Consider the Utes....

[Firebird]

I was mighty impressed with what they did last night against Bama, and I had not been giving them much of a chance at all to win that game. Last night in New Orleans was nothing like the Boise-OU Fiesta Bowl. For one, Alabama was a much better team than that year's OU team. Second, the Utes did not come in and use trickery to beat the Tide. True, they do run a high-speed offense, but they didn't alter their game plan for the tide. They didn't break out the last pages in the playbook. On defense, they hit those Bama boys in the mouth and completely overwhelmed their line (true, without the future first rounder Andre Smith-- but pretty much every Bama blocker looked befuddled). They planned well, executed well, and had plenty of good athletes. Finally, Utah dominated the game from start to finish and every time the Tide looked to climb back in, the Utes put the clamps down.

Utah did not play a completely patty-cake schedule (who knew that Michigan would be so bad), they beat good BYU and TCU teams. They did everything you can ask a team to do-- win every game they played. Watching them against Bama, they did not appear overmatched anywhere on the field. I was FAR more impressed with they way Utah won against that team than with the way Florida won. Had that Utah team been on the field for SEC CCG, they would be SEC champs and in the BCS MNC game this year. I am damn impressed.

[Purple7]

Agreed. Alabama didn't want to play in the Sugar Bowl, and it was evident in their play. Now Utah on the other hand, was happy to play anywhere, came out, and put them away early. It was good football, plain and simple. :)

[jtk1519]

I was very impressed and I expected them to beat Bama, but Utah would not have won the SEC against UF. They also would not have an perfect record had they played in the SEC or Big XII. Yes, they had a couple of good teams on their schedule, but they don't have to play tough stretches of good games like SEC and Big XII teams had to play this year. It's not just playing good teams that makes a good schedule, it's having to play several of them in a short period of time. It tests team's durability and mental toughness in a way Utah was never challenged this year.

Yes, Utah did everything that was asked of them and my hat is off to them. Now they need to move to a real conference and prove they can do it consistently. No, that's not fair, but until we get a fair system (a playoff), that is the best a Utah can do.

[BDB]

i was iffy with utah, not because i didn't think they were talented but because i thought 'bama would show up to play mistake-free football. with the success of the MWC as of late, which hopefully improves, it would be interesting to see if they were to become a possible BCS conference. in 5-10 years, if they continue to get a "BCS Buster" in that wins, whether it be TCU, Utah, BYU ect. i wouldn't be upset with the decision.

[SLC]

Bird, I'm with you on Utah getting a great win for their program last night and I too was very impressed with how they took it to Bama. They played them they way you want to see a team play them, go straight at them and as you said, hit them in the mouth. Utah did very well against a good Bama defense, not great, but good. And you could argue that TCU and New Mexico were better competition for them and rightfully so. They outscored Bama in 2 quarters and tied them in 1. And out gained them in yards and first downs and held them to just 31 yards rushing on 31 attempts.. all this while being beaten in time of possesion and penalties.. All very very impressive. But thats where the honeymoon stops...

They would not have beaten Florida in the SEC title game, Florida is not a one dimensional team, they can beat you in several different ways.. Kudos to Utah for holding Bama to their fewest yards on the ground of the season and forcing them to pass.. they played them the best way they could have.. and kudos to Bama for at least getting 180 yards passing as Utah forced them out of their comfort zone.. BUT.. Utah wouldn't have had that luxury against Florida because Florida can beat you both ways. You stop one, you have to deal with the other. With Bama, they stoped the run and watched and laughed as Bama tried to throw the ball.. It wasnt something they are completely comfortable with and that Bama offense is very un imaginative. With Florida you have to pick your poison because they will move the ball either way and they dont play a basic offense.

Now as far as them even being mentioned to play against Florida in an SEC title game.. It wouldn't happen. Utah wouldn't be able to compete week in and week out against the quality of teams in the SEC.. Getting by a horrible Michigan team, struggling against Weber State, battling to the last play against Oregon State, and a 3 point dog fight against New Mexico should be enough to tell you that Utah isn't ready for the stretch of games they would face in the SEC and the quality that conference has from top to bottom. Thats a pipe dream at best.

Now, I like Utah as much as the next person and as I said I am very impressed with what they did to the #2 SEC team, but lets keep it all in perspective.. Its one game, one week, for one win. They do not face that on a weekly basis.

[cajun]

I was mighty impressed with what they did last night against Bama, and I had not been giving them much of a chance at all to win that game. Last night in New Orleans was nothing like the Boise-OU Fiesta Bowl. For one, Alabama was a much better team than that year's OU team. Second, the Utes did not come in and use trickery to beat the Tide. True, they do run a high-speed offense, but they didn't alter their game plan for the tide. They didn't break out the last pages in the playbook. On defense, they hit those Bama boys in the mouth and completely overwhelmed their line (true, without the future first rounder Andre Smith-- but pretty much every Bama blocker looked befuddled). They planned well, executed well, and had plenty of good athletes. Finally, Utah dominated the game from start to finish and every time the Tide looked to climb back in, the Utes put the clamps down.

Utah did not play a completely patty-cake schedule (who knew that Michigan would be so bad), they beat good BYU and TCU teams. They did everything you can ask a team to do-- win every game they played. Watching them against Bama, they did not appear overmatched anywhere on the field. I was FAR more impressed with they way Utah won against that team than with the way Florida won. Had that Utah team been on the field for SEC CCG, they would be SEC champs and in the BCS MNC game this year. I am damn impressed.

Utah needs to join the Pac-10...Pac-10 have 2 decent programs then..

[BDB]

Utah needs to join the Pac-10...Pac-10 have 2 decent programs then..

usc should join the MWC, they'll have some sort of stable competition.

[rdz1965]

Utah has every right to hype their program up for a share of the national championship. They really impressed me. They showed up and whipped the Tide, and here I was upset thinking Kentucky was going to join south carolina in losing a bowl game for the mighty SEC conference. Kentucky took care of business and Alabama got worked . Hell yeah Utah should get a lot of votes for the nation championship, they punched bama in the mouth and moved the football at will on them. If I had a vote they would get mine forget who wins between florida and oklahoma , Utah is the only undefeated team in the nation. :notworthy:notworthy I don't think there is a team that would stop them no one.

[WestPlano006]

I was more impressed with the CEO of Allstate when he presented the trophy, he didn't advertise for Allstate like every other sponsor does, he went straight to the trophy presentation and how great college football is.

[SLC]

Utah has every right to hype their program up for a share of the national championship. They really impressed me. They showed up and whipped the Tide, and here I was upset thinking Kentucky was going to join south carolina in losing a bowl game for the mighty SEC conference. Kentucky took care of business and Alabama got worked . Hell yeah Utah should get a lot of votes for the nation championship, they punched bama in the mouth and moved the football at will on them. If I had a vote they would get mine forget who wins between florida and oklahoma , Utah is the only undefeated team in the nation. :notworthy:notworthy I don't think there is a team that would stop them no one.


Not hard to go undefeated in the conference they play in. The Bama game gave them points, but at the end of the day, when their schedule is looked at thoroughly and the scores of those games considered, I dont believe they could make a claim for the #1 team in college football.

[SLC]

I was more impressed with the CEO of Allstate when he presented the trophy, he didn't advertise for Allstate like every other sponsor does, he went straight to the trophy presentation and how great college football is.


He was fired this morning.

[yankee]

allstate, holla!

[F18mustang]

usc should join the MWC, they'll have some sort of stable competition.

Where is steeler.....?

[BDB]

Where is steeler.....?

going down on carrol?

[HUM398]

Not hard to go undefeated in the conference they play in. The Bama game gave them points, but at the end of the day, when their schedule is looked at thoroughly and the scores of those games considered, I dont believe they could make a claim for the #1 team in college football.

The beat a team that is supposedly top class of the greatest conference in the universe.....and scored 31 on the second best defensive unit in the nation.....

I think they made a pretty damn good argument for consideration for best in the nation... Although beating OU, Texas, and Florida would be something i doubt they could do...but i do believe they would of kept it close.

That being said...I got a W in my BCS bowl predictions

[HUM398]

going down on carrol?

By now....he is probably choking on the mans pubic hair....

[Firebird]

The beat a team that is supposedly top class of the greatest conference in the universe.....and scored 31 on the second best defensive unit in the nation.....

I think they made a pretty damn good argument for consideration for best in the nation... Although beating OU, Texas, and Florida would be something i doubt they could do...but i do believe they would of kept it close.

That being said...I got a W in my BCS bowl predictions

This. Enough of hauling out the "weak conference/weak schedule" argument. They won every single game, and no one they were supposed to beat beat them. That's more than you can say about any other team in the country this year. The team I watched last night would have finished at or near the top of any conference in the nation. All the evidence you need is the scoreboard and the way they imposed their will most of the evening against a very very good Alabama team. An Alabama team that gave all-mighty Florida everything it wanted and more.

[SLC]

The beat a team that is supposedly top class of the greatest conference in the universe.....and scored 31 on the second best defensive unit in the nation.....

I think they made a pretty damn good argument for consideration for best in the nation... Although beating OU, Texas, and Florida would be something i doubt they could do...but i do believe they would of kept it close.

That being said...I got a W in my BCS bowl predictions

Bama has the 3rd best total defense and the 6th best defense in points allowed.

Again, they did an outstanding job by beating Bama, but it was one game, for one win. Utah doesn't do that every week against top level teams. In other words, if they had to play better opponents they would likely not have gone undefeated, and they wouldn't have been ranked 6th and thus wouldn't have been given an at large bid.

With there being #1, #2, and #3 still left to play it's awfull hard to put the #6 team as the best in the country over which ever team wins between Florida and OU.

[Firebird]

Utah beat five ranked teams this season, btw. No, they weren't all in a row, but then again outside of the Big XII very few teams had to face any gauntlet of that sort.

[SLC]

Utah beat five ranked teams this season, btw. No, they weren't all in a row, but then again outside of the Big XII very few teams had to face any gauntlet of that sort.

Utah beat 3 ranked teams this season.

[HUM398]

Bama has the 3rd best total defense and the 6th best defense in points allowed.

Again, they did an outstanding job by beating Bama, but it was one game, for one win. Utah doesn't do that every week against top level teams. In other words, if they had to play better opponents they would likely not have gone undefeated, and they wouldn't have been ranked 6th and thus wouldn't have been given an at large bid.

With there being #1, #2, and #3 still left to play it's awfull hard to put the #6 team as the best in the country over which ever team wins between Florida and OU.

Im not buying into that argument.

Alabama while not as good as the media made them out to be, is certainly a formidable opponent for any football team. Their is not doubt that Saban build a hellish defense....With all that being said, you can't take away anything Utah did this season....They deserve the be in the conversation... They won ALL their games, and put a pretty little sugar bowl trophy up... Texas didn't win all their games, OU didn't win all their games, Florida didn't win all their games.... And you look at what Utah did to Bama, and what Florida did to Bama....I am far more impressed with Utah's body of work against bama then Florida's

[SLC]

Im not buying into that argument.

Alabama while not as good as the media made them out to be, is certainly a formidable opponent for any football team. Their is not doubt that Saban build a hellish defense....With all that being said, you can't take away anything Utah did this season....They deserve the be in the conversation... They won ALL their games, and put a pretty little sugar bowl trophy up... Texas didn't win all their games, OU didn't win all their games, Florida didn't win all their games.... And you look at what Utah did to Bama, and what Florida did to Bama....I am far more impressed with Utah's body of work against bama then Florida's

Utah doesn't play in the Big 12 like OU and UT do.. Or in the SEC like Florida does.

Sorry, they just dont play the weekly level of teams that the 2 best conferences do.

[Firebird]

Utah beat 3 ranked teams this season.

OK, we'll rightfully throw Michigan out because they dropped out of the poll after losing to Utah and never returned.

Four ranked teams:

Alabama
TCU
Brigham Young
Oregon State

[SLC]

OK, we'll rightfully throw Michigan out because they dropped out of the poll after losing to Utah and never returned.

Four ranked teams:

Alabama
TCU
Brigham Young
Oregon State

It is 4 if you use the AP top 25, it's 3 if you use the BCS top 25.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/teams/schedule?teamId=254

[HUM398]

Utah doesn't play in the Big 12 like OU and UT do.. Or in the SEC like Florida does.

Sorry, they just dont play the weekly level of teams that the 2 best conferences do.

So what?

So your logic is that because they didn't play the schedules that the Top 3 did, they don't deserve to be in the discussion.


The Game is played on the field, and from the looks of it....Their a damn good football team.

[Firebird]

So what?

So your logic is that because they didn't play the schedules that the Top 3 did, they don't deserve to be in the discussion.


The Game is played on the field, and from the looks of it....Their a damn good football team.

Exactly. We aren't discussing the teams that lost to them, we are discussing the team itself. And it is a damn good team.

[SLC]

So what?

So your logic is that because they didn't play the schedules that the Top 3 did, they don't deserve to be in the discussion.


The Game is played on the field, and from the looks of it....Their a damn good football team.

I agree they looked good. I said that in my earlier post and even broke down some of the things they accomplished while beating Bama.

But the fact is that Utah got as high as #6 in the country and no higher and they were 12-0. They didn't get to #1 in the final rankings and there is a reason for that, it's because it's not that tough to go 12-0 playing the teams they played.

[HUM398]

I agree they looked good. I said that in my earlier post and even broke down some of the things they accomplished while beating Bama.

But the fact is that Utah got as high as #6 in the country and no higher and they were 12-0. They didn't get to #1 in the final rankings and there is a reason for that, it's because it's not that tough to go 12-0 playing the teams they played.

Or is it because their is no way in hell a Non BCS team is going to the National title game in our BCS age?

I think it had more to do with the fact that their Utah and not with how good they are.....

[SLC]

Or is it because their is no way in hell a Non BCS team is going to the National title game in our BCS age?

I think it had more to do with the fact that their Utah and not with how good they are.....

It's pretty safe to say that a non BCS conference team will likely never play in the title game.. Unless there are several bad BCS conference teams.

It's all reletive to

1.who you play

2.how you play

3.and how you perform when doing 1. and 2.

[ATownTexan]

I give Utah all the credit in the world as they showed up to play from the initial whistle and it showed in the 1st Qtr which was the game. Over the next 3 quarters BAMA actually outscored Utah 17-10 and left points on the field with 2 missed FGs. BAMA got killed with the underneath passes all night long and couldn't get ANY pressure on Utah's QB. Outside of the 1st Qtr Utah had 1 drive over 30 yards. Once settling down and making adjustments the defense actually performed well considering the offense was stinking it up and they were on the field a majority of the time. Offensively BAMA got out coached and executed like crap. Couldn't run the ball behind a make shift line and couldn't pass protect with a darn. Utah is a solid team and deserved to win the game but I think it's a bit of a stretch to say they 'dominated' BAMA the entire game.

[HUM398]

It's pretty safe to say that a non BCS conference team will likely never play in the title game.. Unless there are several bad BCS conference teams.

It's all reletive to

1.who you play

2.how you play

3.and how you perform when doing 1. and 2.

Well then that is a glitch in the system...and unfair.

Utah Deserves every bit of the attention of being considered a top team in the nation...

Why? The went undefeated...and won a major BCS bowl against the No. 4 team in the country...Former No. 1

[CW#1inmyheart4eva]

Gotta love that Utah Defense. I kinda think Alabama didnt really take this game seriously, not because of who they were playing but because of what they "weren't playing for", the national championship.

[SLC]

Well then that is a glitch in the system...and unfair.

Utah Deserves every bit of the attention of being considered a top team in the nation...

Why? The went undefeated...and won a major BCS bowl against the No. 4 team in the country...Former No. 1

It's fairly safe to say that if UT wins tonite and whichever of OU or Florida wins on Thursday night that the top 5 will look as follows..

1. OU/UF winner
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Utah
5. OU/UF loser (depending on the score)

If the margin is fairly good in the title game then you may see TCU jump to #5.

The highest Utah could possibly hope to get is to #3 if UT is beat. They can attribute this to their strength of schedule which is ranked between # 60-70 in the nation. While UT, OU, UF and USC are all sitting within the #8-40 range on their strength of schedule.

[HUM398]

It's fairly safe to say that if UT wins tonite and whichever of OU or Florida wins on Thursday night that the top 5 will look as follows..

1. OU/UF winner
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Utah
5. OU/UF loser (depending on the score)

If the margin is fairly good in the title game then you may see TCU jump to #5.

The highest Utah could possibly hope to get is to #3 if UT is beat. They can attribute this to their strength of schedule which is ranked between # 60-70 in the nation. While UT, OU, UF and USC are all sitting within the #8-40 range on their strength of schedule.

Their is no reason to believe that Utah won't beat out USC for Number 3...and get a No. 2 spot if UT loses.

They did go undefeated...and beat Alabama in a bad way. i don't care for the "Bama didn't get up for this game excuse..." If they couldn't get up for this, they couldn't get up for anything.

[SLC]

Their is no reason to believe that Utah won't beat out USC for Number 3...and get a No. 2 spot if UT loses.

They did go undefeated...and beat Alabama in a bad way. i don't care for the "Bama didn't get up for this game excuse..." If they couldn't get up for this, they couldn't get up for anything.

If Utah hopes to get a #3 spot they better hope that the voters put them there, because USC just beat the #9 team in the BCS and the #6 team in the Harris and Coaches poll and they haven't been figured in to their SOS of 38 yet and that will give them a a good boost. Utah will get a boost from beating the #4 team in the BCS, Harris and Coaches poll but they have to add that to the #70 SOS and that in and of itself will not be enough to over come the deficit that USC has on them. To over come the current deficit that USC holds they will likely need to be voted #2 in both polls and I seriously doubt that will occur.

[bleedblue]

Now as far as them even being mentioned to play against Florida in an SEC title game.. It wouldn't happen. Utah wouldn't be able to compete week in and week out against the quality of teams in the SEC.. Getting by a horrible Michigan team, struggling against Weber State, battling to the last play against Oregon State, and a 3 point dog fight against New Mexico should be enough to tell you that Utah isn't ready for the stretch of games they would face in the SEC and the quality that conference has from top to bottom. Thats a pipe dream at best.

Now, I like Utah as much as the next person and as I said I am very impressed with what they did to the #2 SEC team, but lets keep it all in perspective.. Its one game, one week, for one win. They do not face that on a weekly basis.

Oh give me a break. You act as if every single SEC team is Top 25... SEC was no gauntlet this year. Auburn, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Tennessee, were not good teams by any means. Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Kentucky were also not very good.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

OK, we'll rightfully throw Michigan out because they dropped out of the poll after losing to Utah and never returned.

Four ranked teams:

Alabama
TCU
Brigham Young
Oregon State

That Oregon State team that Utah beat, also beat USC.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

Their is no reason to believe that Utah won't beat out USC for Number 3...and get a No. 2 spot if UT loses.

They did go undefeated...and beat Alabama in a bad way. i don't care for the "Bama didn't get up for this game excuse..." If they couldn't get up for this, they couldn't get up for anything.

I agree! It shouldn't have taken much, especially with what was at stake, for the Crimson Tide to get up for this game. Alot of people harped on the fact that Utah played in a "weak conference", and this was 'Bama's chance to..."put Utah in their place".

[ATownTexan]

I agree! It shouldn't have taken much, especially with what was at stake, for the Crimson Tide to get up for this game. Alot of people harped on the fact that Utah played in a "weak conference", and this was 'Bama's chance to..."put Utah in their place".

What exactly was 'at stake' from BAMA's perspective (not taking anything away what Utah did)? They were 'supposed' to win ... so winning the game proves what? BAMA had 3-4 other opportunities to make statements during the year and did. Personally looking at the expectations at the beginning of the year it's been a successful year ... a bitter pill to swallow at the end but a successful year nonetheless. Hell .... look at how the Cowboys folded against the Eagles with their Playoff destiny in their own hands. They are 'supposed' to be professionals .... here we're talking about 19-20 year old kids in their 1st 'big time' bowl in almost 10 years. No excuses ... they should have been focused and performed better. However I'm not going to judge that team nor the season by 1 quarter of football.

[cajun]

What exactly was 'at stake' from BAMA's perspective (not taking anything away what Utah did)? They were 'supposed' to win ... so winning the game proves what? BAMA had 3-4 other opportunities to make statements during the year and did. Personally looking at the expectations at the beginning of the year it's been a successful year ... a bitter pill to swallow at the end but a successful year nonetheless. Hell .... look at how the Cowboys folded against the Eagles with their Playoff destiny in their own hands. They are 'supposed' to be professionals .... here we're talking about 19-20 year old kids in their 1st 'big time' bowl in almost 10 years. No excuses ... they should have been focused and performed better. However I'm not going to judge that team nor the season by 1 quarter of football.

I would take thee Gumps 10 out of 10 times against Utah (with no problem) and win 9 of them...

[cajun]

Oh give me a break. You act as if every single SEC team is Top 25... SEC was no gauntlet this year. Auburn, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Tennessee, were not good teams by any means. Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Kentucky were also not very good.

That's all easy to say looking at it from the outside looking in...Until, you deal with the grind every week you don't have a clue...

[SLC]

Oh give me a break. You act as if every single SEC team is Top 25... SEC was no gauntlet this year. Auburn, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Tennessee, were not good teams by any means. Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Kentucky were also not very good.

I'm not acting as if anything.. I can only tell you that Bama played the #58 ranked schedule and Utah played the #70 ranked schedule.. You take from it what you want to.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

What exactly was 'at stake' from BAMA's perspective (not taking anything away what Utah did)? They were 'supposed' to win ... so winning the game proves what? BAMA had 3-4 other opportunities to make statements during the year and did. Personally looking at the expectations at the beginning of the year it's been a successful year ... a bitter pill to swallow at the end but a successful year nonetheless. Hell .... look at how the Cowboys folded against the Eagles with their Playoff destiny in their own hands. They are 'supposed' to be professionals .... here we're talking about 19-20 year old kids in their 1st 'big time' bowl in almost 10 years. No excuses ... they should have been focused and performed better. However I'm not going to judge that team nor the season by 1 quarter of football.

What was at stake, was that they were suppose to beat an "inferior" team that played in a weak conference and, as I said earlier, "put them in their place". I understand that 'Bama made statements during the year, but, nobody wants to lose a BCS bowl game to a non-BCS team. That's just my opinion!

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

I would take thee Gumps 10 out of 10 times against Utah (with no problem) and win 9 of them...

Cajun, that very well could happen. But, that's why they play the games. 'Bama had success this year, and I believe that they could be very tough next year as well.

[cajun]

Cajun, that very well could happen. But, that's why they play the games. 'Bama had success this year, and I believe that they could be very tough next year as well.

That's true..Gotta play it...

I believe the Gumps will be pretty solid next year...Not sure who their QB will be though?...Might be the Texas kid....

[cajun]

What was at stake, was that they were suppose to beat an "inferior" team that played in a weak conference and, as I said earlier, "put them in their place". I understand that 'Bama made statements during the year, but, nobody wants to lose a BCS bowl game to a non-BCS team. That's just my opinion!

Damn Gumps!

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

That's true..Gotta play it...

I believe the Gumps will be pretty solid next year...Not sure who their QB will be though?...Might be the Texas kid....

No doubt! I'd love to see McElroy win the job...as long as he's ready.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

Damn Gumps!

:laugh

[ATownTexan]

What was at stake, was that they were suppose to beat an "inferior" team that played in a weak conference and, as I said earlier, "put them in their place". I understand that 'Bama made statements during the year, but, nobody wants to lose a BCS bowl game to a non-BCS team. That's just my opinion!

True .... it's you're opinion which you are entitled to. I have no problems with that and I agree that it was embarassing they way we performed in the 1st qtr. I just believe that if BAMA wins they gain very little if anything and Utah looses very little. Utah would still be a solid 1 loss team that people would say isn't ready for the big stage. Even with Utah's win do you really believe they are ready to compete for a conference Championship in a BCS conference (one that HAS a conference championship game)? Do you think due to this loss that BAMA has NO shot at winning the SEC West next year?

At this point I'd bet that BAMA will have another chance to prove their worth in a BCS bowl in the next year or two. Hopefully they'll use this experience of what can happen when you don't show up to play and just 'expect' to win.

[Firebird]

True .... it's you're opinion which you are entitled to. I have no problems with that and I agree that it was embarassing they way we performed in the 1st qtr. I just believe that if BAMA wins they gain very little if anything and Utah looses very little. Utah would still be a solid 1 loss team that people would say isn't ready for the big stage. Even with Utah's win do you really believe they are ready to compete for a conference Championship in a BCS conference (one that HAS a conference championship game)? Do you think due to this loss that BAMA has NO shot at winning the SEC West next year?

At this point I'd bet that BAMA will have another chance to prove their worth in a BCS bowl in the next year or two. Hopefully they'll use this experience of what can happen when you don't show up to play and just 'expect' to win.

I expect 'Bama to be a frontfunner for the SEC west, indeed the whole SEC next year. If they can find a QB and if Saban will open up their offense a little bit, I would expect the Tide to be in the thick of the national title race next year. This was a young two loss team and Saban's recruiting class will make even more of an impact this year.

That being said, the Utes played Alabama at least as well as anyone in the SEC. Hence the win. Had they played in the SEC West, they would have been a strong challenger for the division crown. Had they played in the Big XII, they would have been in the race for either division and probably would have won the North. Utah is a very good team.

[ATownTexan]

I expect 'Bama to be a frontfunner for the SEC west, indeed the whole SEC next year. If they can find a QB and if Saban will open up their offense a little bit, I would expect the Tide to be in the thick of the national title race next year. This was a young two loss team and Saban's recruiting class will make even more of an impact this year.

That being said, the Utes played Alabama at least as well as anyone in the SEC. Hence the win. Had they played in the SEC West, they would have been a strong challenger for the division crown. Had they played in the Big XII, they would have been in the race for either division and probably would have won the North. Utah is a very good team.

I think Utah did a lot of things early on that gave the TIDE trouble. I also think the TIDE did a lot of things early on that hurt themselves (including loosing their 2nd offensive lineman). Utah having the 'me against the world' attitude after hearing they had no chance plus BAMA drinking their own 'kool-aid' was a bad combination. I don't think this happens week in and week out in the SEC or the Big XII. So I see them having some success but not a major player challenging for a conference crown. Even if they had won the Big XII North they probably would have taken some hits along they way depending on who they played from the South.

[cajun]

That being said, the Utes played Alabama at least as well as anyone in the SEC. Hence the win. Had they played in the SEC West, they would have been a strong challenger for the division crown. .

Using your logic Vandy probably would have won the ACC or close to it being they beat Boston College...At least challenge...:cool:

Utah playing an SEC schedule = suicide

Alot easier resting 30 days and catching a team that was alittle flat after losing the SEC Title and a shot at a national title...

[Firebird]

Using your logic Vandy probably would have won the ACC or close to it being they beat Boston College...At least challenge...:cool:

Utah playing an SEC schedule = suicide

Alot easier resting 30 days and catching a team that was alittle flat after losing the SEC Title and a shot at a national title...

Keep telling yourself that. Utah beat some good teams along the way to the Sugar Bowl. The SEC west wasn't much to write home about this year.

[BlakeJ]

Utah should have been in the title game...as should have Boise St. a couple years back. The BCS is getting old and honestly does not work unless you're a champion of the SEC, Big Twelve, and Big Ten. Every once in awhile USC's tricks the computer as well.

[cajun]

Keep telling yourself that. Utah beat some good teams along the way to the Sugar Bowl. The SEC west wasn't much to write home about this year.

Keep telling yourself that Alabama was as pumped and ready to play Utah as they were Florida in the SEC Title game...

Ole Miss crushed the pass happy Texas Tech..
LSU crushed the run happy Georgia Tech..

Put that in your letter...:rolleyes:

Maybe the Techs will figure it one day..(lol)

[Firebird]

I'm not acting as if anything.. I can only tell you that Bama played the #58 ranked schedule and Utah played the #70 ranked schedule.. You take from it what you want to.

That's really not much of a difference. What is the w-l difference? Relative rankings mean little as fractions can make a difference. 12 spots isn't that big of a deal.

[Firebird]

Keep telling yourself that Alabama was as pumped and ready to play Utah as they were Florida in the SEC Title game...

Ole Miss crushed the pass happy Texas Tech..
LSU crushed the run happy Georgia Tech..

Put that in your letter...:rolleyes:

Maybe the Techs will figure it one day..(lol)

Keep telling yourself that TTU was as pumped to play Ole Miss at the Cotton Bowl as they were to play Texas....One loss team that should have gotten a BCS slot instead got to play a 4 loss team. Tech just wasn't feeling it that day...plus Crab wasn't 100%....

Funny how you can use that excuse any time a team from your conference loses a game they should have won....:rolleyes:

[cajun]

Keep telling yourself that TTU was as pumped to play Ole Miss at the Cotton Bowl as they were to play Texas....One loss team that should have gotten a BCS slot instead got to play a 4 loss team. Tech just wasn't feeling it that day...plus Crab wasn't 100%....

Funny how you can use that excuse any time a team from your conference loses a game they should have won....:rolleyes:

That's the point...Bama lost a game they shouldn't have...Can't say that honestly about Texas Tech...

Ole Miss > Utah

[ATownTexan]

Utah should have been in the title game...as should have Boise St. a couple years back. The BCS is getting old and honestly does not work unless you're a champion of the SEC, Big Twelve, and Big Ten. Every once in awhile USC's tricks the computer as well.

I don't necessarily disagree with you as they were the only undefeated team, however, let's look at the 'full body of work' :D I now despise that phrase!! The BCS is about $$$ and who's hot. It would be a marketing nightmare and ratings suicide to put a Boise St. or Utah in the title game. You would have to also consider strength of schedule as simply going undefeated would not be enough if you didn't play anyone. I'm not referring to Boise St. or Utah specifically but just saying if your goal was simply to go undefeated and you're in a conference with a Conference Championship Game, what do you think the OOC games would look like. Answer has always been a playoff of some sort.

[ATownTexan]

Keep telling yourself that TTU was as pumped to play Ole Miss at the Cotton Bowl as they were to play Texas....One loss team that should have gotten a BCS slot instead got to play a 4 loss team. Tech just wasn't feeling it that day...plus Crab wasn't 100%....

Funny how you can use that excuse any time a team from your conference loses a game they should have won....:rolleyes:

I think we're basically saying the same thing. However I'm not ready to say Ole Miss would have challenged for or tied for the Big XII South title simply because they beat Tech.

[cajun]

Consider the Utes....#1 team in the nation and SEC West challengers...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=283060167

[Firebird]

You SEC folks are ludicrous....any SEC win is touted as proof of SEC superiority, any loss is dismissed as the SEC team not being excited to play against a team that isn't "worthy."

Whatever. The one thing for certain is that the MWC champ beat the tar out of the SEC West Champ in a virtual home game for the SEC team. An SEC West team that should have been happy and pumped for ANY BCS bowl considering their recent history. Period.

[cajun]

You SEC folks are ludicrous....any SEC win is touted as proof of SEC superiority, any loss is dismissed as the SEC team not being excited to play against a team that isn't "worthy."

Whatever. The one thing for certain is that the MWC champ beat the tar out of the SEC West Champ in a virtual home game for the SEC team. An SEC West team that should have been happy and pumped for ANY BCS bowl considering their recent history. Period.

Yep, Utah won the game...

And, playing Utah is right up there with battling Florida in the SEC Title game...But, you are right...

Utah is just Superior...End of story...Consider the Utes...:rolleyes:

[Firebird]

Yep, Utah won the game...

And, playing Utah is right up there with battling Florida in the SEC Title game...But, you are right...

Utah is just Superior...End of story...Consider the Utes...:rolleyes:

Utah is better than the SEC West champ. They proved it on the field. Isn't that what you PO people like to drone on and on about?

But of course....if SEC wins....they're better....they lose...they just didn't care to make the effort that day. Gonna have to rename the SEC the Randy Moss Conference...guess SEC just plays when they want to play.:rolleyes:

[cajun]

SEC just plays when they want to play.:rolleyes:

You will see that on the 8th...:cool:

[Firebird]

You will see that on the 8th...:cool:

We'll see if the RMC (Randy Moss Conference) Champ feels like playing that day.....:rolleyes:

[ATownTexan]

You SEC folks are ludicrous....any SEC win is touted as proof of SEC superiority, any loss is dismissed as the SEC team not being excited to play against a team that isn't "worthy."

Whatever. The one thing for certain is that the MWC champ beat the tar out of the SEC West Champ in a virtual home game for the SEC team. An SEC West team that should have been happy and pumped for ANY BCS bowl considering their recent history. Period.

Well .... I for one don't remember coming on here saying that the SEC was 'superior' after any win. For the most part I've seen just the opposite ... the SEC was down and that BAMA specifically would be 'lucky' to finish 4th or 5th in the Big XII South. Utah won the game but I beg to differ that they beat the 'tar' out of the SEC West Champ. I can disagree with you on this matter without having to call you ludicrous.

[cajun]

We'll see if the RMC (Randy Moss Conference) Champ feels like playing that day.....:rolleyes:

How can you not get up for the Oklahoma Sooners?...Especially since one of their kids called Tebow out...

It won't be pretty Bird..(lol)

[BDB]

Well .... I for one don't remember coming on here saying that the SEC was 'superior' after any win. For the most part I've seen just the opposite ... the SEC was down and that BAMA specifically would be 'lucky' to finish 4th or 5th in the Big XII South. Utah won the game but I beg to differ that they beat the 'tar' out of the SEC West Champ. I can disagree with you on this matter without having to call you ludicrous.

"big daddy" thread has all the evidence for other sec posters here.

[cajun]

. I can disagree with you on this matter without having to call you ludicrous.

He was talking about me...:D

Damn Gumps...

[ATownTexan]

"big daddy" thread has all the evidence for other sec posters here.

Yeah ... I'm aware of the thread. It's just irritating some times when people stereotype an entire group of people. I understand that many times it's all fun and games in the end but it's hard to tell one's intentions over the 'net. Most of the time I try to give credit when credit is due and avoid to purposely try and ruffle feathers. I actually stated in another thread if BAMA didn't come to play they had a good chance of losing this game. Unfortunately this was the case. :mad:

[BDB]

Yeah ... I'm aware of the thread. It's just irritating some times when people stereotype an entire group of people. I understand that many times it's all fun and games in the end but it's hard to tell one's intentions over the 'net. Most of the time I try to give credit when credit is due and avoid to purposely try and ruffle feathers. I actually stated in another thread if BAMA didn't come to play they had a good chance of losing this game. Unfortunately this was the case. :mad:

pretty much the sec resentment right now is with cajun and pinion (funny that they're both from lousyana) with a bit of the big peach (tosu sucks, homie).

[ATownTexan]

pretty much the sec resentment right now is with cajun and pinion (funny that they're both from lousyana) with a bit of the big peach (tosu sucks, homie).

Ah .... carry on! :)

[bleedblue]

I have to admit I am having a fun time watching Texas & other fans kick and scream and whine about Utah's schedule.

Come on. You all act as if every team on Texas's schedule is better than anyone Utah played, and that every team in the Big 12 is a Top 25 worthy team. Yeah, Texas A&M, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas State, Iowa State are really tough teams that are part of a tough week-in-week-out gauntlet. Add in the fact that Texas played a pretty poor non-conference schedule as well.

[SLC]

That's really not much of a difference. What is the w-l difference? Relative rankings mean little as fractions can make a difference. 12 spots isn't that big of a deal.

Apparently its the difference in being #1 and being at best #3.. If Bama with their schedule being what it is #58, was undefeated they would be #1.

[Matthew 2000 Eagle]

True .... it's you're opinion which you are entitled to. I have no problems with that and I agree that it was embarassing they way we performed in the 1st qtr. I just believe that if BAMA wins they gain very little if anything and Utah looses very little. Utah would still be a solid 1 loss team that people would say isn't ready for the big stage. Even with Utah's win do you really believe they are ready to compete for a conference Championship in a BCS conference (one that HAS a conference championship game)? Do you think due to this loss that BAMA has NO shot at winning the SEC West next year?

At this point I'd bet that BAMA will have another chance to prove their worth in a BCS bowl in the next year or two. Hopefully they'll use this experience of what can happen when you don't show up to play and just 'expect' to win.

I see where you're coming from! As far as I'm concerned, 'Bama will be tough next year, and I believe that they have a great shot at winning the SEC West next year. As for Utah being ready to compete for a conference championship in a BCS conference, I'm honestly not sure. They MIGHT be ready but, then again, they might not. Now, I think this year's Utah team could've competed for one. I'm just not sure if they can do it CONSISTENTLY on a yearly basis.

[stevefoxsc]

Yep, Utah won the game...

And, playing Utah is right up there with battling Florida in the SEC Title game...But, you are right...

Utah is just Superior...End of story...Consider the Utes...:rolleyes:

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3797/secisgarbagevl8.png
even your own tigers agree.


Bama lost, if you want to prove your national material when you're not in the big game. Prove you deserve it by playing like it.

Signed 2004 Utah 2006 Boise 2008 Utah

[svhorns]

I'll consider the Utes when me shi.t turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet.