Utah Football 2015

[Iceaxe]

And Utah allows 18.8 ppg. So what's your point?

[qedcook]

And Utah allows 18.8 ppg. So what's your point?

And a good portion of those points are near the end when the outcome was already decided!

[Deuce]

Utah is going to dominate both sides of the line and I can't think this game is within 10 at the end.

[accadacca]

Watching the Cal vs. Utah game from 2003. First start for Alex Smith against Aaron Rodgers


https://vimeo.com/127743025

[Iceaxe]

Spoiler alert... Utah wins 😃

[Iceaxe]

Utah is a 7.5 point favorite over Cal.
61.5 is the over/under.

I'll take Utah and give the points and I'll take the under.

[accadacca]

"The 6-2, 185-pound senior quarterback, who changed his college commitment from Florida Atlantic to Utah after visiting the Salt Lake City school's campus in July, is putting up staggering numbers at Hallandale High in South Florida.

On Sept. 25, he passed for 468 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-28 loss to national power Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas.

He followed that up last week by passing for 515 yards and seven touchdowns — both school records — to lead 4-1 Hallandale to a 56-38 win over district rival Jackson."

http://deseretnews.com/article/865638632/Ute-recruit-Tyler-Huntley-posting-huge-passing-numbers-in-South-Florida.html

[Iceaxe]

USC goes down in flames and now has two PAC 12 loses. The South is wide open and there for the taking.

[accadacca]

Yep, boy did they look bad. Losing at home after a bye week to a 2-2 bottom feeder that has one of the youngest teams in the country and only putting up 12 points?

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=7&v=Wy_PoET6J6s&ebc=ANyPxKqkbfBBPn55EK50CiU7nydPL9o93wgIeMIfR9jJDD CEgSpfoemVTi0Pi_v9OfvH9S5z-TP4Cenp3fm2v5y2CBJqeRtqIQ

[accadacca]

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12045745_1052804171430545_5780420176535154370_o.jp g

[accadacca]

https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xal1/v/t1.0-9/12063399_1186076564740388_7759999423230329149_n.jp g?oh=0189138e1d59d955fc7a1d417b5d480b&oe=568ED582

[Scott Card]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=7&v=Wy_PoET6J6s&ebc=ANyPxKqkbfBBPn55EK50CiU7nydPL9o93wgIeMIfR9jJDD CEgSpfoemVTi0Pi_v9OfvH9S5z-TP4Cenp3fm2v5y2CBJqeRtqIQ

See, we CAN all get along! Good luck, Utes. Beat Cal!

[accadacca]

All picked Utah, including John Stockton of course.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/40bba53f8d62c0c9f90beeae9e34d1f9.jpg

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/4921e318edf4b49a06fec11cad98187e.jpg

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/9c5749d52815222133cd168bfc2b9480.jpg

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/10/9e29d7b5b2d1f98bb4d01767556102b9.jpg

[Iceaxe]

The Cal QB is all that and a bag of chips. Goff is everything that was advertised.

[Iceaxe]

And would someone please tell Brian Griese he is not witnessing offensive "giveaways", but is instead watching defensive "takeaways".

Both defenses are playing lights out.

[gholt]

Utah has good defense great defensive game.

[accadacca]

The Cal QB is all that and a bag of chips. Goff is everything that was advertised.

Yeah for maybe a quarter. What a game!

[uintafly]

Yeah for maybe a quarter. What a game!

He looks like he has all of the tools to be a great QB, but the Utah D started getting into his head. That's what pressure does, just look at how the Giants made the Pats 18-1. Even the best QB will look bad when they continually are on their back.

Oh, and year Griese all game and especially after the game acted as though Cal was just nicely handing Utah the turnovers out of the goodness of their hearts and Utah had nothing to do about forcing them. But what can you expect from an ex Denver Donkey???

[Iceaxe]

Without Goff the score of that game would have been 70 to 0. One guy can only do so much in a team sport.

If Goff stays healthy I wouldn't be surprised to see Cal represent the north in the PAC 12 Championship game.

The Ducks currently look like a train wreck, but they are stacked with talent if they ever start playing as a team.

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxvVzUlNcbo

[accadacca]

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/12112339_10153615050971698_6173744301506995159_n.j pg?oh=231546056a52060853e4be26cc686916&oe=5685C4E4

[accadacca]

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10891440_1054482267929402_7619560134888062405_n.jp g?oh=7eef90960eb42057db7a0cc11100241d&oe=569A1ACB

[gholt]

Beat me to it. I wanted to put up the video

[accadacca]

Utah CB Boobie Hobbs talks Cal win


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xECKaz8G1ys&ebc=ANyPxKrwEU7zXruAsYBnZngZ-3McGskHj7-Di9RnFrfXvg6SQ_BWyFvRUwoDAb2T97V1eq-YreSGT2K4Ui83KUWOqAL5oYDVHw

[Iceaxe]

And in PAC 12 news.... USC just fired Steve Sarkisian

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/usc-fires-coach-steve-sarkisian-204544929.html

Unlike Max "Head Case" Hall I actually liked Sarkisian and wish him well.

[Iceaxe]

The AZ schools have been the Utes Kryptonite, particularly the Sun Devils .... thoughts on Saturday's game?

[accadacca]

I don't think the Utes will have a problem with ASU this year. Unless they starting getting full of themselves and overlook an opponent....

[accadacca]

Whittingham's stock is up, Covey's mission plans & Booker's Heisman buzz

http://deseretnews.com/article/865638906/Morning-links-Whittinghams-stock-is-up-Coveys-mission-plans--Bookers-Heisman-buzz.html

[Iceaxe]

USC would be a tough job for anyone to pass up if offered. South Carolina is a sideways move at best and Maryland is a step down.

[dougr]

Whittingham and Covey are decent men. They'd be selling their souls. I doubt either diverts.

[Iceaxe]

I don't think the Utes will have a problem with ASU this year.

I do, ASU is currently playing great football and a win moves them into first place in the PAC 12 South. Add to that Utah has not beaten the Sun Devils in the past 11 meetings. The Devil's a habit of making the Ute's their personal bitch... I expect another dog fight Saturday Night. If I was betting this game I'd take ASU and the 6.5 points as I expect the finish to be close, also Utah has not covered the spread in their last 7 PAC 12 home games.

[accadacca]

Red and blue recruits: Wayne Kirby decommits from BYU, gets offer from Utah

http://deseretnews.com/article/865638995/Red-and-blue-recruits-Wayne-Kirby-decommits-from-BYU-gets-offer-from-Utah.html

[accadacca]

Utah Utes football: The Arizona State Sun Devils in 6 numbers

No. 4 Utah will host the Arizona State Sun Devils (Saturday, 8 p.m. on ESPN) this weekend. Here are a few numbers to get you ready for a big game in the Pac-12.

6

The Sun Devils have six different receivers with over 200 receiving yards on the season. Quarterback Mike Bercovici spreads the ball around the field quite a bit, but his favorite target so far has been D.J. Foster. Foster has caught a team-high 29 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns.

4

Arizona State has never lost to Utah since the Utes (http://www.deseretnews.com/sports/utah-utes) joined the Pac-12. In four games against the Utes since 2011, Arizona State has won by an average score of 27.8-14, including a 19-16 overtime victory over the Utes in 2014.

138.8

The Sun Devils allow an average of 138.8 yards on the ground per game, making it very susceptible to the run. With a top-tier back like Devontae Booker (665 yards, six touchdowns) and a capable runner in quarterback Travis Wilson, Utah will need to be able to run the football and control the battle at the line of scrimmage as it has done for most of the year.

15

Arizona State began the 2015 season with very high expectations. The Sun Devils were ranked No. 15 in The AP Poll to begin the year and backed up after a 38-17 loss at the hands of Texas A&M in Week 1. Another big loss to USC (http://deseretnews.sportsdirectinc.com/football/ncaaf-teams.aspx?page=/data/ncaaf/teams/team71.html) dropped the Sun Devils out of the top 25. Since those pair of losses they knocked off then-unbeaten UCLA (http://deseretnews.sportsdirectinc.com/football/ncaaf-teams.aspx?page=/data/ncaaf/teams/team91.html) in the Rose Bowl and most recently beat Colorado 48-23.

15 (again)

Arizona State quarterback Mike Bercovici is the 15th-best passer in the country so far this season. The senior has tossed for 1,604 yards, 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions, including a five-score performance last week against Colorado. The Utes just faced a top-tier quarterback in Cal's Jared Goff, and it will interesting to see if Utah will be able to rattle Bercovici as much as it was able to bother Goff.

2

The Utes are tied for second in the country with 12 interceptions on the season, already totaling their output from last season. Safety Marcus Williams has reeled on five of those INTs and has come on as a key player on the Utah defense. His play will be essential to a Utah win this Saturday.
CJ Pronk is a Deseret Digital Media contributor and a Stansbury High School graduate. He will be attending the University of Alabama and majoring in communications. Follow CJ on Twitter @big (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=24784)CeeJ3113.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865638993/Utah-Utes-football-The-Arizona-Sun-Devils-in-6-numbers.html

[qedcook]

I don't think the Utes will have a problem with ASU this year. Unless they starting getting full of themselves and overlook an opponent....

I don't know. I'm nervous as heck for my Utes...

[Iceaxe]

It looks like UCLA is going down as they are getting hammered by Stanford (it's halftime). Which means a win by Utah would give them a two game lead over everyone in the South, and a loss would create a tie with AZ State and the devil's would own the tie breaker.

Utah is going to lose at least one game and more likely two, but exactly which games they actually lose is going to be big.

[accadacca]

UCLA got spanked! 56-35 and it wasn't even that close.

C. McCaffrey 25 RSH 243 YDS 9.7 AVG 70 LNG 4 TD

[Iceaxe]

McCaffery is a stud and should be in the Heisman talks. He is leading the nation in all purpose yards and is a huge reason Standford is kicking a lot of ass. We're lucky Stanford is not on our schedule this year, buta Utah vs Stanford PAC 12 Championship game is looking like a possibility at the moment.

[accadacca]

4 hours until kickoff!

https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/12088484_1198177980208955_9016058585063801184_n.jp g?oh=e1a7a8b312ca4ca34ad5b4db56f4c592&oe=56C67D97

[accadacca]

Good half for Wilson.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/17/d7cc0d4d8ce1329eb1b1f5c8d28b50fb.jpg

[accadacca]

Letting them hang around and then that STUPID play on the kickoff?

BIG trouble in SLC...

[accadacca]

What a relief...

[gholt]

On to USC.

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=2CHe4caOCyQ

[accadacca]

Wilson ended up throwing to 9 different receivers. Impressive...

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/18/3a4f9cbd0a210e8fb99fe74eaf9d472d.jpg

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/18/cd0ff22e8ea1d3e67530974a553174a2.jpg

[uintafly]

I sure would like another blow out win. All of these close games are tough on my 34 year old heart.

Also, does anyone really know how good this team is??? I mean, our resume certainly qualifies us for the top 5. But for those of us who have watched every Utah snap the last few years, do we really think we could hang with the other teams in the top 10? We are just a few plays from losing the last 2 games, but at the same time we were an average special teams game away from basically blowing out ASU. I guess we will figure it out over the next 6 weeks. It's gonna be fun either way, and at least we ain't Independent!

[Iceaxe]

With that defense Utah can hang with anyone in the country. Defensive teams are usually low scoring games, it's just the nature of the beast. Utah's D totally shut down ASU.

[gholt]

Initial Vegas line has USC by 3. It will be a fight.

[dougr]

Odd line. USC is in chaos. Just shows how history and reputation sway bettors.

[accadacca]

Ok I thought Utah had the worst play of the weekend with that forward pass in the end zone.

If you saw the colts fake punt or whatever tonight...they take the cake!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnurT_KPe3A

[Iceaxe]

Odd line. USC is in chaos. Just shows how history and reputation sway bettors.
If you believe the line is way out of whack put some money down :-)

Where the line opens has nothing to do with history and reputation as the bookies can't play that game and stay in business. Where the line moves and ends up usually has history and reputation implications.

I bet a lot of football and I don't think the line is out of whack. USC has as much or more athletic talent than any team in the country, they are at home, they will be looking for redemption for a season that is going down the toilet, they will be well coached. YMMV

[accadacca]

Utah football notes: Utes say ASU deciphered their offensive signals

---

The Utah offense isn't often in the huddle. Center Siaosi Aiono estimates it happens once a week in practice.

But sharp-eyed observers and fans noted that Utah went to the huddle almost the entire fourth quarter in a 34-18 win over Arizona State.

Why? Protection.

The Utes felt that the Sun Devils, through either scouting or in-game analysis, had determined some of Utah's offensive signals and were anticipating the play calls. So coaches decided to give the calls to Travis Wilson on the sideline and then huddle up.

And some may be surprised: Against Arizona State, offensive players said, it's nothing new. The offense installed some extra huddle practice this week for the Sun Devils.

"They called out a couple of our plays last year," Aiono said. "So it was like a tool in our tool bag to have just in case we had to pull it out, and it worked out for us."

Both Aiono and Wilson said they felt in the third quarter that ASU defenders knew what was coming. Wilson noted that some even were watching Utah's sideline to see what offensive coaches were signaling.

After these "suspicions and tips" that ASU had deciphered Utah's signals, the coaches decided to huddle. Utah managed 118 yards of offense and 20 unanswered points in the final quarter after churning out only 33 total yards and no points in the third.

"Specifically for this week, it was a game-plan thing," Aiono said. "It ended up winning the game for us."

Stealing signals is a somewhat ambiguous area: Some might call it cheating, some might call it gamesmanship. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham quipped that the Utes were tipped off something was amiss when they saw an ASU coach make a throwing motion before a pass, but said Arizona State isn't at fault for looking at Utah's signals.

"We never complained about that," he said. "It's our job to ensure that our signals are indecipherable. It's not their job to look the other way."

Defensive end Hunter Dimick said Utah's defense, along with every defense in America, has pre-snap reads and learns offensive tendencies, but the Utes don't really make a huge effort to figure out opponents' signals.

"As far as trying to steal signals, we have a hard enough time getting our signals from [John] Pease down to us in time," he said. "If you can pick off a signal or two, it's just part of the game. But I feel like that's not too much of a problem, that it doesn't give a huge unfair advantage."

Hansen has potential at safety

Hunter Dimick knew Chase Hansen had suited up at safety for last week's practices. But he didn't know Hansen actually took safety reps against ASU until the postgame film study.

"[It's] a good thing," he said. "There was no blown assignments. There was no things you'd expect out of a guy making his debut at safety at the Division I level. That's just a testament to how athletic Chase is, and he's doing a good job for us so far."

At 6-foot-3 and 216 pounds, Hansen might be one of the best athletes on Utah's roster. Ever since he committed to Utah as a star quarterback out of Lone Peak, many have wondered if he might be a top candidate for moving over to defense.

A strong spring and fall camp performance at quarterback dismissed a few of those questions, but an injury to Andre Godfrey created an opportunity for Hansen to see the field on the other side of the ball. Hansen is currently in the two-deep at strong safety.

"He is such a natural athlete that we called on him to get that done," Whittingham said. "My guess is that the more reps he gets, the better he'll get."

Dimick thinks so as well, noting that Hansen picked up safety "instantly."

"He's a freak athlete," Dimick said. "A few more weeks with him at safety, and I think we'll have another excellent secondary player."


Whittingham defends trick play call

If the Utes hadn't piled up points on ASU late, a botched special teams play might have drawn much more scrutiny this week.

As it stands, Britain Covey's failed lateral attempt that resulted in a lead-changing safety was a lowlight in an otherwise feel-good win. But the game's result didn't stop some of the criticism. Whittingham went on the defensive about the play on Monday, saying it could have been a brilliant call if only Covey had thrown it backward instead of forward.

"The premise of it was very good," he said. "As you see it on the film we have as coaches from the end zone, it was a touchdown without question. If you don't execute it, you're idiots. If you do, you get to go on a speaking circuit and write a book about it. It's feast or famine."

It's worth noting that Utah has experienced a great deal of success with trick plays this year, notably getting a punt return touchdown with a decoy play against Oregon. That particular play, critics will point out, was called when the Utes already had a 35-point lead in the third quarter, and not when Utah was nursing a one-point advantage in rainy conditions.

Whittingham said the play worked well in practice. If he could take the call back, he would because it didn't work. But he blamed the execution and the coaching — not the call itself.

"We just didn't execute it well enough, which means we didn't coach it well enough," he said. "If we didn't execute it, we have to do a better job of coaching that up and making sure it has a better chance of success."

Depth chart changes with injuries

The Utes announced tight end Siale Fakailoatonga was lost for the season after being helped off the field in the first half against Arizona State. Harrison Handley is the listed starter, backed up by freshman Caleb Repp. Whittingham said tight ends Ken Hampel and Wallace Gonzalez will likely also play wider roles in making up for Utah's second season-ending injury at the position this year.

Tim Patrick is on the two deep at X-receiver for the first time since the early weeks of the season. He's warmed up for the last few games, but Whittingham said that Patrick's return is "up to him."

In a non-injury related change, Hiva Lutui has eclipsed Salesi Uhatafe at right guard. Whittingham said last week that the two were splitting reps roughly 50-50. Lutui is also Utah's backup center.

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3079812-155/utah-football-notes-utes-say-asu?page=1

[gholt]

Predictions for Saturdays game.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Iceaxe]

I still think Utah will lose one game and probably two this season. I'm just trying to decide which games those losses will be.... and I'm thinking this might be one as USC is just loaded with talent.

[dougr]

Utes handily. USC is in disarray. The level of talent sc has becomes a prima donna problem without a strong system and leadership in place.

[gholt]

Ute's by 13

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[oldno7]

USC 35--Utes 13

I want to be wrong but it seems the Utes have the ability to have the wheels come off....

This game could move them to #1 or 2, depending on Ohio state or drop them to low teens.

[Iceaxe]

If the Utes went in and put a real thumping on USC I think they will be #1 in the BCS poll, which is the only one that really matters.

[accadacca]

Utah 38 - USC 28

[Iceaxe]

USC 35
Utah 24

[dougr]

So at halftime, we're seeing an intimidated, cautious Utes vs the superior talent of sc. Yet save for the two bonehead picks, the game is even.

[accadacca]

Hey Wilson, who is Cameron Smith? A) your worst nightmare, B) your daddy, C) your #1 target, D) all of the above.

[skiclimb3287]

Hey Wilson, who is Cameron Smith? A) your worst nightmare, B) your daddy, C) your #1 target, D) all of the above.
Covey had 129 receiving yards....Cameron had 122 [emoji17]

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[accadacca]

EDIT: SOLD

I won't be able to make the Oregon State game. I just listed my tickets online. I sit on the 4th row right on the 10 yard line. Tickets on my row are selling for $175 each on stubhub. If you are interested I'll give you them for $120 each or best offer. First person to get me the money gets them and like I said they are listed elsewhere.

Picture from my seats:

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11113937_10207444297255358_7233321072619210639_o.j pg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9

[Iceaxe]

Going through the PAC 12 undefeated is an almost impossible task these days. Even the mighty Duck teams of the past couple of years couldn't do it.

After watching the USC game I think it's safe to say USC has most of their early season issues worked out. I thought Utah played a good game. They just got slugged in the face by a very good team at home. I still predict the Utes will lose at least one more game this year and right now I'm thinking it will be to Arizona. The PAC 12 is a real meat grinder.

[accadacca]

Without those 3 interceptions to the same guy, this is a close game.

[Iceaxe]

Also several missed tackles on 3rd downs that allowed USC to keep drives alive. Back when I was coaching HS football I used to tell my guys... "sometimes the other team just makes great plays".

[accadacca]

Well, it'll be a dog fight to the end. Several teams are now only one game back with USC having the tiebreak on Utah. The games against UCLA and Arizona could be BIG.

Washington State is playing well lately and is currently #2 in the Pac-12 power rankings. The Stanford @ Washington State game should be a good one this week.

82181

[Iceaxe]

USC still has UCLA on the schedule so that game will knock at least one team out of the picture.

If UCLA wins out they will be South champion as they would own all the tie breakers, except against Arizona State but the Sun Devil's will lose at least one more.

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPVGcUxkxcg

[Iceaxe]

Utah is a 21.5 point favorite over the Beaver. This would be a great game for Utah to get firing on all cylinders. The Beavers did hold Stanford in check for the first three quarters a couple weeks ago.

[Iceaxe]

7-1 life is good in the PAC 12.

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2_bnSTFIwk

[accadacca]

Thoughts on the Washington game? They dominated Arizona and really reminded me of Utah on both sides of the ball.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=Yj0AP9D7YKg

http://dahlelama.com/wallpaper/2015/09-UW_desktop.png

[Iceaxe]

Utah is a 1 to 1.5 point favorite depending on which bookie you check with. This game is going to be a dog fight. Washington being at home is a big advantage in their favor.

[Deuce]

Utah is a 1 to 1.5 point favorite depending on which bookie you check with. This game is going to be a dog fight. Washington being attention home is a big advantage in their favor.

Utah currently +1/1.5.

Utah getting a point and a half, that's win all day long.

For some reason, I'm just not worried about Washington at all.

[accadacca]

Utah hasn't beaten the Huskies since they joined the Pac.

[Iceaxe]

Utah hasn't beaten the Huskies since they joined the Pac.

Utah hasn't beaten the Huskies.... EVER.... that is 0-8 dating back to 1931. :cool2:

[Deuce]

Though always a fun stat, its irrelevant. Utah has like 6 starters who have ever played a game vs Washington. Utah is a totally different program today vs the program they were back in 2012, let alone when they were MWC orWAC.

The teams/programs are who they are as constituted today.

They have 4 common opponents so far this year. Utah is 3-1 & has outscored those opponents by 40 points total. Their winning margin ofvictory in the 3 wins is 19 PPG. Washington is 2-2, has outscored the opponents by 7 points total and their margin of victory inthe 2 wins is 10 points.

Vegas tends to be pretty good at this, but for some reason, I feel pretty good about the Utes chances. I really hope Norris is back and healthy.

[taatmk]

Washington wins by a touchdown.

[gholt]

Utah by 6

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[accadacca]

Old news by now, but Utah is #12 in the college football playoff rankings. There are currently zero Pac-12 teams in the playoff or even on the outside looking in. However #2 LSU plays #4 Alabama, #1 Clemson plays #16 Florida State and #8 TCU plays #14 Oklahoma State this week. Beyond that there is still A LOT of sledding left.

Will the Pac-12 get left out?

82319

[Deuce]

2 SEC teams are not getting in. I think if Ohio State AND Notre Dame went undefeated the rest of the way, there would be a chance the PAC12 was left out. Either Utah or Stanford need to win out, and I think that team would get in. Hard to leave out the PAC12 out. Like last year, you will see teams drop, even when they win.

Ohio State still has games vs both Michigan teams, ND is playing Stanford.

[Iceaxe]

If Utah or Stanford wins out they will be in.

If you look at last years poll only one team in the first top 4 was still there at the final poll. And a 16 seed in the first poll made the final four.

[accadacca]

Utah enemy camp: 5 questions with a Washington beat writer

Sitting at 7-1, the Utah Utes are currently the Pac-12 South leaders. But with UCLA and USC clipping at their heels, winning each game from here on out has become necessary if the Utes want to make it to the Pac-12 championship game in December.

This makes Saturday's contest at Washington a pivotal one, despite not being the game that Ute fans probably didn't circle prior to the season's start. The Huskies are coming off of a 49-3 drubbing of Arizona, and it looks as if they may be hitting their stride at the right time with No. 14 Utah coming to town.


In preparation for the showdown, we caught up with Adam Jude, Washington football beat writer for The Seattle Times, to get the inside scoop.

DN: Washington is coming off of a huge win over Arizona, yet dropped its two games before that. How confident are the Huskies right now heading into this matchup with Utah, and have they found their stride?

AJ: This is a young UW team, and the expectations coming into the season, at least from the outside, were that this would be a rebuilding year. In some ways, they're ahead of schedule. The defense has been excellent, leading the Pac-12 in scoring defense (16.9 points per game). The offense has been hit-or-miss, but that was to be expected with the youngest offense in school history. Jake Browning became the first true freshman to open a season as the Huskies' starting QB, and he's been playing behind an entirely new offensive line. But they did have their most complete performance against Arizona, and they've certainly build some confidence from that.

DN: The Huskies hung 49 points against the Wildcats. What kind of offense should the Utes expect to see? What offensive players will give Utah trouble on Saturday?

AJ: Browning accounted for five total touchdowns against Arizona, including his first rushing TD, a week after sitting out the loss at Stanford with a minor injury to his right throwing shoulder. The Huskies have a modified spread offense that features multiple formations with a bunch of personnel groups; they substitute freely on offense, looking for matchup advantages. True freshman running back Myles Gaskin has been a pleasant surprise for UW, rushing for 655 yards and six TDs (6.1 yards per carry). Dwayne Washington is the Huskies' versatile big-play threat; they use him in both the running and passing game, and he leads the team with seven touchdowns.

DN: Will Washington be able to contain Devontae Booker and the Utah run? How are the Huskies preparing for a hit-or-miss quarterback in Travis Wilson? What Washington defensive player should Utah keep an eye on?

AJ: The Huskies have already played the Pac-12's two leading rushers in Oregon's Royce Freeman and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey — both had productive games against UW — and the Huskies see Booker as a combination of those two. Their priority will be to (try to) stop the run and force Wilson to beat them with his arm. The Huskies have good cover corners in Sidney Jones and Darren Gardenhire who they will leave in one-on-one coverage quite a bit. Outside linebacker Travis Feeney leads the Pac-12 with 6.5 sacks, and inside linebackers Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierria are playing at an all-conference level.

DN: Utah is still fighting for a Pac-12 title and potentially a College Football Playoff spot. Is there extra motivation for this UW squad to hinder Utah's chances for a conference championship?

AJ: That hasn't come up specifically this week. Even for a young team, the Huskies seem to be doing a good job buying into Chris Petersen philosophy of, 'Just worry about ourselves.' Petersen has a lot of respect for Utah — he said Utah's is the kind of program he's trying to build at UW — but the Huskies would no doubt relish the chance to knock off a top-15 team at home.

DN: What do the Huskies have to do to win on Saturday? Prediction?

AJ: UW's defense has kept the Huskies in every game this season, even as its offense has sputtered. Their upset at USC was a prime example: UW held USC to one touchdown, and the offense did just enough to eek out a 17-12 victory. If the Huskies are going to beat Utah — and that's a big if — it feels like it needs to be on the heels of another great defensive game.

http://m.deseretnews.com/article/865640672/Utah-enemy-camp-5-questions-with-a-Washington-beat-writer.html?ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.facebook.com

[accadacca]

Anybody else wanna call their shot?

82320

82321

82322

[accadacca]

I'm picking Utah 34-23.

[Iceaxe]

The 3rd quarter can not end fast enough as Utah is getting beat like a rented mule. Utah has played like crap all year in the 3rd but usually picks things up in the 4th.

[gholt]

That interception may be their loss.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[accadacca]

I'm picking Utah 34-23.
I called it! Go Utes!!!

[Iceaxe]

The 3rd quarter can not end fast enough as Utah is getting beat like a rented mule. Utah has played like crap all year in the 3rd but usually picks things up in the 4th.
I called it ;-)

[accadacca]

I called it ;-)

Haha

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/07/7e033c17f34abedaaeadf16aebc482cd.jpg

[Iceaxe]

That was an ugly win... but no one really gives a crap.... a win is a win.

[accadacca]

Hopefully we didn't lose next years starting QB on that last play. Looked like a nasty knee injury. ACL or MCL...

[accadacca]

Well, it'll be interesting...

#10 Florida beat Vanderbilt 9-7 WTF

#8 TCU lost by 20

#7 Michigan State lost

#6 Baylor won by 7

#4 Alabama spanked #2 LSU

Lotta teams getting their 1st loss. Utah has missed a couple chances already to make a statement...

[accadacca]

Travis Wilson now has 71 career TD's which is 2nd all time. He's 1 away from Scott Mitchell at 72.

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=owfvwJsNKgg

[Iceaxe]

Travis Wilson now has 71 career TD's which is 2nd all time. He's 1 away from Scott Mitchell at 72.
Unfortunately Wilson is no Scott Mitchell. If this team had Mitchell at QB they would be ranked #1 and pretty much unstoppable.

[accadacca]

A lot of movement this week, including Utah up 3 spots to #10.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/08/deadf4e689ef0de4faec859523e7c6b9.jpg

[gholt]

Now onto Arizona.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Deuce]

Hopefully we didn't lose next years starting QB on that last play. Looked like a nasty knee injury. ACL or MCL...

I don't think Hansen is ever playing QB again.

[Iceaxe]

I don't think Hansen is ever playing QB again.
^^^THIS^^^

Starting safety your freshmen year on a top 10 team.... that's the type of play that gets you into the NFL.

So a lot probably matters what his long term goals are. If I remember correctly Eric Weddle also entered the program as a QB and is now an all pro safety.

[accadacca]

^^^THIS^^^

Starting safety your freshmen year on a top 10 team.... that's the type of play that gets you into the NFL.

So a lot probably matters what his long term goals are. If I remember correctly Eric Weddle also entered the program as a QB and is now an all pro safety.
That's true, but Weddle wasn't nearly as touted as a QB in high school.

[accadacca]

Utah's Chase Hansen out for remainder of season with leg injury

There was some bad news for Utah in their Pac-12 title push, as coach Kyle Whittingham told the media Monday that safety Chase Hansen will miss the remainder of the season with a leg injury suffered in Saturday's win over Washington.

The redshirt freshman sustained the injury on the final play of the game against the Huskies, after leading the 12th-ranked Utes with 10 tackles in his first start at safety.

Hansen, a former four-star high school quarterback recruit, only started taking snaps at safety a month ago, and is expected to start at his familiar position under center for the 2016 season.

[Iceaxe]

The bright side of that is Chase might get an extra year for medical.

[Deuce]

The bright side of that is Chase might get an extra year for medical.

Would not qualify for a medical hardship waiver.


Can just hope that he's healthy enough to participate in Spring Ball.

[accadacca]

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/12248223_10153191248030814_449088416878222483_o.jp g

[Iceaxe]

Wow... USC escaped the Buffaloes by the skin of their teeth. Utah needs to win out and also have USC win out to make the playoffs

[gholt]

That was close for SC. Predictions for Zona

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[accadacca]

Utah in trouble...

USC and Oregon still both alive for the championship.

After the Stanford loss I think the possibility of the Pac-12 missing the playoff is very likely.

[Iceaxe]

Next weeks USC - Oregon game is going to be big.

Utah is getting beat like a rented mule. Arizona picked up this game right where they left off last years Utah game.

[Iceaxe]

After the Stanford loss I think the possibility of the Pac-12 missing the playoff is very likely.

If Utah wins out they will make the playoffs, but they are the PAC 12 last hope. USC will probably be ranked at year end which makes Utah's loss look a little better.

[accadacca]

If Utah wins out they will make the playoffs, but they are the PAC 12 last hope. USC will probably be ranked at year end which makes Utah's loss look a little better.

Yeah but look who is ahead of them...

[Iceaxe]

I'll worry about it if Utah wins out. A lot of football yet to be played.

[accadacca]

The Pac is out. Bummer...

Man Booker was running with the rock swinging all around and Utah's DB's got WORKED in this one. Arizona with 300 yards passing (#1 caught 126) and 3 TD's through the air.

[accadacca]

I guess Booker is questionable this week...

[accadacca]

Report: Utah's Booker to undergo meniscus surgery, miss rest of regular season

[gholt]

That may end their run

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Iceaxe]

I don't think so, Joe Williams is pretty damn good and will probably be Utah's number one RB next year. If Utah had of stayed with Williams in the Arizona game instead of running and injured Booker in the second half they probably would have escaped with a W. After Booker's injury Williams was running downhill and moving the chains, and even more important is Williams wasn't humbling.

I'm not saying Joe Williams is as good as a healthy Booker, but he is a lot better than an injured and tentative Booker. If the rest of the team steps up the Utes should be good to go as Rice Eccles is a viscous place to play for a road team. And you never know, sometimes Travis looks like an All-American, the game probably rides on if good Travis or average Travis shows up to play tomorrow.

Your mileage may vary.

[accadacca]

I don't think so, Joe Williams is pretty damn good and will probably be Utah's number one RB next year. If Utah had of stayed with Williams in the Arizona game instead of running and injured Booker in the second half they probably would have escaped with a W. After Booker's injury Williams was running downhill and moving the chains, and even more important is Williams wasn't humbling.

I'm not saying Joe Williams is as good as a healthy Booker, but he is a lot better than an injured and tentative Booker. If the rest of the team steps up the Utes should be good to go as Rice Eccles is a viscous place to play for a road team. And you never know, sometimes Travis looks like an All-American, the game probably rides on if good Travis or average Travis shows up to play tomorrow.

Your mileage may vary.
Agreed. I think running injured was the reason Booker fumbled, especially the second fumble, which was the costly one. Williams has the speed, Booker has the power. I think Williams will do very very against UCLA.

[gholt]

So now they are behind UCLA and SC.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Iceaxe]

Most teams get better as the year goes on, this team has not :-(

[accadacca]

That was UGLY...

3 field goals and you can't get first downs = bad losses.

[accadacca]

http://www.thegreenwichphantom.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/maze-hill-train-crash-GHC-low-2.jpg

[Iceaxe]

Twice in the past 5 years the Utes choked away a chance to play in the PAC 12 title game.

:cry1:

[accadacca]

Ohio State dropped from #2 to #8 in the AP. Cry me a river...

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11/27/baa0f3f580acf4d2f3838038311096ff.jpg

Surprised to see UW spank WSU and OSU put up some points on OU.

[Iceaxe]

The UCKS have no D, everyone is hanging a bunch of points on them so it should come as little surprise. Utah was lucky in that they played the Ducks when their offense was a clusterf**k.

[gholt]

Predictions for bowl game?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Iceaxe]

I predict Utah is not going to the Rose Bowl. :roflol:

[qedcook]

I predict Utah is not going to the Rose Bowl. :roflol:

Too soon! Foul!

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn8HJBAQUjo

[Deuce]

Predictions for bowl game?

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

Holiday

[gholt]

I think holiday as well.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[qedcook]

Who will we play?

[accadacca]

I'm thinking they will go to Vegas.

This video is a piece of good news to combat the not so good news that will come.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS841Si_JZo

I hope not though...just was there watching them light up CSU last year.

[taatmk]

Utah verses BYU in the Vegas Bowl.

[Iceaxe]

I want the Holiday Bowl.

We will get the Vegas Bowl.

BIG YAWN!!!

[accadacca]

Wow! Virginia hires BYU's Bronco Mendenhall as new football coach

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/acc/2015/12/04/virginia-hires-bronco-mendenhall-byu/76801394/

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlt1/v/t1.0-9/12341241_10153349840067635_8653049065748475481_n.p ng?oh=4ee0f77d02ee4a8485cc0666bc942349&oe=56E14752

[Iceaxe]

This would probably play better in the BYU thread since it doesn't have shit to do with Utah.... just sayin'...

[Sandstone Addiction]

I have mixed emotions about this...but mostly disappointment. Utes deserved better than this.

82462

[accadacca]

This would probably play better in the BYU thread since it doesn't have shit to do with Utah.... just sayin'...
Sorry I don't post in that thread. I'll post a separate thread next time...

[accadacca]

I have mixed emotions about this...but mostly disappointment. Utes deserved better than this.

82462
It'll be fun. Honestly I would rather wait until they play next year. This will certainly refuel the rivalry and make up for the missed games.

[Sandstone Addiction]

Runnin' Utes play Duke at 10AM on the 19th in Madison Square Garden. I'm doubt the CC members and other fans attending either game will not appreciate that.

[Iceaxe]

I have mixed emotions about this...but mostly disappointment. Utes deserved better than this.

82462


Put me down as "disappointed". I was hoping for a better bowl, but I understand from a ticket and TV perspective.

This game is a no win proposition for the Utes.

[gholt]

Play against a dirty team in no win situation.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[Deuce]

This game is a no win proposition for the Utes.

Agree, from the national perspective. But as a Utah fan if they can crush the Cougars, it would feel pretty good.

I always enjoy when Utah beats BYU, doesn't matter the sport. It would be especially sweet to send Rosco on the road with another loss to the Utes and stand in the way of him getting his 100th win as the BYU HC.

[gholt]

Agree, from the national perspective. But as a Utah fan if they can crush the Cougars, it would feel pretty good.

I always enjoy when Utah beats BYU, doesn't matter the sport. It would be especially sweet to send Rosco on the road with another loss to the Utes and stand in the way of him getting his 100th win as the BYU HC.
That would be a good send off to Roscoe

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[oldno7]

I can see a lopsided quarterback battle, not necessarily favoring the Utes

[Deuce]

I can see a lopsided quarterback battle, not necessarily favoring the Utes

I don't know about that.

Mangum averages 255 yards per game, 21 TD-7 INT and completes 62% of his passes. Is not a threat running the ball. Half of the teams that Mangum played against are not bowl eligible, meaning finished with 5 or fewer wins.

Wilson averages 184 yards per game, 13 TD-10 INT and completes 62% of his passes. Wilson also averages 42 yards a game on the ground w/ 6 TD's. Only 2 teams that Wilson faced this year finished with 5 or fewer wins.

[Iceaxe]

And with that defense backing Wilson up the Utes will always be in the game.

[Iceaxe]

The Las Vegas Bowl sold out in less than 24 hours.

[oldno7]

lots on the line for Utah--nothing for BYU.

Utah has proven they know how to choke--BYU 42 Utah31

and I can't stand BYU--so go Utes.

[Iceaxe]

Vegas has Utah a 3 point favorite.

[accadacca]

All BYU has to do is watch the Arizona, UCLA and Colorado tape to see that Utah hasn't been able to defend the pass. Domo in particular has been lit up.

If Utah's defense can get to Mangum and disrupt his game, then Utah will be ok. Domo and the boys better show up too. If not then Mangum will pick them apart threading the needle on passes and deep balls to Mathews.

If Utah's offense starts kicking field goals, then I think it's over before it starts. If Utah scores every time in the red zone, they will win.

[Deuce]

I think the key is going to be Utah getting pressure on Mangum. Knock him down again and again.

Wonder if Squally Canada will have an impact.

[accadacca]

Utah football: Hill feels he and Whittingham are ‘on the same page’ in contract talks

First, Utah athletic director Chris Hill acknowledged in November that he and Kyle Whittingham had "communicated."

Last week, Whittingham told The Tribune that talks with Hill were "ongoing, and heading in a positive direction."

Monday, Hill advanced our understanding a tiny bit. Asked if any other schools have inquired about Whittingham, Hill said: "What I can tell you is that Kyle and I had a really good conversation a week ago, and I think we're in good shape."

"I think we're both on the same page," he continued. "The Monday right after the season, we met and talked about compensation and extended years, and he said it was a good conversation, and I thought it was positive, too."

http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/uofusports/3279186-155/utah-football-hill-feels-he-and

[accadacca]

Future Utah QB Troy Williams

http://www.scout.com/college/football/recruiting/story/1620691-utah-juco-qb-commit-williams-gets-it-done

[Iceaxe]

Future Utah QB Troy Williams

So we get a commit from Washington's 2014 third string QB?

[accadacca]

So we get a commit from Washington's 2014 third string QB?

And Utah fans are stoked. He's just another unproven QB...

[Iceaxe]

The best thing about the Vegas Bowl is we get to talk smack with BYU fans.

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/09/b9869d35ee12eb3e4ce3c01b00ef549e.jpg

[Scott Card]

What were you saying??? :2thumbs:


http://universe.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/10714273_10152857375814772_4997746570637848409_o.j pg

[Iceaxe]

What were you saying??? :2thumbs:


Nice to see they put in turf to stop the BYU cheerleaders from grazing.

:roflol:

[Scott Card]

Them beer goggles cloudin' yer eyesight again? :dizzy::roflol:

That photo is actually taken on the opposing bench's sideline. Seems the opposite would be true wouldn't it? :nod:

[accadacca]

I kinda wonder who is getting Cougars ready for the bowl.

Mendenhall Adds Eight to Coaching Staff

http://www.virginiasports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121215aab.html

[Iceaxe]

I kinda wonder who is getting Cougars ready for the bowl.

Who cares... :roflol:

Seriously.... This is the same situation Utah had to deal with when Urban bolted for Florida and we all know how that turned out. The extra Bowl practices usually has more to do with getting returning players ready for next year than it does with practicing for the bowl game.

[gholt]

ESPN ranked the Vegas Bowl as the #1 PAC 12 Bowl of importance. Seriously, what are they smoking.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/96253/rating-the-pac-12-bowl-games-by-importance

[Iceaxe]

The rankings are importance to the team and their season and not to the conference. Using that criteria I can agree with ESPN.

[accadacca]

Musburger previews Las Vegas Bowl
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=14344795

[gholt]

The rankings are importance to the team and their season and not to the conference. Using that criteria I can agree with ESPN.

I guess that makes more sense. I didn't look too closely, other than wondering why it would be rated the #1 Bowl for the PAC12.

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/14/7d7d574461b2cbc6cb7f1565aec72b76.jpg

[Scott Card]

LOL That is awesome. :haha:
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/14/7d7d574461b2cbc6cb7f1565aec72b76.jpg

[accadacca]

Deseret News: BYU head coaching candidate Ken Niumatalolo to remain at Navy

[Iceaxe]

Deseret News: BYU head coaching candidate Ken Niumatalolo to remain at Navy
Please keep this shit out of the Utah football thread and put it where it in the BYU thread where it belongs... thanks!

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/16/e6b607dc4aca676afffba776fb699f57.jpg

[accadacca]

Who is going to win the BYU vs. Utah game on Saturday and how will the coaching change drama affect the game?

BYU is still in hot pursuit of their next coach. Bronco can't be spending much time on the game, while he works on recruiting for Virginia.

The Utes don't have any distractions. Is K. Scott going to play? What about Covey?

[accadacca]

These are the only guys I see for Utah on the injury report...

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/16/d1fe296670671c69f02f3877e2ae7bce.jpg

[accadacca]

Looks like Covey will play, "Covey suffered an ankle injury against UCLA, which caused him to miss the rest of that game and the season finally against Colorado. While it is far from a done deal that Covey will play in the Vegas Bowl, he told reporters Tuesday, he "wouldn't miss this game for the world." Covey will have plenty of time to recover after the game because he plans to serve a two-year LDS Church mission."

http://www.blocku.com/2015/12/9/9880388/will-britain-covey-play-for-utah-in-the-royal-purple-las-vegas-bowl

[Iceaxe]

These are the only guys I see for Utah on the injury report...

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/16/d1fe296670671c69f02f3877e2ae7bce.jpg
Chase Hansen

[accadacca]

"BYU, y'all are a good team," he continued. "But you're a dirty team. Don't start nothin', won't be nothin'."

See the video: http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/uofusports/3318417-155/utahs-fauonuku-tells-byu-its-a

[Kent K25]

"BYU, y'all are a good team," he continued. "But you're a dirty team. Don't start nothin', won't be nothin'."

See the video: http://www.sltrib.com/blogs/uofusports/3318417-155/utahs-fauonuku-tells-byu-its-a

Says the kid who held two people at gunpoint while his friend stole their wallets.... lol

[accadacca]

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/12356863_10153897105106654_183354800907275434_o.jp g

[accadacca]

Where’s Basil?
When Utah punter Tom Hackett discovered his Subaru Outback, Basil, was stolen, he sent out a worldwide APB. This is the true story of Basil's abduction and the quest to reunite it with its owner, including a terrible misunderstanding along the way.

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/14384981/utah-utes-tom-hackett-recovers-stolen-subaru-outback-named-basil-help-friends-social-media?sf17391551=1

[Scott Card]

:lol8:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huZIAVV58K0&feature=youtu.be

[Iceaxe]

^^^:roflol:

[accadacca]

If Utah's defense can get to Mangum and disrupt his game, then Utah will be ok. Domo and the boys better show up too.
Uh huh...

[accadacca]

Passing defense starting to struggle...

[Iceaxe]

That was a really crappy game to watch.....

.....but a win is a win.

A 10-3 season in the PAC 12 is a big deal, but in many ways it was a disappointing year by the way the season unfolded.

[accadacca]

https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/t31.0-8/10984199_871519399630522_4906923302423857094_o.jpg

[accadacca]

BYU fans posting all over...

"That was nice of BYU to spot Utah 35 to make things interesting. Otherwise that would have been a blow out."

"Give coach Whittingham and the Utes the win. But they gotta know that BYU simply ran out of time. The Cougs were on fire."

"It was like BYU spotted Utah 35 points so they could make it a game."

BYU fans never admit defeat, even when they lose. They are like, "BYU was clearly a better team."

Yeah and Utah didn't do anything to help force those 5 turnovers and score TD's... :roll:

[Iceaxe]

SCOREBOARD!

[accadacca]

The difference...

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/19/b0fcbb9e5e3eb305a27df5c589df82cd.jpg

[accadacca]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/ireport/sm/prod/2011/09/22/WE00638116/1847084/byufansturnontheirownafterholywa-1847084_p9.jpg

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QsQBzMoIqc&ebc=ANyPxKpE0fXXjkgB4OmalH2Ua0Pm50clR9l2-gYaW92_CH5aYUeODXhO8fSVmxdE5RHxVuJ9wLfBrF2XzdcnsiA kRPX9u234IA

[accadacca]

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/12/20/5635ea13aa0c8718b781b056b20d745b.jpg

[accadacca]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&persist_app=1&v=wmdt78DkYfk

[accadacca]

Looks like these guys are getting lucky off the field too. haha

82532

82533

[accadacca]

3-point stance: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is king of the bowls

1. Not only did Utah coach Kyle Whittingham extend the Utes’ winning streak over Holy War rival BYU to five games, but the 35-28 victory in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl on Saturday made Whittingham the best bowl coach in college football history. Whittingham’s bowl record is 9-1, and that .900 winning percentage ranks first among coaches who have made it to at least 10 bowls. The next three: Urban Meyer (8-2, .800), Tom O’Brien (8-2, .800) and Pat Dye (9-3, .750). The list skews toward recent coaches because the number of bowls has increased dramatically over the last 40 years.

2. Oregon State defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake takes over at his alma mater, BYU, which is doubly interesting because he served 10 seasons on Whittingham’s staff at Utah. There’s a history of such moves. Darrell Royal played at Oklahoma and turned down his alma mater’s plea to leave Texas. Bo Schembechler left Woody Hayes’ staff at Ohio State to coach Michigan. Dye, a longtime Bear Bryant assistant at Alabama, had a Hall of Fame career at Auburn. Stanford and Cal have swapped coaches like they were recipes. Fans have the luxury of hating their archrivals. Coaches view football as a job.

3. With Saturday's loss to Utah, not only did Bronco Mendenhall fail to win his 100th game at BYU, but the winning percentage he takes to Virginia slipped from .702 to .697, knocking him off the list of active FBS coaches with .700 records who have coached at least 10 seasons. There are now only 10. A .700 winning percentage, like a career .300 batting average in baseball, seems like a ticket to the College Football Hall of Fame. So how do you feel about Bobby Petrino? The Louisville coach is 99-39 (.717), and in 11 seasons he has won two league titles (Conference USA in 2004; Big East in 2006). Is that enough? How much should his firing at Arkansas for off-the-field malfeasance affect our view of him?

[accadacca]

Final ranking for the 2015 Utes. Little preverbal jab at Langi in the photo. Former disgruntled Utah running back...

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/t31.0-8/12513605_10153795027856698_5822286312092289300_o.j pg

[accadacca]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160123/8e617a5374482bb0606e7a1e1e9d8159.jpg

[accadacca]

https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/12669500_10153900446530960_2928123726631152299_n.j pg?oh=ea787d3a54a3f22ec5eaf2178d6845f6&oe=5767DE55

[accadacca]

Former Ute quarterback Travis Wilson not afraid of hard path to NFL

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/98315/former-ute-quarterback-travis-wilson-not-afraid-of-the-hard-path-to-the-nfl

[accadacca]

"If money wasn't involved in this game, I still would play this game just because I love it to death."

Make sure to watch this video about Devontae Booker today. So good


http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap3000000647707/First-Draft-Devontae-Booker?campaign=fb-nn-sf23225650-sf23225650

[accadacca]

Great Article! hahah http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/4/1/11327810/tom-hackett-utah-punter-nfl-draft

83173

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