Utah's Poinsettia Bowl Win vs. Cal Throws Down Gauntlet in BCS Debate

Though the San Diego Poinsettia Bowl is a far cry from the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, for the Utah Utes, the results were just as sweet.

The win against a quality Pac Ten opponent California not only gives them their 9th straight bowl win, but again raises the controversy over their conference not being a part of the BCS Bowl Series.

Wyoming's big win over Fresno State may have been the spark, BYU may have fanned the flames with last nights big win against yet another quality Pac Ten team, Oregon State, but Utah's win tonight simply poured gasoline on the flames.

As a writer who covers the SEC, I see the what could be arguably the best conference play week in and week out and I can tell you that this conference is BCS worthy has with this win will perhaps win more than more undeserving conferences like the Big Ten all bowl season.

And we have yet to talk about TCU's perfect regular season and their probable bowl win over Boise State.

The Mountain West is 3-0 against all teams and 2-0 against the Pac 10. The other win, against Fresno State, is a WAC conference opponent. If TCU goes as many think, then the Mountain West will have finished 4-0 in bowl games.

Now yes, there are weak sisters in the Mountain West just as there are in the SEC, Big 12 and other so called strong conferences. But a conference that continues to win and win big in bowl games is more deserving of a conference like the Big Ten who simply stinks up the bowl season as a whole.

Something needs to be done, even if it takes some small piece of the pie away from the other "super powers" in college football.

From one of the biggest mouths in the South, I say it's time for the Mountain West to get a little respect and some BCS consideration. If the numbers fall later, then give it to most deserving later. Nothing need be written in stone.

Last year Utah dismantled an Alabama team that held the number one ranking for much of the year. I witnessed that game and saw a team that was as worthy of a BCS Bowl as any who played.

The tired old arguement that they don't play tough teams week in and week out is over. The truth is no good team wants to schedule them for an out of conference game. Why would they risk the loss?

I've always prided myself on "Callin' 'em as I see 'em", and this BCS talk for the Mountain West is only fair. Hats off to the Mountain West and a great post season representation.