SU's lovefest with KWhitt

[Guest]

This game will not be remembered the same way BSU over OU is remembered. BSU vs OU is a historic game because of the way it ended, Utah vs Alabama was not dramatic at all. BSU vs OU is still the bench mark for non bcs team wins.

BSU was historic, but the Sugar Bowl win will be remembered in a different way...

This was an Alabama (12-2) team that carried the nation's No. 1 ranking for five weeks and was 15 minutes from playing for the BCS title. In '04, the Utes routed an overmatched, three-loss Pitt, and Boise State resorted to sandlot play-calling to stun Oklahoma in '06, but neither of those teams had faced a team from a conference that had so ardently believed itself to be head and shoulders above the rest of the BCS, let alone the mid-majors.

This is a different kind of respect than that of the past BCS busters; it's the kind that puts even more pressure on the powers that be to give mid-majors more than merely a seat at the BCS table, but a real shot at a national title, a chance Utah coach Kyle Whittingham believes his team shouldn't be denied.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...owl/index.html

[cougjunkie]

BSU was historic, but the Sugar Bowl win will be remembered in a different way...



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...owl/index.html

That is because it is recent. I have not seen a single thing about the Sugar bowl since Friday night/Saturday morning. Nothing Saturday night or all day today. BSU vs OU will be talked about for generations by CFB fans everywhere, Utah vs Bama by those familiar with the programs.

[SeattleUte]

BSU was historic, but the Sugar Bowl win will be remembered in a different way...



http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...owl/index.html

This is the quote I was referring to. This one is more like Namath and the Jets over the Colts in 1968.

[TripletDaddy]

Utah's domination on both sides of the ball in a hostile stadium of a team that was more respected by far than was Oklahoma in 2006-07 will be most remembered. As I read yesterday, Boise resorted to "sandlot tactics" to win. THAT game looked a bit like a fluke. Utah just creamed Alabama, a team stocked with five star recruits and NFLers, and with the highest paid coach in football who has an NC, that went 12-0 in the SEC regular season and played FL to the limit.

This brings me back to the AP discussion we had yesterday.

You had better hope that the media doesn't forget over the course of the week. They could drop Alabama like an overrated stone, thereby taking luster off the Utes' impressive win.

Remember, at the time SC beat Ohio State, everyone thought it was basically the NC game in September.

Losing your last 2 games in a row usually doesn't bode well for a Top 10 finish. Let's see where the Tide end up.

[SeattleUte]

This brings me back to the AP discussion we had yesterday.

You had better hope that the media doesn't forget over the course of the week. They could drop Alabama like an overrated stone, thereby taking luster off the Utes' impressive win.

Remember, at the time SC beat Ohio State, everyone thought it was basically the NC game in September.

Losing your last 2 games in a row usually doesn't bode well for a Top 10 finish. Let's see where the Tide end up.

That seems to come with the territory. You beat a highly ranked team and dang if they don't go and drop in the polls! I don't know the answer to that conundrum. It's not a problem BYU has had to tackle for a long time. I know it won't get any more votes for its moral victory over Wake, nor will Wake drop due to BYU's moral victory.

[Guest]

In fact, it will still likely be the second worst of the 5 in terms of TV ratings.

No doubt, but I'm not sure how ratings relate to the quality of the game.

On the note of ratings, they're not great across the board.

Rose had a 12.6 that's only up from the 12.0 last year with Illinois in the game. 12.6 is the third lowest Rose in the BCS era.

Orange had a 6.1. The lowest of any BCS game ever.

Sugar was up 12-15% over last year, IIRC.

[TripletDaddy]

No doubt, but I'm not sure how ratings relate to the quality of the game.

On the note of ratings, they're not great across the board.

Rose had a 12.6 that's only up from the 12.0 last year with Illinois in the game. 12.6 is the third lowest Rose in the BCS era.

Orange had a 6.1. The lowest of any BCS game ever.

Sugar was up 12-15% over last year, IIRC.

Nah, you're right. they don't really reflect the quality of the game. That was a kickbutt performance, even if nobody watched it.

My only point was that SU keeps trolling about this legend in the making, when in reality, many people didn't even see it. Years from now, here is how most people will see the game:

1. SEC fans: "that Sugar Bowl was a joke"
2. Utah fans: "that Sugar Bowl was the greatest of all time"
3. BCS haters: "that Sugar Bowl was more proof that we need a playoff"
4. BCS defenders: "see, the system works. the little guy was given a chance"
5. The majority of sports fans: "Who cares about the other 4 bcs bowls? Florida/Oklahoma won the title that year"

[il Padrino Ute]

Did you want to dispute the point that had you lost BJ to injury, you lose to both BYU and your bowl game? How is that different from Crowton '01?

Had the Utes lost BJ to injury, would the defense not have had 5 interceptions in the BYU game?

The only thing that matters is that Utah went 13-0 this year with Whittingham as coach. The Utes arguably lost more talent (and coaches) from the '04 team and while it didn't have a great year, Utah ended up having a solid season - and has improved each year under KW.

What happens next year remains to be seen. You're too intelligent to get caught up in the emotion of the rivalry.

[cougjunkie]

Had the Utes lost BJ to injury, would the defense not have had 5 interceptions against BYU?

What happens next year remains to be seen. You're too intelligent to get caught up in the emotion of the rivalry.

It changes the whole complexion of the game for one. BYU is most likely not trailing early and they dont have to play catch up.

oh wait, assuming Robert Anae is still the OC in this hypothetical, you are correct we still throw 50 times.

[il Padrino Ute]

It changes the whole complexion of the game for one. BYU is most likely not trailing early and they dont have to play catch up.

oh wait, assuming Robert Anae is still the OC in this hypothetical, you are correct we still throw 50 times.

My point is just that Utah's defense had a lot to do with the win against BYU. It just wasn't BJ.

[TripletDaddy]

Had the Utes lost BJ to injury, would the defense not have had 5 interceptions in the BYU game?

I am surprised you were sober enough to remember how many interceptions the Utes had in that game. You were lucky I told the cops I was going to drive you home.

[il Padrino Ute]

I am surprised you were sober enough to remember how many interceptions the Utes had in that game. You were lucky I told the cops I was going to drive you home.

You should be grateful that I stopped you from rushing the field after Unga's TD on the trick play with the direct snap.

[TripletDaddy]

You should be grateful that I stopped you from rushing the field after Unga's TD on the trick play with the direct snap.

I forgot about that play!

Kind of like the break in the clouds for 5 minutes during an all-day thunderstorm.

That was actually a nice play. What a novel idea....sticking with a ground attack when it is working. I should be an offensive coordinator.

[il Padrino Ute]

I forgot about that play!

Kind of like the break in the clouds for 5 minutes during an all-day thunderstorm.

That was actually a nice play. What a novel idea....sticking with a ground attack when it is working. I should be an offensive coordinator.

How could you forget it? It was only right in freaking front of us.

I have no complaints about Anae's play calling. He should be called as OC for life. I would sustain this.

[All-American]

The difference between what KW did this year and what Crowton or Mendenhall have done is like climing Everest vs. one of the Adirondakcs. I'm not trying to be an ass here. Seriously, it's a foolish comparison. Maybe Mendenhall will rise to that level, but he has a tall tall mountain still to climb.

You know, technically, he only climbed K2, the SECOND highest peak in the world.

Which is still neato. I mean, geez, how many people have climbed the second highest peak in the world?