On Saturday, I was sitting next to a couple who live in San Diego and travel to every Utah game. We spoke briefly about Utah’s post season opportunities while we did not touch on the CFP. On the Rose Bowl, the women in the couple made a startling and surprising comment. She said on that prospect, “They won’t let Utah into the Rose Bowl, they just won’t.” We elected not to respond, just said, “…that’s interesting”.
The comment reveals some interesting thoughts that are also surfacing in the CFP realm. Here is a select catalog of those thoughts.
Utah is not a storied program, not like Alabama or Ohio State or Oklahoma.
Utah will not be a good TV draw.
Utah does not have any quality wins.
Utah does not have the best athletes and will be over matched.
We know the drill. Case in point: if you listened closely to the FOX broadcast on Saturday several versions of these made-up issues did surface. Once the stunned crew got over how powerful Utah was, the SoS creep out as Urban Meyer was making a broader case for the Utes. On the next break, someone pointed out that Ohio State did not have that good of a SoS. And so it goes. We can see the jockeying now to dismiss Utah and build up the “historic” progams.
For that reason, a few weeks ago, I stated that I was over the entire CFP discussion. It interferes with my enjoyment of this rare season. We have two more games to watch in the regular season. On the spur of the moment we decided to come to SLC to see the Utah trashing of the Bruins. Awesome and we had a great time at 61Shasta’s et al. tailgate. Now we are headed to Tuscon for the Arizona game. Utah is going to make a statement in that game, I’m betting. Utah finishes the season at home for Senior Day against lowly Colorado. There will be no repeat of 2011.
If Utah or Oregon—assuming one is 12-1—does not make the CFP, the gnashing of teeth will likely lead to an expansion of the CFP the next day. I don’t want two SEC teams in the CFP, its boring, and for all the reasons savvy sportscasters are now beginning to let loose, its wrong. We need regional diversity for the strength of the playoff.
I believe Utah goes 12-1. I believe Utah has yet to peak. I believe Utah will win convincingly at Arizona and against Colorado. I think Utah beats Oregon in an impressive showing.
I think Utah goes to the CFP. But I’m not going to think about it anymore, because the Wildcats are up next.
As Zach “the Mack” Moss said, “It’s not about the team we’re going against, It’s about us.”
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