What will be considered a successful 2008 for the U?

by Binjanjino on Aug 27, 2008 2:25 PM MDT

Playing a bowl game in 2009? That would be nice.

For me, a 10-3 or 11-2 record with a win over BYU will be considered successful in my eyes. I actually think TCU has a good chance of winning the MWC this year. They are flying under the radar this year with no pressure. I think Utah will be the lone MWC team to beat TCU this year (in our black uni's no less) but with a pair of conference road losses will leave us in 2nd place.

It's nice to talk about undefeated seasons and BCS games, but let's just enjoy what we have now and if the Utes drop the Michigan game and on the road to AF, I hope we'll still come out and support the team week in and week out.

I think we can be spoiled fans sometimes. I like Whittingham and don't like to see U fans calling for Kyle's head if we don't win the MWC or make it to a BCS bowl. This shouldn't be a make or break year for him. Of course it would be different if we only win 4-5 games, but that won't be the case. He is a solid football coach who wants to be here. He is loyal and has improved his coaching each year.

With that said, let's hope I'm way wrong and we go 12-0 with a spot in the BCS game against Florida. Kyle vs. Urban, how much fun would that be?

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Agreed

Good sentiments, may I comment?

Utah is never going to be USC or Florida or Michigan and should not be. Any good years are lifetime years, 8-4, 9-3, that’s a fine year for the Utes. 10-2? 11-1? Geez, don’t wake me up.

We will always take more, but living in the SEC/ACC hotzone as I do let me offer this perspective: you don’t want to become these fans, believe me. They become ugly and childish over wins and losses and penalties and injuries and miscues. It’s an obsession here, an unhealthy one. When I first moved here I joked about the FSU and Gator license plates? I was told that I could own a Gator tag and live in Tallahassee safely, probably, but if I had an FSU tag and lived in Gainesville, my car would be trashed, period. There are more important things in life.

Believe me, you don’t want “players as gods mentalities”, Utah can do more by being what it is: a great school education-wise with wonderful athletic competition that from time to time piques the national interest.

By the way, I’ve notived most Michigan fans are far more affable and objective than are SEC and ACC fans from what I’ve seen of their posts in different places, Kudos to you guys in Blue and Maize. Also, that team will win some games, we would not want to replay that defense this year.

Whittingham is winning and recruting well after following the Messiah, this is something people often do not do successfully in college ball.

MBobMean

by Aardvark on Sep 3, 2008 9:18 AM MDT reply actions

Well said MBM

Well said Chap,

We all miss the messiah here, but I and I think most of us became instant Florida fans after he left. His departure introduced me to SEC football, which in my mind is better than the NFC West.

I just can’t believe the local fans here. The Michigan win was great for us and this may very well be a special year for Utah, but it seems like now anything less than BCS would be a major disappointment. We get way too far ahead of ourselves. We need to enjoy the moment.

Maybe you can shed some light on a question regarding fandomhood (whatever you want to call it)… is it only fans in the state of Utah that seem to be so irrational and erractic? I spoke with some friends who went back to Ann Arbor and they had nothing but glowing remarks about the Michigan fans and their hospitality. I have heard similar things with Oklahoma and Nebraska fans as well. They are very respectful to the opposing teams and fans and will take the home team’s wins and losses graciously.

I know in SEC country, football is basically the dominent religion there, but if a team losses a game or two, fans will still support their team 100%. That is not the case here.

I can’t remember the last time Utah lost at home when I didn’t hear boos from the crowd, except for the BYU game in ‘06 when we were all too busy looking for sharp objects to dull the pain. But the fact is, we don’t typically take losses very well, and don’t treat opposing fans well (the BYU game does not apply for BYU fans deserve no sympathy).

We can be very fickle fans. The Utes lost 3 or their first 4 games last year and every home game since, I had no problem finding much better seats than what I had because so many fans stayed home.

Part of being a fan is being there in the good times and the bad. It makes the good so much sweeter. You are right, we never will be a Notre Dame, Michigan, Florida type program, but you know, it’s all right. We as fans of non-BCS schools have such an inferiority complex and fight bitterly any perceived slight from a BCS school or ESPN.

I think the fact the 11-0 Auburn in 04 didn’t get a chance to play for the national title shows you there is no fairness anywhere and we need to get over ourselves.**

In the edited Utah spirit, “poop happens”

by Binjanjino on Sep 3, 2008 4:18 PM MDT reply actions

Ute Fandom

Have the Utah fans become bad?

I hope they will never be as bad as the fans down here appear to be. Consider the following personal experiences I’ve had:

Local fans called for a boycott of a merchant who prosecuted student athletes for shoplifting.

When I suggested that Chris Rix be demoted or released for continued behavior issues, I was told flatly and angrily that he was too important to the team. Integrity is less valuable it seems than wins.

FSU, having lost chances for perhaps three national titles due to kicking woes, retained kicker Janikowski after he was arrested with date rape drugs and tried to bribe the officer. No local outcry was heard.

Anything less than contention for the national title at all three major Universities (well, the big three Miami, Florida, and FSU) is tolerated dependant only upon which bowl you secure. 8 wins is pathetic, 7 wins and you’re not going to coach much longer at Florida and Miami (Miami is giving Shannon a couple years to rebuild, but not longer than that).

When I was a student at the U I knew some ball players and they said that they would never allow a family member or sweetheart to go to a Wyoming game in Laramie—the fans were that bad.

Have Ute Fans become anything like this?

Bob

by Aardvark on Sep 24, 2008 1:42 PM MDT reply actions