From 2003 to 2008 Utah, had the #7 win percentage in the NCAA, behind #6 LSU, #5 Oklahoma, #4 Ohio State, #3 Texas, #2 Boise State, and #1 USC.... and ahead of #8 Georgia, #9 West Virginia, #10 TCU, #11 Florida, #12 VT, etc They have won seven straight bowl games over the last seven seasons: Bowl Record 2009 (10-3) -- W -- over Cal 2008 (13-0) -- W -- over Bama (also beat Michigan, Oregon State, BYU, and TCU) 2007 (9-4) -- W -- over Navy (also beat UCLA, and TCU) 2006 (8-5) -- W -- over Tulsa (also beat TCU) 2005 (7-5) -- W -- over Georgia Tech (also beat Arizona and BYU) 2004 (12-0) -- W -- over Pitt (also beat Texas A&M, Arizona, UNC, and BYU) 2003 (10-2) -- W -- over Southern Miss (also beat Oregon, Cal, BYU). Urban Meyer coached until 2004, when he was replaced by current coach Kyle Whittingham. Rice-Eccles Stadium Rice-Eccles Stadium Rice-Eccles Stadium 2/24/02 -- Olympic fireworks erupt over Rice-Eccles Stadium as part of the closing ceremonies.
They have won seven straight bowl games over the last seven seasons: Bowl Record 2009 (10-3) -- W -- over Cal 2008 (13-0) -- W -- over Bama (also beat Michigan, Oregon State, BYU, and TCU) 2007 (9-4) -- W -- over Navy (also beat UCLA, and TCU) 2006 (8-5) -- W -- over Tulsa (also beat TCU) 2005 (7-5) -- W -- over Georgia Tech (also beat Arizona and BYU) 2004 (12-0) -- W -- over Pitt (also beat Texas A&M, Arizona, UNC, and BYU) 2003 (10-2) -- W -- over Southern Miss (also beat Oregon, Cal, BYU). So this is my proposal, you got a big time football program, and you want in to the big dance. First get yourself in one of the big boy conferences, and when the teams you play in ONE season look a lot like your Bowl record the last seven years I am with you. Door number two: All these up and coming programs are undeniably good. Get them in one conference the pollsters can respect as legit through a 12 game schedule and conference championship game. These days that would include Boise State, TCU, BYU, Utah, and whoever can consistently make it.( Footnote: they don't want to go anywhere, would you? ) Otherwise, they are excellent football programs that cherry pick mid level BCS programs and then do damage in BCS bowls. They go through ridiculously easy teams as conference foes, as we continue to dance in this SEC landmine. Let's see some serious regular season conference attrition, and maybe TCU and others won't have to be undefeated to get to the big party.
The pollsters respect the Pac 10 and Big 10 and they do not meet your criteria. Maybe we cling to the past too much instead of recognizing a new reality.
I almost said it , so I will. Nothing fair about the pac 10, big 11, or big east, not playing a championship game. They clearly know the advantage they have by not playing. I don't mine a new reality, I want the same real for everyone.
Hard to say. Easier to get all up for one game. Could they do that week in and week out? Me don't know.
Bama was very overrated last year and the PAC none is overrated just about every year. Utah is a good team, but elite may be stretching it. Unfortunately there is no way to tell for sure until they start playing a schedule that matches up with some of the bigger conference schedules. It's easy to get up for one or two big games a year.
The sad thing is that those 3 have seats at the table where the big money lays down. It is less about who deserves to be at the table, but who already occupies the seats. As long as they control the game no one else will ever be described as a "Big Boy". And I doubt they will ever say let's spread the wealth out of the goodness of their heart.
Sounds a lot like that beauty contest we were discussing. Enjoy college football for what it is. The rest is all about money and greed. Being a good fan has little to do with either.
