BearUp: #15 Arizona @ #17 Utah

[DrumNFeather]

I was going to go with some kind of Goldie Hawn reference, but then I decided to simplify.

Senior day arrives as the 8-2 Wildcats come in to RES to take on 7-3 Utah with the Pac 12 South still hanging in the balance (thanks OSU!)

[sancho]

Both teams have had some luck to get where they are. This late in the season, we still only have 4 common opponents:

Oregon: Arizona wins @Oregon, we lose at home. The most surprising result of the Pac-12 season.

USC: Arizona loses close game on road, we win close game at home.

WSU: Arizona blows them out on road. We lose at home.

UCLA: Arizona can't score and loses 17-7 on road. We can score and win on road.

[UBlender]

Both teams have had some luck to get where they are. This late in the season, we still only have 4 common opponents:

Oregon: Arizona wins @Oregon, we lose at home. The most surprising result of the Pac-12 season.

USC: Arizona loses close game on road, we win close game at home.

WSU: Arizona blows them out on road. We lose at home.

UCLA: Arizona can't score and loses 17-7 on road. We can score and win on road.

USC beat Arizona in Tucson.

[U-Ute]

I was going to go with some kind of Goldie Hawn reference, but then I decided to simplify.

Goldie Hawn when you have Nicolas Cage, Holly Hunter, and the Cohen Brothers?

At least you didn't go Keanu and Sandy.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Solomon may be a bit gimpy at kick off on Saturday. If that's the case, he may not be able to walk by the end of the game. A great way for Orchard to finish his RES experience. http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/arizona-s-solomon-dealing-with-tender-ankle-111714

[sancho]

Solomon may be a bit gimpy at kick off on Saturday. If that's the case, he may not be able to walk by the end of the game. A great way for Orchard to finish his RES experience. http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/arizona-s-solomon-dealing-with-tender-ankle-111714

Let's leave him healthy enough to beat ASU the following week.

[Applejack]

Let's leave him healthy enough to beat ASU the following week.

Championship game!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Let's leave him healthy enough to beat ASU the following week.

Good point!

[UTEopia]

I hate Arizona. The last time they played at RES their players were the biggest punks on the sideline. Before every kick-off they would mimic something Reggie Dunn had done after scoring a TD off a kickoff and then promptly kick the ball out of bounds or away from him. I hope we stomp their asses.

[LA Ute]

Anu Solomon is the latest opponent to trigger my QB envy. I wish we could recruit and develop one like him.

[Sullyute]

Anu Solomon is the latest opponent to trigger my QB envy. I wish we could recruit and develop one like him.

At this point in the season...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH3ruuml-R4

[DrumNFeather]

From the release:


Fans are encouraged be in their seats early on Saturday to see 17 Utah seniors honored in a pre-game ceremony. Listed alphabetically, seniors who will be introduced follow (Tevin Carter will not be recognized as he plans to apply for a medical hardship season): Dres Anderson, WR; Brian Blechen, DB; Kaelin Clay, WR; Wykie Freeman, DB; Jacoby Hale, LB; Sese Ianu, DT; Chandler Johnson, DB; Andre Lewis, WR; Geoffrey Norwood, WR; Nate Orchard, DE; Davion Orphey, DB; Ryan Petersen, WR; Marc Pouvave, OL; Greg Reese, DE; Eric Rowe, DB; Junior Salt, OL; Westlee Tonga, TE.

That is quite a group of seniors when you sit back and think of it. There's a lot of positive impact to our program among the 17 seniors will be sending off. Between redshirts etc, I'm sure some of these guys transitioned from the MWC, and likely committed to Utah while it was still a MWC school. They've seen a lot of ups and downs and have suffered through back to back 5-7 seasons.

I would like nothing more than to send these seniors out with a winning record in conference, and possibly a 9 or 10 win season.

[Applejack]

From the release:



That is quite a group of seniors when you sit back and think of it. There's a lot of positive impact to our program among the 17 seniors will be sending off. Between redshirts etc, I'm sure some of these guys transitioned from the MWC, and likely committed to Utah while it was still a MWC school. They've seen a lot of ups and downs and have suffered through back to back 5-7 seasons.

I would like nothing more than to send these seniors out with a winning record in conference, and possibly a 9 or 10 win season.

It's really an amazing list of seniors, who have come from a wide-variety of backgrounds:
- Signed with the MWC Utes and have been coached WAY up (Orchard, Hale, Tonga, Freeman)
- Signed with the MWC Utes and arrived as fully-formed football Gods (Blechen, Rowe)
- JC guys who took a while, but have made an impact (Ianu, Orphey)
- JC guys who burst onto the scene like a record machine (Clay, Jr Salt)
- a bunch of guys who, for various reasons, never made a huge impact (everyone else)

[DrumNFeather]

It's really an amazing list of seniors, who have come from a wide-variety of backgrounds:
- Signed with the MWC Utes and have been coached WAY up (Orchard, Hale, Tonga, Freeman)
- Signed with the MWC Utes and arrived as fully-formed football Gods (Blechen, Rowe)
- JC guys who took a while, but have made an impact (Ianu, Orphey)
- JC guys who burst onto the scene like a record machine (Clay, Jr Salt)
- a bunch of guys who, for various reasons, never made a huge impact (everyone else)

When you go back to that 2010 class, there was a ton of talent in it...even with a couple of washouts.

Also, though he is gone, Lucky Radley, also from that class, had a significant impact on this program. I gotta think that he wishes he just stuck with the Utes given that he's been buried on the depth chart at SDSU.

[Applejack]

When you go back to that 2010 class, there was a ton of talent in it...even with a couple of washouts.

Also, though he is gone, Lucky Radley, also from that class, had a significant impact on this program. I gotta think that he wishes he just stuck with the Utes given that he's been buried on the depth chart at SDSU.

Agreed. One of my favorite signing classes of all-time, even though my two favorites (Damian Payne and Terrell Reese) washed out.

That class also brought us Ken Scott, Dres, John Cullen, Joe Kruger, Star, and Joseph Smith. Praise to the men!

[sancho]

Only two teams this season have had real success running the ball against us: ASU and Oregon. They are both read-option run teams. Is that bad news for us against Arizona? Solomon has had some good running games and some bad running games, but he averages around 10 carries per game.

[chrisrenrut]

Only two teams this season have had real success running the ball against us: ASU and Oregon. They are both read-option run teams. Is that bad news for us against Arizona? Solomon has had some good running games and some bad running games, but he averages around 10 carries per game.

Solomon being slightly hobbled, and a wet field will hopefully help.


http://youtu.be/8SbUC-UaAxE

[DrumNFeather]

Game day. Senior day. Let's send them off the right way!

[OrangeUte]

Absolutely! I am completely looking forward to an early kick off time, a game that I think is a good match up with our defense and their offense etc. Special teams and turnovers will be the deciding factor. If we win The turnover battle by at least two, we win. Field position will also be a big factor. I would really like to see a blocked kick or punt. I don't think we've seen either this year.

[LA Ute]

Absolutely! I am completely looking forward to an early kick off time, a game that I think is a good match up with our defense and their offense etc. Special teams and turnovers will be the deciding factor. If we win The turnover battle by at least two, we win. Field position will also be a big factor. I would really like to see a blocked kick or punt. I don't think we've seen either this year.

Great point! We are due!

[DrumNFeather]

Des, Matt Birk, Corso and Herbie all like the Utes! :cool:

[OrangeUte]

Stands look a little empty.

[OrangeUte]

Pass rush needs to get more pressure on Solomon.

[DrumNFeather]

Bend but don't break...

[OrangeUte]

Offense looking stale.

[justaute]

Such a dizzying array of offensive plays, I don't know what to expect.

[OrangeUte]

Awful hustle rowe.

[OrangeUte]

Burned by Solomon hard on that play.

[DrumNFeather]

Awful hustle rowe.
D looking slow and really late to react.

[LA Ute]

Well we bent, and then we broke.

[justaute]

Those swing passes to WR don't do anything....we just don't learn.

[LA Ute]

Ball needed more zip.

[DrumNFeather]

Execution lacking.

[OrangeUte]

Execution lacking.

That and we are not throwing anything at them that they haven't seen samples of on film all year long.

[DrumNFeather]

Those swing passes to WR don't do anything....we just don't learn.
Particularly when the other WRs don't/won't/ can't block.

[OrangeUte]

Particularly when the other WRs don't/won't/ can't block.

Exactly. Screens and swing passes only work if blocking is there.

[LA Ute]

A TO would be very helpful here.

[DrumNFeather]

That and we are not throwing anything at them that they haven't seen samples of on film all year long.
Their playbook looks complex and diverse by comparison.

[OrangeUte]

A TO would be very helpful here.

Yep.

[mpfunk]

Why in the ever loving hell are we still playing Travis Wilson. He is a failed QB, which is on the coaches not on him.

Against an awful awful defense we are going to score 0 points in the first quarter. 2/5 for -4 yards passing

[OrangeUte]

We are lucky that Zona is making dumb mistakes and getting penalized on several plays.

[DrumNFeather]

Ok, so we slept through the first quarter. Time to wake up.

[justaute]

UA respects our offense so much, it is putting 9 guys in the box. Yet, we continue to run plays inside. Oh, right, we can't throw/pass to the outside. Right, our WRs also can't seem to block on those swing plays.

[mpfunk]

17 yards. Utah had 17 yards in the 1st quarter against that bad defense. I think when I called our offense a FCS offense, I was being overly kind. We have a high school offense.

[OrangeUte]

Another 3 and out.

[midnight shift]

Someone needs to tell the team the game does not start at 8:00 tonight.

[DrumNFeather]

Are we the only ranked team that has its fans boo the shit out of the team at the drop of a hat? We need to unload the Zoob/jazz gene out of our fans.

[OrangeUte]

Run defense looks bad. Especially on the edges.

[OrangeUte]

Are we the only ranked team that has its fans boo the shit out of the team at the drop of a hat? We need to unload the Zoob/jazz gene out of our fans.

And we need to show up in the cold. Pathetic.

[justaute]

1. D is out there for way too long. O players/coaches need to get their asses kicked.
2. UA is making adjustments, but we can't...at least can't execute, or both.


Run defense looks bad. Especially on the edges.

[LA Ute]

I tuned in near the end of the first quarter. Have we been playing this badly all game long?

[justaute]

Again, if I were a good offensive recruiting prospect, there's no reason to seriously consider Utah.

[LA Ute]

Why in the ever loving hell are we still playing Travis Wilson. He is a failed QB, which is on the coaches not on him.

Against an awful awful defense we are going to score 0 points in the first quarter. 2/5 for -4 yards passing

The disturbing reality is that we probably have no one better.

[LA Ute]

Defense saves us again. Offense needs to awaken.

[DrumNFeather]

Hey! A first down!

[mpfunk]

The disturbing reality is that we probably have no one better.

If that is true what an amazing failure in recruiting. I guess there is a reason why Manning's only other offer was Montana St. I guess there is also a reason that Cox was the worst Pac-12 QB recruit the year we signed him. How is that our coaches cannot even recruit sub-par QBs to play at Utah.

Also, why not at least try something else.

[LA Ute]

Man we are bad against the blitz.

[midnight shift]

That was triple coverage.

[justaute]

Why pass into a crowd of 3 defenders?

[OrangeUte]

Aye carumba.

[LA Ute]

Well, it sure is a drive killer to throw into a crowd in the end zone.

[justaute]

When you get one 1st down on a long-run, in 1.5 quarters, that's just timing/luck.

[OrangeUte]

They have 12 first downs to our 2. Stat of the first half.

[LA Ute]

That was triple coverage.

And when he threw it his eyes seemed to light up because he thought he saw something.

[OrangeUte]

Offensive PI not called there.

[mpfunk]

Why pass into a crowd of 3 defenders?

Probably something to do with being a horrible QB.

Against a bad defense.

3/7 for 1 yard and 1 INT. I guess on the plus side, we are now in the positive with passing yards.

[justaute]

That was offensive interference.

[OrangeUte]

Come on offense! This crowd needs to get loud!

[sancho]

Offensive PI not called there.

One of the worst noncalls I've seen this season. Most obvious PI all year. And it had pick 6 written all over it.

[justaute]

Are Manning are Cox so bad they can't even smell for a few plays?

[mpfunk]

Can we please try something else? Put in Cox and go with a straight option attack with Poole and Booker in the backfield. Do something. This is not working. It hasn't worked this season at all. Our defense is awesome, but we cannot win this game scoring under 20 points. UTSA is going to put up more points on this team than Utah if we keep playing Wilson. We have to do something else.

[justaute]

Let me guess...hand-off to Booker up the middle.

[DrumNFeather]

If that is true what an amazing failure in recruiting. I guess there is a reason why Manning's only other offer was Montana St. I guess there is also a reason that Cox was the worst Pac-12 QB recruit the year we signed him. How is that our coaches cannot even recruit sub-par QBs to play at Utah.

Also, why not at least try something else.
Well, I think part of the reason is that, no matter how we're getting there, we're still winning and frankly are enjoying our best season in the Pac 12. Even when you have shitty qb play, winning teams rarely make that kind of change...and they sure as hell aren't playing for next year unless they aren't bowl eligible.

I'm trying to think of examples where a team has benched its QB while having a winning record. None come to mind off the top of my head.

Also, it just doesn't matter if you don't have guys that go up and get the ball. Not one of our guys has gone after the ball like any of Arizona's WRs so far.

AZ knows what's coming, and we aren't making them pay so far.

[justaute]

ESPN has more fun with reporting soup and hot chocolate than paying attention to Utah playing offense. I would do the same. I'm posting here instead of watching the game.

[mpfunk]

Would anyone be surprised if we end up getting shut out?

[LA Ute]

Watching this U. offense is like watching Boylenball. Very difficult.

[sancho]

Can we please try something else?

I'd be fine with Manning or, I guess, Cox. But you always complain about the coaches ruining Travis Wilson by putting him into a bad situation. Doesn't that apply to Manning/Cox?

[justaute]

Nope.

If we had a year or two of bad offense, ok, that's somewhat understandable. How many years has it been?


Would anyone be surprised if we end up getting shut out?

[mpfunk]

Well, I think part of the reason is that, no matter how we're getting there, we're still winning and frankly are enjoying our best season in the Pac 12. Even when you have shitty qb play, winning teams rarely make that kind of change...and they sure as hell aren't playing for next year unless they aren't bowl eligible.

I'm trying to think of examples where a team has benched its QB while having a winning record. None come to mind off the top of my head.

Also, it just doesn't matter if you don't have guys that go up and get the ball. Not one of our guys has gone after the ball like any of Arizona's WRs so far.

AZ knows what's coming, and we aren't making them pay so far.

Can you think of a winning team that has this bad of play from the QB position? 1 fucking yard. 1 yard. Let me repeat that again, 1 yard. We are almost through the first half and we have 1 passing yard.

[LA Ute]

We are a better defense than this. What's going on?

[mpfunk]

If they score a TD here the game is over. No way in hell we can get 14 points unless the defense or special teams scores. Absolutely pathetic.

[OrangeUte]

Defense looks awful.

[sancho]

Would anyone be surprised if we end up getting shut out?

I would not be surprised. I would also not be surprised if we win.

Arizona certainly looks like the better team though.

[OrangeUte]

We aren't even competitive this half.

[mpfunk]

We are a better defense than this. What's going on?

Maybe our defense has finally got fed up enough that they are giving up. If true, can you even blame them? They are working their asses off all year and the offense is giving them nothing.

[DrumNFeather]

Can you think of a winning team that has this bad of play from the QB position? 1 fucking yard. 1 yard. Let me repeat that again, 1 yard. We are almost through the first half and we have 1 passing yard.
The 2002 Baltimore Ravens? :)

Honestly, I think you'd find a lot of inconsistencies in qb play...to our extreme? I don't know I'd have to look into that.

[justaute]

If we make any QB change, it won't be until half time because we don't know how to make real-time adjustments.

[sancho]

Maybe our defense has finally got fed up enough that they are giving up. If true, can you even blame them? They are working their asses off all year and the offense is giving them nothing.

No, they have struggled against this type of run attack for years. It's not a good matchup for them.

[LA Ute]

Hey. A first down!!!

[sancho]

That time out is to see if they should challenge the spot.

[DrumNFeather]

Was Tonga trying to avoid the marker there?

[justaute]

Just look at the players, they are listless.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

We're going to catch up so fast in overtime!

[sancho]

Well, we were due for a good old fashioned blow out loss. We've been living above our ability all year.

[OrangeUte]

Turnovers and punts are the name of this game.

[LA Ute]

Was Tonga trying to avoid the marker there?

Drives me nuts when receivers don't know where the first down marker is.

[justaute]

Absolutely agree.


Well, we were due for a good old fashioned blow out loss. We've been living above our ability all year.

[DrumNFeather]

This is a complete team effort (or lack thereof) on offense. Qb, backs, line, WRs.

[LA Ute]

Well, we were due for a good old fashioned blow out loss. We've been living above our ability all year.

True. This time both the offense and defense chose to underperform. Badly.

[LA Ute]

Hey. Let's at least ruin their shutout.

[OrangeUte]

I can't stand seeing so many empty seats.

[OrangeUte]

I'm not giving up on this. Score here and coming out of the second half and we are back in.

[sancho]

Two shots at the end zone here?

[LA Ute]

Please no throw over the middle, Travis.

[OrangeUte]

Beautiful!

[OrangeUte]

Seriously. How do people not go to this game. I hate fans that stay away from big games. This should be a capacity crowd.

[DrumNFeather]

Beautiful!
Lol DC gets the credit...

[justaute]

For what? The personal foul call? For 28 minutes of embarrassing offense? For not able to identify and develop QB? One-dimensional play-calling?

I'm giving credit to UA's DC for playing prevent-defense, which was a mistake. We couldn't move the ball.


Lol DC gets the credit...

[midnight shift]

Relax, we have them right where we want them.

[justaute]

I guess my stoic and sardonic traits don't quite come through via keyboard. LOL


Relax, we have them right where we want them.

[DrumNFeather]

For what? The personal foul call? For 28 minutes of embarrassing offense? For not able to identify and develop QB? One-dimensional play-calling?

I'm giving credit to UA's DC for playing prevent-defense, which was a mistake. We couldn't move the ball.
The commentator said: "Dave Christiansen dials one up" I thought it was funny if not ironic given the offensive performance in the first half

[justaute]

On another note...glad to see Mariota went to Oregon. I truly believe his growth would have been stunted had he chosen Utah.

[midnight shift]

I know exactly how you feel. Just trying to keep myself jacked up. Time to open up a lucky RIS that brought us a victory last week. No fears!

[sancho]

On another note...glad to see Mariota went to Oregon. I truly believe his growth would have been stunted had he chosen Utah.

No, he's a transcendent player and program changer. We'd still have BJ had he come to Utah, and we'd have at least one division title.

[justaute]

Agreed that he's a transcendent player. That said, I don't think we have the coaching to provide him the support and my view is not just based on this year's offensive woes. Even if we come back to win the game today, I'd maintain the same view.


No, he's a transcendent player and program changer. We'd still have BJ had he come to Utah, and we'd have at least one division title.

[LA Ute]

You know, it sure seems like Dave Christensen's been a bust as OC. Problem is, Utah has done well enough that the guy with ultimate accountability (Kyle) shouldn't be fired, and Kyle can't really get away with changing his OC again.

Looking forward to basketball season, where we have both excellent players and consistently effective coaching.

[sancho]

Key to the 2nd half: the defense. If we give up any more big runs/passes, we will be too deep. But if we can shut them down somehow, I like our chances to get to 21.

[LA Ute]

If only TW could've thrown that ball well. But how many times have we said that this season?

[LA Ute]

Do we just not have the speed to run anywhere but between the tackles?

[LA Ute]

Maybe we will see Good Travis this half instead of Bad Travis.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

On another note...glad to see Mariota went to Oregon. I truly believe his growth would have been stunted had he chosen Utah.

He would have been one hell of a backup DB!

[LA Ute]

Drive-killing penalty. No protection for Travis, poor throw, followed by a safety blitz (which we simply cannot handle) and a big sack. Awful. A score in that possession and it would've been a ballgame.

[sancho]

I'd like to see that hold call again. Looked like Scott was just driving that dude back.

Any DC who does not blitz 6 against us on 3rd down should be fired immediately.

[midnight shift]

Scott did not need to hold on that play. Damn.

[DrumNFeather]

Scott did not need to hold on that play. Damn.
The DB sold it.

[justaute]

Well, it would not have been surprising.


He would have been one hell of a backup DB!

[midnight shift]

He definitely sold it.

[OrangeUte]

Rowe is having an awful game.

[midnight shift]

What is wrong with Rowe today?

[OrangeUte]

Dammit we needed that fumble.

[OrangeUte]

Thank god!

[DrumNFeather]

Could it be...

[OrangeUte]

NOW CONVERT!

This is where you want a loud stadium that is energized.

[Snowman]

They're not saying anything on KALL. Is there anything on TV about Ariz QB? What's up?

[OrangeUte]

Huge play!

[OrangeUte]

They're not saying anything on KALL. Is there anything on TV about Ariz QB? What's up?

Not yet.

[mpfunk]

I want to be excited about that play, but knowing that he didn't score on it, I know that our best case scenario is 3 points.

[midnight shift]

Come on Travis! Look for a second receiver!

[LA Ute]

Not sure the fade is the pass to ask Travis to throw.

[OrangeUte]

Shoot. Settling for 3.

[justaute]

Nice.


I want to be excited about that play, but knowing that he didn't score on it, I know that our best case scenario is 3 points.

[OrangeUte]

Not sure the fade is the pass to ask Treavos to throw.

Not happy w that call. Roll left and hit clay or tonga. Lots of field to work with.

[Snowman]

Come on Travis! Look for a second receiver!

He's so tall too. Look around just for a sec dude.

[mpfunk]

Not happy w that call. Roll left and hit clay or tonga. Lots of field to work with.

Fade to the short side of the field with a terrible QB, no one should like that call.

[mpfunk]

The sad thing is that I'm sure that Arizona's backup QB is worlds better than Utah's starter.

[LA Ute]

Maybe the change in AZ's QB will help us.

[OrangeUte]

Big 3rd down play. I don't want this kid getting confident.

[LA Ute]

Perhaps the most costly holding call of the season. Of several seasons.

[midnight shift]

Noooooo! @#$#@$Q @#!$*(*)@#$^&*(*##*(^%*($# Dang!

[mpfunk]

Damnit. Flag. We needed that one. Without a special teams or defensive TD, we aren't going to win.

[AnestheUte]

Does ESPN ever show replays to look at the play closer? Nothing on the holding call on Scott, and nothing on the holding call on the punt... I would've liked to get a look at it to judge for myself.

[OrangeUte]

That's awful.

[DrumNFeather]

Is Clay fast enough for a reverse?

Maybe our line can't block for one, but it'd be nice.

[OrangeUte]

89 yard drive boys.

[OrangeUte]

Is Clay fast enough for a reverse?

Maybe our line can't block for one, but it'd be nice.

Yes. But that's not one of our 5 plays.

[DrumNFeather]

Yes. But that's not one of our 5 plays.
DC to Rich Rod: "can I borrow your play book?"

[LA Ute]

We still have some mo.

[midnight shift]

It seems like every positive play has a penalty.

[midnight shift]

We still have some mo.

Time is running fast though.

[LA Ute]

We're seeing mostly Good Travis this half.

[AnestheUte]

Please, please, please let's get back in this thing this drive. Need a TD!

[mpfunk]

DC to Rich Rod: "can I borrow your play book?"

Rich Rod to DC: "Sure, you also want to borrow my scout team QB, he is better than your starter."

[DrumNFeather]

Rich Rod to DC: "Sure, you also want to borrow my scout team QB, he is better than your starter."
Now you're just being a dick

[OrangeUte]

We needed a TD. Time is slipping away.

[OrangeUte]

I have to ignore mp.

[mpfunk]

Absolutely predictable. I was expecting a loss that took us out of FG range, but I thought it would be Travis Wilson rolling out and getting sacked.

[mpfunk]

Now you're just being a dick

I like Travis Wilson. It isn't his fault, but I'm beyond pissed that our coaches will not try something when we know that what we have won't work. If we don't have a QB in our program that can do better than this, we are in serious trouble going forward.

[LA Ute]

Let's get a TO. Our only chance now.

[OrangeUte]

Run defense get tough!

[mpfunk]

I have to ignore mp.

You are right. I'm being too negative and too hard on Wilson.

[midnight shift]

Need to stop the run!

Edit: nevermind

[OrangeUte]

Jeez.

[OrangeUte]

That's horrible.

[OrangeUte]

Is Rowe hurt? He looks gimpy?

[DrumNFeather]

That's horrible.
I mean how would the D know he would get the ball...(facepalm)

[justaute]

Lol

[AnestheUte]

Game. Set. Match. Eff

[OrangeUte]

Difference bw us and arizona is that we didn't rebound from dumb penalties and mistakes with big plays. They did. That was a big play after a turnover and poor offensive showing on several previous possessions.

[mpfunk]

What a change in just a few minutes. Our defense just has never been able to stop a Rich Rod run game. The frustrating thing is that Utah really is better at every position except QB and WR. We really should have got this win.

This has been a really good season. One of the better Ute seasons that we have ever had. The frustrating thing is that if we could have even got subpar play from our QB, we could have had a special season. We have the worst QB play in the conference and we were a few plays away from winning the south. I've never enjoyed watching a Ute defense more than this year (except for maybe 1994). I've also never been more frustrated watching a Ute offense.

[midnight shift]

Utes getting in their own way today.

[OrangeUte]

2 minute offense anyone? A little urgency?

[justaute]

We are not in much of a hurry...are we?

[OrangeUte]

Ouch.

[OrangeUte]

Unfortunately our time in the top 25 is over.

[justaute]

Oops

[LA Ute]

Hm. I never thought this game would be the one where we would actually be blown out at home. Travis used to be a promising quarterback. When did he become half unfulfilled promise and half Lance Rice?

[OrangeUte]

2 plays in a row for Wilson to score on us. We've given up.

[midnight shift]

Well, I have to remember it is still a good season. Win next week and the team still has eight wins which I would have taken at the beginning of the year.

[mpfunk]

2 plays in a row for Wilson to score on us. We've given up.

Unfortunately we have. It is a shame as it is the first time this year.

[AnestheUte]

This season is a total rollercoaster ride. It feels like the wheels are coming off. My only remaining question is how much to feel bad when we get beat by Colorado. Dramatic? or Realist?

[DrumNFeather]

Difference bw us and arizona is that we didn't rebound from dumb penalties and mistakes with big plays. They did. That was a big play after a turnover and poor offensive showing on several previous possessions.
The good news is that Rich Rod will be in Florida next year.

[DrumNFeather]

This season is a total rollercoaster ride. It feels like the wheels are coming off. My only remaining question is how much to feel bad when we get beat by Colorado. Dramatic? or Realist?
We will not lose to CU. Write it down.

[mpfunk]

The good news is that Rich Rod will be in Florida next year.

I'd be thrilled if Utah never had to play against a Rich Rod run game again.

[justaute]

Wait a second...is that a new QB?

[OrangeUte]

Hhheeeeeerrrrreeeeee'sssss Manning!!!!

[LA Ute]

The good news is that Rich Rod will be in Florida next year.

The bad news is that Kyle and DC will both be here next year. I do appreciate, love, and admire Kyle, but he is not offense-minded and seems to have no idea how to compensate for his deficiency in that regard.

[DrumNFeather]

Wait a second...is that a new QB?
Here comes 28 straight!

[OrangeUte]

Aye aye aye.

[justaute]

Touchdown!

[DrumNFeather]

The bad news is that Kyle and DC will both be here next year. I do appreciate, love, and admire Kyle, but he is not offense-minded and seems to have no idea how to compensate for his deficiency in that regard.
He needs to hire a legit QB coach. He's never had one. Maybe Chow...maybe.

[OrangeUte]

Ass kicking.

[AnestheUte]

Yeah, tell me again why we wanted Manning in there... :facepalm:

[mpfunk]

I realize that I've been calling for the backup. However, it seems a little unfair to throw Manning to the wolves like this. Put him in when the team is down 25 for his first in-game action? Really, seems like a good way to destroy another QB. Not that I'm all the excited or believe in Connor Manning. You look at the offers and when you are beating out Montana St for a QB, you have to question why a Pac-12 team is recruiting that QB.

[OrangeUte]

Yeah, tell me again why we wanted Manning in there... :facepalm:

Haha. Because we needed a spark.

It's rainy. I don't like being the team that has to play against back ups early in the 4th quarter.

We are our own worst enemy.

[justaute]

I was just thinking about this. Why not bring him on just after half time? Let him run with a "normal" offense, not "must pass" situation.


I realize that I've been calling for the backup. However, it seems a little unfair to throw Manning to the wolves like this. Put him in when the team is down 25 for his first in-game action? Really, seems like a good way to destroy another QB. Not that I'm all the excited or believe in Connor Manning. You look at the offers and when you are beating out Montana St for a QB, you have to question why a Pac-12 team is recruiting that QB.

[mpfunk]

He needs to hire a legit QB coach. He's never had one. Maybe Chow...maybe.

Our QB coach choices post Ludwig have consistently been baffling. For what is probably the 4th most important coaching position (behind HC, DC, and OC), we have always had underwhelming QB coaches.

[justaute]

I wouldn't be surprised if we lost big at CU.


Our QB coach choices post Ludwig have consistently been baffling. For what is probably the 4th most important coaching position (behind HC, DC, and OC), we have always had underwhelming QB coaches.

[OrangeUte]

I wouldn't be surprised if we lost big at CU.

I would. We won't lose that game. We are not typically the team that got blown out today.

[AnestheUte]

I'm really trying to hold back my inner pessimism here, but we really haven't had a lashing like this all year. At least the other losses we've had were close games. We just keep looking worse and worse. Can the team regroup and make our game against CU count? I bet we can (because CU is not very good) but the way everyone is messing up and hanging their heads, I have to at least question.

[LA Ute]

I wouldn't be surprised if we lost big at CU.

You may be right but I'm not ready to go there yet. These guys are not this bad. No team is as bad as its worst game.

[justaute]

Candidly, I'm hopeful that won't be the case. That "mess" we call offense in the past few years is tiring. In my field, a lot of coaches would have been fired.


You may be right but I'm not ready to go there yet. These guys are not this bad. No team is as bad as its worst game.

[DrumNFeather]

I'm really trying to hold back my inner pessimism here, but we really haven't had a lashing like this all year. At least the other losses we've had were close games. We just keep looking worse and worse. Can the team regroup and make our game against CU count? I bet we can (because CU is not very good) but the way everyone is messing up and hanging their heads, I have to at least question.
Look at what happened to Ole Miss today. These games happen in P5 conferences. We will rebound and be just fine.

[LA Ute]

I'm excited to see how Chapman, Kuzma and Poeltl develop as the season progresses.

[DrumNFeather]

I'm excited to see how Chapman, Kuzma and Poeltl develop as the season progresses.
Come on LA...don't be one of THOSE fans.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

The rain and Utah football hardly ever seem to go to very well together.

[OrangeUte]

The rain and Utah football hardly ever seem to go to very well together.

I thought rain and cold would give us an advantage. I was so wrong.

[LA Ute]

Candidly, I'm hopeful that won't be the case. That "mess" we call offense in the past few years is tiring. In my field, a lot of coaches would have been fired.

Yep. It's going to take Utah a few years to dig out of its reputation as a no-offense, no-offensive identity program.

[DrumNFeather]

How about this? If Urban keeps that young guy as his QB, we put a call in about Braxton Miller.

Any dream will do.

[sancho]

The phrase I have hated all season - "any drive that doesn't end in a turnover is a good drive" - was true today. Without the fumble and the picks, this is a different game. That said, Arizona just kicked us around out there.

What an embarrassing performance.

The rain ended up hurting us much more than them. The fumbled snap on 3rd and 3 was as bad for momentum as the holding call that took away a brilliant TD return.

CU is a real concern for next week. A win gets us a 5-4 finish in the conference, which is better than we deserve.

[Snowman]

Come on. We've earned our wins and taken some lumps. Of course, CU is a tough game. Every game is always tough.

[DrumNFeather]

The phrase I have hated all season - "any drive that doesn't end in a turnover is a good drive" - was true today. Without the fumble and the picks, this is a different game. That said, Arizona just kicked us around out there.

What an embarrassing performance.

The rain ended up hurting us much more than them. The fumbled snap on 3rd and 3 was as bad for momentum as the holding call that took away a brilliant TD return.

CU is a real concern for next week. A win gets us a 5-4 finish in the conference, which is better than we deserve.
Deserve doesn't have much to do with it, imo. The last two years we've had a lot of things go against us. This year we've had more go for us and here we are at 7-4. Everyone would've taken this result before the season. Everyone.

The holding is ultimately the killer for us. 21-17 and all the momentum and we probably pull out another ugly one. Shoulda, coulda, woulda.

We'll beat the Buffs.

[sancho]

Deserve doesn't have much to do with it, imo. The last two years we've had a lot of things go against us. This year we've had more go for us and here we are at 7-4. Everyone would've taken this result before the season. Everyone.


I agree. 5-4 would exceed my expectations.

I don't even know what DC's offense looks like in his mind. We haven't ever had enough success to even get glimpse of what he wants to do.

[LA Ute]

The attendance looked pathetic. The fans screaming for stadium expansion as if it were a no-brainer ought to consider that. I know some of them and they dumped their tickets this morning.

[Snowman]

The attendance looked pathetic. The fans screaming for stadium expansion as if it were a no-brainer ought to consider that. I know some of them and they dumped their tickets this morning.

They empty seats look terrible. More empty seats would look worse. And imagine if this were a bad season.

[concerned]

It may have looked pathetic, but it was the worst weather I have ever endured. The torrential hail in the second half was just brutal.

[LA Ute]

I am not blaming those who left early, just noting that so many decided not even to go. I don't think the ardent fan support is big enough yet to make adding 10,000 seats an urgent no-brainer.

[utefan]

I am not blaming those who left early, just noting that so many decided not even to go. I don't think the ardent fan support is big enough yet to make adding 10,000 seats an urgent no-brainer.
This is the first time in like 3 years that the stadium wasn't packed. And this is after 2 bad seasons, and terrible weather today.

I wouldn't use that as a reason to keep the stadium minor league sized.

[LA Ute]

This is the first time in like 3 years that the stadium wasn't packed. And this is after 2 bad seasons, and terrible weather today.

I wouldn't use that as a reason to keep the stadium minor league sized.

Points well taken.

[justaute]

The weather didn't seem to bother Arizona players much. hehe

[OrangeUte]

The weather didn't seem to bother Arizona players much. hehe

At 6 AM on Thursday they practiced in the sprinklers to get ready. While that didn't save the game, I'm sure it helped. We were totally unprepared.

[Diehard Ute]

At 6 AM on Thursday they practiced in the sprinklers to get ready. While that didn't save the game, I'm sure it helped. We were totally unprepared.

Advantages of Arizona. Sprinklers in Utah are shut off for the year ;)

[U-Ute]

I started getting nervous once I saw all of the national pundits picking Utah. That never seems to work out well for us. It's like our coaches don't know how to coach from a position of success. Their strength is coaching from an underdog position.

That's one thing Urban Meyer was great at. His teams seemed to get better once they were good.

[sancho]

The phrase I have hated all season - "any drive that doesn't end in a turnover is a good drive" - was true today. Without the fumble and the picks, this is a different game.


A follow up on my own thought:

As bad as we were, and we were bad, I think we still have a shot to win if we just don’t turn it over. The Poole fumble cost us at least 7 points. The first Wilson pick cost us at least 3. Without those, we go into the locker room at 14-10 or maybe better. The fumbled snap (not a turnover officially, but just as good as one) cost us at least 3 points. The second Wilson pick cost us at least 7. At that point, the game was over, and Manning's pick made the score worse.

[UBlender]

A follow up on my own thought:

As bad as we were, and we were bad, I think we still have a shot to win if we just don’t turn it over. The Poole fumble cost us at least 7 points. The first Wilson pick cost us at least 3. Without those, we go into the locker room at 14-10 or maybe better. The fumbled snap (not a turnover officially, but just as good as one) cost us at least 3 points. The second Wilson pick cost us at least 7. At that point, the game was over, and Manning's pick made the score worse.

Throw penalties in there as well. In the third quarter Utah had a nice drive going and picked up a first down around the AZ 30 (easily in field goal range) but it came back due to holding; Utah ended up punting after Wilson took a sack. That's another 3 or possibly 7 points off the board. Then, of course, you also had the Clay punt return where the hold appeared inconsequential to the play.

Utah has succeeded this year by generally winning penalties and turnovers. Saturday was an uncharacteristic game in the way Utah lost those battles and also had the defense get trucked. (Offensively, the game wasn't that unique, unfortunately, aside from the turnovers and penalties).

[LA Ute]

I am trying to forget this game. I was unable to watch most of the first quarter and all of of the fourth (I heard that part on the radio), and although I recorded the game I won't watch it. I will probably delete it from my DVR.

[Applejack]

This game never happened.

[sancho]

Utah has succeeded this year by generally winning penalties and turnovers.

Yes, and that is unfortunately how we have to beat CU as well. Play very conservatively, hope for a defense/special teams score, punt a lot, and get lucky in not giving up too many big plays. Nobody should have to beat CU that way.

[sancho]

This game never happened.

But it did, and it has all year. A couple of big plays, a few turnovers - that's all that separates this game from our great wins this year.

Speaking of great wins, Stanford is still #1 on the "wins since the Sugar Bowl" power ranking, but UCLA has a chance to overtake it.

[DrumNFeather]

I am trying to forget this game. I was unable to watch most of the first quarter and all of of the fourth (I heard that part on the radio), and although I recorded the game I won't watch it. I will probably delete it from my DVR.

1315

This is not the game you are looking for...

[LA Ute]

This game never happened.

If I had a videotape of the game I'd burn it.

[SeattleUte]

Utah has succeeded this year with a football version of college basketball's old four corners offense and tough defense, like Don Haskins' old teams: Eat the clock with running plays and a few short passes, make the opponent eat clock to get close to our goal line, get as many field goals as possible and hope to eke out a touchdown maybe with one big play. Then have a chance to win in the final few minutes or at the end of regulation.

What's death to this constipated strategy is turnovers and giving up the big play (which is why the circumstances of Oregon's first touchdown were especially devastating to this team).

I can't decide if Whit is brilliant in getting the most out of his limited personnel or too limited in his ambition with the personnel he has.

[Applejack]

Utah has succeeded this year with a football version of college basketball's old four corners offense and tough defense, like Don Haskins' old teams: Eat the clock with running plays and a few short passes, make the opponent eat clock to get close to our goal line, get as many field goals as possible and hope to eke out a touchdown maybe with one big play. Then have a chance to win in the final few minutes or at the end of regulation.

What's death to this constipated strategy is turnovers and giving up the big play (which is why the circumstances of Oregon's first touchdown were especially devastating to this team).

I can't decide if Whit is brilliant in getting the most out of his limited personnel or too limited in his ambition with the personnel he has.

This is an apt analogy (Haskins/Whittingham). I actually think this is our best chance of winning with our current talent.

Ultimately I think pro-style is the best option for Utah - but we need totally different personnel (outside of running back) to pull it off.

[justaute]

UA vs Utah will be on P12N in 5 minutes......for all you Arizona fans, those who want to know how not to manage/run an offense, and those who want to know how to play without energy. :)