Utes back in hunt for PAC-12 Championship

What a difference a month makes.  Since losing their first four conferences games, the University of Utah pulled to an even 4-4 on Saturday after defeating the Washington State Cougars 30-27.   But even better, the Arizona Wildcats defeated the Arizona State Sun Devils leaving ASU tied with the Utes and both teams one game behind the 5-3 UCLA Bruins.  The south division standings are as follows—

USC	6-2	9-2 (Ineligible)
UCLA	5-3	6-5
Arizona State	4-4	6-5
Utah	4-4	7-4
Arizona	2-7	3-8
Colorado	1-7	2-10

 With one week left in the season, Utah is still in the race to be the south division representative in the first ever PAC-12 championship football game.  But the Utes still need a little help.  UCLA is the only team of the 3 that controls their own destiny.  If they win their game against USC this Saturday, they will be in the championship game.  In the event of 3-way tie, Arizona St would go to the championship by virtue of their win over the Utes, and USC.  For the Utes to go to the championship game, both Arizona State(vs Cal) and UCLA must lose their games.  But given the events of the last two weeks with Arizona State falling to both Washington State and 3-8 Arizona, the Utes are starting to look like a team of destiny.  My delusion of playing in the rose bowl still lives.

The 2011 Football Season LIVES

We’re gonna play a different game today…..

The University of Utah’s football team improved to 6-4 on the season and 3-4 in conference with a 31-6 thrashing of division leader UCLA on Saturday.   The story of the game was thought to be the Utes getting their 6^th win and becoming bowl eligible.  Many were very pleased with a season that looked somewhat salvaged. 

Then 4 more hours passed and everything changed.

The WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (were gonna use caps to honor them) defeated Arizona State in Pullman amidst freezing temperatures and falling snow.  That unlikely result puts the Utes pack in contention to do much more than simply salvage their season.  The Utes are now only 1 game behind Arizona State and UCLA to represent the South Division in the inaugural PAC-12 championship.  My dream and mid-season delusion still lives.

But for that (still delusional) dream to happen, Arizona MUST beat Arizona state this Saturday.   In that event, Utah could very easily become part of a 3 way tie for the South Division championship and (by virtue of being highest in the BCS poll) represent the South Division in the championship game.  Go Wildcats!!!!!  After losing Jordan Wynn and after losing their first 4 conference games, the Utes are one epic Sun Devil meltdown game away from being tied up.

So…as I said, were gonna play a different game today and break down what needs to happen for Arizona to pull off the upset and do this for the Utes.  Here are some of my keys to the game—

·        Nick Foles and the Arizona offense must be effective in the short passing game and possess the ball.  Arizona cannot run effectively

·        They cannot give away any points.  Arizona is 12^th in the PAC-12 in total defense and they must make the Sun Devils earn it

·        Hello Wildcat coners?  Earth to Wildcat corners?  Arizona’s pass defense is despicable.  You must show up in this one guys.  You have to play the best game all season to keep Brock Orsweiller and that Sun Devil offense from exploding.

·        Keola Antolin must give Arizona at least a passable running attack and soften up that defense

Go Wildcats….Beat those Sun Devils

Utah, Washington State breakdown to come later this week.

Utes Get First PAC-12 Road Victory

Ahhhhh….That feels better.  After winning two in a row and getting their first PAC-12 road victory, the season finally feels back on track and meaningful for the Utah Utes.  Jon Hays threw for 199 yards and John White ran for another 109 and the Utah Utes handled the Arizona Wildcats 34-21 last Saturday.  Perhaps most importantly, the offense had no turnovers.  Defensively, Utah did what Utah does.  They were stifling to the run, pressured a very good Arizona quarterback in Nick Foles and tightened the screws in red zone. 

The result is Utah is back over .500 at 5-4 and this week they play a very meaningful game at home against UCLA…..And that would be the new division leader UCLA by the way.  This is a statement game for the Utes.  It’s a game to attain bowl eligibility, to beat a team in the upper echelon of the PAC 12 and a game that just might (delusional moment) get you back into the South Division race.  It won’t be easy.  After beating Cal and Arizona State, it’s clear the UCLA is playing their best ball of the season and this game means everything to them as they have the inside track to the PAC-12 championship game.  Here are some my keys to this week’s game—

·        UTAH MUST MATCH UCLA’s INTENSITY OUT OF THE GATES

·        UTAH REALLY MUST MATCH UCLA’s INTENSITY OF THE GATES

·        As Usual, Jon Hays must continue to progress and make plays downfield

·        Utah’s Offensive line must continue to be physical and force UCLA to bring 8 in the box

·        Defense and special teams must continue to put the offense in good situations

Redemption (too some degree) is at hand in this game.  And I….am still plotting and scheming ways of getting in the Rose Bowl.  Go Washington State…Beat ASU.

My new website. The PAC-12 Travel Guide

For a project for school, I have created a webpage called the PAC-12 Travel Guide.  I made the  travel guide for sports fan who want to travel with their team into PAC-12 cities and venues.   The audience was the standard issue (lughead) college football fan (me).   I hope you enjoy it.  I enjoyed making it.....and now I really really want to visit Seattle.  If you want to visit it, here it is.