You were able to hang with BYU and take advantage of our mistakes when you had the better team. Don't worry, we actually return most of our starters next year, and we'll be waiting for you in our house. See you then.

I think you were the one a few weeks ago that said Brian Johnson was no Omar Clayton!

I wish byu would have won this game so no teams would represent the mtn west in a bcs game because utah is going to get dominated if they play a good team in the bcs, and the mtn west will look poor again. Can you say hawaii

Wow, BYU is 1-20 against ranked teams in recent years?

That's really awful.

BYU was not a top 25 team in 2008. Yes they were ranked but does anyone really think this medorce bunch really deserved to be ranked? Top 15 teams don't get pounded the way BYU did against TCU and Utah. Also, Max Hall has a long long way to go before he reaches the level of a John Beck. Hall wilts under pressure unlike Beck and gets worse as the game progresses. Bronco has to stop the Steven Covey how to win friends and influence people talk and go recruit a defense. The 2008 defense was a joke. I don't know, after hearing the BYU players talk after the game I have the impression that they are content with mediocrity. David Nixon said he was proud of the great 10 win season. Gee David, maybe next year BYU can actually get some "real" line backers like Brady Popinga who aren't just happy to be here but actually have a passion for winning. BYU deserves to stay HOME for the holidays.What a disapointment.

Good Article.

The only way for a team from the MWC to go to the NC is if there is NO other undefeated team and the 1 loss teams are relatively weak.

In the Utes case they could have gone to the NC if:
1) Michigan would have been 9-3 instead of 3-9.
OR
2) They would have played and beaten another BCS team that is at-least bowl worthy if not ranked (ie...Florida State, Boston College, UNC, Cincy, etc) instead of Weber State.
OR
3) They knock of a high profile BCS team such as OU (TCU had their chance) or USC (ala OSU).

Since none of those happen, they won;t be in a NC. Still BCS is BCS....We'll take it! No one's complaining here!

This would be 7 straight wins for Utah! Sorry Cougs, no miracles today. Obviously not living right on and off the field.

That must have been a difficult article for Harmon to write. To good job utes, acutally Utah gets most if its starters back too, especially on defense. and to Utah..: Let's just see how it plays out on the field.

Look poor again?

Utah has been in the BCS once before and they looked just fine. Hawaii is in the WAC. No other MWC has been able to qualify for a BCS game...

No Ute fan wants congratulations from the TDS. Just shut up and head back to Provo. 48-24, have a great year.

Utah will represent the MWC very well... AGAIN!

Utah can hang with any school outside the two that will play for the national championship (Oklahoma and Florida).

"Can you say Hawaii"... Are you serious? Hawaii had NO defense. I have a better question for you: Can you say JEALOUSLY?

Go Utes!!

I'm a University of Utah faculty member and season ticket holder. Quite honestly, I was embarrassed at the actions of Utah fans. My father is a BYU fan and, naturally, attended the game with me. The comments and gestures which were directed toward him personally--not just by a few individuals, but by several individuals throughout the stadium--are things I cannot print here (and were provoked by no more than the fact he had on a blue shirt with a small BYU insignia). I am happy for the team's win, but I will never again attend a University of Utah sporting event after witnessing what I did. As a university professor, I do much to uphold and promote the university's image, but I was ashamed of what I witnessed last night. I realize classless acts go both ways, but what I saw was on such a large scale, with no provocation beyond a simple shift, and to such an extreme, that I find for it no excuse.

Love the people who think Utah is going to lose its BCS game. We Utes actually WIN our Bowl games -- have you checked the history? I know the idea of winning bowl games is foreign to BYU fans -- as is beating ranked opponents. I believe BYU is 1 and 20 versus ranked opponents lately. So stop talking trash on the Utes and enjoy our perfect season -- a "quest" that we actually carried out.

Heck, I have already forgotten the last 2 years games !! It's the Cougs that have to live with the shame of being BLOWN out and with the realization that there isn't hope or a little thing called SPEED on the horizon. Maybe" quest for survival " will work better for the next few years especially with Maxi, the human turnover, at the helm ! If I were Austin Collie I would look at coming out of school early . I think he can do that because of Missionary years. He may not be a PR guru but he IS a heck of a player !

Re: Utah at 12:53 a.m.

Can you say Sour Grapes...

Why is it that some BYU fans can't accept that Utah won and support them as they carry the Mountain West banner into the BCS?

If the situation was reversed, I would be supporting BYU. I guess some people just can't get pass the "they thumped us" bitterness. Had Utah not won the game, our league would have no one in the BCS.

I believe BYU will show REAL CLASS and wish the Utes good luck in the BCS, even if some of their fans won't.

By the way, why does Utah have to share the pot with the other non-BCS leagues? When did they change that? It's inherently unfair.

Utah busts their hump to get there and then is forced to split the money with those outside our league?

I didn't know BYU had such a stellar record against ranked opponents. Ouch! Good luck in your bowl game, I will be rooting for you to turn that embarassing statistic around and send your seniors out on a high note.

"Utah.." Say What?? Have you ever beaten anyone at anything outside of your little sister.

Anyone that is competitive and a champion wants the best opportunity. If Utah falls flat than so be it, but I am sure every Cooger wanted to play that game against Utah yesterday even though there was a strong liklihood they could be embarrassed.

See you in the Ward ball consolation bracket.

2006: "Harline is still open"
2007: "4th and 18"
2008: "Hall tries to make the tackle"

Maybe the Utes will get a chance to play Oklahoma and prove their worth. Until then I can look forward to next year when the Utes have the target on their backs and TCU has a Ute helmet on the dummy in the weight room.

BYU was fittingly humbled, but that is part of working toward perfection. Congrats to the U of U for a great season going undefeated. Good luck with that new coach next year.

It was so sad that Alex Hall was the true MVP for Utah. The Utes should give him the game ball, and thank them for the victory, as BYU was moving the ball well against the Utes. Six turnovers seals victory for Utah.

The Y is stil the better team since it was only turnovers that caused the loss. The better team didn't win since the Y has better WRs, RBs, CBs than than the U and better coaching.

Look who will be playing in the BCS.Out of the ten, you will get the ACC champ, either (1)Florida State or Georgia Tech. (2)Big east Champ Cincinatti, (3)Big 10 champ Penn State, (4)Pac-10 champ Oregon state (if they Beat Oregon which they will), (4) Utah is in, (5)SEC Champ Alabama, (6) Big Twelve Champ, whoever plays Missouri, unless somehow Missouri wins. Alabama is the only team on this list to be afraid of. But now you still have, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Texas, Florida, Ohio State, USC, but only 4 of them will get in. I think Utah would compete with Ohio State, and USC. The big 12 is in a league all their own, pardon the pun. So I believe that Utah has a 5 out of nine chance at getting a favorable matchup. I hope they do, and win. Do be Hawaii. The BCS has been exposed, but it wont do anything.

I meant DONT be a Hawaii. I mis typed and put do be a hawaii.

How many times will the cougars fans say Utah will lose? They just don't get it. This is the Utes year. Sore losers aren't logical. Pay respect where respect is due. The Utes are going to be up for a challenge in the BCS game, but they will win.

To all you Ute Fans who are so proud of winning your bowl games.... Why can't you do it with a Utah Alum coaching your team? Why do you have to go to lowly BYU to get a coach that can win a bowl game? Wow, it must be depressing to know that you don't have any Utah Alums smart enough to coach your team to victory. (At least Utah Alums are smart enough to throw rocks and curse at BYU fans)

Hmmmm are turnovers not a HUGE part of football? If BYU had a better team they would have won...they got smoked and ground out in the dirt by the UTES! The UTAH Defense smacked around the Y offense all game. The UTAH offense moved the ball at will from the beginning of the game to the end. Johnson was 30 out of 36 for pass completion. Asiata threw a TD pass too.

THE UTES SLAUGHTERED BYU THIS YEAR...ACCEPT IT WITHOUT EXCUSES...are you capable of that or are you one of these "entitled" people the nation is infested with that can't comprehend reality?

UTES 48 BYU 24...there's the only stat you should read and analyze.

There is a BIG problem with your argument. It's called DEFENSE. You see offense is only part of the equation!

Go Utes!

Hay Provo, Get a life, football is about making plays and making turnovers, not about WR's RB's and CB's. When will you realize that it is taking what the other team gives you and making something happen. you don’t need a lot of yardage when you pick of a poorly thrown ball on the 30 or 40. GO UTES

Those wins in '06 and '07 are still great wins. Congrats to the Utes--they got to Max Hall. Otherwise, it would have been a very different game. It was a good game to watch and we'll get 'em next year.

The good part is Boise State isn't going to the BCS.

The other good part is BYU still gets the money even if Utah loses right? Just kidding. I hope they can represent the MWC well and prove that the conference deserves an automatic bid.

I was honestly surprised BYU ever got ranked so high this year. I thought the defense was mediocre and we were just playing bad teams. I think that was a correct assessment at the time.

Then yesterday the defense actually had a pretty good game but the offense implodes. That's the cycle of life in college sports.

Sorry to hear about some classless fans ruining what should be one of the best atmospheres in all of college football.

I keep thinking people will grow up but I guess a new generation is being "trained" all the time. The coaches seem to be leading the way with stupid jabs at each other and the opposing players.

Best of luck to ALL of the college athletes. One more game to go. Make it a good one.

It is very interesting that the ute fans are so bitter in victory. Maybe they see it as more than just a game?

I agree with the Embarrassed Utah Faculty that the unsportsmanlike behavior of many fans going both ways make it difficult to attend the Utah-BYU games. This should be a friendly rivalry between the supporters of both teams not as display of derogatory and insulting behavior and comments as demonstrated by most of the comments going both ways. I wish both teams to be the top teams in the MWC every year and have fun and friendly rivalry game every year.

Utah's entire receiver corps is still open . . .

I'm sorry that you don't understand the concept that BYU fans do not belong in Utah season ticket holder seats whether they are well behaved or not. You were asking for trouble. If you are going to try something like that again it's probably best that you don't come to any more sporting events...plus we won't have to read your complaint.

Wishes:

That there were more coaches like Kyle and Bronco (and John Wooden, Ara Parsegian, etc.). Coaches with character.

That there were fewer fans who think cheering for your own team requires, or even allows, you to spout vulgar, offensive, filthy trash about the other team, its specific players or coaches, or its fans.

That there were more displays of sportsmanship like the lineman who pounds the quarterback and then helps him up after the whistle.

That there were fewer minibottles allowed in the stadiums.

That there were more second-stringers at various positions (but especially at QB), who could come in and fire up their team after a turnover on the previous possession. Max Hall needs an understudy.

That there was less money in the game, so there wouldn't be an exclusion to carrying it on local TV channels or the campus (KUED or KBYU) channels.

That there was more fan knowledge of cheers and songs - how about a 45,000-voice haka? Cool, eh? But the next best thing is the "B" "Y" "U" "COUGARS" that goes around the whole LEStadium at various times during the game. "Utah Man" karaoke with the JumboTron is the next-best thing.

Nice win, Utah.

Using your lame argument BYU had to turn to a Utah State alum in Lavell Edwards for its success.

How come your alum member did not want to return to his beloved BYU and return the cougars to golry??? Because when it was all said and done he knew he would be more sucessful at Utah, better athletes, better recruiting, better national recognition, better bowl record, better defense, better situation, better paycheck, the list goes on and on. Don't be bitter, you all laughed last year and said how happy you were to not have him and have Bronco. You have Bronco we Have Whitt, we have Two undeafeated seasons and two BCS apearances you have 0!!!! Have fun in vegas!!!!!!!

Let's add...

"The Utah defense is still open..."

to the list of slogans.

And to the BYU fan who started this, what goes around comes around. You will not hear the end of this. My apologies to the BYU fans who have displayed a great deal of class on these boards but as in all things, it only takes one very obnoxious fan to make all look bad.

Ute fans, step back and enjoy this win.

As a cougar fan I don't need to say "wait until next year" to see the Utes get disappointed.

Disappointment is right around the corner for the Utes--and I'm not even speaking about the outcome of their BCS game.

Disappointment begins on Dec 7th for the Utes when they find that, not unlike 2004, they will play a team barely ranked in the top 25--like Pitt. Because of this, they will find that, no matter what they do, the BCS world will be unimpressed.

For the conference's sake, I can only hope they play a Big 12, or SEC team, because they won't be playing USC, or Penn State. ACC or Big East, here we come! Even worse would be Boise State!! Can you imagine the outrage?.....you won't have to, wait til Dec 7th.

I'm a Ute alum and lifetime booster unbelievably embarrassed by Utah fan behavior. Maybe we could take a cue from the current Ute and BYU presidents and add top tier behavior to top tier rivalry.

Who knew Harmon could be objective??
byu fans have been simply repulsive the last few years....and the team's luck has run out.

4 new O-linemen, from a line that was vastly over rated to begin with. If Collie decides to take a shot at the NFL, byu will be gunning for 3rd place again next year. It's not like that defense is going to improve.

I've never seen a defense run the same set the ENTIRE game. They never once tried to change coverage or confuse Johnson. Take Jorgenson out and they will be a horrible D.

I would love to see Boise destroy those guys in the Poinsetia Bowl.

I know just what you mean because I have experienced EXACTLY the same thing in LES as a Ute fan wearing red there.

I was in RES last night and watched provocative behavior from fans on both sides.

Jan Jorgensen had it right when he said there are fans of both the Y and the U who act like idiots.

Can't we figure out a way to change this?

I echo the comments of Utah faculty and alum. This is such a great rivalry but there needs to be a little bit of respect for the opposing team's fans. We are better than this. It was unfortunate that some parts of the game I missed because of all the incidents going on around me in the stands. I am an avid Utah fan and last night was an amazing atmosphere. Let's show a little respect for the fans in the stadium. I give them props for showing up considering the cirumstances.

I went to the '03 game in provo with a friend who had season tix in the TDS student section and I sat with him there all clad in red. I didn't get popcorn thrown at me, or insulted or pushed around. I was given hand warmers by the guy behind me.

Let the tds players and coaches eat crow for their pretentious mottos and slogans. The irony of us achieving perfection at the same time they made it their mantra is beyond satisfying. Let's enjoy it with some class.

Congrats to the U players and coaches. We are spoiled fans. Thanks for the memories!

GO UTES!

We lost, you won, and won convincingly. I have no excuses, I have no complaints. There are some Ute fans that are very mean, but there are some Cougar fans that I am ashamed of.

I respect the U and know very good people that went there and that are fans.

Why can't we all say, "Good Game" after it's over? Why is it all so personal, with so much hate? Winning and losing to eachother makes the rivalry great. Success of the other team makes it great. I for one am happy it is the U going to the BCS instead of BSU.

Wish we could've learned from pee-wee soccer that win or lose, we shake the other guys hand and leave with a smile, plus oranges and a juice box.

I wonder how many Ohio State faculty brought their Michigan friends/family to the game with them yesterday. As a long-time fan I was proud to see the MUSS was RED. No specks of blue. No mixing, no mingling. I was not one who taunted BYU fans, in fact, I shook many hands and was cordial in the spirit of competition. But sorry, you should understand the spirit of this rivalry and respect that fans are going to be fans.

Kruger is still open!

Hey genius,

Notice we went to Utah State and not Utah. That is because Utah Alums can't coach!!!

It would be very interesting to have Utah, BYU, and TCU go into a playoff system with the "BCS" conferences and see how it shakes out. My feeling is that all three of these teams can beat anyone in the Big East and beat them quite handily. They would all match up nicely with the ACC as well, even Florida State.

I don't know if it will ever happen. The fact is that a 6-6 Notre Dame team will have its pick of high paying bowls to go to even after loosing to a team like Syracuse.

Listen....don't get upset at the Ute Fans....did you take your Dad to the game last year in Provo? I was there in red....I got the same treatment from their Fans. You knew the consequences going into the stadium. It is your fault that you did not prepare for this. If you did, nothing people said or did would bother you. You think the books you read or teach is about a tamed world. It's SPORTS! it is RIVALRY! it is COMPETITION it is FOOTBALL! Come on...if you let this bother you, I can't imagine how easy it must be to get you to react rather than ACT.
See you at Utah games.

I'll take 2 wins to one any time. Hall cracked. I'm glad we showed Florida or Bama how to move the ball. They each have great QB's. If Maxie hall can score 24 wait for TEBOW. Utah's slogan for 2009 "We were closer then Hawaii."(maybe)

To Embarrassed Utah Faculty part deux:
It cuts both ways and yeah, the most intelligent comment I've heard thus far was by Jan Jorgensen of BYU who called out "idiots" on both sides for their boorish behavior. With minor exceptions, take your cues from the athletes on the field. Their fine coaches teach them to behave with class and integrity and they do. The fans get my thumbs down. Congratulation Utah for last night, congratulations BYU for a great season overall and best of luck to both in their bowl games.