Monday, October 31, 2011

Utes Get First PAC-12 Win!

Everybody take a big sigh of relief.  The University of Utah has won a PAC-12 game.  John White racked up 205 yards and the Utes got the win over Oregon State 27-8.  Was it pretty? No…..The offense still struggled mightily as they totaled only 287 yards, 13 first downs and a measly SIXTY-TWO YARDS PASSING!!!!  As the offense struggled, the defense performed.  Oregon State totaled only 263 yards, 32 rushing and scored only 8 points. 

Impressively, Utah is ranked first in the PAC-12 in total defense and dead last in total offense.   That is a testament to how well Utah is defending this year considering an offense ranked dead last would be giving an opponent more possessions and time of possession.  The disparity raises the question…….

Is Kyle Whittingham over-stacking the defense with the teams best players?

Think about it……

Would Star Lotulelei not make a wonderful Guard?  Would the Kruger brothers not be effective Tackles?  Could Brian Blechen (a converted Quarterback) be the best QB on this team?  The disparity between the offense and the defense makes these important questions and an issue that the Utes will have to deal with moving forward in the PAC-12.

Up next for the Utes is the Arizona Wildcats (2-6) as they try to make history again and record their first ever road victory in the PAC-12.  It wont be easy.  Don’t be fooled by that record.  Nick Foles is an excellent Quarterback as is the Wildcat offense.  They’ll have some success….Even against a strong Utah defense.  It will be important for the Utes' offense to continue to limit turnovers and make enough plays to win the game.  Some of my keys to the game are—

·     -- Jon Hays must make some plays downfield to stretch the AU defense

·      --The Utah offensive line has to continue to open holes for John White

·      --The defense must force some turnovers and give the Utes some short fields

Monday, October 24, 2011

Utes Move to Salvage Season

(sigh)



The 2011 season is officially in a free fall….It’s a disaster.   After falling to the Cal Bears 34-10, the Utes look like a team that could lose to any team remaining on their schedule.  This season has gone from one where championship dreams were flowing throughout the Salt Lake valley to one where I’m wondering just how much trouble they’re in.  Utah totaled 178 yards of total offense on Saturday and I was surprised to see it was that many.  Kyle Whittingham called Utah’s offense “anemic.”  ANEMIC!?  This offense could very well be the worst in college football.  The offense is--  



·       LAST in the PAC 12 in total offense. 108th nationally

·       LAST in passing offense.  93rd nationally

·       LAST in passing efficiency.  92nd nationally

·       9th in rushing offense.  Surprised its’ that high

·       AND 11th in scoring offense.  92nd nationally



With those numbers it’s a testament to the Utah defense that the Utes are 3-4.   At this point, the 2011 season is about trying to get to a bowl game and carry some momentum into next year.  Where does it begin?  Hopefully this week against the Oregon State Beavers.  At 2-5, the Beavers look like a solid candidate to begin the University of Utah football rehabilitation program but looks can be deceiving.  Oregon State has won two of their last 3 and they have found their quarterback in Sean Mannion.  By recent standards, the Utes will need to play well to win this game.  Some of my keys to the game—



·       Jon Hays has to tighten it up.  He’ll never be great.  0 turnovers would suffice.

·       Utah’s offensive line has to open up holes for John White. 

·       The defense must produce turnovers.  Clearly the common thread in Utah victories this season.

·       DeVonte Christopher (back off injury) has to  return to early season form.

I’m still hoping for 8-4…..The eternal optimist.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Bring on the Bears

The second half of Utah’s season begins this week when the Utes will take on the Cal Bears.  Short of an epic Arizona State meltdown, Utah’s chances at a south division championship probably have to wait for next season.  But there’s still plenty left to play for and the Utes seem to have remained focused if their 26-14 victory over the Pitt Panthers last Saturday was any indication.

The Cal Bears seem to be Utah’s mirror image in the north division.  Both teams stand at 3-3 on the season and both teams come into this ballgame looking for their first conference victory.  Both teams feature strong defenses and offenses that rely heavily on running game.  Here are some of my keys to this ballgame for the Utes—

·        Utah MUST MUST MUST stop spotting their opponents 14+ points a game.  Whether its fumbles, interceptions, or blocked punts, Utah hasn’t played a clean ballgame since BYU the third game of the season.  That must change to get a win against a very capable Cal team.

·        Jon Hays has to become more than a game manager. By now the word is out….Utah wants to give the ball 30+ times to John White and see if they can pound the ball.  If Jon Hays can’t defenses pay for bringing 8 in the box, the Utes offense will continue to struggle.

·        Trevor Reilly and Derrick Shelby must continue to play at a high level.  Reilly and Shelby are providing the Utes with one of the better pass rushing duo’s in the country right now and the results last week was holding Pittsburgh to a total of 50 PASSING YARDS.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Utes face must win game vs ASU

5 turnovers and 4 quarters of undisciplined, uninspired play on Saturday has the Utah Utes with their back against the wall.  The Utes fell to Washington 31-14 in front of shocked sellout crowd on Saturday.  The loss leaves Utah with a 2-2 record and 0-2 in the PAC 12 and now they face the presumptive favorite for the South division championship. 

Whats the good news?

Well...The Utes aren't dead just yet.  If (huge if) the Utes with Jon Hays as the new starter at quarterback can somehow pull off a win this Saturday against Arizona State, they're right back in this thing.  Arizona State plays Oregon the following week and Utah would gain the tiebreaker with a win on Saturday.  Theres plenty yet to play for.  The Utes need to regroup this week and address a great deal of issues.  Here are some of my keys to winning this game--

  • The Utes must win the turnover battle.  This is an ASU team with a clear NFL caliber quarterback in Brock Orsweiller and plenty of weapons offensively.  They cant give up anything cheap as they did only 8 seconds into the ballgame on Saturday against Washington.

  • The Utes must find a way to possess the ball.  They ran a total of 6 plays in the 3rd quarter against Washington and the defense wore down as the game went on.  They must ways to run the ball and with a healthy body at quarterback the Utes might open up the playbook a little more....They have no choice.

  • Special teams must make some plays in this game.  With the second string quarterback running the offense, the defense challenged by all the fire power the Sun Devils possess, the Special Teams must win this matchup.  Wether its a blocked punt, a fake field goal or a kick return, the Utes need a boost from these guys.