No moral victories
by JazzyUte on Dec 11, 2008 6:49 PM MST
in Sugar Bowl
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PrintIt's simple, when Utah takes the field next month to play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, nothing short of victory will be accepted. That isn't to say I won't get over a loss or won't be proud of my Utes regardless of what happens against the Tide, it's just I am viewing this game as victory or nothing. There is no middle ground, no moral victory, no happiness in a close loss.
Maybe I'm setting myself up for unrealistic expectations, which is entirely possible, but this season was never just about making a BCS bowl game. I know the Ute players aren't going to enter the Louisiana Superdome content with just being there. They want to win this more than any game they've ever played in. This isn't just about playing Alabama in one of the most storied bowl games in college football history, it's about leaving victorious and owning the greatest win Utah football has ever experienced. It won't be easy and maybe it's too much to ask, but there is only one outcome in my mind and that's a Utah victory.
Sure, losing won't diminish the greatness of this season. It's not going to undo the first twelve games and make every moment prior less enjoyable. Regardless of January 2nd's outcome, this will go down as one of the most successful seasons in Utah history. But it's not going to make a loss hurt any less and it definitely doesn't mean we can accept just being there and playing in a prestigious bowl game.
Expectations will vary for this game, but I do believe victory is attainable, which means I can't accept anything less than that. It might not come, but it is expected and while I will be proud of this team and program for what they've done this season regardless, it won't make a loss any easier to take.
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Expectations
You’re right! I’m going to this game to cheer the Utes on to victory! We have what we wanted…a marquee opponent.
If you listen to or read most the drivel coming from the pundits or tv commentators, Alabama is supposed to beat us. But listen CLOSELY – the pundits/commentators have already started to cover their backsides by stating that a team like Utah COULD WIN IN A ONE TIME SHOT – but not if they played in a real BCS league week in and week out. Oh puhleeeeze!!!
Well…I believe in Coach Whittingham and the rest of the coaches in their preparations for this game. Andy Ludwig has called SUPER games the last two times out and I think he’ll come up with a masterful game plan for this one. But most importantly I believe in Brian Johnson and the rest of the Ute team. They are tough as nails, always composed, and NEVER, EVER quit! I’m going to New Orleans to watch the Utes win…and then later…listen as the pundits/commentators eat their crow!!! It will be fabulous!
I would expect nothing less from true fans. Well said.
I can also assure true Alabama people are not taking the Utes for anything but what they are: a well coached, damn fine football team, deserving of their bid to the Sugar Bowl.
I foresee a good game, and expect the Utes to be a handful, but believe that the Tide will Roll in the end.
I also look forward to meeting as many Ute fans as possible.
Of course...
I hope and even expect the Utes to win this game.
However, I think in the eyes of the national media and other college football fans that if the Utes can keep it within 10 points that they will have gained some respect.
This is the biggest game in the history of our program imo. I will be crushed if they lose, but I’m sure I would get over it. A win and who knows what I’d do.
"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates
I'll get over it...but not until next season begins.
Hell, it took beating BYU this year to finally get over those two last-second losses (in fact, I can now watch Harline’s catch without having blind rage!).
Utah needs to win.
I agree that Utah is rightly a 10 point underdog. Observe that Hawaii was a 20+ point underdog last year.
I disagree that we need to win to prove we belong their. If the game is within a touchdown that will convince many people that Utah has a team that can compete at the top level. Many people still expect Alabama to steam roll over us.
Our goal is not to win a moral victory and sit on the laurels of a successful regular season. Our goal is to make a statement abut the program to the nation. Nothing short of a solid win will do this.
No trick play in the final seconds. No close calls making the difference. A solid control the tempo of the game and win a hardnosed football game.
This is the goal, and it is a lofty goal. Anything short of this goal will be a disappointment. That is not to say that it would take away from the accomplishments of the rest of the year.
Perhapse if a questionable call gives us a win, or a gimmick is needed to get us over the top, then a moral victory can be claimed.
A loss, a very tangible probability, would put a bitter finish on an exceptionally sweet season.
...
Good luck from Auburn! Go Utes!
What do an Auburn fan and a bammer have in common? (Neither of them ever attended u.a.t.).
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