To Mr. Remember: The Utes have equaled or bettered BYU's 1984 season twice now, so please no lectures about how maybe the Utes will have memories to cherish someday.

In reality | 9:39 a.m. July 16, 2009

the game was not really as close as the score indicated and the Y. played a poor game in many ways turning the ball over, having a FG blocked and numerous penalties. They nearly three times the total yards of the Wolverines and were the much better team.

@ 8:42 a.m. | 9:40 a.m. July 16, 2009

There is no "official" NCAA National Championship in football. The tdS NC were only named champs by the AP and the Coach's polls. the Utes were named champs by 2 OTHER media polls Fanspoll and CollegeFootballTalk. ESPN, a different poll than the AP and Coach's poll also names a Champion.

It's interesting that the tdS claims they wanted to play #2 Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl, yet failed to do so due to their contractual obligation to play in the Holiday Bowl. The '04 Utes were contractually obligated to the Liberty Bowl, but we went ahead and played in the Fiesta ANYWAY.

Seeing the tdS BARELY beat a 6-5 Michigan team shows they wouldn't have had anything remotely demonstrative of a good showing vs the Sooners. Seems to me the whole "we would've played a good team if the Holiday Bowl allowed" is just an excuse to validate backing in the the title. Washington was the REAL #1 team in the country that year. That's why nobody outside of the Bubble respects your crystal.

Richard Wright | 9:49 a.m. July 16, 2009

Quit the bickering! Rivalry's are great, but please! Utahn's need to step back and look at all the great games the U of U and BYU have given to NCAA Football and fans. For years everyone outside of Utah dogged the WAC and MWC, saying the conferences were weak. There haven't been any better games than those played by the Utes and Cougars. Whether the game was played 30 years ago or this past year, the Utes and Cougars have staked their claim in history. Thanks for the memories! One more thing, who coaches the Utes? A Cougar!

The cold war | 9:54 a.m. July 16, 2009

Cuban Missile Crisis

Kennedy Assination

Vietnam Demonstrations

Watergate

Disco

1984 National Championship

Monica Lewinsky

Just remembering a few dark moments in American history.

Shecky | 10:05 a.m. July 16, 2009

Just a reminder in case anyone forgets...BYU and Utah are 0-3 against the poor stepchildren of the north. Let's see BOISE STATE kicked BYU's little behinds and Utah's by (can you say rout) a substantial margin and then beat the Cougars again in Boise. Let's tee it up again boys!

HeyUte | 10:33 a.m. July 16, 2009

Wouldn't it be nice if you had a history worth remembering? Yeah, yeah you've had two great years and won a couple of bowl games. Big deal! Who gives a rats pitoot? Nobody remembers who finishes second and nobody wants to remember most of your last 25 years (or the 25 before that) While BYU was (and is again) building a nationally respected football program, winning championships and mostly slapping their little bro Utes silly over the past 37 years, you can proudly look back to the glory days of the likes of Wayne Howard, Chuck Stobbard, Jim Fassel and Ron McBride. You can't get away from it. It's yours. The fact is, BYU owns you!! Even your coach is an ex Coug that, oh my, played and starred at BYU. Imagine that! So yes, you have had two good years but until you actually have a history that anyone wants to waste ink on in say...2034...you can come down to Provo, look at our shiney National Championship trophy and wonder what might have been. It's called scoreboard. Hahaha

national champs | 10:53 a.m. July 16, 2009

Never gonna happen ute fans

re: Cold War | 11:05 a.m. July 16, 2009

Hey, disco wasn't all that bad. Agree with the other dark moments in history!

Too bad zoobs | 11:06 a.m. July 16, 2009

"...you have had two good years but until you actually have a history..."

I'd say the CURRENT is worth more than the PAST.

You can likewise come up to SLC and look at OUR National Championship trophy. It's newer, shinier, and EARNED. You may find yourself wondering what that might be like.

48-24

THAT's called SCOREBOARD!

Ha ha ha ha ha!

GO UTES!!!

Best team was 5 years ago | 11:25 a.m. July 16, 2009

When are they going to have the 5 year tribute to the best team this state has ever had?

The '04 Utes would pound the '84 cougs.

I mean come on, the '84 cougs had trouble beating the '84 Utes, who were terrible.

re: HeyUte | 11:26 a.m. July 16, 2009

Wouldn't it be nice if byU had a history worth remembering in this century? Your last undefeated season was last century...Utah has TWO this century.
byU's unofficial national championship as voted by two national news organizations (AP, UPI) was last century...Utah's unofficial national championship as voted on by two national news organizations (FansPoll, CollegeFootballTalk) was this century. Utah's National Championship trophy is shiny while byU's is apparently "shiney."

Utah has two BCS bowl invitations and WINS this century...byU has none.

And as fas as scoreboard:

48-24

Legitimate Opponent?? | 11:42 a.m. July 16, 2009

Ute fans have a problem with BYU beating Michigan for a national title? Yet, Ute fans are willing to take credit for beating Michigan team in 2008 that went 3-9? C'mon! The only difference between the BYU 1984 season and the 2008 Utah season is the system that determined the national champions. If Utah had played under the same system as BYU then Utes would have been national champions in 2008. But, you can pretty much thank BYU for changing that system - the 1984 national championship as well as the 14-1 season in the mid 1990's.

So, Utes... you got what you wanted a BCS bowl, a big paycheck, and even a cover on the latest version of EA sports college football game - but, you didn't get a national championship. You keep praising the fact that you got a BCS bowl bid and a Sugar Bowl championship - when instead you should be complaining that you deserved a national championship. When you praise the BCS and put it up on a pedastal - then you get what you deserve - 2nd place!

re: HeyUte | 11:44 a.m. July 16, 2009

I love people who live in the past but who don't even know enough facts about it to make correct statements. If you want to talk history, how can you possibly say that BYU owns Utah? Utah has a 20+ game lead in the all-time series between the two. Sure BYU won a bunch of piddly WAC championships back when the conference (and admittedly Utah) was basically a bunch of high school teams and nobody cared at all, but back in the 40's, 50's and 60's so did Utah. BYU will never repeat that success now that the conference is full of schools who prioritize football. I want to categorically state that I would much rather have the 2005 Fiesta Bowl AND 2009 Sugar Bowl championships over your stupid "national championship" trophy because there isn't even such thing as a national championship in college football, so at least our trophies represent legitimate accomplishments. Can you say beating 6-5 Michigan as your best accomplishment?

serenity now | 11:55 a.m. July 16, 2009

To all BYU fans. It's ok to root against the utes on game day. You might even hate them a little - I know I do. But the fact of the matter is that when Utah does well - like last year - it helps BYU long term. I was very excited and happy for Utah when they won their bowl games. It is an amazing accomplishment and they should have our respect. Plus, it raises the profile of the MWC. Good for BYU. It shuts all the BCS conferences mouths because one of our teams blew out a team they weren't supposed to be on the field with. That makes it more likely that the next time BYU is undefeated they will get more respect - and maybe a title shot. Ute fans - BYU won the title in 1984 against all odds. They beat all teams put in front of them - just like you did last year to claim your 'title'. They tried to get a team stronger than Michigan but got the best they could. You should be big enough to celebrate the way it sticks in the gut of the BCS as much as we do.

JRS | 12:05 p.m. July 16, 2009

Really? Why are we taking about this? It was 25 years ago. Oh wait I forgot. Zoobs live in the past.

ReF: LOL | 12:21 p.m. July 16, 2009

BYU was the only undefeated team before the bowl games were played. Get your history straight. They were #1 before the bowl games were played. If you don't know the FACTS; don't comment.

One and done | 12:42 p.m. July 16, 2009

At least there are memories...this will not be duplicated at BYU.

sorry utes | 1:03 p.m. July 16, 2009

Yes, your present is so awesome that Jerry Jones wanted you to come christen his new stadium because of your awesome history. Always something to gripe about from the utes, with all their recent accomplishments they're still bitter and have to find ways to belittle the real 'University of UTAH'.

Oklahoma Cougar | 1:23 p.m. July 16, 2009

Washington had a loss in '84 and wined about the BYU N.C, so BYU played them in '85 and obliterated them 31 to 3.
In 1984, BYU, led by quarterback Robbie Bosco, who had finished third in the Heisman voting, finished the year undefeated at 12-0 and ranked #1 in both polls. They played a 6-5 Michigan in the Holiday bowl and won 24-17. After the College football season ended, BYU was voted by the media and coaches as the NCAA Champion at 13-0.

The title opened new doors of opportunity for BYU football. In 1985, the Cougars were invited to play in the Kickoff Classic, where they scored a decisive victory over Cotton Bowl champion Boston College for their 25th straight win.

Re: sorry utes | 1:32 p.m. July 16, 2009

"have to find ways to belittle the real 'University of UTAH'"

Nice one! Do your research. University of Utah established 1850, BYU established 1875.

Memorable Awards U vs BYU | 1:33 p.m. July 16, 2009

BYU National Award Winners
2001Luke StaleyDoak Walker Award
1991Ty DetmerDavey O'Brien Award
1990Ty DetmerDavey O'Brien Award
1990Ty DetmerHeisman Memorial Trophy
1990Ty DetmerMaxwell Award
1989Mo ElewonibiOutland Trophy
1986Jason BuckOutland Trophy
1984 National Championship
1983Steve YoungDavey O'Brien Award
1981Jim McMahonDavey O'Brien Award

Utah:
Award Winners
YEARPLAYERAWARD
2004Urban MeyerHome Depot Award

From ESPN.com

C'mon | 1:43 p.m. July 16, 2009

The real reason there will never be a national champion in Utah in either provo or SLC is because the NC is messed up. Go ahead Utes, keep on back-slappin' the BCS; they will never give the NC to any school outside of the east coast or CA. Until we have a playoff system (and I'll grant you, last year's Utes could have gone very far in a playoff) we will never have a NC. Even the past NCs should all have an * next to them; you can't determine a champion without playing the games.

Ute Fans | 1:45 p.m. July 16, 2009

I have a question. If it was so easy to win a national championship by playing nobody teams and going undefeated before the BCS (Biased College Sports)...how come the Utes could never do it and win a national championship?

Old Port | 1:56 p.m. July 16, 2009

So?

Mike W | 2:06 p.m. July 16, 2009

Utah may have finished second, but any knowledgable fan recognizes what Utah accomplished in 2008 was far greater than what BYU accomplished in 1984, they're really not even comparable.

You'd be hard pressed to convince me their 1984 team was even better than their 1983 or 1996 teams.

In college football it's all about schedule, and the 1984 BYU schedule was a cakewalk... sure Pitt was ranked #3 at the time (early in the year) but where did they end up ranked? Not even top 25... Utah beat FOUR teams ranked in the top 25 last year.

That being said, I'm enjoying this series of articles, a fun trip back in time, and my above rantings shouldn't in any way imply that BYU is not an outstanding football program with a fine history, I just think the "National Championship" thing is a little over-rated.

Re: Legitimate Opponent?? | 2:06 p.m. July 16, 2009

"Ute fans have a problem with BYU beating Michigan for a national title? Yet, Ute fans are willing to take credit for beating Michigan team in 2008 that went 3-9? C'mon! The only difference between the BYU 1984 season and the 2008 Utah season is the system that determined the national champions."

Zoobies, when trying to justify beating a 6-5 Michigan team to claim the most disputed title in all of college football like to compare their Michigan opponent to ours. However there really IS no comparison. Utes don't justify their season by saying, "Hey we beat the best 3-9 Michigan team in the country". We don't bring up Michigan at ALL. They were weak and pathetic like '84 Pitt. We hang our hats on beating #18 Oregon St, #7 TCU, and #6 Alabama. Comparing apples to apples, zoobs have to acknowledge the comparison is 6-6/unranked Michigan to 12-2 #6 Alabama. Edge Utah.

The tdS has no quality wins to hang THEIR hats on in '84. Your best opponent was 8-4 Air Force, who only won 8 games because they played an FCS opponent.

Poor, sad, indefensible zoobs.

Re: Re: Sorry Utes | 2:12 p.m. July 16, 2009

Stop making us Utah fans look stupid! BYU was BYA when it was established. If you are going to make a comment to embarrass Y fans at least look intelligent. BYU has had good seasons, Utah has had good seasons. Utah still wins in the overall win column in games against BYU, that's all I care about. If BYU was undefeated and voted to be #1, they were #1. Every season is a new year, everyone needs to quit living in the past.

re: sorry utes | 2:21 p.m. July 16, 2009

"Yes, your present is so awesome that Jerry Jones wanted you to come christen his new stadium because of your awesome history."

Jerry Jones knows Oklahoma fans will travel to Dallas, and he has a good relationship with former coach Switzer. The tdS was selected as the Sooners opponent for the same reasons as Tennessee-Chattanooga, North Texas, UAB, Bowling Green, and Indiana St. have in recent season openers...for their "tradition" of losing to ranked and/or BCS opponents.

Utah...well...not so much.

Re: re: Hey Ute @ 11:26 | 2:27 p.m. July 16, 2009

The fact that even Ute fans would have never heard of those two organizations until after this last season will tell you how legitimate they actually are.
I'm still laughing at the fact that Ute fans think they have a NC trophy. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! Silly Ute fans.

Page:
1
2
Next >

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.