This year's college football season went from extraordinary to ordinary yesterday, at least for BYU and Utah fans. Perfect-season and BCS-busting dreams were dashed as the 18th-ranked Utes were beaten 31-24 by the Oregon Ducks in Eugene for the team's first loss since 2007. Later, the 7th-ranked Cougars were pounded by the unranked Florida State Seminoles for their first loss at home since 2005.
The Utes were unproductive on offense, especially in the first half. The team didn't get a first down until almost halftime. They also failed to capitalize on Oregon turnovers. Wet weather in the first half seemed to contribute to dropped passes and sloppy punting, although the Utes wouldn't admit it after the game.
Ute fans have known all along that last season was extraordinary. This year's team is relatively inexperienced, and they still seem to be finding their way. BYU's loss at home with a more experienced team seems harder to explain. BYU was hampered by a slow defense, and the Cougars weren't adequately prepared for an outstanding performance by FSU's quarterback Christian Ponder.
College football is brutally unforgiving, and one loss changes an entire season. Every game counts. Both the Utes and Cougars will still likely have good seasons, but for now the magic is gone, and football in the state of Utah is back to normal.
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