Perfection is Utah
By: Alex Rasmussen
In 2003 Utah introduced a new coach to
the program and it would never be the same again. In span of two years under
the coaching of Urban Meyer, Utah went from being a decent competitive team in
football to a 12-0 team and a coveted BCS victory. Utah fans thought this was
the pinnacle, the highest their team would ever go, they were all wrong.
Four years later, Utah stunned the
country being the only undefeated team in football that year going 13-0, but
finished off the season with a dominating performance of South Eastern
Conference power house Alabama.
“I thought nothing could top the 2004
season,” commented Dr. E. Kent Rasmussen a current Crimson Club member at the
University of Utah. “It seemed like we were going to win every game that year,
but in 2008 it looked like we were going to lose a lot of those games so it
probably was a more satisfying season in 2008.”
Those two seasons including the seasons
after and in between have helped Utah achieve yet another stepping stone into
history, joining the Pac-12 conference. A historic conference that has earned
the right to call themselves, the conference of champions.
Utah’s first year in the conference
came with its fair share of high’s and low’s, but one thing that isn’t escaping
anyone’s mind is that this season will mark another four years from when Utah
went undefeated and if history can tell us anything its that this season may
yet again be the year for Utah.
“I am excited for this season,”
Rasmussen said. “I never want to get to high because anything is possible and
its going to be very, very hard for us to go undefeated in the Pac-12, but I am
excited for this season.”
If you’re not one to believe in
superstitions or even in history deciding the future, you can look at what
others are saying about the Utes.
“Utah, however, has a lot of pieces in
place already to be the surprise team this season,” said Kevin Gemmell of ESPN.
“First, its schedule helps, because the Utes don't have dates with Oregon or
Stanford. Their first three games are in-state, and the fourth is at ASU, which
will likely still be adjusting to life under a new head coach. That's
potentially 4-0 out of the gate.”
“Many expect USC to run away with the
Pac-12 South Division. Heck, many see the Trojans playing for the 2012 national
title…but what about Utah?” asks Ted Miller of ESPN who covers the Pac-12.
“Recall that the Utes, in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, lined up
for a 41-yard field goal to tie the Trojans in the Coliseum last September (it
was blocked and returned for a TD). Sure, USC hadn't really found the mojo at
that point that would propel it into the top-five by season's end, but neither
had Wynn or the Utes. This is a talented team with plenty of experience.”
Utah is the rising power in the Pac-12
and with a Rose Bowl victory as the team’s goal, Utah may very well achieve
perfection for the third time in school history.
