The Utah Utes held a victory parade in Salt Lake City today, chanting, "We're No. 1," and celebrating as if they were.The only problem: they aren't. Utah's undefeated season was only good enough to put them at No. 2 in the final AP poll and No. 4 in the coaches' poll.
Don't tell that the coach Kyle Whittingham and company, though.
"Coach Kyle Whittingham, named Thursday as winner of the Paul "Bear" Bryant coach of the year award, received one of the loudest ovations when he was introduced, then fueled the fervor with one final statement at the end of the rally.
"Utes-Gators. Neutral site. Winner take all," Whittingham said.
It sounded good, but it isn't going to happen. The 2008 season is over and the Utes will have to settle for being a self-proclaimed national title.
Whittingham, it seems, really buys into the argument that his squad is the true national champion, as evidenced by his first-place vote for the Utes in the final coaches' poll.
Texas coach Mack Brown, as we told you yesterday, didn't know this was allowed.
Unbeaten Utah honored with 'champions' parade (Sports Illustrated)
The BCS: Where weird, inaccurate parades happen.
Surely there is a better way.
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