Let's just get it out there. I'm a student at the University of Utah. I'm a running Ute, through and through. Yes, those same BCS-bustin' Utes you couldn't get away from last season. So my opinion holds absolutely no weight. But there's one problem: I don't know what my opinion is.

Here's what I do know. The Utes went undefeated last year. (I have the license plate cover on my car to prove it). 12-0. A perfect season. But they weren't national champs. Not in anyone's eyes. They defeated a mediocre Pittsburgh team 35-7 in the Fiesta Bowl, as they became the first non-BCS conference team to make it to one of the four coveted BCS bowls. Yet still, a year later...here I sit, largely dissatisfied.

What has stolen my satisfaction?

Perhaps it's never knowing just how good the 2004 Utes were. They didn't play anyone all season. Sure, they beat the teams the NCAA put on their schedule, but those teams may as well have included Jennifer University and Pansy Tech. I could sit here and tell you that they would've destroyed Oklahoma just like USC did. I could tell you that they would've given Auburn a run for their money in the Sugar Bowl. But you'd probably just laugh and shake your head. You probably live somewhere important and just found out Utah even had a football team.

But don't get it twisted. I'm a college student. I'm learning the ability to reason. And I'm smart enough to realize that the University of Utah may have gotten the biggest break they could've asked for by playing the Pitt Panthers in the Fiesta Bowl. Let's say the Sooners and the Tigers each ended up losing a game during the season. The Utes' dream comes true and they get the Trojans in the National Championship game. The Utes lose 55-19. It's possible. This is how close the Sooners played them. Yes, those Sooners. The same Sooners who have as much talent amongst their boosters as the Utes have on their entire roster. We wouldn't be calling the Utes BCS busters. Alex Smith would've been drafted in the 3rd round. I wouldn't have the license plate covers on my Chevy.

I guess we'll never know just how good the Utes really were. And maybe that ain't so bad.