The Cougs and Utes can not and will not be ignored as long as they keep winning this season. This story will continue to grow and grow until Nov 22nd if each team does there part one week at a time. All the exposure and respect will take care of itself with w's

BYU and Utah both inching closer to a Top 10/undefeated showdown November.

Oh yeah go utes

Way to go BYU and Utah. UCLA is looking good as well. Now that will be for an interesting game between them and BYU.

Go Cougs and Utes! Let's show the rest of the country that football in Utah is a force to be reckoned with. I'm looking forward to the showdown in November

Wow! BYU beats a cupcake at home and rises in the rankings! Maybe God really is on their side?

BYU wasn't the only nationally ranked team to play a cupcake, NIU actually looked better then Michigan, but I'm not taking away the great win though by Utah, it's just cool to see the top two teams in the state ranked. Maybe it will be a great end of the year game.

Geezer, you mean that Utah beat a cupcake on the road, and now is ranked?

78. Northern Iowa

is now ranked ahead of

79. New Mexico
83. Wyoming
92. Colorado State
108. San Diego State
121. UNLV

fortunately for Utah, they get UNLV at home this year.
Only

13. Utah
15. TCU
23. BYU
67. Air Force

are ranked ahead of NIU.

in Sagarin.

three of Utah's next four opponents are true cupcakes

121. UNLV
149. Utah State
166. Weber State

Geezer your a mess.. More than half the teams in the top 25 played cupcake teams, and alot of them moved up.. You need to think about what you say before you write it down.. You just made yourself look like an idiot..

Who does the comments in the article? Utah was every bit as sloppy as BYU, but nobody mentioned that. A fumble is only sloppy when it is caused by negligence and not all of BYU's fumbles were the result of carelessness. In any case, Kevin Craft was solely responsible for the UCLA interceptions but he is branded as a hero in overcoming them. What gives here?

That if both Utah and BYU go into november 22nd undefeated that abc will pick it up so it's not on the crappy mountain network. I will never forgive the mountain west for taking local football away from me.

The strength of computer polls, objectivity, is also their weakness. The computer polls crunch numbers and spit out a result based strictly on numbers. Michigan is obviously getting a huge boost in Sagarin because of their win over Flordia last season.

The strength of computer polls, is also their weakness, no subjectivity. Computer polls don't account for changes in personnel, Michigan lost most of their star offensive players from last season, changes in offensive and defensive schemes, injuries, and changes in coaching staffs.

All of those factors are weighed in the minds of human voters, which, although subjective, give a truer ranking of teams.

Come on Cougar fans....get a sports education. Stop trying to make NIU out to being a top 10 program. The fact is that you brought this cupcake in for your home opener to chalk up a win, you got the win now move on. Get ready for Washington & UCLA. Utah got their big win at the big house and it actually means something. Done have envy over this past weekend! As for Why the comments? | 1:29 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008, ummm......whoever made the comments pointed out what is reality, Utah won at the BIG HOUSE! Yes Utah looked sluggish in the 2nd half but they won at the BIG HOUSE! BYU won at home vs NIU, so what? They did what they were suppost to do and yes, they did look sloppy in the 2nd half. The huge differences are self evident here: Utah looked sloppy at Michigan and BYU at home vs NIU. That says it all. BYU best not be sloppy at Washington or at home vs UCLA, take this warning as you will Cougar fan. Utah will pummel UNLV this weekend and continue to climb the polls.

Is this another BYU fan's attempt to make NIU look like a better team then they actually are?

Come off it already, please. We get it. NIU played BYU tough in portions of the game. They're the best Division II-A school in the college football history. They'd slaughter Michigan and Utah. They'd probably slaughter both teams at the same time. Despite a tough loss to the Cougs, don't be surprised to see them in the BCS hunt. Georgia v. Northern Iowa anyone?

By the way, BYU fans and USC fan, Geezer is a BYU fan. He often frequents the BYU message boards in support of the Cougs. I'm sure his comment was only a joke. Relax and give him the benefit of the doubt. Is labeling someone an idiot really necessary?

So what happens if 12-0 BYU and 11-1 Utah both end up in the top 12 at the end of the year? Do they both get a BCS bid?

Love how all the Utah critics are now silenced after the beating they put on Michigan on the road!! All we heard before the game was how BYU was ranked and Utah wasn't. Utah proved that, despite 140 yards in penalties (a field and a half) and 3 turnovers, they still had enough to take out one of the most storied programs in the nation. The beautiful part about the sloppy victory is that all of the reasons the game was close (penalties, turnovers) can be corrected. Talent wise, strategy wise, ect...all went to the Utes. The stats tell the true story about the game...the longest scoring drive for Michigan was 35 yards....UTAH defense is going to be NIGHTMARISH for the rest of the season.

Go Utes....keep improving and getting better...and rising in the rankings. Can't wait to see this week's game....UNLV is on a collision course with a freight train!!!

I would say it's an attempt to bring a little reality check to Utah fans who are so blind that they've developed BCS conference fan-itis. NO team from a non-BCS conference could possibly be any good. NO team from 1-AA could possibly be any good.

If you accept the second premise as true, then, you have to accept the first premise as true.

In which case, just shut up about Utah and BYU being any good, because they couldn't possibly be any good compared to the teams in the mighty BCS conferences.

Only if it is true.

"All we heard before the game was how BYU was ranked and Utah wasn't."

ummm, could that be because BYU WAS ranked and Utah WASN'T?

Don't get too high and mighty. Utah will most likely crush last year's nemisis, UNLV.

The freight train they have to worry about may be a little bit farther down the tracks this year...

in Laramie.

or maybe a little closer,

in Colorado Springs.

I don't think most BYU fans think Northern Iowa was an amazing team. Most are probably still nervous from that third quarter. But still, Northern Iowa is probably better than San Diego State and Utah State, and maybe UNLV.

On the same note, I hope Utah fans don't think that was a top ten Michigan team they beat last weekend. It wasn't. But it was a good win for both Utah and the MWC. I think the MWC should get the ACC's automatic BCS bid this year.

Only one gets an automatic BCS invite; and the other could be the key to breaking up the BCS monopoly when they don't get invited to a BCS bowl.

If two non-BCS teams are top 12 at the end of the season, the higher ranked of the two is the only one guaranteed a BCS spot

We are lucky this year to have 2 top programs in our state. And its Sept 2nd, leaves are turning and its much cooler now and their is that smell in the air, and the Pros start thursday. LIVING the dream in UTAH. signed, my wife just won a MILLION$$$ and now were moving!!!

This is great to have two teams in the Mtn West ranked. TCU should start off 4-0 heading into the Oklahoma game and will have a shot at being ranked goin into that game. This should be a good year for the top of the Mtn West. But then we have SDSU losing to Cal Poly..Embarrasing..So much for them giving ND a good game!

The highest ranked non-BCS team in the top 12 goes to a BCS bowl not both. In your scenario, that means BYU to BCS and Utah to Las Vegas. Just as it should be.

Glad to see little brother made the polls as well. Waya to go Utah!

The only threat BYU has this year is complacency. Not Utah, not UCLA and not Washington. Its complacency.

if the roles were reversed, the trash talk would be the exact same! Don't get all defensive because someone says Michigan is no good this year, or that N Iowa is a high school team. Plus, we all know the Utes are better and actually beat a team that matters (in the eyes of pollsters) to earn their way into the top 2. Rankings dont mean anything till at least the second or third week anyways, and a loss by either team will demolish any hopes. Luckily that will be the cougs in Washington, and again in the bubble against a good and underrated UCLA team.

This thread is pretty representative of the 'state' of the state of Utah's football IQ. I've heard numerous claims (over the years) that byu and utah don't get the recognition they deserve and that no one cares about them because they are non-bcs and west of the mississippi.

Well, here's one for ya. NIU is the NORTHERN ILLINOIS Huskies and play in the Div 1-a non-bcs Mid-American Conference. On the other hand, UNI is the University of Northern Iowa. The Panthers are the div 1-aa or fcs school.

Maybe if you utes and cougars would keep track of the rest of the college football world, it would be easier to understand where you fit in it.

The highest ranked non-BCS team is NOT GUARANTEED to get an BCS invite.

BCS Automatic Qualification

The champion of Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, or the Western Athletic Conference will earn an automatic berth in a BCS bowl game if either:

A. Such team is ranked in the top 12 of the final BCS Standings, or,

B. Such team is ranked in the top 16 of the final BCS Standings and its ranking in the final BCS Standings is higher than that of a champion of a conference that has an annual automatic berth in one of the BCS bowls.

NO MORE THAN ONE such team from Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Sun Belt Conference, and the Western Athletic Conference shall earn an automatic berth in any year. If two or more teams from those conferences satisfy the provisions for an automatic berth, then the team with the highest finish in the final BCS Standings will receive the automatic berth, and the remaining team or teams will be in the pool of teams eligible for selection by the bowls as at-large teams.

It's interesting how when Utah beats a "storied program" that is probably terrible, it is hailed as the greatest victory ever. But when BYU beats a "storied program" UCLA that was also fairly terrible, like last year, they are derided as playing cupcakes. I am happy that both BYU and Utah won. There are always exceptions, but it seems that mostly the BYU fans are the only one praising the other team. Both of the idiotic Utah and BYU fans need to think before they speak and recognize that a win for Utah or BYU is also a win for the other team, and the MWC in general.

So, the Utah football neophytes should take lessons from the oh so football savy BCS fans who post things like,

"Now go enjoy your time beating up other WAC foes and leave the national scene to the teams and conferences that really matter."???

BYU and UTAH have been in the MWC for TEN YEARS.

The rest of the INTELLIGENT college football world has already taken notice of BYU and Utah (notice capitalization).

Maybe it's time you moved into the 21st century and realized that the Big ten is no longer the center of the college football world.

Parity abounds, and has lead to the creation of very good college football teams in out-of-the-way places like Utah.

Double Standard? | 2:46 p.m. Sept. 2, 2008
"It's interesting how when Utah beats a "storied program" that is probably terrible, it is hailed as the greatest victory ever. But when BYU beats a "storied program" UCLA that was also fairly terrible, like last year, they are derided as playing cupcakes. I am happy that both BYU and Utah won. There are always exceptions, but it seems that mostly the BYU fans are the only one praising the other team."

Good point. There were a lot of BYU fans around me (myself included) talking about the Utah-Michigan game at LaVell Edwards Stadium last Saturday. I don't remember anyone saying anything bad about Utah.

The non-BCS automatic qualifier would have to win the MWC championship AND be ranked in the Top 12 or Top 16.

In order for both BYU and Utah to get a BCS invite, they would have to tie as MWC champions, and both would have to finish in the BCS Top 12 or Top 16.

Then, BYU or Utah could get the automatic invite and the other would have to get an at-large invite.

This, of course, assumes that no other non-BCS team is in the mix, say an undefeated, Top 12 or Top 16 ranked WAC champion Boise State.

@ BCS bs

thanks for that little clip from the rule book.

Make no mistake, the BCS is ruling class of college football and their only goal is to keep the power, and the $$$, in their pockets. They only make enough adjustments and consessions to keep the peasants believing and congress off their backs.

@ Ute and Cougar fans

The strength of schedule agument needs to step down a couple of notches. The truth of the matter is that right now the strength of schedule is almost identical.

I mean look at it:
non conference (CAPS = home)
BYU - UNI, washington, UCLA, usu
Utah - michigan, usu, WEBER STATE, OREGON STATE

Michigan and Washington are on about the same level right now (don't believe me, go back and watch the game, they are not good) but I think Michigan will be a better team as the year progresses.

UNI is better than Weber State.

UCLA and Oregon State looked like a push before the season but if UCLA continues to step up like it did against Tennessee you gotta give the advantge to UCLA.

Really, its a wash, with maybe a small advantage going to BYU, very small

Its cause kewg fans aren't real fans, go live in an sec environment and you'll realize that rivalries are all about hate, pure blooded hatred of the opposing team, throughout the ENTIRE season! That is the way a rivalry is supposed to be. I root AGAINST byu in every possible game because I am a UTAH fan, not a MWC fan or a state of utah fan. I lived in Tennessee for a while and was amazed at the animosity towards EVERY school in the conference, thats why I love the utes, and hate everything about the tds.

The Yewts beat a cupcake, and barely beat them at that, and are now in the Top 25? Does that make any sense?

Yeah, but what if Fresno goes undefeated as well...... They will most likely be ranked ahead of them both because 1) they will have played a solid schedule top to bottom. 2) the wac has that contract with espn that the mwc gave up, so every espn sportscaster will make sure that fresno has more hype than any mwc team come season's end.

So, even though I would love to see a non-bcs team take down a bunch of the "big boys" I really hope that Fresno stumbles somewhere along the way because one of the mwc teams will deserve it this year.

The MWC is definitely between 3 teams this year as TCU proved by taking down the 4th best team in dramatic fashion.

I thought it was interesting how Utah beat Michigan on the road and moved up 7 spots in the polls. UCLA beat Tennesse (who knows how good they may be) at home and jumps from 41 to 23, 18 spots.

The exposure Utah got from beating Michigan on national TV on the road is what got them into the polls. They now play some cupcakes and will move up in the polls to a point that if they lose a game later against a semi good team, they still have a shot at finishing in the top 25. Now BYU plays its real games and if they lose 1 will most likley fall from the top 25 and only climb back in if they go undefeated the rest of the year (15th at best). Utah could easily be bowl eligble before it loses its first game. BYU however may be 1-1 after next week and 1-2 after three weeks.

I'm a huge BYU fan and I hope for the sake of national exposure BYU and Utah are both undefeated heading into their game and ESPN can't carry it! If they are both undefeated it be 2 top 10 teams.

The proof that Utah played a REAL team the opening week is that BYU fans...at the BYU game, no less...were talking about Utah and their win over Michigan. I don't remember talking with my Ute buddies about BYU's win....because...it was UNI. No one cares about a ranked team beating a I-AA team...including Utes. So, please stop telling me UNI is one of the best I-AA teams and how many teams are ranked below them. Please stop telling me that the BYU players cared about the game (evidence is the lack of effort). And please stop comparing the cupcake I-AA team to the school that has the most D-1 wins in ALL of college football.

Utah isn't afraid to play the best (when the game was scheduled, Michigan was still very good). BYU's philosophy is "the more I-AA teams the better". Good luck Hawaii..urrr..BYU in this year's QWEST for the BCS. Just so you know...when you're playing in the Vegas bowl again in Dec., crashing the BCS DOES feel VERY good!!!

Signed, your "little brother" that you're aspiring to be like!

"Yeah, but what if Fresno goes undefeated as well...... They will most likely be ranked ahead of them both because 1) they will have played a solid schedule top to bottom."

Stop right there:

The WAC is significantly below the MWC in quality and depth this season. Any slight edge Fresno State MIGHT gain from their OOC schedule will be negated by their conference schedule.

Don't believe me? Check the Sagarin rankings for the MWC and WAC. Google conference ranking comparisons. Check the current human polls. In every case you will find that the WAC is ranked below the MWC, in many cases 2 or 3 spots below the MWC.

If Utah and BYU both make to November undefeated, and if Fresno State and Boise State both make it to November undefeated, there's NO QUESTION that with all of the preseason hype that BYU has received, and that Utah is now receiving, that the winner of the BYU/Utah game will finish higher in the final BCS standings than the winner of the Boise State/Fresno State game. Hawaii's debacle last year will weigh heavily against the WAC champion this season.

Hey utes talk about a cupcake in your house. Bring on mighty weber state. What you could not get the little sisters of the poor to come and play you. Seems to me michagan got beat by a who last year at home on a blocked field goal. Makes your win look so good

Wow, I have never written on these but i feel I must. People on both sides need to get over themselves. BYU had to rush to find an opponent when Nevada, who is a Division one team, backed out. Secondly, NIU is Division two, so what BYU had to find a partner. Utah did beat Michigan, but looked as pathetic in the second half as BYU did in theirs. Everyone could agree that Michigan is not the Michigan of old, for heaven's sake they lost to a Division two team at home last year, so they couldn't be that much better than NIU. They may both go undefeated, however don't be shocked if they both falter somewhere down the road at home or on the road, just look to last year Utah fans (UNLV) and BYU fans (UCLA). There is a lot of promise for both teams, however, there is a little of concern as well.

Congrats to the team up north on a great win over a storied program on Saturday. Welcome to the Top 25, Utes!

Finally, finally, finally.

No more complaints from Ute fans how they are being denied what they deserve. Your players have finally earned a spot in the top 25 (It's not a top 20 program yet), and you finally can back up all your smack.

Isn't it nice to be able to back it up.

Now we have both teams positioned, let's both go at it and make the BYU/Utah game one of those that we can both look back at and say "remember 2008?"

Both teams looked weak at times last Saturday, so they both need to look sharp.

And, Utah, you have UNLV this weekend. Don't you dare fold. I work with your fans, and they will be eating crow until November...

Good luck to all.

Here's a crazy Idea...polls don't mean diddly poop this early in the game...only one win or loss does not a season make. It is entertainment that is valuable and The Ute game and BYU games were fairly entertaining for the first games.

Personally I hope both teams improve and ESPN College game day is sitting at Rice Eccles in November reporting on a match-up of stupendous proportions between undefeated UTAH vs BYU... Don't be hatin eachother because history could be changed this year with two undefeated MWC Utah based teams. I just hope I get tickets if it produces.
But first there are nine more games to play.

Congrats to both teams for their wins and getting ranked.

Here's to hoping that the game in November is 2 undefeated teams. It would be the biggest non-BCS game in history! Here's to hoping.

It would garnish a ton of media attention and would hopefully get the BCS idiots thinking about the "other" conferences.

Here's also hoping that TCU only has 2 losses.

This is a great year for football!

BYU, Utah, Fresno St. all are ranked and getting national attention. Boise St. and TCU are getting people to watch them as well.

UGLY GAME OF THE WEEK:

Arizona 70 Idaho 0

(or was it UNLV 27 Utah St. 17???)

Great win for the Utes! However, what will they do for an encore? Playing UNLV will not help them in the polls because everyone will expect 77-0 score. Utah, PLEASE, do not overlook UNLV because you are looking for the next game.

BYU...please quit turning over the ball!!! Washington is prime for the picking. Winning is Seattle is extremely tough (they are incredible at home!)