Question: Should AP rank Utah #1?

[TRU]

"Sarcastic voice on"

Heck no. Only a team from the BCS can ever be permitted win the MNC game. Everyone else must be kept out in the cold. If we recognized that a team from a non-BCS conference might actually be the best in the nation, it would open the door to the possibility that this might happen more than once. And that would mean admitting that the non-BCS conferences are actually competitive. This would lead eventually to a playoff of some sort. And if that happened, the ADs of the BCS schools could no longer keep all of the revenues from the MNC to themselves. And that would be tragic. It would be a fair system. We, as fans of a BCS school, cannot support anything that might result in a system where our greedy fat cats actually are compelled to share with the have nots.

It's all about protecting the money pile. We MUST protect their stash!

Normal voice returns.

 

[BAMARICH]

Utah has regularly been told they couldn't or won't beat (insert team). A Pete Carroll coached and Carson Palmer lead USC team is in our wake. Who knows if Texas would be if they hadn't backed out of the home and home contract we had with them. I guess playing us would be too risky to their title hopes so they cancelled, I believe that would have started this year but I could be off on my dates.

A week ago many felt 'Bama would have little trouble dispatching the Utes. Even with Andre's departure there wasn't much concern from most who were talking. Anyone saying Utah was going to win "obviously had distorted glasses on." That's why we play the game.

To the second point of yours that I quoted... did you really just use the PAC-1 to make your point? Did you watch college football outside of the SEC this year?

Point taken on your first paragraph... but disagree completely on the next two. Many people were very concerned after the Smith debacle, knowing what his absence would mean in terms of ball control and OL stability. I was not a fan who believed we were unbeatable going into the game. In fact, I suspected we could be ripe for the picking depending on the confidence of our guys prior to hitting the field that night.

And, yes, the Pac 10 is stronger IMO than the MWC. Compare every team in both conferences together and you might find the top couple would rate well together... but it doesn't translate down throughout the entire league on the year-to-year basis (maybe in certain years).

Again, I'm not belittling Utah's accomplishments... but beating Alabama doesn't automatically mean that this team should be #1 because Bama didn't end up being one of the top five teams in the country this year (good argument that they should be a top ten team). Nor, IMO, should a 13-0 record mean that... because strength of schedule means a lot. As you've mentioned in some other threads, Utah's on the right path to earning that type of respect... but playing in the MWC right now puts obstacles into getting their name in the brightest of CFB lights.

 

[Bamabuster]

no. they did not beat Bama at full strength. IMO Florida is the number 1 team and will prove it Thursday

The Utes beat Bama without their full strength either...starting DT Fotu didn't play and was replaced by Guison (who had two sacks). All I heard about the Sugar Bowl before the game was how Alabama had superior size and speed...all I saw was Utah having the superior athletes. Consider how much Terrence Cody spent on the playing field--wasn't that guy supposed to be a stud? Sorry, but Utah was the superior football team all the way around...and no lame excuses from any Alabama fan can convince me otherwise.

It's funny to see all the Bama fans making excuses...we all know what excuses are like don't we? IMO Florida will NEVER prove itself to be the number one team in the country even if they win because they haven't played some of the best teams--Utah, USC, and Texas to name a few. That's the whole problem with college football--so-called experts (like those idiots who actually thought Bama would beat Utah), computer ranking systems, and biased coaches end up determining national champions...not the teams on the football field.

Just a quick question on all you who believe that the MWC is not worthy of a national champion. How many games from the MWC have you watched this year? How many teams have you seen play? IMO three MWC teams would have beaten or played Alabama tough....and all three of those teams would have fared just fine in the SEC. Your league is way overrated...not quite as bad as the ACC, the Big East, or the Big 10, but overrated just the same.

 

[BamaBoy3684]

From the SOS rankings on CBS Sports AFTER the bowls thus far, Utah's schedule is ranked #57 while Bama's is #63.

I'm not so sure that SOS can be held against Utah this year. You do have to give Utah credit for scheduling Michigan and Oregon State.

The Utah win over Michigan may have sent them in a tailspin the way the Bama win over Clemson did to Clemson. I am convinced Clemson would have won the ACC if they had not lost to Bama. I would feel bad about speculating on that but there is PLENTY of speculating going on in this thread.

Truth is I believe Utah could stand its ground and could possibly beat anybody in America. That, with a 13-0 record and no playoff for me means Utah is #1.

 

[NYBamaFan]

...IMO three MWC teams would have beaten or played Alabama tough....and all three of those teams would have fared just fine in the SEC. Your league is way overrated...not quite as bad as the ACC, the Big East, or the Big 10, but overrated just the same.

With Andre, no MWC team would likely beat Bama. But, when the loss of a single player kills your team, you cannot label yourself as being great. Without Andre, we would also struggle with TCU, but would likely still beat BYU.

This year, the SEC was over-rated. Of that, I have no doubt. But most years the SEC is just head and shoulders better than the rest of college football.

I think that Utah deserves more credit than they have/will receive this year. The SEC and Big 12 are both over-rated this year, and the other conferences are a joke, so why not crown them? JMHO...

 

[BamaBoy3684]

Just a quick question on all you who believe that the MWC is not worthy of a national champion. How many games from the MWC have you watched this year? How many teams have you seen play? IMO three MWC teams would have beaten or played Alabama tough....and all three of those teams would have fared just fine in the SEC. Your league is way overrated...not quite as bad as the ACC, the Big East, or the Big 10, but overrated just the same.

I'm assuming you are referring to Utah, TCU, and BYU.

THIS year, yes, those 3 would have fared well in the SEC. I think Bama could have beaten all 3, but I think all 3 are capable of beating Bama. That being said, none of the 3 would have won the conference or finished with less than 2 losses. I have respect for the MWC, but without the big three the other teams are not as physical as the SEC. That's not perception, that is reality.

I watched a fair amount of MWC games this year including the big 3 playing each other. I was impressed and believed that they are good.

While I believe the big 3 could have beaten most any SEC school, I also believe that the mid SEC teams (So.Carolina, Vandy, Kentucky, Arkansas) could have beaten the big 3. I cannot say that for the other 6 teams in the MWC.

Truth is these 3 teams is really all the MWC has got IMO. I realize Wyoming upset Tennessee, I'm not saying the other 6 aren't capable, but on a consistent basis they are not the same as the mid SEC schools. This is the difference between our conferences.

 

[beb4bama]

I vote YES. They are the only undefeated team in Div-I-A and are very deserving. They earned my respect and I'll bet Nick Saban would say the same thing.

Did you see how well the Utes played against BAMA? Andre does not play defense and Utah knocked our defense back on it heels and it was 2nd quarter before we recovered.

 

[trenda]

Just a quick question on all you who believe that the MWC is not worthy of a national champion. How many games from the MWC have you watched this year? How many teams have you seen play? IMO three MWC teams would have beaten or played Alabama tough....and all three of those teams would have fared just fine in the SEC. Your league is way overrated...not quite as bad as the ACC, the Big East, or the Big 10, but overrated just the same.

I would question how many games you've seen outside the MWC ... (I don't really want to know because I don't care). The SEC was definitely down this year - but not nearly as overrated as you seem to think. Take this year's bowl games:

The SEC is 5-2 with one game to go.
Unranked LSU beat #14 Ga Tech by 31 points.
#16 Georgia beat #19 Michigan State by 12.
#20 Ole Miss beat #8 Texas Tech by 13.
#4 Bama lost to #7 Utah by 14.

If Florida beats Oklahoma for the national title, the SEC will be 6-2 in bowl games with four of the wins coming against ranked teams and one of the losses to a top ten ranked team that finished undefeated and thinks it deserves to be national champion. On top of that, it would be the third consecutive national championship for the SEC.

Way overrated? You might want to rethink that. The difference between the SEC and the MWC is just as you noted. Three teams from the MWC could have beaten or given a good game to Alabama. And this is not slighting Utah in the least, but IMO, probably 9 of the teams from the SEC could do the same with Utah. I write this with all due respect; but that's the reality of the depth of the SEC.

 

[NYBamaFan]

...Three teams from the MWC could have beaten or given a good game to Alabama. And this is not slighting Utah in the least, but IMO, probably 9 of the teams from the SEC could do the same with Utah...

This year? Probably only 5 (Bama, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss & LSU)

Most years you could add Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina & Arkansas to that list.

Miss State, Vandy & Kentucky are our whipping boys. 2 of them won bowl games this year... :biggrin2:

 

[Bamabuster]

I would question how many games you've seen outside the MWC ... (I don't really want to know because I don't care). The SEC was definitely down this year - but not nearly as overrated as you seem to think. Take this year's bowl games:

The SEC is 5-2 with one game to go.
Unranked LSU beat #14 Ga Tech by 31 points.
#16 Georgia beat #19 Michigan State by 12.
#20 Ole Miss beat #8 Texas Tech by 13.
#4 Bama lost to #7 Utah by 14.

If Florida beats Oklahoma for the national title, the SEC will be 6-2 in bowl games with four of the wins coming against ranked teams and one of the losses to a top ten ranked team that finished undefeated and thinks it deserves to be national champion. On top of that, it would be the third consecutive national championship for the SEC.

Way overrated? You might want to rethink that. The difference between the SEC and the MWC is just as you noted. Three teams from the MWC could have beaten or given a good game to Alabama. And this is not slighting Utah in the least, but IMO, probably 9 of the teams from the SEC could do the same with Utah. I write this with all due respect; but that's the reality of the depth of the SEC.

1) I have seen multiple games by SEC teams...in case you didn't know, the SEC is televised regularly on a national basis. The MWC, on the other hand, has its own TV network and doesn't allow the ESPNs, ABCs, Fox networks, CBSs, or NBCs the television rights to telecast their games. So, many people--even in Utah--can't watch the MWC games...but virtually everyone has some access to SEC games.

2) The SEC is also 0-2 versus the MWC this year...

3) The SEC has won three consecutive national championships based on opinion polls, computer ranking systems, and a flawed BCS. Besides, championships should be based on what teams have done this year...not in the past.

4) The opinion of some is that the middle teams in the MWC couldn't beat the middle teams in the SEC...however that is just an opinion. My opinion is that the middle teams in the MWC would have done just fine against the Kentuckys, Vandys, or South Carolinas. I think the MWC's lowly Wyoming--who finished 1-7 in the MWC--and their win against an SEC team--Tennessee--who finished 3-5 in conference play is good evidence.

5) Utah should be number 1. Nobody has beaten them...and their schedule was tougher than many teams from BCS conferences who would have been number one with the same schedule.

 

[BamaBoy3684]

1) 5) Utah should be number 1. Nobody has beaten them...and their schedule was tougher than many teams from BCS conferences who would have been number one with the same schedule.

This to me is the bottom line.

 

[NYBamaFan]

This to me is the bottom line.

And it is a really valid argument...

 

[RammaJamma10]

I would question how many games you've seen outside the MWC ... (I don't really want to know because I don't care). The SEC was definitely down this year - but not nearly as overrated as you seem to think. Take this year's bowl games:

The SEC is 5-2 with one game to go.
Unranked LSU beat #14 Ga Tech by 31 points.
#16 Georgia beat #19 Michigan State by 12.
#20 Ole Miss beat #8 Texas Tech by 13.
#4 Bama lost to #7 Utah by 14.

If Florida beats Oklahoma for the national title, the SEC will be 6-2 in bowl games with four of the wins coming against ranked teams and one of the losses to a top ten ranked team that finished undefeated and thinks it deserves to be national champion. On top of that, it would be the third consecutive national championship for the SEC.

Way overrated? You might want to rethink that. The difference between the SEC and the MWC is just as you noted. Three teams from the MWC could have beaten or given a good game to Alabama. And this is not slighting Utah in the least, but IMO, probably 9 of the teams from the SEC could do the same with Utah. I write this with all due respect; but that's the reality of the depth of the SEC.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[Bamafan78]

I can tell that some Ute fans have never heard of the old saying "act like you've been there before!". I guess its because they haven't! This one game was their season, and they refuse to accept that Alabama didn't take it serious. I wish Alabama would have, but they didn't.

 

[allybama2009]

Its not going to happen. I can see them finishing #3 or #4 behind the winner of the NC game, texas, and USC.

 

[rizolltizide]

The Utes beat Bama without their full strength either...starting DT Fotu didn't play and was replaced by Guison (who had two sacks). All I heard about the Sugar Bowl before the game was how Alabama had superior size and speed...all I saw was Utah having the superior athletes. Consider how much Terrence Cody spent on the playing field--wasn't that guy supposed to be a stud? Sorry, but Utah was the superior football team all the way around...and no lame excuses from any Alabama fan can convince me otherwise.

It's funny to see all the Bama fans making excuses...we all know what excuses are like don't we? IMO Florida will NEVER prove itself to be the number one team in the country even if they win because they haven't played some of the best teams--Utah, USC, and Texas to name a few. That's the whole problem with college football--so-called experts (like those idiots who actually thought Bama would beat Utah), computer ranking systems, and biased coaches end up determining national champions...not the teams on the football field.

Just a quick question on all you who believe that the MWC is not worthy of a national champion. How many games from the MWC have you watched this year? How many teams have you seen play? IMO three MWC teams would have beaten or played Alabama tough....and all three of those teams would have fared just fine in the SEC. Your league is way overrated...not quite as bad as the ACC, the Big East, or the Big 10, but overrated just the same.

Buster Brown,
You caught us on one of the "any given day" scenarios. The Mountain West is a joke. Always will be.

 

[rizolltizide]

1) I have seen multiple games by SEC teams...in case you didn't know, the SEC is televised regularly on a national basis. The MWC, on the other hand, has its own TV network and doesn't allow the ESPNs, ABCs, Fox networks, CBSs, or NBCs the television rights to telecast their games. So, many people--even in Utah--can't watch the MWC games...but virtually everyone has some access to SEC games.

2) The SEC is also 0-2 versus the MWC this year...

3) The SEC has won three consecutive national championships based on opinion polls, computer ranking systems, and a flawed BCS. Besides, championships should be based on what teams have done this year...not in the past.

4) The opinion of some is that the middle teams in the MWC couldn't beat the middle teams in the SEC...however that is just an opinion. My opinion is that the middle teams in the MWC would have done just fine against the Kentuckys, Vandys, or South Carolinas. I think the MWC's lowly Wyoming--who finished 1-7 in the MWC--and their win against an SEC team--Tennessee--who finished 3-5 in conference play is good evidence.

5) Utah should be number 1. Nobody has beaten them...and their schedule was tougher than many teams from BCS conferences who would have been number one with the same schedule.

You might want to check your facts. I think it is more like you have to have your own network or otherwise no one would ever see those games. The rest of the country has no interest in you.

 

[Bamabuster]

Buster Brown,
You caught us on one of the "any given day" scenarios. The Mountain West is a joke. Always will be.

Yup...you are right. Utah would beat Bama on any given day...doesn't matter when, where, or who is or is not playing for the tide. Face the fact: Bama was beaten by a better team. A team that had a tougher schedule, and a team that should be number one!

The Mountain West is a joke? That's funny...that "joke"? Will have two top ten teams and beat the SEC in its only two contests...and on the road.

Check my facts? How many MTN West games did you see this year? 1? Utah's thumping of your beloved Alabama? I'll bet money that Utah is better than Bama next year too...

 

[Bamafan78]

Yup...you are right. Utah would beat Bama on any given day...doesn't matter when, where, or who is or is not playing for the tide. Face the fact: Bama was beaten by a better team. A team that had a tougher schedule, and a team that should be number one!

The Mountain West is a joke? That's funny...that "joke"? Will have two top ten teams and beat the SEC in its only two contests...and on the road.

Check my facts? How many MTN West games did you see this year? 1? Utah's thumping of your beloved Alabama? I'll bet money that Utah is better than Bama next year too...

I can tell that you have realized that Utah beating Alabama in a game that the Tide clearly didn't show up for proves absolutely nothing except Alabama took a night off. Thats the only thing that can explain why you feel the need to talk smack on our forum, and get yourself banned!

 

[bayoutider]

Yup...you are right. Utah would beat Bama on any given day...doesn't matter when, where, or who is or is not playing for the tide. Face the fact: Bama was beaten by a better team. A team that had a tougher schedule, and a team that should be number one!

The Mountain West is a joke? That's funny...that "joke"? Will have two top ten teams and beat the SEC in its only two contests...and on the road.

Check my facts? How many MTN West games did you see this year? 1? Utah's thumping of your beloved Alabama? I'll bet money that Utah is better than Bama next year too...

Guess you missed that part about tidefans.com not being a smack board. Just call me "Ute-Buster".