Going Bowling!

Ever since dispatching BYU on Saturday, I can't quit thinking about what bowl game Utah will end up in, and who their opponent will be. I was planning on waiting until next week to make this post, but I just can't wait. I'll probably have to post the revised eddition after this week's games have been played. The way I see it, there are basically two options; the Fiesta Bowl, or the Sugar Bowl. Of the two, I'd much rather see the Utes go to the Fiesta. For one, it's played in Arizona so Utah will definitely have more fans there. The Sugar Bowl is in New Orleans. Also, since the Fiesta Bowl picks first this year, it is a more prestigious bowl. Here is the breakdown of both scenarios...

---

The Fiesta Bowl:

How do we get there?

The Rose Bowl has a contract with the PAC-10, so their champion ALWAYS will go to the Rose Bowl. The one exception is if the PAC-10 champ is ranked # 1 or # 2 in the BCS at the end of the season, in which case they would play in the National Championship game. So, if Oregon State beats Oregon, OSU wins the PAC-10 and gets the Rose Bowl. That leaves a 1 loss USC team in the At-Large pool. Of course the Fiesta Bowl would snatch them up without the slightest hesitation, thus killing the possibility of the Utes in the Fiesta Bowl. On the other hand, if Oregon State loses, USC wins the PAC-10 and they are obligated to go to the Rose Bowl. With 4 losses, OSU wouldn’t even be in contention for a BCS game, leaving a spot open in the Fiesta Bowl for Utah. A USC loss to Notre Dame this weekend couldn’t hurt anything either.

Who would we play?

This is wide open still. While the winner of the Big-12 will likely play for the National Title, the loser of the Big-12 title game will likely play in the Fiesta Bowl. This could either be Oklahoma, Texas, or Missouri. The Fiesta Bowl could also pick Texas Tech.

---

The Sugar Bowl:

How do we get there?

This one is easy. We are pretty much already slated for the Sugar Bowl, since we would be a more attractive option that either the Big East or ACC champ. If the Fiesta doesn’t take us, the Sugar is almost a guaranteed lock.

Who would we play?

The Sugar Bowl has contractual ties to the SEC. Since the SEC champ will likely play in the National Championship game, the loser of the SEC title game will be picked up by the Sugar Bowl. We would play either Florida or Alabama. While I would LOVE to see the Utes beat Urban Meyer’s team, I think a win there would be quite a long shot. We would stand a better chance against Alabama.

---

So there you have it. Either way, it's a great accomplishment for the Utes. In 2004, we got stuck in the Fiesta Bowl because they had last pick, and we faced a crappy Pitt team. We didn't earn much respect, because everyone expected us to win. This year, it will be different. We will almost definitely be the underdogs in whichever BCS game we play in. A win against a quality opponent in a BCS game would be huge for the Utes.

The anticipation is KILLING ME!!

Victory

48-24. What a great game on Saturday!

Remember when BYU fans were calling Max Hall the “Dark Horse” candidate for the Heisman? HA! Well, on Saturday we saw the Max Hall that shows up when BYU faces a good defense (just like at TCU). He couldn’t do a thing out there – our corners were too good, and our D-Line got pressure on him, forcing him to throw before he wanted to. I reveled in the agony on his face after every pick he threw.

So you tell me: Who’s better – Brian Johnson or Max Hall? Is there even any question?

Johnson was awesome. He completed over 80% of his passes, and every time they blitzed, he responded well and made things happen.

Everyone (myself included) expected this to be a fairly close game. The Utes just dominated the whole way. They doubled up the score on the Team Down South.

A BCS game is now a lock. It’s going to be a long two weeks before the bowl matchups are announced, but no matter where or who we end up playing, I give the Utes a great chance to win.

12-0 baby. 12-0.

Utah Saftey Robert Johnson intercepting a pass from Max Hall.

Bronco saying a little prayer -- asking how such a heathen team would be allowed to beat the Lord's University.

Why don't I like BYU?

Let me just preface this with a disclaimer. I have some good friends who are BYU fans, and we tend to get along just fine (although when one of them picked a fight with my fanatic U-Grad uncle, he got more than he bargained for). I know some really good people who graduated from BYU. Unfortunately, these friends of mine represent a small minority of BYU fans -- those who are not total idiots.

I was having a... discussion... with a co-worker yesterday who is a pretty outspoken BYU fan, and he said to me, "Just answer me this: Why is it that Utah fans just hate BYU so much?" (as if the opposite weren't equally true...) Well, I had to really think my answer through. I didn't want to be rude, or offend my friend. So instead of really answering truthfully, I just kind of side-stepped the question with, "It's just part of being a Ute."

His question got me thinking though. Why do I hate those guys? I'm not entirely sure how much storage space Blogger allows it's users, so I'll just summarize. Here's the top-ten:

• 10 -- It really is just inherent to being a Ute Fan
• 9 -- Having suffered through the majority of the Lavell "Bitter-Beer Face" Edwards era
• 8 -- The term "The Lord's University". Ridiculous, considering the fact that the better part of general authorities over the years have been products of the U of U. FYI, the Lord wears RED.
• 7 -- The term "The Lord's Team". Even more ridiculous. I can't even express how stupid I think that is.
• 6 -- STILL having to hear about the 1984 National Championship. Fine. You won. TWENTY-FOUR YEARS AGO!!! Get over it!! You don't still hear Ute fans talk about beating you guys 20 years in a row from 1922-1942, do you?
• 5 -- BYU fans + media down-playing the rivalry game. They start saying that BYU doesn't care any more about this game than every other game of the season, and that Ute fans are much more invested in that game. This is the new trend. Actually, it becomes trendy every time BYU isn't favored to win. See here for a blatant example. (as I side note, I can't stand the Deseret News)
• 4 -- The phrases "4th and 18" and "Harline is still open in the endzone!" Both were bad enough when they actually happened -- I'd rather not hear about it from every other BYU fan I see.
• 3 -- Austin Collie. Not only is he arrogant, self-righteous, and a bone-head, but he also just makes the Church look bad by bringing insisting on bringing religion into football. I sure hope the rest of the country doesn't base their opinions of the Church on Austin Collie's shining example. I would love to see the Cougars lose on Saturday 100% because of something he did. Tip a pass to one of our corners, fumble the ball after a catch, etc. So much for "living right" if that happens. :)
• 2 -- "The Quest". Great job, Bronco. I know I know, "The Quest was never about an undefeated season". And if you had half a brain it would get lonely. Of course this was how it was going to be seen by EVERYONE ELSE! Too bad it didn't quite work out.
• 1 -- Self-righteous, holier than thou, obnoxious, cocky fans/players/coaches/students. See here, here, here, and here. This guy represents what the majority of BYU fans are like. What's not to hate?

As Saturday aproaches, my anxiety grows. I really do feel confident in my prediction, but I always get pre-game anxiety, and when it's the rivalry game, that starts about a week early. I can't wait!!

GO UTES!!

Rivalry Week

“I don't talk trash, I talk smack. They're totally different. Trash talk is hypothetical, like: Your mom is so fat she can eat the internet. But smack talk is happening like right now. Like: You're ugly and I know it for a fact 'cause I got the evidence right there.” --Kelly Kapuur

As for me, I talk both.

Trash/smack talk is one of the things that makes Rivalry Week so much fun. Bernell, one of our former bishops, is a Ute fan – as red-blooded as they come. He’s somewhere in his late fifties/early sixties. He is usually a quiet, soft-spoken guy, but when it comes to his Utes, he holds nothing back. In priesthood opening exercises, a BYU fan in our ward came and sat by him and commented, “Well, it should be a pretty fun football game next Saturday, eh Bernell?” Bernell’s reply cracked me up. “Well, it’ll be fun for us, ‘cause we’re gonna woop ‘em!”

And so it begins.

I don’t usually make any predictions when it comes to this game. Partly because it tends to be completely unpredictable, and partly because I know that someone (…probably lots of someone’s) will come along and rub it in my face if I’m wrong. But then, wouldn’t I do the same? Of course I would!!! Nevertheless, I have decided to stick my neck out and predict the outcome of this game. My prediction is that it will not come down to a last second miracle play as it has the last two years. Utah will lead going into the 4th quarter, and hang on for a victory.

Utah 30, BYU 21

There, I said it. I could be way off, but that’s my gut feeling. You’ll probably hear more from me this week, since Saturday’s game is pretty much all I can think about.

GO UTES!! Bust the BCS (again)!!!

What are your predictions??

Utes @ Lobos: Highlights / Lowlights

Definitely not the most enjoyable game to watch. I was quite hoarse on Sunday. Nevertheless, we got the "W", and it was enough to move us up to #8 in the BCS poll -- which is awesome.

Highlights:

• Aiona Key blocking the early UNM field goal. I think a lot of people maybe forgot about this spectacular play (which, btw, probably saved us from an overtime situation), but this kid is awesome! He timed his jump perfectly, and he can really get up there. He's got the highest vertical leap on the team. What a stud!
• Louie Sakoda. It will be a sad day in Ute-ville when he graduates. I'm pretty sure we would be somewhere around 6-3 if it weren't for him. Pinning the Lobos about an inch from the goal line -- you just can't punt better than that.
• The hook and lateral on our one TD of the game. I love trick plays -- and, note-to-ludwig, when you change it up every now and then, it usually works!
• Making Rodney Furgussen a non-factor.

Lowlights:

• The O-Line. Granted, UNM blitzed on nearly every snap, and that can wear down an offensive line pretty quick, but come on guys. Johnson gets blamed for making poor choices with the ball, but you've gotta give him some time to make his reads.
• Throwing an INT in the endzone. We let our most productive drive of the game end in a turnover. SO frustrating!! (incidentally, that seems to happen to me quite often on the PlayStation.)
• Where was the option?! We finally started running it against CSU, and it was excellent! This team executes the option (which, IMO, is one of the hardest plays for a defense to sniff out and stop) as good as any team in the NCAA. I only saw us use it ONCE against New Mexico. And in case you were wondering, it got us about 15 yards. What the heck?!
• We did a great job stopping Furgussen, but their Freshman quarterback ran all over us. We just couldn't stop that kid. He was fast. He was hard to tackle. We didn't have an answer. Why does this make me nervous? Because Andy Dalton (TCU's QB) is even better at that game. Yikes.
• There's something I just REALLY didn't get. We returned a punt (or kickoff maybe?) to about the 35 yard line. A couple flags come in. The refs have one of there little ref meetings (which always seem to take longer than I think they should), and then the lead official steps up to call out the penalties. "There are fouls against both teams", he says. "Illegal block in the back on the return team, and a dead-ball personal foul on the kicking team". So I'm thinking, "Ok, it could be worse. They'll back us up 10 yards for the block in the back, and then they'll give us 15 yards for the personal foul." Not so. His little ref buddy comes running over and whispers in his ear, then he comes back on the mic and says, "Correction, both fouls are against the RETURN team." WHAT?! You would have thought his would be clarified during their 5-minute meeting. But then, as if to pour salt in the wound, we get marched back to the 5 YARD LINE! Since when was a block in the back a 15 yarder? Very irritating. End of soap box.

What were your highlights and lowlights?

Bye Week Blues

This happens to me every year. I hate bye weeks. I seriously go through Utah Football withdrawals. In order to keep my mind off the fact that we don’t play again until Nov. 1, I have been trying to focus on the teams that are playing this week. In a perfect world, here’s how it would play out:

*****DISCLAIMER*****
The following does not reflect my actual opinion of who WILL win each game, but simply my opinion of who I would LIKE to see win each game.

#12 Boise St. @ San Jose St.

If SJ State can pull off an upset in this game, that would ease my mind a little. I actually really like BSU, but if they are our toughest competitor as far as crashing the BCS goes. They play in a very weak WAC conference, so there aren’t many teams with even a slight chance of beating them. SJ State is one of them.

#8 Texas Tech @ #23 Kansas

The obvious pick here is Kansas. A loss to Kansas would probably allow us to jump Texas Tech. Kansas would definitely go up in the polls, but it’s unlikely that they would rise high enough to jump us.

#4 Oklahoma @ Kansas State

Rule Number One: Any time a high-ranked team is playing an un-ranked opponent, an upset is the best case scenario. Good luck Wildcats.

# 10 Florida vs. Kentucky

See rule number one. Go… Wildcats.

#21 BYU vs. UNLV

Eh... I don't really care. A win for BYU won't push them up in the polls unless some teams ahead of them lose, which would also move Utah up. I mean, I love seeing the Cougars lose, but it would help Utah a little if BYU was still at least ranked when we play them in November. So, Rebels, Cougars, fight it out amongst yourselves.

#1 Texas vs # 6 Oklahoma State

This is going to be a good game. I am rooting for Texas in this one, and I hope it’s a blow-out. Why? Because an OK State loss might be enough for Utah to jump them. Admittedly not an extremely likely scenario, but it could happen.

#7 Georgia @ # 13 LSU

I’m going with the Georgia Bulldogs on this one. An LSU win would propel them past Utah in the rankings. (Although, it would probably also drop Georgia below Utah at the same time, thus leaving us exactly where we are now.) Scratch that. I don’t care who wins this game.

# 16 South Florida @ Louisville

As per rule number one, I’ll be rooting for Louisville.

# 14 TCU vs. Wyoming

This is an important game for Utah’s strength of schedule. A loss to Wyoming would be devastating to TCU’s credibility. I actually don’t even mind if TCU jumps Utah in the polls between now and November 6th. It will only help us as long as we beat them. Go Frogs.

# 15 Missouri vs. Colorado

Rule number one gives Colorado my support in this one.

# 2 Alabama @ Tennessee

See rule number one. Go Volunteers! (as a side note, I beat the Tennessee Volunteers 67-7 in the Sugar Bowl last night. Gotta love NCAA football for PS2.)

# 3 Penn State @ # 9 Ohio State

Here again, I’m hoping for a blowout win. I’m going with Penn State in this game. If they blow out the Buckeyes, we could potentially jump OSU.

# 6 USC @ Arizona

As per rule number one, Arizona gets the nod. Although, this game also has implications towards Utah. If USC loses, Oregon State’s win over them looks less impressive, and so does our win over Oregon State. HOWEVER, it would also give Oregon State the opportunity to win the PAC-10, so that would make Utah’s win over them seem pretty good.

So there you have it. If I could decide the outcome of this week’s games, that’s how it would all play out. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Utes Stuff

Oh man, I’ve got so much to say right now. I shall do so briefly:

1. Thank you TCU. That was definitely the most enjoyable game I have watched this season, that didn’t feature the Utes. See, a lot of people said they wanted the U and the Y to be undefeated come 11/22, but my heart was never in it. Now, the Utes still have a quality ranked opponent on the schedule (TCU), and I don’t have to listen to any more ridiculous notions of BYU going to the BCS National Championship game (although, there are still incredibly naive cougar fans who think that BYU is going to a BCS bowl game. See here – no wonder they call themselves “Cougar Crazies”). Anyway, thanks again Horned Frogs. We shall beat you on Nov. 6th, and I will be there on row 9 in the Red Zone to watch it happen.
   
   
2. I found this really cool Utes blog. Check it out here.
   
   
3. The first official BCS rankings were released on Sunday, and the Utes are ranked at # 11 right now. You know what that means? It means a guaranteed BCS game as long as we win out. That’s pretty freakin’ awesome. The first school to bust the BCS will likely be the first school to do it twice!
   
   
4. So, I know there’s still a lot of football to be played, and this is just estimation right now, but CBS Sports released their latest bowl predictions. If you followed the link, then you know why I am so excited by this. They are predicting Utah vs. Florida in the All-State Sugar Bowl. Why is this significant? Because Urban Myer, the coach of the 2004 Utes (which went undefeated and played in the Fiesta Bowl), jumped ship after that season and went to coach the Florida Gators. How big would that be if Utah could go into the Sugar Bowl and beat their former coach?! That would be SO awesome! I seriously hope this happens. I know there’s no way to really predict right now, but it really got me excited.
   
   
5. So, we’ve got a bye this week, and I hope we use it well. We need to prepare for New Mexico – the Lobos looked good against BYU, and they absolutely massacred San Diego State (70-7). I know the Utes are leagues above SDSU, but still, that game was just unreal.
   

Ok, that’s all for now. GO UTES!!