🏈 Look...here is the reality regarding Utah and Alabama...

[Rick in New York]

Alabama has a rich and very impressive history in college athletics...a LONG and impressive history that includes national championships and consistent major performance on the athletic field or in the arena.

No one is questioning that. Alabama is one of the premier programs in the country. No kissing a$$ here.

Utah on the other hand has national championships and multiple Final Four appearances. Its gymnastics teams are always ranked in the top 4 and MANY national championships. Alabama also has a first rate gymnastics program. I could go on but both teams having winning histories.

Utah has been playing college football for around 100 years. It has had some excellent teams.

No one is questioning the difference of day in and day out competition. It is not about population...it is about location.

I for one am glad to see Utah play Alabama. It is actually one of the more interesting bowl games and definitely the second most interesting BCS matchups.

I read stuff coming from Salt Lake City and much of it is defensive, however much of it is regarding respect.
Respect for Alabama (yeah...it is not all about dogging you) and lack of respect for Utah.

What I read here is a lot about dismissing the Utes out of hand. You have a lot ammunition to use. Difference in competition... difference in history in football, legendary names (let's face it, it does not get any more legendary than Bear Bryant).

Yet, it is not only football that makes a great program. The quality and level of players has changed dramatically in the last 10 years. I do not care what DI A school you come from, if you do not have a real gift, you are not going to be play or even recruited.

Utah has had some really quick and amazing players. Steve Smith from the Carolina Panthers comes to mind.
Actually many NFL players from the last 10 years.

Utah also has had some really excellent coaching staffs.

The only way the football question will be answered
(on many levels) will be at the game. Not the website dialogs and not by imagining that one team is amazingly better or worse than the other.

I think this is going to be an interesting game...a very interesting game.

The only thing that I find strange on this board is that The PAC 10 is dissed...the Big 10 is dissed, The Big East is dissed, the Mountain West is dissed, the ACC is dissed...independents are dissed... and even the Big 12 is dissed. It is rare but there is always some fan that believes that no competitive team exists outside of the SEC.

There are a ton of good players on any competitive team. I will tell you right now that you have a much better argument than anyone in the Mountain West Conference does. However, any team that gets this far has to be good.

The only answer is an inclusive playoff. 8 teams and not 4. Lose a couple of bogus Southwest Louisiana or Northern Arizona games and give that time to 4/2/1 extra playoff games. Yeah schools would lose some revenue but the competition at the end would be furious and would leave no doubt.

 

[Guest]

The only thing that I find strange on this board is that The PAC 10 is dissed...the Big 10 is dissed, The Big East is dissed, the Mountain West is dissed, the ACC is dissed...independents are dissed... and even the Big 12 is dissed. It is rare but there is always some fan that believes that no competitive team exists outside of the SEC.

I've been here for a while and I haven't seen much of this. Maybe something here and there, but I haven't seen anyone say no competition exists outside the SEC. Maybe I'm just reading the wrong threads. :?

 

[reger60]

It's simple Ute fans:

Win the Sugar Bowl and you'll win some respect.

 

[Rick in New York]

It's simple Ute fans:

Win the Sugar Bowl and you'll win some respect.

There should be some respect there already BUT you are totally right. If Utah wins it would really mean something...hell, if they play it close it would mean something.

 

[Guest]

Utah on the other hand has national championships and multiple Final Four appearances. Its gymnastics teams are always ranked in the top 4 and MANY national championships. Alabama also has a first rate gymnastics program. I could go on but both teams having winning histories.

The University of Alabama has perhaps the greatest Debate team in College history, but I've NEVER heard that brought up as a defense for our football team, or any other team for that matter...because it is just as irrelevant and us having a solid gymnastics team, or softball team, or Utahs doing well in Basketball. To be frank, that was a horrible point.

As for respect (in FOOTBALL), that comes from doing consistently well with a respected schedule. For example Bama lost last year to Louisiana-Monroe, but beat the SEC east champ Tennessee badly, which resulted in no respect. This year despite having only one loss to Oregon State, USC was nearly a not consideration for the BCS NC game. Why, the sum total of their schedule was not respected enough.

That said, what is the opinion of Utah's schedule? Right or Wrong, Undefeated or not, is it feared or not. THAT is why UTAH does not get the respect it might very well deserve.

The good news is that they finally get a recognized and respected "statement game". Take care of this one game and you will get some love. Lose and you will have proven the assumptions upon which the lack of respect is based.

Until that happens, honestly, the Utah fan base could do itself a favor and stop crying about lack of respect. Bama has just as good of a record as both of the teams in the NC game, yet we are not crying about not playing. We had our shot, and failed...that's the game we play. Its the same game that 119 teams started playing in late August, and every team is earning what it gets.

I suppose this is where Ute fans will point out that if the beat Bama that they will have a better record than the BCS National Champ. Again, it comes down to the respect for the schedule played, lest we create a system where we encourage patsy schedules and punish those who attempt to prove that they are the best on the field of play over an entire season vice one final game (or with a short 8-team playoff).

I will say this, Utah limited its potential when it locked in its schedule. I hope that they already see that they must venture out to schedule "tougher" teams, because if they do not, magic season will forever be limited to Top-5 finishes. But the good news is that it is within Utah's power to begin that journey.

Aloha

 

[Guest]

Redundant redundancy.

Most of what I see posted on this board has to do with this year's Alabama team against this year's Utah team.

Most of us feel that Alabama is better - by a fair margin, based on this year. Comparing talent, performance on an individual basis, etc...Alabama is MUCH better....as in "5 Alabama players made All-American" better.

Nothing to do with years gone by. History. Coaches. Whatever you want to say.

Alabama is better NOW.

Some of us think Alabama is a LOT better and will stomp a proverbial mudhole in Utah, then walk it dry.

We are not disrespecting Utah's accomplishments or history or tradition... We just compare the two teams at this point in time and end up with Bama being 30 points better.

I hope it is a good game.

I think it will be a blowout.

 

[Guest]

Redundant redundancy.

Most of what I see posted on this board has to do with this year's Alabama team against this year's Utah team.

Most of us feel that Alabama is better - by a fair margin, based on this year. Comparing talent, performance on an individual basis, etc...Alabama is MUCH better....as in "5 Alabama players made All-American" better.

Nothing to do with years gone by. History. Coaches. Whatever you want to say.

Alabama is better NOW.

Some of us think Alabama is a LOT better and will stomp a proverbial mudhole in Utah, then walk it dry.

We are not disrespecting Utah's accomplishments or history or tradition... We just compare the two teams at this point in time and end up with Bama being 30 points better.

I hope it is a good game.

I think it will be a blowout.

SOme Of us are disrespecting Utah. I am not. I'm with
you B_F.I think it may turn out to be an absolute
murdering.

But on the other hand,Utah did play BYU(Who almost
lost to 0-12 Washington),Might be another Boise State.
Anyway you slice it,We won't get any respect even if
we destroy these guys.

104-0 would still keep us at #4. Now if Utah beats us
24-23 We fall to 25th and Utah moves up maybe to 5th.

This is going to be a messed up End of the Year. I
wish,hope,pray,That we Blank them 36-0 but... This
is an Undefeated team.It's hard to look past their
12-0 record for the year.

With this Being said,Utah better try to keep our
Defense on the Field.Oh wait...No they don't.

Utah has not seen this smashmouth kind of football
anytime this year.This will be the game that they go
back to Salt Lake with Ice packs and Tylenol sayin,
I don't want to play them again...EVER.

My final Prediction for the game is,Alabama will out
power the Utes in a good game.We will come out pissed
off about the Florida game.The Utes could be a bit
rusty,not playing in a Championship game for the
extra practice.After all They aren't in the Big12.
They're in the MOuntain West,With Texas Chrsitan,
Ang Brigham Young,and Whyoming,And,UNLV, and also
New Mexico...

I'm not being disrespectful,just a realist.

RTR

 

[ElephantStomp]

Amazing.......just amazing.

Utah has played good basketball and gymnastics.....WHAT IN THE BLUE HECK does this have to do with the Sugar Bowl??

Like what was already said......we are comparing THIS YEAR'S Alabama and Utah teams not back when Coach Bryant was here not when Ray Perkins was here not when Coach Stallings was here. We're talking about the Alabama team coached by Nick Saban and the Utah team coached by Willingham.

Simply put talent vs talent Alabama should wipe Utah all over the place and although I hope for the Utah fans' well being Utah plays it good fro awhile I however think it's going to be a blowout kind of like UGA and Hawaii.

All I've heard is the Utah fans demanding respect from Alabama and it's fans without doing anything other than beating the monster teams in the MWC and a beast of a Michigan team.

Like what has been said on here 2483754 times beat us and you'll get the respect you think you deserve.

 

[Outlaw]

Redundant redundancy.

Most of what I see posted on this board has to do with this year's Alabama team against this year's Utah team.

Most of us feel that Alabama is better - by a fair margin, based on this year. Comparing talent, performance on an individual basis, etc...Alabama is MUCH better....as in "5 Alabama players made All-American" better.

Nothing to do with years gone by. History. Coaches. Whatever you want to say.

Alabama is better NOW.

Some of us think Alabama is a LOT better and will stomp a proverbial mudhole in Utah, then walk it dry.

We are not disrespecting Utah's accomplishments or history or tradition... We just compare the two teams at this point in time and end up with Bama being 30 points better.

I hope it is a good game.

I think it will be a blowout.

SOme Of us are disrespecting Utah. I am not. I'm with
you B_F.I think it may turn out to be an absolute
murdering.

But on the other hand,Utah did play BYU(Who almost
lost to 0-12 Washington),Might be another Boise State.
Anyway you slice it,We won't get any respect even if
we destroy these guys.

104-0 would still keep us at #4. Now if Utah beats us
24-23 We fall to 25th and Utah moves up maybe to 5th.

This is going to be a messed up End of the Year. I
wish,hope,pray,That we Blank them 36-0 but... This
is an Undefeated team.It's hard to look past their
12-0 record for the year.

With this Being said,Utah better try to keep our
Defense on the Field.Oh wait...No they don't.

Utah has not seen this smashmouth kind of football
anytime this year.This will be the game that they go
back to Salt Lake with Ice packs and Tylenol sayin,
I don't want to play them again...EVER.

My final Prediction for the game is,Alabama will out
power the Utes in a good game.We will come out pissed
off about the Florida game.The Utes could be a bit
rusty,not playing in a Championship game for the
extra practice.After all They aren't in the Big12.
They're in the MOuntain West,With Texas Chrsitan,
Ang Brigham Young,and Whyoming,And,UNLV, and also
New Mexico...

I'm not being disrespectful,just a realist.

RTR

And we have Auburn, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Tennessee...

There are crappy teams in every conference. Shoot, not real sure why you're mentioning TCU and BYU though?

Then again, you are probably the biggest flip flopper this side of John Kerry.

 

[Guest]

Redundant redundancy.

Most of what I see posted on this board has to do with this year's Alabama team against this year's Utah team.

Most of us feel that Alabama is better - by a fair margin, based on this year. Comparing talent, performance on an individual basis, etc...Alabama is MUCH better....as in "5 Alabama players made All-American" better.

Nothing to do with years gone by. History. Coaches. Whatever you want to say.

Alabama is better NOW.

Some of us think Alabama is a LOT better and will stomp a proverbial mudhole in Utah, then walk it dry.

We are not disrespecting Utah's accomplishments or history or tradition... We just compare the two teams at this point in time and end up with Bama being 30 points better.

I hope it is a good game.

I think it will be a blowout.

SOme Of us are disrespecting Utah. I am not. I'm with
you B_F.I think it may turn out to be an absolute
murdering.

But on the other hand,Utah did play BYU(Who almost
lost to 0-12 Washington),Might be another Boise State.
Anyway you slice it,We won't get any respect even if
we destroy these guys.

104-0 would still keep us at #4. Now if Utah beats us
24-23 We fall to 25th and Utah moves up maybe to 5th.

This is going to be a messed up End of the Year. I
wish,hope,pray,That we Blank them 36-0 but... This
is an Undefeated team.It's hard to look past their
12-0 record for the year.

With this Being said,Utah better try to keep our
Defense on the Field.Oh wait...No they don't.

Utah has not seen this smashmouth kind of football
anytime this year.This will be the game that they go
back to Salt Lake with Ice packs and Tylenol sayin,
I don't want to play them again...EVER.

My final Prediction for the game is,Alabama will out
power the Utes in a good game.We will come out pissed
off about the Florida game.The Utes could be a bit
rusty,not playing in a Championship game for the
extra practice.After all They aren't in the Big12.
They're in the MOuntain West,With Texas Chrsitan,
Ang Brigham Young,and Whyoming,And,UNLV, and also
New Mexico...

I'm not being disrespectful,just a realist.

RTR

And we have Auburn, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Tennessee...

There are crappy teams in every conference. Shoot, not real sure why you're mentioning TCU and BYU though?

Then again, you are probably the biggest flip flopper this side of John Kerry.

LMAO, +1

 

[Guest]

Oh boy, I can feel my normal self coming back. :shock:

This game makes me very nervous. I respect Utah for what they've done. If their offense is "Florida Light" as I've read it might be...I feel sick.

Just hope the guys are focused. I might be the only one that thinks it will be a tough one. Then again, I thought the same thing about Auburn so what do I know? :wink:

 

[Rick in New York]

To LBS...

I was talking about athletic DEPARTMENTS. Utah's is first rate. The football program has progressed mightily
in the past 10 years.

I was not comparing to Alabama.

You cannot make any accurate comparison past the field of play and I know that.

It is soooo fantastic to hear about your debate team...please.

It will be an interesting game for everyone involved and frankly Alabama has much more to lose than Utah does.

I will say that if Utah is blown out then there will be a major argument for a super division. If Utah wins
it will really make a statement. If the game is close it is a statement merely from the fact of how Alabama is really one of the top 2 to 4 programs this year.

Utah really has little to lose and a lot to gain.

 

[Guest]

Re: To LBS...

Utah really has little to lose and a lot to gain.

The basis for my concern.

I thought along the same lines going into the SECCG yet left feeling a lot differently. :?

We need to win this one, but even if we do it will be a "well, you were supposed to win it" type thing. I don't care though. I just want the win. We lived through the entire season without much respect (outside of 1st half vs. UGA and a few others) it won't bother me in the least now.

 

[UAgrad93]

Utah doesn't have squat to lose other than for the blemish on their season.

Your program has been respectable in the last 10 years or so. If the game is close it doesn't prove that BAMA is one of the top 2 or 4 teams as you suggest. It will suggest that we aren't quite what people thought. We blow Utah out and it will show that we were deserving of that top spot for 5 weeks and that we are indeed one of the top 5 programs.

 

[bama4life]

104-0 would still keep us at #4. Now if Utah beats us
24-23 We fall to 25th and Utah moves up maybe to 5th.

This is going to be a messed up End of the Year. I
wish,hope,pray,That we Blank them 36-0 but... This
is an Undefeated team.It's hard to look past their
12-0 record for the year.

RTR

I would have to agree with that. This feels like it is a damn if you do, damn if you don't kind of game. If we win, you will hear "It was Utah". If we lose, then you will hear "Wow, you get beat by Utah".

No dis on the Utes at all. I hope for a great game and can't wait to watch the game for what it is, not for what ESPN and the press will make it out to be.

 

[TerryP]

Some of you guys that have this notion that a win here means nothing for Alabama really need to watch yesterday's press conference with Coach Saban.

By the simple implication this game means nothing does a great disservice to the Sr. class on this team, what they've done in terms of leadership, and the legacy they seek to leave about the turning point of Alabama football.

This game has huge implications on both sides of the fence.

Just as an example, even though it was Georgia vs Hawai'i last year in the Sugar the way the closed out their season along with their bowl win did a lot to catapult them into the position they were in the pre-season. While they didn't meet the challenge in 2008, you can't take a thing away from the football they played to close out the '07 season.

There's not a damn thing about this game, in terms of importance, that I lay at the feet of the Utah team. There is a hell of a lot of importance for what it means to this team. Now, this year, and for the next few years.

I see far too many that need to back away from the tree they are staring at and look at the forest.

Seriously, a win in this game very likely puts us in the #2 spot finishing the season. #3, at worst.

And that means little?!?!

 

[UAgrad93]

Terry, I hope your latest comment wasn't being directed toward me, because I feel that this game is of the utmost importance for us going into the off-season. As you said, a win here and we move up a spot or two and will no doubt receive alot of consideration for the top spot next season.

I think that the talking heads will be saying that we aren't as good as believed if it is not a blow out and that if it is a blow out, we'll get alot of their love for next year.

 

[bama4life]

Just curious, who said it didn't mean anything if we win and that it didn't mean anything for the Seniors and what they have accomplished?

I agree that they have made a huge impact on the turn around that we have experienced this year and have set the tone for years to come.

My point earlier was that it still does not feel that we are getting any respect, but hey, it has been like that all year.

Here is to a new legacy and a bigger forest. (che)

 

[TerryP]

Terry, I hope your latest comment wasn't being directed toward me, because I feel that this game is of the utmost importance for us going into the off-season. As you said, a win here and we move up a spot or two and will no doubt receive alot of consideration for the top spot next season.

I think that the talking heads will be saying that we aren't as good as believed if it is not a blow out and that if it is a blow out, we'll get alot of their love for next year.

If the shoe fits? :wink: Just kiddin'

The thought/post was directed at a lot of people. I understand seeing Utah and saying this game means nothing. I don't agree with it, but I see where it comes from.

My point was more along the lines of what this game means for UofA, this team, this graduating class...

FWIW, IF some of you guys haven't watch the press conference yesterday...

www.rolltidebama.com/blog

> Bama Video section.

 

[Guest]

Re: To LBS...

Utah really has little to lose and a lot to gain.

You know, after this years team, I think we've heard this brought up against pretty much everyone we faced this season.

_______ (<-enter favorite team) has little to lose and much to gain.

_______ (<-enter favorite team) backs are against the wall. Heads are going to roll.

Nothing against your post Rick. I just find it amusing that this year we've had the luxury of having other teams' fans say pretty much the same thing when it comes to playing us.

I hope its a great game. But I also hope we stomp the Utes. Roll Tide!