The last few days - there has been a lot posted about how Ute fans feel. I am only one Utah fan, but I do hang around many Utah fans. I would like to clarify a few things.

1. Are Utah fans optimistic about this season? Yes, we are, as are BYU fans and both fan-sets have reason to be excited IMO. However, very few if any Ute fans believe we will be competing for a national championship. On one Ute board - there was a recent poll on where they thought Utah should be ranked. Only 4 people voted "in the top 5". It doesn't sound like many Ute fans are predicting a run for the national championship. As for me, I am excited about the season, but I realize we have some holes to fill. No, I do not think we are ready to compete with Alabama or Georgia. Utah is getting a lot of positive pre-season press. I like the publicity for our team. However, I am not sure it is all deserved.

2. I have never heard of a single Ute fan say the Cam Rising will be competing for the Heisman. I have only seen ONE Ute fan post that the Utes would have beat BYU with Rising. Most realize there were other issues bigger than QB. Ute fans generally like Rising and what he does in our offensive scheme. I cannot remember any Ute fan making a comparison of him and Hall. They are two different QBs with different talents. Both led their teams to good seasons. It's fine IMO that both players receive positive press.

3. Utah fans are anti-LDS. You know what - there are certainly some anti-LDS kind of people out there. However, I would say they are in the minority. Sometimes they make a lot of noise and that's unfortunate. (I do not like it or approve of it.) I have been a member of the church my entire life. Believe it or not - there are plenty of very active LDS members who chose to cheer for the Utes.

I think both Utah and BYU are poised to have very good seasons. But, nothing has been accomplished yet.