Utah Football 2014

[Iceaxe]

Utah started as a 7.5 dog at Stanford. I would not be surprised to see them go down to the Farm and get a win.

I'll take Utah and the points. Outside of Oregon no one has been able to put up big point margins on the Ute's. And it took Clays help and that dumbass 14 point swing to get the Ducks some breathing room..

[rockgremlin]

The Cardinal wins...but not enough to cover IMO.

[accadacca]

I'm picking the Utes this week. They will bounce back.

[Deuce]

Line is now 8, which surprises me as it would mean money is going on Stanford.

I still think Utah wins this game outright.

[Iceaxe]

Maybe they heard Kalin Clay is starting.... :roflol:

I just heard that Kalin did the same dumbass drop the ball as he crosses the goal line in the Idaho game and the referees missed the call. To top it off the coaches seen the mistake on film and had a talk with him about doing it. They also noticed earlier in the year that Booker was doing the same thing and had a chat with him about it. Both players had been told to hand the ball to the referees.

[accadacca]

Maybe they heard Kalin Clay is starting.... :roflol:

I just heard that Kalin did the same dumbass drop the ball as he crosses the goal line in the Idaho game and the referees missed the call. To top it off the coaches seen the mistake on film and had a talk with him about doing it. They also noticed earlier in the year that Booker was doing the same thing and had a chat with him about it. Both players had been told to hand the ball to the referees.

Yep, I remember that. Handing it the referee is a good plan...

[accadacca]

The Cardinal enter Saturday

[rockgremlin]

The Cardinal enter Saturday’s game against Utah as the conference leaders in rushing defense (110.2 ypg), passing defense (170.9 ypg), pass efficiency defense (105.98 rating), total defense (281.1 ypg) and scoring defense (16.1 ppg).

Utah football: Utes to face a Stanford defense that is standing tall
No. 25 Utes to face a Cardinal defense that leads the Pac-12 in numerous categories.

None of this matters since Utah doesn't have any offense.

[accadacca]

None of this matters since Utah doesn't have any offense.

I wouldn't call 33 PPG no offense.

[rockgremlin]

I wouldn't call 33 PPG no offense.

Well if you removed the two cupcake teams at the start of the season it's more like 23ppg against the Pac-12.

[Iceaxe]

None of this matters since Utah doesn't have any offense.

Did you know Wilson had over 300 yards passing and two touchdowns last week? I'd call that a descent offense.

I'm hoping now that Wilson isn't playing with bench eye he plays up to his capabilities. Or maybe more important the coaching staff gives him the chance to.

[accadacca]

Pathetic...

[Iceaxe]

Not sure what part you find pathetic.... 7-7 at the half... Utes are playing well. You know it's going to be close whatever the final score. Defensive battles are always close.

[Iceaxe]

Ps- everyone in the stadium knows Utah is going to handoff to Booker on first down... how about we fake one to Booker and try something else and maybe end up with 2nd and short for a change.

[accadacca]

Who is more at fault for a pathetic passing game? A. Wilson B. The receivers for not getting open C. The defense.

[accadacca]

Also how many time is the ball going to get thrown on the edges?

[accadacca]

7-7 going into the 4th in the pathetic bowl...

[Iceaxe]

I'm loving this game... what a defensive battle. First defence to make a major mistake is the loser.

[Iceaxe]

OT

[accadacca]

Ref: "Can someone please score." Lol

[Iceaxe]

2OT

[accadacca]

YES!!!

[Iceaxe]

For the win!

[accadacca]

7-3 baby!

[accadacca]

Lesson learned...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2h3BJPCEAAFr5_.jpg

[accadacca]

The Yewts are 4-0 against California schools this season.

[rockgremlin]

Great win for the yewts!

In other news, how about them Beavers?!

[accadacca]

Now we root for UCLA to beat USC.

[accadacca]

And ASU to keep losing...

[accadacca]

The beavs snap a 4 game skid.

[rockgremlin]

Now we root for UCLA to beat USC.

...and for ASU to keep losing...


Both of these are tall orders. The Sun Devils will annihilate WSU next week, but might lose the following week vs. The Wildcats.

I was glad to see OSU win, first because it's good for Utah, and second because I hate ASU.

Did ya happen to notice how scarce the fans were at Corvallis? Looked like the stands were only at 50%.

[Iceaxe]

Playing in the PAC 12 every week is brutal. When Utah joined I knew it would be difficult, but now I understand what the power 5 conference fans were bitching about when Utah, TCU, and Boise were going undefeated and grabbing a spot in a major bowl.

Utah is only a dropped pass, a missed kick and a dumbass play from being 10-0. Of course we could just as easily been 4-6, if a couple things had not of fallen our way. The difference between winning and losing in the PAC 12 is razor thin. But damn... it sure is fun playing in a big game against great opponents every week.

[Iceaxe]

Utah - Arizona
1:30 game time
ESPN

[accadacca]

http://youtu.be/hZdSD35L9LU

[rockgremlin]

Stanford's gotta literally be kicking themselves for not kicking that 51 yard field goal earlier in the game. Could've been a 3 point win, resulted in a 3 point loss. Oh well, it was about time luck shifted to favor the Utes.

[accadacca]

Utah and maybe more impressive Utah State!

76869

[accadacca]

D76868efensive Leaders

[accadacca]

It is impressive that Utah is 4-1 on the road this year with wins against:


Michigan
UCLA
Oregon State
Stanford

[accadacca]

Two wins in 2OT and two very close losses, one in OT. Saturday the Utes will play their 3rd top 15 team in a row at RES. It will be their 5th top 20 team that they will play on the season. What a great year! :hail2thechief:

76867

[accadacca]

The line opened up with the Utes as a 3.5 point favorite against Arizona.

[Deuce]

Crazy season, crazy and fun!

Preseason, the line was 4.5 wins and most didn't think the Utes could go bowling.

7 weeks ago, after a disappointing loss to Washington State, even with 3 wins in their pocket.....it was questionable if the Utes could win 6 games.

Now, sitting with 7 wins and 2 winnable games left of the schedule. I wouldn't/couldn't have dreamed a season like this. If they actually win 9 games in the regular season....wow, I'm speechless with that being in reach.

[rockgremlin]

Utah should win. I think the Utes are more motivated. AZ is coming into a cold and hostile environment. From Tucson to SLC is quite a temperature shift.

Even if they do get past AZ, Colorado for some reason plays the Utes very tough, and it's on their field...should be interesting...

[accadacca]

Hopefully the weather will be a factor against the warmed blooded boys from AZ.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/17/d959460ae4254f899cd0d9056d518b17.jpg

[accadacca]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/17/51670e755a5bb6b90777489653a92a5f.jpg

[accadacca]

SACK LAKE CITY


http://youtu.be/OQbthBAKf0w

[accadacca]

If Utah wins out, UCLA beats SC and loses to Stanford , ASU loses to WSU and AZ, Utah is the South champs. Whew!

[rockgremlin]

Great...rain and snow forecasted for game time. I'll be sure to dress very warmly. I'll bring my full face balaclava with a hoodie. I'll look like the Unabomber, but at least I'll be warm!

[Iceaxe]

If Utah wins out, UCLA beats SC and loses to Stanford , ASU loses to WSU and AZ, Utah is the South champs. Whew!

Not going to happen.... just sayin'

[accadacca]

As of today, we have four teams ranked in the NCAA Top 25! Football was No. 23 as of last week's College Football Playoff Rankings, which will update this evening. Volleyball is No. 23 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. Men's swimming and diving is No. 23 in the CSCAA Coaches Poll, and men's basketball is No. 25 in the latest AP poll. Go Utes!

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t31.0-8/10485408_10152866502890960_4034631413480418835_o.j pg

[rockgremlin]

If Utah wins out, UCLA beats SC and loses to Stanford , ASU loses to WSU and AZ, Utah is the South champs. Whew!


The biggest obstacle in this scenario is for WSU to beat ASU....which won't happen. The Sun Devils will eat the Cougar's lunch. If not for that, there might be a slim chance.

[accadacca]

Yeah...the scenario for USC is to beat UCLA and AZ loses one.

[Iceaxe]

The biggest obstacle in this scenario is for WSU to beat ASU....which won't happen. The Sun Devils will eat the Cougar's lunch. If not for that, there might be a slim chance.

If the game was in Washington I'd give WSU a chance because the AZ teams sometimes have trouble in the cold. But the game is in AZ so this is pretty much a done deal.

I'm hoping the cold plays into Utah's favor on Saturday.

[Iceaxe]

#17 in the only poll that really counts.

[accadacca]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t31.0-8/1798926_10152522912516801_1912948294739762668_o.jp g

[accadacca]

Predictions?

http://i1.wp.com/www.dahlelama.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/11-UA-facebook.png?zoom=2&resize=1080%2C630

[Iceaxe]

Utah by 3.

[rockgremlin]

Barnburner. AZ is the only team to have beaten Oregon (in Eugene!) this season...and Oregon waxed the Utes.

And what's worse, the Utes are less Thompson, Patrick and Gionni Paul to injuries...on top of already losing Dres Anderson. :wallbash:

I say.... Wildcats by 3 in OT.

[Deuce]

Utah will win by 7+....

[rockgremlin]

Vegas line has Utah by 4...

[accadacca]

I'm picking Utah by 6.

Arizona is allowing 159 rushing yards per game on the ground. Weather will be a factor, but not for Utah's offense. Booker will rush for 100+ and Wilson will have some impactful keepers that will push Utah to nearly 200 yards on the ground.

Punter Tom Hackett will be a major factor once again, keeping the opposing offense pinned deep.

[Iceaxe]

17 seniors will attend their final home game Saturday.... all of them have their degree.

[accadacca]

4-star recruit Micah Croom commits to Utah

Micah Croom, a four-star defensive back, has committed to play for Utah.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound safety, from Servite High School in Long Beach, Calif., will graduate in 2016, but made his declaration to the Utes on Friday, according to Justin Hopkins of 247Sports.

I committed to Utah because I was getting more comfortable with the coaches and all the letters they send me. One thing about Utah is they are up front and honest. They keep it real with me and that's one thing I really appreciate in this recruiting process.
The 13th-ranked safety will remain open to hearing offers from other programs until he concludes his career at Servite.

Feature photo courtesy of James Snook-US PRESSWIRE / Reuters

[accadacca]

I heard that this other 5 star committed after the Oregon game: http://sports.yahoo.com/utah/football/recruiting/player-Cory-Butler-158237

[accadacca]

The ESPN Game Day crew have all picked Utah.

[Iceaxe]

The ESPN Game Day crew have all picked Utah.

That and $4.95 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks :-)

But it was nice seeing Utah getting some respect on national tv. This should be a great game.

I also liked how Game Day slammed the SEC for scheduling cupcakes this late in the season and praising the PAC 12 for not allowing it.

[Iceaxe]

Utah is getting their ass kicked... that is all.....

[accadacca]

Nearly 300 yards rushing for Arizona. Their RB alone had 218 and 3 TD's.

Utah's defense got waxed and as usual the offense couldn't produce many 1st downs.

[accadacca]

Even our war dance didn't work...


http://youtu.be/9NEXFCgHviU

[Iceaxe]

I'm taking comfort in the fact that I never expected 7 wins this year, so every win from here on out is a bonus.

[Deuce]

Well that escalated quickly.....

The defense looked like junk, they are not going to like film today.

Win in Colorado and this is water under the bridge. That said, the Utes were taken behind the woodshed, by an overrated team. Beaten up front, both sides of the ball. Missing Paul was huge, LB's were being dump trucked like they were MWC freshmen walkons.

[rockgremlin]

Arizona beating Oregon was no fluke. They're a damn good team, and the utes definitely overlooked and underestimated how talented they are.

Embarrassing loss. Unfortunately representatives from the Alamo and holiday bowls were on hand to witness the carnage. I wonder if they filed out in the third quarter along with the other two-thirds of the stadium?

[Iceaxe]

One game left to play in the regular season.... sitting at 7-4, hoping to make it to 8-4 and not go 7-5.... I believe this is going to become a typical year in Utah football now that we are part of the PAC-12 and finally look like a real PAC-12 team.

Perhaps a losing season every 10 years, and a realistic shot at the Rose Bowl every 20 years.... anyone have a different opinion?

[accadacca]

Utah lands three-star RB commit and "brother" of former Ute

Utah added another player to its 2015 recruiting class with the verbal commitment of three-star California running back Marcel Brown.

This season Brown has rushed for over 1900 yards and 28 touchdowns and averaged over 10 yards per carry for Rio Linda High in Rio Linda, California.

[Iceaxe]

Utah is #25 in the only poll that counts.... A win this weekend will allow them to finish the regular season ranked and go to a nice bowl.

:bandit:

[accadacca]

The only team with 4 losses. 3 of them to top 15 teams...No. 2 - Oregon, No. 11 - Arizona and No. 13 - Arizona State.

It's called STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE. Something that no other team in Utah can claim.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/25/6a6b814806e089519334e8944d07a6ba.jpg

[accadacca]

Utah is favored by 9 at Colorado. Predictions?

[accadacca]

Adam Shultz?

[accadacca]

Ok I guess it's still Wilson.

[accadacca]

Here we go again. CU's running back has 41 yards and 3 TD's and it's not even half...

[accadacca]

And Utah keeps wasting plays on the run.

[accadacca]

Another nail biter, but they get it done.

http://www.snappytv.com/snaps/dominique-hatfield-comes-up-with-the-pick-six-to-give-the-ut-about-college-football-utah-at-colorado-on-pac-12-mountain_ye

[Deuce]

Ugly, but I'll take it! 8 wins, WOW....:2thumbs:

[Iceaxe]

Where has that offense been all season?

[accadacca]

http://youtu.be/8QKGSdkc36A

[accadacca]

Bowl Predictions? Here is what I've seen from a few random websites...

The Sun Bowl vs Duke, Louisville, Notre Dame or N.C. State. The Holiday Bowl vs Notre Dame.

[Scott Card]

The Utes should be proud of their season. After hearing the predictions for this year and now looking at their record, they over achieved. The Ute defense was great and frankly made many of the games ugly enough to win at the end. Well done Utes and Whit can take a deep breath because his job would appear to be secure for at least a while longer.

[Iceaxe]

Bowl Predictions?

The Las Vegas Bowl is working really hard to get Utah.

The Running Utes are playing in a basketball game the same weekend in Vegas as the bowl game. The same group is putting on both the football and basketball game. They figure if they can get both Utah teams the attendance will go up for both events and that is great for their pocket book.

The bowls have some leeway in who they take within certain guidelines.

[accadacca]

Utah is up two positions, right above LSU with the same record. Ah being in a P5 is great!

https://fbcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/10410108_825030674207236_4496339557941855203_n.jpg ?oh=833cbc9cbbdfdf92fc5055c2b70b7464&oe=55092366&__gda__=1427566302_63b272671eed03939d9efc7c68f9daf 9

[accadacca]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/03/4e965704e91a950207ec33c406b8d9c5.jpg

Utah's highly rated QB prospect from Lone Peak, Chase Hansen, has returned from his LDS mission. There were some rumors the last couple of days of the possible transfer of Hansen to BYU. Well, Coach Whitt met Hansen at the airport upon his arrival, and then proceeded to take Hansen on a tour of the new football facility. It appears Chase Hansen is staying a Ute!

[rockgremlin]

Utah's QB situation is so bad that the head coach is chasing missionaries down at the airport. LOL...the kid better be worth it.

[Iceaxe]

QB is the one position that doesn't improve with a mission. Most positions benefit from the 2 years of maturity, but RM's never seem to make it bach to star QB.

Just curious... I though Connor Manning was the great Ute hope?

[rockgremlin]

Just curious... I though Connor Manning was the great Ute hope?


Well, his credentials look pretty good. I wonder why the almost ZERO participation in games?


Conner Manning

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/utah/sports/m-footbl/auto_headshot/9209562.jpeg




http://www.fansonly.com/graphics/mtt/profile.gif






http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

Class:
Freshman



http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

Hometown:
Lake Forest, Calif.



http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

High School:
El Toro HS







http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

Height / Weight:
6-1 / 190



http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

Position:
QB



http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

Birthdate:
09/11/1994



http://grfx.cstv.com/graphics/mtt/arrow.gif

Experience:
RS










UTAH: Split the No. 2 reps in spring camp.
2013-Redshirt.
HIGH SCHOOL: Broke Matt Barkley's Orange Country record for single-season passing yards as a junior in 2011, completing 327-of-527 passes for 4,219 yards and 41 touchdowns (8 interceptions) ... 9,449 career passing yards ranks second in Orange County history behind Barkley's 9,471 yards ... set the Orange County single-game passing mark with 613 yards (44-of-58) against Valhalla HS in 2012 ... also had seven TD passes in that game ... as a senior in 2012, he completed 65% of his pass attempts (319-of-490) for 4,062 yards and 41 TDs (10 interceptions) ... including his sophomore season, when he passed for 1,168 yards and six touchdowns, his career totals were 9,449 yards and 88 touchdowns to just 26 interceptions ... 2011 Orange County Offensive Player of the Year, CIF Southwest division co-Offensive Player of the Year and Sky View League MVP ... 2011 first-team Max Preps California Division II all-state and Cal Hi Sports first-team all-state underclassman ... 2012 second-team Max Preps California Division I all-state ... 2012 Rivals.com all-Southern section first team ... first-team all-Orange County as a junior and senior ... earned three letters in football at El Toro HS and was a two-year team captain.
PERSONAL: Son of Steve and Patty Manning ... both parents are San Diego State graduates ... two brothers and one sister ... brother Chris played baseball at Valparaiso University (2011-14) ... has not declared a major ... born Sept. 11, 1994.







Participation

G



2013




2014

1



TOTAL

1

[Iceaxe]

Bowl Predictions? Here is what I've seen from a few random websites...

The Sun Bowl vs Duke, Louisville, Notre Dame or N.C. State. The Holiday Bowl vs Notre Dame.

Here is my prediction.... Stanford will leapfrog Utah and play in the Foster Farms bowl in San Francisco at the new Levi Stadium that is only a few miles from their campus... This will cause a domino effect pushing Utah down to the Las Vegas Bowl, who really wants them.

We shall see if my crystal ball is accurate or not...

[accadacca]

I would be happy to see them in the Vegas bowl. Easy trip.

[accadacca]

https://fbcdn-photos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-0/10850296_1002458693114219_772850870615751085_n.jpg ?oh=d44dc248694d559beae758a4612285f7&oe=55184A2B&__gda__=1425866387_58d8d077798c99c1db5da1ea8487be3 7

[Iceaxe]

Here is my prediction.... Stanford will leapfrog Utah and play in the Foster Farms bowl in San Francisco at the new Levi Stadium that is only a few miles from their campus... This will cause a domino effect pushing Utah down to the Las Vegas Bowl, who really wants them.

Called it...

But I believe the Utes deserved better than Vegas.

The big advantage in going to a bowl game is you get 10 extra days of practice, much of which is spent coaching up players who will be next years team. It's almost like getting an extra spring practice.

[accadacca]

"Colorado State is the No. 12 total offense and the No. 21 scoring offense in the country. Running back Dee Hart is ranked No. 10 in yards per carry (6.71) and receiver Rashard Higgins leads the nation with 17 receiving touchdowns."

"As for other match-ups, Devontae Booker could be an issue for CSU. The Rams struggled to contain Jay Ajayi early in the year, and are the 87th-ranked run defense in the country, though that may be skewed by having to face option teams New Mexico and Air Force this season."

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/uofusports/1920682-155/utah-football-bowl-opponent-colorado-state

[accadacca]

The "real" U: https://vine.co/v/Or1q9tQAPt9

[Deuce]

Would not be surprised to see Conner Manning, Brandon Cox and possibly even Travis Wilson transfer after the semester.

Would not be surprised to see Donovan Isom come out of Spring looking like a possibility to lead the Utes.

Connor Manning doesn't fit what Dave Christensen wants to do.

I think Christensen is just fine with having K. Thompson or J. Thompson hold down the position until Isom or outside chance, possibly Hansen take the keys.

[rockgremlin]

Hey deuce - why no Travis Wilson next semester? I don't think he's built a favorable enough resume to go anywhere else. I think it would be a bigger pain in the arse to transfer than it would to just stick out one last year.

Unless of course they give him the boot.

[Deuce]

I think he sees the writing on the wall. Maybe pride? He may stick through the Spring, but best chance to make an impact, he needs a Spring with the new team. Which will be a FCS team if TW's can't graduate before, which may also dictate one more semester if he's close to graduation.

I just don't think this team, coaches & players are confident in Wilson.... Hell, I don't know if Wilson is confident in himself.... The Utes did everything they could to give the starting QB job to anyone who'd take it in the Spring, then again the the Fall....almost stayed with Wilson by default. That won't happen again.

I think its 50/50 at best that Wilson is on the roster next year.

[Iceaxe]

Christensen ruined Wilson... Kendall was Christensen's boy... the problem is Wilson is better than Kendall. The coaching staff has destroyed Wilson's confidence.

The interesting part is around the PAC 12 Wilson is considered as one of the better QB's. Usually ranked around 5th in the conference, which might not be top tier but it's better than being in the bottom half.

The Utes should commit to Wilson's for next year if they want to be successful. Trading QB's every years is about as successful as trading OC's and installing a new offense every year.... oh wait... we already do that....

[rockgremlin]

Hell, I don't know if Wilson is confident in himself....


I agree with that. The three home games they lost I saw two versions of TW:

1. The TW that starts the game in the first quarter, slinging and running for decent yardage, no interceptions, and even a score here and there.

2. The TW that starts the second half who is absolutely worthless after a few mistakes or miscues.

In the Arizona game I watched him throw twice (in two plays) to the same Arizona defender, the second time it was picked. There wasn't a Ute anywhere in the vicinity. It was as if he was intentionally throwing an interception.

Once he screws up a few times he's toast. May as well just bench him to stop him from doing something blatantly retarded. Really goes to show how performance on the field is as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

[Iceaxe]

Once he screws up a few times he's toast.

The official coaching term is "bench eye"... once Wilson screws up he has his eye on the bench watching for signs he is about to get pulled. You can't play like that...

[accadacca]

Booker has filed paperwork with the National Football League seeking feedback if he were to forego his final season of collegiate eligibility.

[rockgremlin]

Oh brother. One breakout season and he fancies himself an NFL star.

[Iceaxe]

It's not unusual.... all this really does is give s guy an idea where he would be drafted. the NFL advises to stay in school if you are not a first or second round prospect, which Booker is not.

[accadacca]

I just bought my tickets...5th row. Go Utes!

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/1513176_1004670979559657_3888712282204912048_n.jpg ?oh=81086bddf298f2f69a56120ac4dcfa79&oe=55111503

[accadacca]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/12/11/b1ea2bf5a4f6bb1e796cc60f3025edab.jpg

[rockgremlin]

Hackett wins Ray Guy Award as best punter in nation
By Josh Furlong



SALT LAKE CITY — Utah punter Tom Hackett won the Ray Guy Award Thursday night at the ESPN College Football Awards Show in Florida.
Hackett, who was also named as a first-team Walter Camp All-Americans earlier in the day, becomes the first punter in school history to win the Ray Guy Award. Hackett leads the nation in punts inside the 20-yard line (35) and inside the 10-yard line (19). He finished the season with an average 47.0 yards per punt.
Hackett is a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 pick and is the Pac-12 leader in punts inside the 20-yard line, landing 35-of-77 (45.5 percent) punts inside the 20-yard line. Hackett joins teammate senior Nate Orchard as a first-team Walter Camp All-American. The Ray Guy Award is given to the nations best punter and is evaluated “on their overall statistics and contribution to the team.” Voters focused a punters’ net average, percentage of total punts inside the 20-yard line and percentage of punts not returned. Hackett beat out freshman Alabama punter JK Scott and sophomore Idaho punter Austin Rehkow.


Being a junior this year, I wonder if he'll want to just forego his senior year for the NFL?

[Iceaxe]

Well deserved.... Hackett is a game changer.

[Sandstone Addiction]

I just bought my tickets...5th row. Go Utes!


Did you get basketball tickets too?

[accadacca]

Did you get basketball tickets too?

Not yet. I'm undecided if I will still be in town.

[accadacca]

Uh oh... What is your prediction?

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl
No. 22 Utah vs. Colorado State, Dec. 20 (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET)

Why to watch: Florida fans can get a peek at the offense new coach Jim McElwain helped produce at Colorado State. Spoiler alert: It's much better than what the Gators have been putting on the field recently. Quarterback Garrett Grayson threw for 3,779 yards with 32 touchdowns and six interceptions, and Rashard Higgins was a Biletnikoff Award finalist with 89 catches for 1,640 yards with 17 touchdowns.

Who to watch: Utah's Nate Orchard won the Ted Hendricks Award as the country's top defensive end, finishing with 80 tackles, 17.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. The Rams might have a difficult time protecting Grayson; the Utes led FBS teams with 52 sacks.

Motivation for Utah: After playing in nine consecutive bowl games from 2003 to '11, the Utes missed the postseason in each of the past two years. They also have a chance to win at least nine games for the first time since going 10-3 in 2010.

Motivation for Colorado State: Offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin, a 35-year coaching veteran who has worked at 11 schools, is a candidate to replace McElwain after helping him produce record-setting offenses at CSU the past three seasons. A win in a bowl game might help him land the job.

Prediction: Colorado State 34, Utah 31

http://espn.go.com/college-football/bowls14/story/_/id/12038362/predicting-winners-all-39-bowl-games

[rockgremlin]

Prediction: Colorado State 34, Utah 31



I've seen predictions from 4 other websites, and all of them have predicted Utah will win, ranging in point margins from 3.5 to 7 points. This is the first prediction I've seen that is favoring CSU.

[Iceaxe]

Travis Wilson’s first bowl start may be last of his career with Utes.
http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dfCfJ?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=utah-utes-football

Utah’s most successful football season in the school’s Pac-12 era will end Saturday in the Las Vegas Bowl vs. Colorado State, with one more chance for the Utes to make a favorable impression and secure a Top 25 ranking in the final polls.

"It’s the last thing that people are going to remember," said junior quarterback Travis Wilson.

He’s speaking of the 2014 Utes overall, but those words may apply to Wilson himself. After everything he has gone through this season, he’s promised only one more turn as a starting quarterback. And then who knows how his college football future will play itself out.

QB issues have driven the story lines in all three of Utah’s FBS programs this season, so why should anything be different in December — and beyond? BYU’s Christian Stewart is a senior, so he knows the Miami Beach Bowl is his last shot. Utah State redshirt freshman Kent Myers could end up almost anywhere on the Aggies’ depth chart next spring, following the New Mexico Bowl. As for Wilson, the Las Vegas Bowl will mark his 27th and conceivably final start for the Utes, with some variables in play.

Graduating from the school in 2015 will give him options. Wilson is not saying he’s among the "one or two or maybe even three" quarterbacks who could transfer, by coach Kyle Whittingham’s count. If he stays for his senior year, Wilson would go into spring drills as Utah’s No. 1 quarterback.

But how long he would maintain that status is a big question.

What’s clear is that Wilson deserves some credit for playing through two demotions this year, beating USC with a last-minute touchdown and overcoming Colorado in the regular-season finale with a 311-yard passing performance.

Wilson returned to the lineup for good when Kendal Thompson injured his knee in the first quarter against Oregon on Nov. 8, after Wilson twice lost his starting job. "I didn’t really let that affect me. … I tried to prove myself every time I’d go back in," he said.

He sort of succeeded, following each benching. Wilson helped the Utes win double-overtime games at Oregon State and Stanford after the offense struggled in regulation, in addition to keeping Utah close against Oregon for three-plus quarters. Everybody involved with Utah’s offense regressed in the loss to Arizona, but Wilson responded well against Colorado

"It was good to see him playing with confidence," Whittingham said.

"I’m just happy he kept a level head, [not] get too down on himself," said Ute receiver Kenneth Scott. "The thing I try to preach to Travis is stay confident. … Any quarterback that’s on a leash, or whatever, is not that confident. If he gets his spot taken, his confidence goes down."

The Utes went 7-3 this season in the games Wilson started, including a 4-3 mark in Pac-12 play. He’s 14-12 in three years as a starter, boosted by a 6-0 record in nonconference games with wins over Utah State and BYU in 2013.

Mix in the intracranial artery condition that threatened to end his career, and Wilson has experienced a Ute tenure unlike any quarterback’s. Now comes the Las Vegas Bowl, during which Wilson is almost certain to move into the top five of Utah’s all-time passing-yards list.

So where will his career go from here?

Thompson’s brief, second stint as Utah’s No. 1 quarterback offered some clues about the future. In that first quarter vs. Oregon, the offense "looked about the way it’s supposed to look," offensive coordinator Dave Christensen said recently, responding to a question about his scheme.

The same could be said of Wilson’s showing at Colorado, an opponent that now accounts for two of his eight Pac-12 wins. Coming off the loss to Arizona, Christensen reminded Wilson of his clutch performance against USC, telling him, "I know it’s in there, and we expect you to play that way."

Wilson delivered a 38-34 victory in Boulder, and now he gets another turn against another Colorado school in his first bowl appearance.

This is Wilson’s opportunity to make a lasting impression in 2014. Whether it’s his last start for the Utes is up to him — to some degree, anyway.

[Deuce]

Utah wins by 10+. They are going to dominate both lines of scrimmage and that is where games are won and lost.

[Iceaxe]

This will be an interesting game... the MWC has a habit of beating up the mid-tier PAC teams in this bowl game. I find it even more interesting now that Utah is on the other side of the equation.

I believe the record is currently:

8 wins for the MWC
6 wins for the PAC 12

Merry Christmas

77117

[rockgremlin]

I thought Colorado State was supposed to be good?

This is a blowout!

[Iceaxe]

Today the Utes are one good looking football team.

[accadacca]

https://fbcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfp1/v/t1.0-0/10801564_1001439223204124_1997632031570471859_n.jp g?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=d7e9e26ec4bd7311552255c1484858ec&oe=554200C5&__gda__=1430229141_93a5693d7745a41b69b8dd0429289b4 4

[rockgremlin]

Great ending to a season that should have been mediocre at best. Hopefully the momentum will carry into the 2015 season...though the losses of Orchard, Clay and probably Booker will hurt.

[accadacca]

http://youtu.be/ro8E3b8tyxM

[accadacca]

Whitt said this was his most fulfilling year coaching next to 2008.


http://youtu.be/fW9eRiBxViw

[accadacca]

Nice article: Utah poised to move up in Pac-12 pecking order

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/post/_/id/82349/utah-poised-to-move-up-in-pac-12-pecking-order

[accadacca]

One of my pictures from the game.

https://fbcdn-photos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-0/10410780_10205332273536085_1315337621920343304_n.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=a09493ab72b77b2c2ea7ecf364a78cba&oe=553D45A3&__gda__=1426650614_389891c88b38b5b489345ca42b906e0 2

[accadacca]

What a year!


http://vimeo.com/114714105

[accadacca]

Great highlight video!


http://youtu.be/GVaPLCfAG0Q

[accadacca]

For the seniors...


http://youtu.be/Kq2c2EMZmAY