BYU  | 9:32 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009

is not ranked in BCS

and that is fair. BYU --blown out by TCU and .500 FSU-- is not worthy of top-25
Amazing | 9:33 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
that you get pulled along by a tesm that beat your butts! Reality will set in in Texas!
Smack | 9:51 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
The Utes weren't merely pulled along, Mr. Amazing. They also happened to win their game. If they had lost, they would have dropped like a rock. They were also helped along by a couple of other teams ahead of them that lost. And, sure, it helps that the one team that beat the Utes is kicking butts . . . but try to keep things in perspective. The Utes' movement upward was caused by multiple factors, but the most important thing is to keep on winning.

We'll see over the next two weeks whether Utah is worthy of more. I, for one, think they are.

Go Utes!
Comments continue below
14 too high | 10:00 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Utes are not a good team!!! I bet no other team in the top 15 benched its quarterback at halftime after scoring 3 points to a "Wyoming" caliber team. Utah is 6-1 because it has played 6 awful teams, and the Utes have been tied or trailing in the 4th quarter in 4 of those games.
Anonymous | 10:14 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Utahs 7-1 smart guy. byu is 6-2... jealousy is running rampant in provo nowadays!
haters | 10:17 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Utah is 7-1 smart guy and in first place in the Mwc. byu (little brother) is 6-2 and in the middle of the pack where they belong. Jealousy is running rampant in provo these days!
re: 14 too high | 10:30 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
"I bet no other team in the top 15 benched its quarterback at halftime after scoring 3 points to a "Wyoming" caliber team. "

I'm a BYU fan, and I'll say this -- STYLE POINTS SHOULDN'T MATTER.

There is a saying in golf, "They don't ask you how, they ask you how many." In other words, a win is a win.

Nothing against the Utes, but I hope none of the undefeated teams loses except the loser of the Alabama-florida game. It will show what a travesty it is if FOUR undefeated teams don't get a chance to prove on the field who the champion is.

PLAYOFFS BABY!. The sport needs a playoffs. The most popular league in America is the NFL, and they let a boatload of teams in the playoffs. It doesn't hurt their popularity or financial viability. The NFL is the richest, most popular professional sports league in the country.
who cares | 10:44 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Lets see where teams are at the end of the year. Utah still has TCU and BYU on the road, I doubt their ranking holds up.
The Deuce | 11:10 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
We have finally reached the point where everyone on this site no longers drags Boise State into the conversation. I wonder why? This is the conference that did not want another Top 10 BCS team in their league as they thought they were too good or did not want another loss. Where are the BSU critics?
Boise not done yet | 12:16 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Boise still has one game of interest- Nevada.

Nevada has won 5 in a row with impressive offensive numbers.

This should be a great game with all eyes on Boise State as they try to play in a big money BCS game. Good luck to both Boise and TCU. Either way, the western conferences will be well represented.

November 27 - Boise State vs. Nevada
November 28 - Utah vs. BYU

Two great games for college football fans!
Re: 14 to high | 3:43 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Your opinion has holes. Yes, the Utes have played weaker teams and have won unconvincingly, but you overlook that they could have beaten Oregon with another five minutes on the clock. The Ducks are giant killers, as we have seen, yet the Utes had them on the mat. The more accurate description of the Utes is that they play to the level of their competition, no matter whom. They will beat the Lobos by less than they should, but will hang with TCU longer than they should. The botttom line is wins. Nothing else matters much. If the Utes are not good, then their record would indicate that the coaches are great. Who knows for sure? Very generalized and inaccurate though to say the Utes are not good and don't derserve their ranking.
BYU Fan | 5:11 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
OK the real deal is that the Utes are 7-1 and BYU lost to a lame FSU team and got clobbered by a good TCU team. The UTES have one loss and keep on winning. I do think that if BYU winns in Wyoming and can get the Utes at home we should have a pretty good bowl waiting.

BUT WE GOT TO WIN TO TALK.

Let Utah focus on Utah and BYU focus on BYU. Then the talk can start again after they play each other. IF Utah keeps winning, and I don't care if it is by 1 or 20, then good for them. We in fact are not brothers and our programs are not tied by any relationship any more than UCLA and USC's teams are. Easy - win and then talk trash afterwards.
Go Cougars | 5:26 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Makes the BYU win coming up in November all that much sweeter doesn't it!
Still in it | 6:00 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Although a long shot, Utah still has an opportunity to crash for the second straight season. If Boise loses any game from here out they will drop like a rock and Utah will pass them if they win out.

However, because Boise doesn't play anyone I'm going to quietly be happy with a MWC championship and a victory in Las Vegas against the Pac-10
Utah Man | 6:13 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Go Utes!!! Within striking distance!!! Win out and the Utes do it again in a "rebuilding" year! BSU is doing a great job...the reason they're not in the MWC is that it would dilute the BCS opportunities. Look at it now..both TCU & BSU are in the BCS race. If BSU was in the MWC it would be the same problem the SEC faces. Florida or Alabama, one will lose to the other in the SEC championship game. They both will still get a BCS which isn't true for the MWC or the WAC.
Interesting | 6:14 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
note BYU crawls back in on the AP poll, but is significantly absent from the BCS standings.

Interesting how Cougar fan always uses the poll numbers that put their program in the best light, yet denigrate and use the poll numbers that cast the worst light on the UofU. Hypocrites, the lot.

FYI, not a U fan either.
Too The Deuce | 7:02 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
I'm sure you think the Mountain West is afraid to add Boise State to the confrence, so let me correct you. The truth is the MWC was really considering adding BSU, however BSU is horrible academiclly, and couldn't live up to MWC standards. So if BSU can ever fix their academic problems (Becacuse it is supposed to be a University) then maybe the MWC will consider adding them. Until then, enjoy being only the second best non-bcs school, because you know TCU will always own you
Anonymous | 7:06 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
"Utah is 6-1 because it has played 6 awful teams..."

That pretty much been the formula for all those "10+ win seasons" the tdS has been bragging about over these last 3 yrs.

Yeah, it goes both ways.

FYI...the Utes' SOS has been rated higher than yours, nevertheless, YOU'RE the ones who are 6-2, while WE'RE 7-1. Haha!

GO UTES!!!
Sate of Affairs | 7:08 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utah is the weakest team in the top 25 - and will prove it over the next few weeks.

TCU is the best team EVER in the MWC - and will prove it over the next few weeks.

BYU doesn't belong - has already proven it.

BSU, if give a shot in the MWC, would easily be the 2nd best team in the conference.
In front of BYU | 7:19 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utah in its rightful place-ahead of BYU. And BYU will lose to Utah. The magic at LES is gone, and Utah always comes fired up to rip BYU apart. But I doubt Utah will be able to handle TCU this year.

Gretkzy | 7:39 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
utah will lose to TCU and BYU. so give them 3 losses but the Utes will win their bowl game unlike the rival team who usually loses. it is obvious that the Utes have more problems on offense than they care to admit. but then again last year's team was not a great offense on the field (on the books yes, but not on the field).
Loving This | 7:45 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
The excitement on the hill is palpable. If they win out, they go to the Vegas Bowl. They can hardly wait.
re: 14 too high | 8:15 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Actually, according to the computer portion of the BCS formula, 14 is too LOW.

Utah is ranked much higher in the computers than the human polls.

But thanks for your attempt to make a comment that sounded half intelligent.
Anonymous | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
The difference between Utah and B.Y.U. is simple. The Coach?????
re: Sate of Affairs | 8:34 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
2004 Utah team was the best MWC team ever. That's an undisputed fact.
Pulling the quarterback | 8:37 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Switching quarterbacks gave the Utes a spark. Maybe the team down south should consider it. I mean... their season is over anyway. Why not get a jump on next year?
LaVar the Utah Cat | 8:45 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
To: BYU Fan
"BUT WE GOT TO WIN TO TALK".
I appreciate your comment, however it has never stopped many BYU fans before. Why should it now? Don't you know that BYU always "wins" February and the pre-season. Reality has very little to do with the situation down south. . .
Gary C. Rowton | 8:46 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Bronco should sue the bcs. Cougars National Champs!


Pipe Dream | 8:53 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Any of you yokel ukes who think you still have a chance for the BCS, heres a headline! "ute eagle cooked" You don't have a chance against TCU. They should have beat you in your glory year but they missed a chip shot field goal on your field. They will kill this ute team which is not half the team you had last year.

If you lucked out against TCU and BYU you still are behind BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY. Yeah! Unlike you, we beat Oregon soundly. You will never, ever pass BSU (what was the score last time we played?) in any of the polls this year. Have fun at the Vegas bowl which you fans so love to denigrate. (isn't that the bowl for you conference champion, no wonder you aren't used to goin there)

If you lose, as you should to TCU and BYU, we will have a place here in Boise at the Humanitarian Bowl. I would come to that just to see you lose again!
Bragging Rights | 9:03 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
The round robin between BYU, Utah, and TCU, as usual, will decide bragging rights for the MWC.

TCU appears to be the class of the league this season and, barring a HUGE upset by the Utes on November 14th, the Horned Frogs appear destined for a BCS invite.

Regardless of what happens on November 14th, the November 28th game between BYU and Utah will establish bragging rights between the Utes and Cougars.

A likely scenario:

TCU beats Utah soundly and wins out to secure a BCS berth.

BYU beats Utah to finish 10-2 with an invite to the Poinsettia Bowl and a possible matchup with Boise State.

Utah loses to TCU and to BYU to finish 9-3 with an invite to play Stanford in the Las Vegas Bowl.
A Cosmetic Move? | 9:14 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
According to the article, Texas' move from 3rd to 2nd was a "cosmetic move". Every thing is cosmetic when referring to the Bowl Championship Series (BCS for you trolls out there). There is no true championship! The BCS is a joke and always will be until there is a true playoff format in place.
re: 10+ wins | 9:19 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
" 'Utah is 6-1 because it has played 6 awful teams...'

That pretty much been the formula for all those "10+ win seasons" BYU has been bragging about over these last 3 yrs."

So what will Utah's excuse be this season when the Utes fail to win 10 games AND finish in the Top 25, as usual.

btw, the Utes have only accomplished that 4 times IN THEIR ENTIRE HISTORY!
Utah weak schedule | 9:28 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utah has a really weak schedule for 2009 and doesn't deserve a #14 ranking. Who have they beaten? They lost to the only ranked team (Oregon) and they will lose to TCU too.
DRLL | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Pretty sure this isn't the 14th best team in the country right now, as much as it pains me to say it. The defense may be a Top 20 defense, but the offense can't be in the Top 50 at this point. I will say this, however: Whittingham's teams have a propensity for peaking at the right time and playing their best ball towards the end of the season. So I have hope that 2009 will be no different. And maybe if we somehow hold the ball on offense against TCU we can keep it close.
UNLV | 9:32 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utah will lose two more games. When the season ends, only TCU will be in the top 25. The MWC is weak this year. Utah's ranking is coming from past years performances. They are not very good. BYU is not very good. Thank goodness for TCU, who is very good.
Ute Man | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utes defense has definetely come around - they have to work on creating more turnovers, but are a little better on stopping the run. Offensively, they are still trying to figure things out, but that's to be expected with new QBs & new coordinators. It's not perfect, but it's what I expected.

We are in good shape. A lot of of younger players are starting to step it up, meaning the talent level is rising. Most people thought we would be lucky to win 8 games this year with all the replacements we had to make.

Don't forget all the injuries to major players on this team, it is expected for our team to struggle a little, bit 7-1 going on 8-1...I'll take that any day. Utes might even surprise us by going down & beating TCU. These guys are fighters. They never give up. Just remember, Utes were expected to hagve a "rebuilding year" & were expected to be 3rd in the MWC, which still could be the case; however, we are playing hard & it is fun to see these guys grow up from week to week.
RE:Sate of Affairs  | 10:03 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Can you spell? Did you attend BSU ?
My take on Boise State is that there are other sports to consider.
BSU is not that good in round ball , gymnastics, woman's basketball, cross country , swimming , track and field...
Utah stomped BYU in the Deseret Challenge last year by winning in various sports and that is another reason that BSU shouldn't be included in the MWC. Their overall sports program is just not that good.
Reality | 10:10 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
This is a rebuilding year for Utah, the team and coaches have said this from the start. 7-1 with wins against Airforce and CSU (teams the Utes have always Struggled with), questions at the quarterback and offensive coordinator positions, and a young defense. I will take that. Utah will propbaly lose to TCU, they may lose to BYU ( I doubt it) so 9-3/10-2 is a reality. Big deal not bad for a rebuilding year. Remember Cougar fans, it is not if but how you lose that gets peoples attention.
UT Best in Nation | 10:29 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Texas has number 1 run defense in America and its scoring offense is also on top. Looks like the Longhorns are set to play for their 5th national championship. Now we just have to wait to see who gets to play Texas in Pasadena.

Hookem!!!
re: UNLV | 10:32 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Please stick to discussing a sport that UNLV actually participates in, like basketball. Taking a UNLV football fans comment as serious or intelligent is like asking a Kansas City Royals fan to break down the World Series!
RE: BRAGGING RIGHTS | 10:42 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
I agree that TCU will beat the Utes in a "no doubter" in Ft Worth. TCU has the goods, especially at home.

The Utes will beat BYU to finish 10-2 and will wind up in the Las Vegas Bowl. Utah will win their 9th straight bowl game.

BYU will wind up in the toilet bowl in Boise and will lose. BYU has won only 33% of their bowl games all time. Look it up.
Re: Pipe Dream | 10:43 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Hey snurf turf troll. BSU needs to beat somebody before you start spouting off. Ya, you beat Oregon on the first game of the season (on your own BLUE turf),
but they would run all over BSU if they were to play today. Other than a fortunate win over Oregon, who have you beat that has a winning record? You can count them on one finger.
Your smurf turf is making you delusional.
Re:Pipe Dream | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Swoop is a red-tailed hawk...not an eagle...if you'll be cooking our mascot in effigy, at least be sure of what's on the menu. Second, congrats to your bronco's, have they scheduled any field hockey or chess teams in the future to rival their schedule for this year? And last I checked, speaking of bowl games, wasn't there an interesting one in san diego last year? Go MWC
Prophet | 10:47 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utah will beat TCU and BYU, finishing 11-1.

BYU will finish 7-5 after losing to Wyoming, Air Force, and Utah.

BSU will lose to Nevada.

Utah will return to the Fiesta Bowl, its third BCS appearance in 5 years.


Crow Dog | 10:49 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
@ UNLV
Saying BYU and Utah are not very good is speculation at best. Without a playoff system we will never know either. I believe TCU is the best in the MWC this year.
Reality | 11:08 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Dear Cougar fans,

It's me, REALITY. Why don't you ever return my phone calls, emails, or texts?

I feel like you don't know that I exist.

I'm looking forward to our next date, this Saturday night in Laramie.

Love,

Reality.

KJ | 11:15 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
What is the deal with BSU fans trying to make themselves relevant on a Utah newspaper's message board? A couple of trick plays in a BCS game already made your team a national story and ESPN's darling every year, yet for some reason you all feel the need to bump your gums at a couple of teams in Utah who's games are played on one of the most aesthetically offensive TV networks I've ever seen. Can you say inferiority complex?
Anonymous | 11:19 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Utes will end the season with 2 losses (TCU and BYU) and a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl. A TCU win over Utah would be best for the conference (Utah doesn't stand a chance of busting the BCS, even if they win out. They'll never leap frog an undefeated BSU team). At this point in the season BYU is only playing for 1 game, against Utah. Of course with BYU's home record, who knows which team will show up.
Real World | 11:28 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Come on Utes, you know Utah doesn't belong in the top 25 much less 14. They are 14 just because of win loss. They are a brand new team.
Me, Myself and I  | 11:33 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Call their 7-1 record what you want. Make every excuse in the book of why the Utes have that record. The bottom line is no other team in the MWC has lost their go to guy for the season except Utah. Asiata was the #1 rusher in conference before going down with a knee injury. He accounted for about 1/3 of Utahs offense up til his injury. Take away 1/3 of BYU's, TCU's or BSU's offense and lets see how they play. I think TCU would be ok because like Utah their defense would keep them in games and the offense would find a way to win. Utah is a lot better than most people think considering the adversity they've faced.

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Chen Wang, Deseret News

Utah wide receiver DeVonte Christopher (15) tries to avoid Wyoming running back James Davis (25) during action at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City Saturday. Utah defeated Wyoming 22-10.

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