A Short Stay in Hell: #18 Utes visit #14 Sun Devils

[DrumNFeather]

With USC in the rear view mirror, it's time to focus ourselves on a big showdown in the Pac 12 south as we head to Tempe to take on the #14 ASU Sun Devils. Both teams come in 6-1 with ASU holding a slight edge in league play at 4-1 versus the Utes 3-1. ASU has allowed only 10 points in each of its last two games vs. Stanford, and vs. Washington (wind was whipping around in Seattle).

Utah is seemingly one of ASU's two remaining hurdles to repeating as Pac 12 South champions, with OSU, Wazzu, and a trip to Tuscon left on the schedule to close out the season. They also play Notre Dame, so the next two weeks will be huge for Todd Graham's squad.

Taylor Kelly will likely be the QB here, but he has been banged up all season, so that could help. The Devils do have some play makers, so we're going to have to continue to get pressure...more than we got on Kessler.

Outside of last year, ASU has been fairly dominant over the Utes in Pac 12 play. We owe these guys.

Game kicks at 11:00 PM, EST, so it'll be another rough Sunday for us East Coast Utes.

[sancho]

I was going to suggest "shut the fork up."

Seeing UW slow down their offense gives me hope. Prior to that, it looked like they could score on anyone. They really lucked out with schedule this season.

[DrumNFeather]

More Stats & Ranks:

Pass yards:

ASU 19 Utah 99

Rush Yards:

ASU 49 Utah 39

Points For:

ASU 25 Utah 28


Points Against:

ASU 57 Utah 29

[SigmaUte]

The one thing I'm worried most about this game is ASU's ability to throw the ball. They're incredibly dangerous, not to mention Taylor Kelly's ability to run when healthy.

We need Carter and Rowe healthy for this one.

I surprised at how ineffective our pass rush was against USC with how quickly they were able to get the ball out. Hopefully they are able to get some pressure on Kelly while still being able to contain him from running the ball.

On the flip-side, I like our offense against this ASU defense. Yes, they have held their opponents to 10 points in the last couple games, but I'm not buying it. They have been torched by just about every other offense this season.

Utah can win this game, but its going to be another dog fight.

I don't expect this game to be quite as physical as the USC game though.

Just win! Go Utes!

[DrumNFeather]

Jalen Strong and D.J. Foster look to be the two big offensive weapons on this squad. Interestingly enough, the DE from Washington who overtook Nate Orchard for the lead in sacks in FBS got 2.5 of them vs. ASU, so hopefully there is an opportunity there for Nate to get in the backfield. In related news, Hunter Dimmick ranks 12th overall in FBS with 31 tackles and 7 sacks. Our defensive line is just nasty, and we're gonna need them to be!

[UtahsMrSports]

This team will tell us a lot (I swear we say this every week.......)

This game, if we win, can be a springboard toward a serious run at the south division crown. If we lose, we are likely just another member of the crowd. But, from where we have been, either scenario is a terrific place to be.

[Ma'ake]

I'm glad for the late start. The last time we were in Tempe, it was well over 100F at kickoff - I remember Star Lotulelei coming off the field from pre-game warmups with his hair sopping wet.

ASU tries to blow teams off the field early (like our last trip there) but like UCLA showed & Stanford has done, you can quiet down the crowd and have success by playing a power game. We need to be physical right off the bat.

We need to show another side of our team. Paging Troy McCormick(?)

[sancho]

Jalen Strong

He's the best WR I've seen this season (I haven't seen Cooper at Bama yet). That inside shoulder sideline thing he had going with Bercovicci was unstoppable.

[sancho]

We need to show another side of our team. Paging Troy McCormick(?)

I don't know. Our 5 pass catchers just had their best collective game of the season. Our RB is in the running for 1st team all conference. Maybe now is the time to keep on chooglin'.

[Applejack]

I hate this matchup for our defense. Arizona State does not linger in the pocket, they love to throw drags across the middle, and they get the ball in space to their playmakers. We could really use Tevin C. for this game.

[Mormon Red Death]

With USC in the rear view mirror, it's time to focus ourselves on a big showdown in the Pac 12 south as we head to Tempe to take on the #14 ASU Sun Devils. Both teams come in 6-1 with ASU holding a slight edge in league play at 4-1 versus the Utes 3-1. ASU has allowed only 10 points in each of its last two games vs. Stanford, and vs. Washington (wind was whipping around in Seattle).

Utah is seemingly one of ASU's two remaining hurdles to repeating as Pac 12 South champions, with OSU, Wazzu, and a trip to Tuscon left on the schedule to close out the season. They also play Notre Dame, so the next two weeks will be huge for Todd Graham's squad.

Taylor Kelly will likely be the QB here, but he has been banged up all season, so that could help. The Devils do have some play makers, so we're going to have to continue to get pressure...more than we got on Kessler.

Outside of last year, ASU has been fairly dominant over the Utes in Pac 12 play. We owe these guys.

Game kicks at 11:00 PM, EST, so it'll be another rough Sunday for us East Coast Utes.

Taylor Kelly suffered a concussion on ASU's last series. He is questionable for the game. The line opened at ASU -4 but has been taken off with some casinos.

[sancho]

Taylor Kelly suffered a concussion on ASU's last series. He is questionable for the game. The line opened at ASU -4 but has been taken off with some casinos.

Before the concussion, there was talk of removing him for Bercovicci anyway. They're both great QBs. How's this for an outline: we stop them early, they switch from Kelly to Bercovicci, he comes in and throws a pick 6, and they spend the rest of the game wondering if they should switch back?

[U-Ute]

Interestingly, ASU is near the bottom in run defense. Considering how many points they put up and that teams would probably focus on throwing the ball more against them, I find it interesting. I would expect their pass defense to be gashed more as they try to keep things in front of them. This makes me think that their run D may be even more lackluster than the stats show.

http://pac-12.com/content/football-statistics




1.

Stanford

8


276


725


2.6


4


90.6




2.

Utah

7


278


785


2.8


3


112.1




3.

Washington

8


323


1028


3.2


7


128.5




4.

Arizona

7


252


978


3.9


9


139.7




5.

California

8


292


1197


4.1


10


149.6




6.

USC

8


285


1212


4.3


13


151.5




7.

Oregon State

7


237


1067


4.5


16


152.4




8.

Washington State

8


301


1298


4.3


11


162.2




9.

UCLA

8


316


1337


4.2


12


167.1




10.

Oregon

8


316


1375


4.4


12


171.9




11.

Arizona State

7


279


1263


4.5


9


180.4




12.

Colorado

8


274


1540


5.6


16


192.5

[LA Ute]

Taylor Kelly suffered a concussion on ASU's last series. He is questionable for the game. The line opened at ASU -4 but has been taken off with some casinos.

Bercovici is a very good passer. I'm not sure it's good news for us if he starts. But I like our chances at gashing them all night with Booker et al.

[Hot Lunch]

I hate this matchup for our defense. Arizona State does not linger in the pocket, they love to throw drags across the middle, and they get the ball in space to their playmakers. We could really use Tevin C. for this game.


I agree that we need Tevin but what we did defensively last year vs. ASU brings me a lot of hope for this game. We shut down there offense and held them around 20 points below their season average. The only reason it was only around 20 was because our offense was so pathetic in 2nd half going 3 and out over and over again leaving out D for dead in the 4th quarter when we couldn't stop them. If we can replicate that game defensively, we will win this game. We are a better defense this year and there is no doubt in my mind that we can do it. That being said it is on the road and we have struggled playing games in the state of Arizona since joining the PAC.

[Applejack]

I agree that we need Tevin but what we did defensively last year vs. ASU brings me a lot of hope for this game. We shut down there offense and held them around 20 points below their season average. The only reason it was only around 20 was because our offense was so pathetic in 2nd half going 3 and out over and over again leaving out D for dead in the 4th quarter when we couldn't stop them. If we can replicate that game defensively, we will win this game. We are a better defense this year and there is no doubt in my mind that we can do it. That being said it is on the road and we have struggled playing games in the state of Arizona since joining the PAC.

This is a good point. We really stuffed them last year until the D was too gassed in the fourth to put up much resistance. Did we do something special in that game to slow them down? I honestly don't remember.

[Hot Lunch]

This is a good point. We really stuffed them last year until the D was too gassed in the fourth to put up much resistance. Did we do something special in that game to slow them down? I honestly don't remember.

I don't remember anything special. Just remember walking away feeling bad for the D because they played a great game and had what seemed to be the perfect plan to stop ASU's offense.

[Applejack]

I don't remember anything special. Just remember walking away feeling bad for the D because they played a great game and had what seemed to be the perfect plan to stop ASU's offense.

ASU was the most frustrating game in a year of frustrating games.

[Hot Lunch]

ASU was the most frustrating game in a year of frustrating games.

Yes it was.

[DrumNFeather]

2 ESPN PAC 12 Writers like the Utes, 3 like the Sun Devils. Here's what they have to say:




Why Utah will win: With matching three-game win streaks, there's plenty to like about both teams, but Utah's Devontae Booker (http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/3122866/devontae-booker) could be the difference. In his first year in the Pac-12, the juco transfer has averaged a conference-best 166.3 rushing yards per conference game. -- Kyle Bonagura

Why Arizona State will win: The Sun Devils have a chance to solve what's been a major weakness at home, and I think their upward trajectory indicates that they'll do just that. ASU's defense had given up over 200 rushing yards in four straight entering the Stanford game Oct. 18, and even Washington ran the ball with success against the Sun Devils last week. So on paper, it's a bad matchup since Devontae Booker has made Utah a successful rushing team, but I have a feeling ASU will capitalize on this big (late) stage to make a statement. Plus, Taylor Kelly (http://espn.go.com/college-football/player/_/id/504700/taylor-kelly)will have shaken off last week's rust. -- David Lombardi

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

2 ESPN PAC 12 Writers like the Utes, 3 like the Sun Devils. Here's what they have to say:

[/FONT][/COLOR]

I think Booker is going to be hungry this week after a subpar 100+ rushing effort against SC. I hope that he has a big game, which helps keep out defense rested. Last year's effort and witnessing the defense slowly give ground out of sheer exhaustion due to an offence that couldn't get a first down if their life depended on it, was heartbreaking. I think Orchard gets to Kelly four times and we limit the Sun Devils to short throws in the middle and have a nice game of bending without breaking.

[DrumNFeather]

I think Booker is going to be hungry this week after a subpar 100+ rushing effort against SC. I hope that he has a big game, which helps keep out defense rested. Last year's effort and witnessing the defense slowly give ground out of sheer exhaustion due to an offence that couldn't get a first down if their life depended on it, was heartbreaking. I think Orchard get's to Kelly four times and we limit the Sun Devils to short throws in the middle and have a nice game of bending without breaking.

Well, and it seems like (one of my major complaints) the play calling has improved for 3rd down. It's going to be a close game and we're going to need to pick up first downs and keep that clock churning.

[OrangeUte]

I think everybody seems to think exactly what I've been thinking, that we need to keep our defense rested and keep their offense off the field as much as possible. Hopefully that's not because the Sun Devils get fast scores.

[Hot Lunch]

I think everybody seems to think exactly what I've been thinking, that we need to keep our defense rested and keep their offense off the field as much as possible. Hopefully that's not because the Sun Devils get fast scores.

Booker will play a huge role here this week. Not that this is a surprise to anyone. He plays a big role every week. He is that good. He just needs to not put the ball on the ground this week.

Thank goodness for us, ASU doesn't have Will Sutton. We didn't have an answer for him the past two years. I do think that we will be able to run the ball on their D.

[OrangeUte]

I think so too. I also think our tight ends have an opportunity here to come up big. Not just blocking, but also getting the short passing game going and picking up extra yardage after the catch.

[DrumNFeather]

I'm getting excited for this game. I think we can get pressure on Kelly and we're going to need to. I can see a slug fest much like last year. Even in a worst case scenario where we lose...we're only 6-2!

If we can withstand the initial surge ASU will get from the home crowd late at night, I like our chances.

Go Utes!

[Applejack]

I'm getting excited for this game. I think we can get pressure on Kelly and we're going to need to. I can see a slug fest much like last year. Even in a worst case scenario where we lose...we're only 6-2!

If we can withstand the initial surge ASU will get from the home crowd late at night, I like our chances.

Go Utes!

Me too. I can't even work today.

Logistics question: does anyone know if it is possible to watch games on Fox Sports 1 (online) the day after the fact? I usually stream the utah game, whether its on Pac-12, ESPN, or FS1. Pac-12 and ESPN allow me to watch replays the next day, but I don't see that option on FS1's site. Anybody have a solution? Help a tired brother out.

[DrumNFeather]

Me too. I can't even work today.

Logistics question: does anyone know if it is possible to watch games on Fox Sports 1 (online) the day after the fact? I usually stream the utah game, whether its on Pac-12, ESPN, or FS1. Pac-12 and ESPN allow me to watch replays the next day, but I don't see that option on FS1's site. Anybody have a solution? Help a tired brother out.

It's daylight saving time! So really, it's like a 10 PM kick again...problem solved.

[Applejack]

It's daylight saving time! So really, it's like a 10 PM kick again...problem solved.

Not helpful.:swear:

[chrisrenrut]

Weather looks perfect for the game. Should be low 70's to mid 60's, with little to no wind. Big advantage to playing in Tempe in November instead of September.

[SeattleUte]

I'll be shocked if we win.

Saying this worked last time. There. I say it again; I hope it works again.

[Sullyute]

Game day, baby! Go Utes!

[OrangeUte]

game day, baby! Go utes!

yes yes yes!!!!!!

[LA Ute]

I think the Utes get the ASU monkey off their backs tonight.

[DrumNFeather]

Less than an hour to go! Let's get this one!

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Carter and Rowe confirmed out.

[LA Ute]

Listening to Westlee Tonga on the pregame show. He's an impressive guy, and very articulate. He could have a future as a talker. Maybe as as a TV guy. I don't see him on sports radio -- he's too good for that.

[sancho]

Carter and Rowe confirmed out.

Tough week for us on the injury front. Hard to know who we'll miss the most between all these hurt starters.

[LA Ute]

Tough week for us on the injury front. Hard to know who we'll miss the most between all these hurt starters.

I hope you have your lucky button out. I am wearing my lucky hat. Utes are 4-0 since I started wearing it this season.

[OrangeUte]

So glad I got to see the end of that Texas Texas tech game

[LA Ute]

The unis look sharp.

[OrangeUte]

Nice stand defense.

[LA Ute]

We stiffened up. At least we hold them to 3.

[OrangeUte]

I love the white jerseys and red pants. White helmets should be our constant road helmets.

[LA Ute]

Since we missed the first few plays (thanks, Fox Sports) can anyone tell us what happened? Looks like ASU moved at will.

[OrangeUte]

Travis showing some grit on that run!

[LA Ute]

Pretty poor blocking -- was that Poutasi on the sack?

[OrangeUte]

That was an unfortunate holding call. Didn't look like holding to me but a ref behind him may have perceived it differently.

They are playing w tons of energy and their crowd is fueling them we need to take the wind out of their sales.

[LA Ute]

Wow. We are struggling with the run.

[OrangeUte]

Graham's little microphone makes him look more like a Broadway performer and not a football coach

[OrangeUte]

Time to score a touch down.

[OrangeUte]

Defense played good that possession but we need to score dangit!

[LA Ute]

I can't believe this will continue. I just hope it stops pretty soon.

[OrangeUte]

Their speed is getting to us.

[justaute]

Does Wilson lock on his first receiving option?

[mpfunk]

We have got to get a defensive or special teams TD

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[Snowman]

When Travis gets like this I'm ready to see Kendal.

2QB's may not work but switching out has done us ok thus far.

[LA Ute]

Right now we just need a stop.

[OrangeUte]

I feel a 99 yard TD drive here.

[LA Ute]

OK let's go. 98 yards.

[mpfunk]

I feel a 99 yard TD drive here.

I'd love that but if we get 2 first downs I'll consider it a win.

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[LA Ute]

We are lucky it's not 14-0. This may be a long night.

[OrangeUte]

Where is the swagger and confidence we had last week?

[OrangeUte]

It can't be losing Dres. We have play makers. I expected Travis to come out like he did against USC on that first drive and connect w receivers and move the ball. This is ugly offense.

[justaute]

yup...If I were Graham, I would be even more aggressive with offensive play-calling given the ineptitude of Utah offense. Basically, trade more possessions.


We are lucky it's not 14-0. This may be a long night.

[LA Ute]

I'm already worried about the D getting gassed. A TO would make a huge difference right now.

[LA Ute]

Woot!!

[LA Ute]

I guess I called it.

[OrangeUte]

Gionni Paul!

[OrangeUte]

Come on offense. Let's get this going.

[Snowman]

We might be softening them up a little.

Man if Clay is out. Good grief.

[justaute]

Do we have only one option on all the passing plays?

[Snowman]

Travis isn't thinking straight.

[Snowman]

Take 3.

[Snowman]

Nice

Sakoda-esq

[justaute]

Man...I wish we had QBs like that.

[LA Ute]

Wonder why they're able to gash us repeatedly in the running game? And it's too bad we are stuck with Orphey. That pass went right through his hands.

[LA Ute]

We need either to score or stop them before halftime. Can't afford to go into the half down by more than 10.

[justaute]

We are now going up against a three-headed offense. Running, passing, and a QB who can run. I don't believe we've played anyone like that thus far this season. UCLA was the closest, but Hundley was really erratic, sans a couple of big bombs.


Wonder why they're able to gash us repeatedly in the running game? And it's too bad we are stuck with Orphey. That pass went right through his hands.

[mpfunk]

One thing for sure, Todd Graham has owned Whit since he came to ASU.

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[sancho]

Corner blitz. Works every time. This has potential to get very ugly.

[justaute]

Our offense is just horrid. I guess I should be used to it by now under Whit's guidance.

[DrumNFeather]

Wonder why they're able to gash us repeatedly in the running game? And it's too bad we are stuck with Orphey. That pass went right through his hands.
Part of it has to do with the fact that they are good. We play in a big boy league and you can't afford to come out sluggish against anyone.

[AnestheUte]

We're looking like high school freshmen out there... smh

[mpfunk]

Score here and all is forgiven. Might be time to try Thompson.

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[mpfunk]

Utes are very lucky to be down 7 points. This is a terrible defense we are facing. We can win this game, but if we play this way in the second half we will lose by 20 plus points.

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[justaute]

Utah's offense is like box of chocolate, you never know....oh wait. It's the only P12 offense that can't score on WSU.


Utes are very lucky to be down 7 points. This is a terrible defense we are facing. We can win this game, but if we play this way in the second half we will lose by 20 plus points.

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[LA Ute]

It is unbelievable that we are still in this game. But I'll take it.

[AnestheUte]

It is unbelievable that we are still in this game. But I'll take it.

This.

When we open up the playbook a little, like we did on that last drive, we get some positives. When we are predictable, we get stymied. Is there any logical reason they don't keep the playbook open a bit more?

[sancho]

Utes are very lucky to be down 7 points. This is a terrible defense we are facing. We can win this game, but if we play this way in the second half we will lose by 20 plus points.

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It may be a terrible defense, but they can blitz, which has been enough to beat us for four years straight.

[OrangeUte]

Their blitzing just seems to take our offense from athletes to stumbling and bumbling idiots.

[DrumNFeather]

We could use a slant and some other quick hitters. So far much of the play calling and execution has played right into their hands.

[justaute]

That's my biggest concern.We just don't seem to have the capacity to digest, adjust, and execute on any consistent basis. Game to game, year to year. Who knows.


Their blitzing just seems to take our offense from athletes to stumbling and bumbling idiots.

[sancho]

We could use a slant and some other quick hitters. So far much of the play calling and execution has played right into their hands.

We've been losing to blitzes for years, and we've tried all these things. We just never manage to make it work. We tried a quick hit on one of their corner blitzes, and the pass was tipped. Something always seems to go wrong.

[LA Ute]

It'll be interesting to see if adjustments help. Utes might just be out matched.

[sancho]

We've been losing to blitzes for years, and we've tried all these things. We just never manage to make it work. We tried a quick hit on one of their corner blitzes, and the pass was tipped. Something always seems to go wrong.

And it doesn't help when a bobbled snap or a penalty forces us to start on first and fifteen.

[LA Ute]

O needs to stay on the field a while.

[LA Ute]

Hey! We made them pay for a blitz!

[LA Ute]

This is looking better.

[OrangeUte]

Beautiful run Travis!

[mpfunk]

There we go. We sucked hard in the first half, but we play that way, we will win this game.

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[LA Ute]

Looks like we've figured out how to make them pay for all the pressure.

[DrumNFeather]

Hell of a drive. Hell of a drive.

[justaute]

Nice. Ok, D, let's go.

[AnestheUte]

There we go, hopefully the defense has made some adjustments too. Would be nice to have Carter and Rowe in there...

[LA Ute]

Things do look better.

[OrangeUte]

Defense with a huge stop!

[AnestheUte]

Things do look better.

+1

This is definitely encouraging

[mpfunk]

It is time for Booker. Give him the ball and see if he can break something. 15 yards and we will take the lead.

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[LA Ute]

Looks like a different team. But Travis shouldn't have taken that sack

[mpfunk]

Good hell. Why didn't we stick with Booker. Now we are screwed.

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[LA Ute]

OK. Get close enough for Philips.

[OrangeUte]

Need to have urgency on offense this quarter.

[LA Ute]

Up the middle on 3rd and 15?

[OrangeUte]

We needed that fast pace offense back from the last drive.

[mpfunk]

We could have had a TD if we didn't try to throw the ball.

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[LA Ute]

Phillips is one heck of a weapon. Did you know he was on the U.S. Ski Team?

[OrangeUte]

Holding us to 3 there can give them something to brag about. I want that crowd out of this game.

[AnestheUte]

We've got them on their heels a little bit. Hopefully the defense can keep that trend going. This game has become much more interesting after the half.

[justaute]

That was a Whit-play. Play conservative. Though, in this particular scenario, I think it's a good decision. I have no confidence in our offense, sans Booker -- and that option has its limit.


Up the middle on 3rd and 15?

[Snowman]

Phillips is one heck of a weapon. Did you know he was on the U.S. Ski Team?

Did you know Jake Murphy is the son of Dale Murphy of the Atlanta Braves?

[LA Ute]

Kelly does a great job selling that fake handoff. Fools the Utes again and again. Even the announcers and cameras are fooled.

[LA Ute]

Nice to say Orphey shine.

[LA Ute]

Nice stop by the D.

[LA Ute]

A TD here would be beyond huge.

[OrangeUte]

Punch them in the mouth offense. Quick and hard

[OrangeUte]

When utah gives them time to set up their defense they get stops. We need to keep them off balance.

[Snowman]

Obviously this is a huge drive.

[OrangeUte]

I'm sorry but we have to go to a no huddle here. Lucky call there b

[OrangeUte]

No huddle for crying
out loud!!!!!

[mpfunk]

I'd like to sincerely thank Arizona State right now. They are extremely giving. That stupid penalty, not capitalizing in the first half when Utah was playing absolutely horrible. They are really nice people.

[OrangeUte]

Crap.

[Snowman]

Crap.

[LA Ute]

Well at least we went for it on 4th.

[mpfunk]

The crowd is now back in it. Terrible execution on that play. Utah should have punted it.

[justaute]

That was a horrible 4th down call.

[LA Ute]

Another nice stop. Our D is staying strong.

[sancho]

The crowd is now back in it. Terrible execution on that play. Utah should have punted it.

Or called a time out when things looked bad.

[justaute]

Good to see Orphey stepping up.

[OrangeUte]

Offense has gone back to its first half philosophy.

[OrangeUte]

What the hell happened to that aggressive offense from the first drive of the 3rd quarter?

[justaute]

Good job Whit/DC...keep that mentality of going nowhere.

[LA Ute]

If that pick holds up we are in a great position to take control of the game.

[justaute]

DC/Whit...please, please pick up the offensive pace. We need at least one more score. Although D is playing great, let's give it some rest.

[OrangeUte]

Travis rolling to his left and passing just doesn't work.

[OrangeUte]

Their pressure is still getting to us.

[LA Ute]

Need a stop here. Big-time.

[LA Ute]

Gashing us again.

[LA Ute]

Rats.

[LA Ute]

Someone needs to make a play.

[justaute]

Whit and DC, you have all these prolific offenses in the conference, but you still can't find/buy any -- not even an average one.

[OrangeUte]

Time to recreate that td drive Travis.

[sancho]

So maybe that's why Domo is now a cb instead of a wr.

[OrangeUte]

Great return kaelin Clay!

[OrangeUte]

Time for something different and unexpected offense.

[OrangeUte]

Terrible series.

[justaute]

Unexpected? LOL


Time for something different and unexpected offense.

[OrangeUte]

I don't like this.

[LA Ute]

Heck of a fake. He sells it so doggone well.

[OrangeUte]

They have all 3 timeouts left.

[mpfunk]

Damnit, damnit, damnit.

[AnestheUte]

effed?

[LA Ute]

This is not the time for the D to give way

[LA Ute]

Nate

[justaute]

Orchard!

[mpfunk]

Way to force OT defense.

[mpfunk]

Don't do anything stupid. Go to OT.

[LA Ute]

Not sure about the timeout. Maybe we want to see if we can get in Andy's range.

[mpfunk]

Calling a timeout was stupid. I told the Utes not to do anything stupid.

[OrangeUte]

Jeez

[justaute]

Good job, Whit.

[mpfunk]

Now ASU is going to get the ball back. Again, I told the Utes not to do anything stupid and just take the OT.

[sancho]

I really thought/hoped that we would be getting more out of the run game in the fourth quarter.

[OrangeUte]

Why call that timeout and then run it twice?

[OrangeUte]

Now ASU is going to get the ball back. Again, I told the Utes not to do anything stupid and just take the OT.

My thought also.

[Snowman]

That was some horrifyingly bad clock management.

[sancho]

That was some horrifyingly bad clock management.

Yeah, we did such a nice job with the clock last week, too.

[sancho]

I don't think we can rely solely on Booker here. I think we have to earn this in the air.

[AnestheUte]

Oh sure, we can get an INT at the end, but two easy ones we have greased hands...

[Snowman]

I'm about sick of these late starts. 1:30 AM here and going into OT.

I guess I'm getting old.

[OrangeUte]

So predictable.

[LA Ute]

Rats. 3 yards

[OrangeUte]

Sooooo lucky.

[LA Ute]

Heart attack.

[OrangeUte]

We are a one trick pony by choice. When we came out in the third quarter and opened it up we could be great.

[mpfunk]

Look I realize that Wilson came through last week with a drive. I still don't understand why he is starting. Utah clearly doesn't trust him. His legs are not as impressive as Thompson. Go with Thompson and go straight option. It can't be any worse than this offense.

[LA Ute]

Andy never misses 2 in a row. Too bad. Tough loss.

[OrangeUte]

So disappointing.

[AnestheUte]

Game.

[OrangeUte]

Turnover magic?

[sancho]

Kickers are assholes and shouldn't be trusted. You play for a kick, you get what you deserve when the kicker misses.

We didn't play for a kick, we just don't have an offense. Again.

[LA Ute]

I really don't think there's much room to be ticked off about in this one. Close, tough loss.

[justaute]

Absolutely.


We didn't play for a kick, we just don't have an offense. Again.

[LA Ute]

We didn't play for a kick, we just don't have an offense. Again.

Bingo. This is about as good as this Utah team can play on offense. "Defense wins championships." Not so much.

[justaute]

i put all of that on Whit/DC's shoulders. They are the ones who recruited and coaching these players. Our anemic offense (Idaho & FSU don't count) has been around for a long time. Even TCU has made meaningful progress.



Bingo. This is about as good as this Utah team can play on offense. "Defense wins championships." Not so much.

[mpfunk]

I really don't think there's much room to be ticked off about in this one. Close, tough loss.

Plenty of room to be pissed off about this loss. Against ASU this is what teams have been scoring

Weber St: 14 points
New Mexico: 23 points
Colorado: 24 points
UCLA: 62 points
USC: 34 points
Stanford: 10 points
Washington: 10 points

ASU has a bad defense. Our offense is pathetic. It has been pathetic for weeks. I've said it before, but we have a championship defense and a high school offense. It is pathetic. It is pathetic that Kyle brought in his buddy Christensen and the results are the same/worse. Whittingham keeps firing and demoting offensive coordinators, but the plain fact is he is the problem with the offense; end of story. We have the 12th best starter in the Pac-12 at QB. ASU has 2 QBs that are heads and shoulders better than our starting QB. How shitty is this offense need to be before Whittingham has some introspection and finally gives up interfering with the offense.

We are lucky to be 6-2 right now. Finishing the season at 7-5 is a real possibility.

[OrangeUte]

Tough loss. I wanted this asu monkey off our backs.

[utefan]

56 yards passing? Against a pretty terrible defense?

We may very well be the worst offense in all of college football. And that's a shame because we have some good athletes on offense.

[Snowman]

ASU was serving up hair pie but we wanted whip cream, too.

[OrangeUte]

I look forward to finding out what the offensive philosophy was in this game. One drive where we mix things up, we score 7 points. Except for that 1 drive we pretty much run the same thing over and over and over.

[LA Ute]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense wins championships but only when you have at least an average offense. Ours is a C-, apart from Booker.

Now we need to be philosophical. No one here expected this team to do this well. Let's enjoy the ride and hope Travis undergoes a Brian Johnson transformation and plays 4 great games next season when it really counts. OR... maybe Donovan Isom will emerge and we'll have a real PAC-12 QB. Or Cox. Or someone.

[OrangeUte]

We had turnover opportunities that just went nowhere. To me that is what killed us. Failed opportunities completely squandered by an offense without creativity and any emotion.

[Solon]

I really don't think there's much room to be ticked off about in this one. Close, tough loss.
I agree. We've still won more close ones than we've lost.
just gotta get better.

[OrangeUte]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense wins championships but only when you have at least an average offense. Ours is a C-, apart from Booker.

Now we need to be philosophical. No one here expected this team to do this well. Let's enjoy the ride and hope Travis undergoes a Brian Johnson transformation and plays 4 great games next season when it really counts. OR... maybe Donovan Isom will emerge and we'll have a real PAC-12 QB. Or Cox. Or someone.

The thing is that I think we do have the offensive horses. They just don't know it.

We aren't untalented, we are simply unaware that we can actually score on offense.

[concerned]

I think we really miss dres too. We are awful with him but worse without. TW doesn't trust his other receivers and they can't get open anyway. They have no rapport. And the Lind can't pass block or pick up a blitz.

[justaute]

Both teams had opportunities with Utah on defense/special-team and ASU on offense. Going into half-time, we were luck for being down just 7. Our offense, even including a couple of nice drives both last week and this week, basically has been way below average. Sure, it'd be nice to have both. Can't we have just an average offense?

Whit's play-not-to-lose approach, flippant offensive philosophy, and inability to recruit decent QBs have been going on for some time. I don't think I'm ranting as this is just an observation. It's a trend that's hard to ignore.

As others have mentioned, the loss isn't necessarily unexpected. Nonetheless, it sure would be nice to have at least an average offense, with some cognitive competence.

[mpfunk]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense wins championships but only when you have at least an average offense. Ours is a C-, apart from Booker.

Now we need to be philosophical. No one here expected this team to do this well. Let's enjoy the ride and hope Travis undergoes a Brian Johnson transformation and plays 4 great games next season when it really counts. OR... maybe Donovan Isom will emerge and we'll have a real PAC-12 QB. Or Cox. Or someone.

The not having talent is a bullshit excuse. Look I don't want Whittingham gone. He needs to be the coach next year, but I'm sick of him being treated with kid gloves when people talk about the offense.

Until someone gets it through his thick skull that he is 100 percent responsible for us having the worst offense in the Pac 12 for 3 seasons, nothing will change.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[sancho]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense wins championships but only when you have at least an average offense. Ours is a C-, apart from Booker.

Now we need to be philosophical. No one here expected this team to do this well. Let's enjoy the ride and hope Travis undergoes a Brian Johnson transformation and plays 4 great games next season when it really counts. OR... maybe Donovan Isom will emerge and we'll have a real PAC-12 QB. Or Cox. Or someone.

We were a C offense. Losing our second best offensive player this week leaves us at the D level.

In the conference, we are most similar to Stanford and UW. Those are the other two teams that struggled to score on asu.

Sent from my KFTHWI using Tapatalk

[utefan]

The thing is that I think we do have the offensive horses. They just don't know it.

We aren't untalented, we are simply unaware that we can actually score on offense.
We could have the NFL pro bowl team on offense and it wouldn't matter. We run the same 3 or 4 plays over and over. We never take any shots. We don't even try on offense. The offense takes the field with the goal of giving the defense a rest.

Can we PLEASE see a flea flicker? How about a reverse? A little misdirection? Surely we can at least attempt a pass longer than 8 yards?

57 yards passing. There is no valid argument that we don't have the horses for better than that. We have lots of athletes on offense. We're just not properly utilizing them.

[justaute]

Well, at least UW can use the excuse of playing with its backup QB and the game was played in bad weather conditions.

[LA Ute]

I think we really miss dres too. We are awful with him but worse without. TW doesn't trust his other receivers and they can't get open anyway. They have no rapport. And the Lind can't pass block or pick up a blitz.

I bet that if we watch the game again and watch the Utah receivers we'll see them not getting open. That's why ASU could blitz repeatedly -- they knew we would not be able to burn them for doing it. The first series in the second half was the exception. I don't know why we could make them pay for blitzing then, but not the rest of the half. I think Wilson is an average QB and can be above average but he needs a little time to throw and receivers who can get open. Not really an unreasonable thing for a QB to ask for.

[Solon]

The not having talent is a bullshit excuse. Look I don't want Whittingham gone. He needs to be the coach next year, but I'm sick of him being treated with kid gloves when people talk about the offense.

Until someone gets it through his thick skull that he is 100 percent responsible for us having the worst offense in the Pac 12 for 3 seasons, nothing will change.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

A good coach will adjust to the players he has. I think we need to find a legit possession receiver. It should be Scott, but he's been invisible. Someone needs to step up.

i'm more bugged about 2 dropped INTs & why the Utes called timeout after booker's 1st down run with scant seconds remaining in regulation.

there was also what appeared to be a bad timeout in the 1st half. 3rd & long, backed up deep.

[justaute]

Probably true. How many times did Joey Harrington said use play-action? Aren't there other ways to use Booker (e.g. wheel route)?



We could have the NFL pro bowl team on offense and it wouldn't matter. We run the same 3 or 4 plays over and over. We never take any shots. We don't even try on offense. The offense takes the field with the goal of giving the defense a rest.

Can we PLEASE see a flea flicker? How about a reverse? A little misdirection? Surely we can at least attempt a pass longer than 8 yards?

57 yards passing. There is no valid argument that we don't have the horses for better than that. We have lots of athletes on offense. We're just not properly utilizing them.

[LA Ute]

The not having talent is a bullshit excuse. Look I don't want Whittingham gone. He needs to be the coach next year, but I'm sick of him being treated with kid gloves when people talk about the offense.

Until someone gets it through his thick skull that he is 100 percent responsible for us having the worst offense in the Pac 12 for 3 seasons, nothing will change.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

I don't disagree. These are players recruited on his watch, under the 7 different OCs he has had. He's made a hash of the Utah offensive identity and that is all on him. I'm just trying to be realistic about what we have. It will take more than one season to recover from the offensive talent he's cobbled together.

[chrisrenrut]

LAUte and Solon= glass half full
many other posters= glass half empty
MPFunk= The glass is defective, smash the f'ng glass and kill the man who made the damn thing

BTW Funk, your list of points scored against ASU doesn't really support your argument, especially the last two.

7-5 is a record I would have gladly taken if offered at the beginning of the season. This was a good, highly ranked ASU team that we took into overtime on the road. Put me in the glass half full camp.

[justaute]

Agreed -- let's use what we have. What about the utilization of Booker? Is dive the only play we call for him? That's on DC. Booker got his 100+ yards for the game, but most of the time he was bottled up, which can be attributed to play-calling and lack of an average vertical game.


I don't disagree. These are players recruited on his watch, under the 7 different OCs he has had. He's made a hash of the Utah offensive identity and that is all on him. I'm just trying to be realistic about what we have. It will take more than one season to recover from the offensive talent he's cobbled together.

[DrumNFeather]

We just don't have the horses on offense. Defense wins championships but only when you have at least an average offense. Ours is a C-, apart from Booker.

Now we need to be philosophical. No one here expected this team to do this well. Let's enjoy the ride and hope Travis undergoes a Brian Johnson transformation and plays 4 great games next season when it really counts. OR... maybe Donovan Isom will emerge and we'll have a real PAC-12 QB. Or Cox. Or someone.
I'm trying to decide if we need some Dan Hawkins advice here, or Aaron Rodgers. I'm leaning toward the latter here. (When he told Packer fans to relax)

There are a lot of things to like about this team...but you cannot go up 16-13 and hold on for dear life.

I was hopeful when Poole and Booker were in at the same time we'd see an inside outside mix, but alas, nothing.

It sure would be nice to pick up a blitz once in a while.

[justaute]

I'll throw myself in as "half". Just half. I'm not half-full nor am I half-empty. Candidly, I didn't mind the loss. It's just over an extended period of time, I have yet to see any meaningful progress on the offensive side, notwithstanding more speed. Thus, I put that on the coaches.


LAUte and Solon= glass half full
many other posters= glass half empty
MPFunk= The glass is defective, smash the f'ng glass and kill the man who made the damn thing

BTW Funk, your list of points scored against ASU doesn't really support your argument, especially the last two.

7-5 is a record I would have gladly taken if offered at the beginning of the season. This was a good, highly ranked ASU team that we took into overtime on the road. Put me in the glass half full camp.

[OrangeUte]

Kyle says receivers "we're pretty gloved up".

[OrangeUte]

We've got to get some balance in the offense. We do that and we are messy for people to play.

What if we beat Oregon next week? We are just the kind of team that can accomplish something like that. Maybe in my dreams, but I like the what if game.

[justaute]

Then we'll probably lose to CU. LOL.


We've got to get some balance in the offense. We do that and we are messy for people to play.

What if we beat Oregon next week? We are just the kind of team that can accomplish something like that. Maybe in my dreams, but I like the what if game.

[utefan]

We've got to get some balance in the offense. We do that and we are messy for people to play.

What if we beat Oregon next week? We are just the kind of team that can accomplish something like that. Maybe in my dreams, but I like the what if game.
What if we do? We're kind of in BYU range where it doesn't even matter. We pretty much can't win the division at this point so beating Oregon would not do very much for us. We'd get to celebrate a big victory, but it'd probably guarantee the Pac 12 does not send a team to the playoff.

This was a huge loss. And it can be blamed on the way too conservative offensive play calling.

57 yards passing. With all the size and speed we have on offense, just 57 yards passing.

Of course our QB sucks. If the coaches completely tie his hands and tell him they'd rather punt than let him throw the ball, how is he supposed to ever get any confidence?

Why would any decent high school QB choose Utah over any other Pac 12 team after witnessing this? We could have Tom Brady at QB and it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

As much as we run the dive, a flea flicker would probably be highly successful. But no, instead we play not to lose. We take no shots at all.

At the start of the season the team was putting up all those points on weak competition, and all we heard was, "We haven't opened up the play book yet. We're saving all the good stuff for when we really need it." Well here we are with 57 yards passing, and probably only 3 or 4 different plays called all game, with no pass attempts longer than about 10 yards.

If we're not going to use the QB, just start Poole at QB and let the defense try to figure out who is going to run it.

Flea flicker. Reverse. Misdirection. Surely they have to be in our play book.

[OrangeUte]

3 point loss to #14. Not too bad.

[justaute]

Nicely put.

Again, although it's never fun to lose, tonight's loss didn't bother me much. It's the offensive "administration", over an extended period of time, that bothers me. If I were a good QB/WR, Utah would be pretty low on my list.


What if we do? We're kind of in BYU range where it doesn't even matter. We pretty much can't win the division at this point so beating Oregon would not do very much for us. We'd get to celebrate a big victory, but it'd probably guarantee the Pac 12 does not send a team to the playoff.

This was a huge loss. And it can be blamed on the way too conservative offensive play calling.

57 yards passing. With all the size and speed we have on offense, just 57 yards passing.

Of course our QB sucks. If the coaches completely tie his hands and tell him they'd rather punt than let him throw the ball, how is he supposed to ever get any confidence?

Why would any decent high school QB choose Utah over any other Pac 12 team after witnessing this? We could have Tom Brady at QB and it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

As much as we run the dive, a flea flicker would probably be highly successful. But no, instead we play not to lose. We take no shots at all.

At the start of the season the team was putting up all those points on weak competition, and all we heard was, "We haven't opened up the play book yet. We're saving all the good stuff for when we really need it." Well here we are with 57 yards passing, and probably only 3 or 4 different plays called all game, with no pass attempts longer than about 10 yards.

If we're not going to use the QB, just start Poole at QB and let the defense try to figure out who is going to run it.

Flea flicker. Reverse. Misdirection. Surely they have to be in our play book.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Still on the bus. I said 8-4 before the season and I am sticking to it.

We are a subpar qb away from being undefeated. TW is a a tough mofo, but he has no pocket presence. Subtle movement to buy a split second more would allow receivers to find an opening.

Hell, just getting to a second read would have delivered a win. Booker was wide open on swing pass in the third when Wilson took the big sack before Phillips 3rd FG. He gets inside the 10 if not into the end zone.

Scott was wide open on the end zone on 3rd down in overtime. Set your feet and deliver the ball.

Thompson is not any better. One read and then happy feet.

If Cox or Isom is not the starter next season, I am going to lose my fucking mind.

[hostile]

Still on the bus. I said 8-4 before the season and I am sticking to it.

We are a subpar qb away from being undefeated. TW is a a tough mofo, but he has no pocket presence. Subtle movement to buy a split second more would allow receivers to find an opening.

Hell, just getting to a second read would have delivered a win. Booker was wide open on swing pass in the third when Wilson took the big sack before Phillips 3rd FG. He gets inside the 10 if not into the end zone.

Scott was wide open on the end zone on 3rd down in overtime. Set your feet and deliver the ball.

Thompson is not any better. One read and then happy feet.

If Cox or Isom is not the starter next season, I am going to lose my fucking mind.

agreed. I was yelling at my tv to hit booker in the flat. TW didn't even see him.

[DrumNFeather]

agreed. I was yelling at my tv to hit booker in the flat. TW didn't even see him.
Yeah, he was looking left the whole time. We need the offense to implement the ole check down.

[OrangeUte]

Nicely put.

Again, although it's never fun to lose, tonight's loss didn't bother me much. It's the offensive "administration", over an extended period of time, that bothers me. If I were a good QB/WR, Utah would be pretty low on my list.

Or maybe it gets them excited to come. They know the Utes can compete and that they will be very much able to compete for a starting spot immediately.

[OrangeUte]

This conference is all about rebounding and salvaging seasons. 2 losses in the Pac is nothing to be ashamed of. It's when a team goes on a massive skid to end the season that it really sucks. We still have opportunities here to make this a great and exciting season. Oregon aside, we can win 3 more games and end up 9-3. That is a great and overachieving season.

[Solon]

Still on the bus. I said 8-4 before the season and I am sticking to it.

We are a subpar qb away from being undefeated. TW is a a tough mofo, but he has no pocket presence. Subtle movement to buy a split second more would allow receivers to find an opening.

Hell, just getting to a second read would have delivered a win. Booker was wide open on swing pass in the third when Wilson took the big sack before Phillips 3rd FG. He gets inside the 10 if not into the end zone.

Scott was wide open on the end zone on 3rd down in overtime. Set your feet and deliver the ball.

Thompson is not any better. One read and then happy feet.

If Cox or Isom is not the starter next season, I am going to lose my fucking mind.

Exactly. Wilson can't seem to throw with pressure bearing down (I wonder if this is why we don't see many screen passes), and he spooks easily in the pocket. Several times he ran or rolled before he had to. I'm not sure how easy it is to correct "premature evacuation." It has to do with nerves & that internal timer.

Eh, it was a 3-point road loss in OT. Things are okay.

[sancho]

We are a subpar qb away from being undefeated. TW is a a tough mofo, but he has no pocket presence. Subtle movement to buy a split second more would allow receivers to find an opening.


I don't know if I believe this. This is how I felt after WSU, but last night reminded me too much of the poor offense over the past 4 years. We have not been able to handle a blitz for 4 years now. Maybe that's all on the QB's and their lack of pocket presence. I'm afraid it might be a bigger issue.

UCLA, OSU, and USC must be kicking themselves now. "You mean all we have to do is blitz 6 on every down and they crap their pants? Why didn't we look at film from the past 4 years?"

The one thing that worked for TW last week was rolling out and moving the pocket. ASU took that away completely by sending in CBs/LBrs from the side. We had no way to move the pocket, and nothing good comes from us staying in the pocket. The 10 yard sacks that TW takes are just devastating.

The trick plays that utefan is calling for (flea flicker, reverse) would all blow up on us with the pressure from the side they were getting. The plays that traditionally beat a blitz haven't worked for us over the years - quick outs, screen plays, draws, etc. We try them every game, and we just never execute them. I don't know what to suggest.

At the beginning of the game, I wondered which injury would haunt us the most. It's clear that the answer is Dres. He was the best WR on the team by a mile.

[sancho]

. We still have opportunities here to make this a great and exciting season. Oregon aside, we can win 3 more games and end up 9-3. That is a great and overachieving season.

I'm hopeful too, but every defense from here out will be blitzing on every down. I've no reason to think we can handle that in any way.

[sancho]

Exactly. Wilson can't seem to throw with pressure bearing down (I wonder if this is why we don't see many screen passes), and he spooks easily in the pocket. Several times he ran or rolled before he had to. I'm not sure how easy it is to correct "premature evacuation." It has to do with nerves & that internal timer.


There are also some times when he does not run or roll early. Nothing good happens on those plays either. I think our WRs are part of the problem. Even our MVP Booker is part of the problem. Maybe Poole needs to come in more on obvious passing downs. Maybe Poole should be the permanent 3rd down back.



Eh, it was a 3-point road loss in OT. Things are okay.

Yes, and we had many chances - a big dropped pick, a big stalled drive in the 2nd half where we had to settle for a FG after taking a sack, and a missed FG in OT. I feel good about being so close to winning this game, but I don't feel good about the offense right now. The game looked a lot like a blowout early on, so it's pretty impressive that we turned it into a close game.

[LA Ute]

I don't know if I believe this. This is how I felt after WSU, but last night reminded me too much of the poor offense over the past 4 years. We have not been able to handle a blitz for 4 years now. Maybe that's all on the QB's and their lack of pocket presence. I'm afraid it might be a bigger issue.

UCLA, OSU, and USC must be kicking themselves now. "You mean all we have to do is blitz 6 on every down and they crap their pants? Why didn't we look at film from the past 4 years?"

The one thing that worked for TW last week was rolling out and moving the pocket. ASU took that away completely by sending in CBs/LBrs from the side. We had no way to move the pocket, and nothing good comes from us staying in the pocket. The 10 yard sacks that TW takes are just devastating.

The trick plays that utefan is calling for (flea flicker, reverse) would all blow up on us with the pressure from the side they were getting. The plays that traditionally beat a blitz haven't worked for us over the years - quick outs, screen plays, draws, etc. We try them every game, and we just never execute them. I don't know what to suggest.

At the beginning of the game, I wondered which injury would haunt us the most. It's clear that the answer is Dres. He was the best WR on the team by a mile.

That's why we threw to Dres repeatedly. He could get open.

It seemed last night that on the first series after halftime we were a different offensive team. We burned them on their blitzes a few times. Then something changed, I'm not sure what.

Jordan Wynn was the last QB we had who (I'm told by people who know football better than I do) was really good at making the pre-snap reads. That's clearly not Wilson's strength. But then I think Jordan had an o-line that could protect him. I think Travis would be good enough for us to win if he could get some blocking.

Which reminds me: are we just helpless against those corner and safety blitzes? ASU clearly watched the USC game film and saw that weakness.

This is not a bad loss. With a few bounces of the ball the other way we lose to USC, UCLA and OSU the same way. This team is overachieving and I'm still enjoying the ride.

[OrangeUte]

Washington just changed their All-American candidate linebacker to an offensive player, I think as principally a running back. I think it may be interesting to see how out-of-the-box this coaching staff can think in terms of getting it's offense back on track.

[sancho]

If Cox or Isom is not the starter next season

I think we have to pin our hopes on Isom/Hansen. Cox/Manning have been in the system long enough for the staff to evaluate them. They didn't beat out Wilson or Thompson on the depth chart.

But who else has a nagging feeling that Manning will transfer somewhere and throw for a million yards?

[sancho]

Which reminds me: are we just helpless against those corner and safety blitzes? ASU clearly watched the USC game film and saw that weakness.


I am the least qualified person to make suggestions, but I still have 20 minutes before I'm out the door, so here goes:

There is no point in sending 4+players out on passing routes. We can't scan through that many options. I say we bring in Poole alongside Booker to block (or convert someone to fullback). We send either Tonga or one of the RBs out as a checkdown, and the others try to buy TW and the WRs enough time to connect.

There is one thing we have with our WRs - size. So we throw some jump balls on 3rd and long instead of running the ball.

[Hot Lunch]

Kyle says receivers "we're pretty gloved up".

This is because the routes we run are as predictable as the plays we run. I think I saw one crossing route by Patrick and it was complete. Our wide outs run the same 3 or 4 routes on the outside.

Like many have said, it wasn't a bad loss. ASU is a good footballs team. What stings is we are a decent QB and play caller away from being undefeated right now.

[LA Ute]

I think we have to pin our hopes on Isom/Hansen.

Hansen' mission return could not be better-timed, assuming he can get back in shape quickly. He seems like Dave Christensen's kind of QB.

I also hope we keep DC for a few years. We've got to learn, as a program, to ride the same horse for a while.

Then again, what do I know? I'm just a fan.

[LA Ute]

This is because the routes we run are as predictable as the plays we run. I think I saw one crossing route by Patrick and it was complete. Our wide outs run the same 3 or 4 routes on the outside.

Like many have said, it wasn't a bad loss. ASU is a good footballs team. What stings is we are a decent QB and play caller away from being undefeated right now.

HL, many have said our play calling is so conservative because our personnel are limited. I can't help but think that a little creativity and variety might help us compensate for those limitations. What do you think?

[sancho]

HL, many have said our play calling is so conservative because our personnel are limited. I can't help but think that a little creativity and variety might help us compensate for those limitations. What do you think?

I'm all for anything that will help us beat a blitz. Until we find that key, we will not move the ball.

My first reaction to handing it off on 3rd and 8 was negative. We were not too far from FG range. A first down there gives us a real chance to run out the clock and kick for a win in regulation. At first, I thought the hand off was way too conservative. But, thinking about it more, I'm not sure that they were being conservative. That hand off may actually have been our highest percentage chance at the first down. We knew they were blitzing. If Booker just breaks through the first wave, we probably get the yards. The odds of that happening may have been higher than the odds of getting 8 yards in the air. Man, I wish we converted that first down.

[LA Ute]

I'm all for anything that will help us beat a blitz. Until we find that key, we will not move the ball.

My first reaction to handing it off on 3rd and 8 was negative. We were not too far from FG range. A first down there gives us a real chance to run out the clock and kick for a win in regulation. At first, I thought the hand off was way too conservative. But, thinking about it more, I'm not sure that they were being conservative. That hand off may actually have been our highest percentage chance at the first down. We knew they were blitzing. If Booker just breaks through the first wave, we probably get the yards. The odds of that happening may have been higher than the odds of getting 8 yards in the air. Man, I wish we converted that first down.

You're bringing back some agonizing memories. There were a number of plays when Booker almost broke for big yardage but an ASU player got his ankle and tripped him up, or some other such thing. Such a game of inches.

I do have to say how much I love the fight in this team. It's an easy bunch to love.

[Damage U]

I do have to say how much I love the fight in this team. It's an easy bunch to love.

The best part of this season. Love the fight!

[Scorcho]

still pumped about being 6-2, this defense will keep us close enough to possibly defeat Oregon. For whatever reason Utah's offense plays much better at home. I still think 8-4, or 9-3 is a real possibility.

[justaute]

I actually kind of feel bad for the defensive players. To fight so hard and so long, and to have your own offense not step-up, year after year, can't be easy.

[SoCalPat]

I'm haunted by our last play from scrimmage. 3rd and 4 from the 19 and we pass. This is important because we had not passed on 3rd and 4 or shorter all game. This was our money play, our best play we either hadn't run or something that's been successful 95 percent of the time we've run it. And it got absolutely blown up and Travis has to throw it away.

Someone screwed the pooch badly on this. If it's a player, you coach him up to do better next time. My worry is that ASU knew the play was coming, even though there's no earthly reason for their coaches to know. For ASU to have defended that play like it did speaks to being too predictable or too vanilla, and I don't think either is defensible.

Kyle would never admit to it in season, but I think when that play failed, it was a huge downer for the entire sideline. That was the play that was going to win us the game and it blew up on us.

[sancho]

For ASU to have defended that play like it did speaks to being too predictable or too vanilla

ASU defended that play the same way they defended every other play in the entire game. They blitzed. Nothing new there.

[OrangeUte]

1300

This is a good stretch so far. I can't wait to see how these next 3 games end up.

[sancho]

This is a good stretch so far. I can't wait to see how these next 3 games end up.

I'm content with this season regardless of how it ends. My standard from the start was bowl game, and we are there. We've had some quality wins and great moments.

That said, I really think 8-4 is possible. I would love to see that happen. Our likeliest wins in order: CU, Arizona, Stanford, Oregon. In other words, our schedule gets a little bit easier each week from here on out.

[OrangeUte]

I'm content with this season regardless of how it ends. My standard from the start was bowl game, and we are there. We've had some quality wins and great moments.

That said, I really think 8-4 is possible. I would love to see that happen. Our likeliest wins in order: CU, Arizona, Stanford, Oregon. In other words, our schedule gets a little bit easier each week from here on out.

Good point. The goal is to forget the loss and move on if we stumble again.