Saturday, November 22, 2008

A little crow with that sir?

...sigh...

This is going to hurt.

A lot.

I'm really glad I didn't offer to shave my head.


Utah Man
I am a Utah man sir, and I live across the green, 
Our gang it is the jolliest that you have ever seen.
Our coeds are the fairest and each one's a shining star,
Our yell, you'll hear it ringing through the mountains near and far!

Who am I, sir
A Utah Man am I!
A Utah Man, sir,
Will be 'til I die.
Ki-yi!

We're up to snuff, we never bluff, we're game for any fuss.
No other gang of college men dare meet us in a muss.
So fill your lungs and sing it out and shout it to the sky,
We'll fight for dear old crimson for a Utah Man am I!
Ki-Yi!




I had faith. I was a true believer. I believe in miracles. But, if I am completely honest, there was a little voice somewhere back in the dusty cobwebs of my fevered mind -- the voice belonged to a creature named doubt -- and it wouldn't be silenced. I kept it quiet for half of the football game today, and then Max Hall started throwing interceptions, and the beast emerged. That beast was the University of Utah. But let me be completely clear, I am not blaming Max Hall. He is an excellent quarterback, one of the best in the nation -- better than Brian Johnson, frankly -- and he was not throwing bad passes. And it wasn't that the receivers for BYU were playing poorly. What became obvious by the third quarter was that Utah wanted it more. MUCH more. Their game and their dominance increased by the minute. They would not be denied this win, or the conference championship, or the perfect season, or the berth in the BCS.

This was by far Utah's most impressive win, this season -- maybe ever. No Alex Smith, no Urban Meyer. This is not a team of superstars, it's a blue collar team, and they've worked for every win. They deserve this game. They deserve the respect, and the accolades coming their way. Going 12-0, no matter who you are, no matter where you play, is very difficult to do. 

Utah is fast, they're smart, and they are AGGRESSIVE! Their offense, and Brian Johnson, get a LOT of press, but the shining jewel in the crown of the University of Utah football team is their defense. They are the reason, and the only reason, that Utah is a perfect 12-0. Sure the offense does most of the scoring, but the defense puts them often, as they did tonight, in excellent field position. They also provide the momentum, and momentum -- in college football more than any other sport -- plays a HUGE role in whether a team wins or loses. 




What a difference a season makes. BYU went 10-2 the last two seasons and won the conference championship outright. This year they are 10-2, and they landed in third place. It all depends on who those two losses come from. 

Utah is going to move on to one of the big BCS Bowl games, likely the Fiesta Bowl or the Sugar Bowl. These are the big time games that teams which are not part of the major (in their own minds) football conferences have to work much harder to get in to. The deck is stacked against them. Money is talking,and when it talks, it speaks loudly. I usually root against Utah, at all times, including post season bowl games. But in 2004 Utah was the first of the non-BCS teams to break into the big bowls, and I rooted for them then. I will again this year, because Utah will carry all of non-BCS college football on it's back. 

It's about fairness, and it's about respect.

 In 2004, Utah could have, and should have played for the national championship. and they would have won. That's not easy for me to say. 

I'm not sure this Utah team is that good. But they deserve to be where they are. I've had my questions about how good this Utah team really is all season, and I think rightly so. They've been up and down, escaping by the skin of their teeth sometimes. But no more. Not after tonight. Tonight a beast was awakened. 

Tonight, it felt like destiny. 

Congratulations to the University of Utah!

Utah:48
BYU: 24

If you were wondering, crow tastes terrible.

I think I need a shower...

12 comments:

SalGal said...

I think it's possible that you might believe every word you said. Well done!

Would you like some ranch with that crow? Ranch makes everything taste better. ;)

Chris said...

I believe every word.
It's the sabbath somewhere, and you know what they say about lying on the sabbath.

stefanie said...

I was going to offer some humble pie with that crow. It appears that this could turn into a seven course meal.

Anonymous said...

I send you condolences, I guess you are distraught
Still [this from a know-nothing Brit.] It is still Utah, your state, isn't that SOMETHING to cheer about? What do I know about that kind of intense devotion...?

Sorry.

Aaron said...

I too wished for a different outcome, but alas, you were correct. Since I don't have TV I was spared watching the destruction, I just kept going back to the internet for updates...it wasn't pretty from that point of view either.

I still think you should shave your head. You would be in good company.

Val said...

Your brother must be relishing in your pain. So does he get his christmas present wrapped in Ute paper this year.

Chris said...

My concessions go only so far.

Anonymous said...

awww.

there's always next year.

Unknown said...

chris...I am not a college football fan at all...so I suppose I am in the dark. However, may I say this was a beautifully written post?

~AirmanMom returning to her blog...

imbeingheldhostage said...

Gravy-- the secret to eating crow is the gravy you bury it in.

Don't go looking for the deep meaning, there isn't one.

Honey Mommy said...

Well done!

I actually live in Utah County, and I didn't know the outcome of the game until you just told me!

Tells you how into football we are at my house!

Anonymous said...

haha I'm sorry you had to endure that.