Official Utah Utes 2018 Football Season Thread

[DrumNFeather]

It's Oct. 21, 2015. Keep an eye out for Marty McFly.


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Tons of articles out today, here's one: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/celebrating-back-to-the-future-part-ii-is-the-revisionist-history-doc-brown-warned-us-about/2015/10/20/958650a2-774c-11e5-a958-d889faf561dc_story.html

[DrumNFeather]

Alright folks, we're 13 days away from fall camp getting started. We can see August on the horizon, and we're starting to have coach interviews on ESPN700, so I'd say it is time for the 2018 season thread.

Gary Anderson interview: https://espn700sports.com/bill-riley-show/utah-football-associate-head-coach-gary-andersen-describes-the-feeling-around-the-program-entering-the-2018-season/

Let's go!

:football::utes:

[DrumNFeather]

What new player are you most excited to see?

Which returning player (besides Covey) do you think can make the jump?

What are your biggest questions as we head towards fall camp?

[Scratch]

What new player are you most excited to see?

Which returning player (besides Covey) do you think can make the jump?

What are your biggest questions as we head towards fall camp?

Most excited to see Mika Tafua. Sounds like he could be a difference maker this year.

For returner I have to go with Huntley. Feel good about Moss, and if Huntley can take a big step forward that will impact the entire offense.
M

[Scorcho]

https://espn700sports.com/local-sports/derrick-vickers-finally-signs-with-the-utes/

[Applejack]

I'm interested to see with what we have at lb/safety. A lot of bodies but will be interesting who ends up playing.

The schedule-makers royally screwed us this year. We miss osu + cal; Arizona misses UW and the ducks. That means we have a two game whole to U of A before the season begins. I don't know how you fix the scheduling problem.

[concerned]

I'm interested to see with what we have at lb/safety. A lot of bodies but will be interesting who ends up playing.

The schedule-makers royally screwed us this year. We miss osu + cal; Arizona misses UW and the ducks. That means we have a two game whole to U of A before the season begins. I don't know how you fix the scheduling problem.

Same with USC; they also miss the ducks and Huskies, which is why we wont win the south this year. starting next year, the sched will be much more favorable.

Im looking to see if we have a pass rush, if our receivers step up, and most important, if Huntley has improved as a decision maker. Does he spread the ball around and get everybody involved.

[DrumNFeather]

Pac 12 Media Days have come and gone and fall camp starts this week. One of the themes from media days I noticed is how high folks are on this defense, and specifically the secondary. On the offensive side of the ball, Moss and Shyne are going to be a helluva 1-2 punch and the WR corps is deep, but inexperienced. I'm interested to see how the depth chart changes from the start of fall camp with guys like Covey and Ford as backups at their respective positions. We're oh so close folks!

[DrumNFeather]

Fall camp starts today! :highfive::rave::jig::kyle:

[sancho]

Fall camp starts today! :highfive::rave::jig::kyle:

2eLAwdushm3cI

[DrumNFeather]

Players In: Vickers
On their Way: Pirtle
Next week, probably: Bernard
Not expected: Beeno (the late OT commit...might be headed to USC), David Fotu (Leki's brother).

Source - Dan Sorenson on Gunther and Ben.

[UtahsMrSports]

Players In: Vickers
On their Way: Pirtle
Next week, probably: Bernard
Not expected: Beeno (the late OT commit...might be headed to USC), David Fotu (Leki's brother).

Source - Dan Sorenson on Gunther and Ben.

You deserve a big pay raise for sitting through a segment with them.

[DrumNFeather]

You deserve a big pay raise for sitting through a segment with them.

I thought it was Riley...by the time I realized it wasn't (1 second in) it was too late. I owe it to the UB5 community to get them the info they deserve!

[UtahsMrSports]

I thought it was Riley...by the time I realized it wasn't (1 second in) it was too late. I owe it to the UB5 community to get them the info they deserve!

The $10 a month Ive paid faithfully since joining all those years ago is money well spent.

[Utebiquitous]

What's the David Fotu news - didn't qualify? I imagine he'll end up at Snow if that's the case.

[sancho]

Fall camp starts today! :highfive::rave::jig::kyle:

8nmvR3jAxnl2o

[UtahsMrSports]

What's the David Fotu news - didn't qualify? I imagine he'll end up at Snow if that's the case.

Yep. Hopefully, we can get him back once he gets his academics together.

[LA Ute]

This sort of goes here. Interesting criticism (from Jon Wilner's newsletter) of all the coaches except David Shaw:




An ESPY for missed opportunity?

Had you turned on ESPN at some point Tuesday, chances are you saw Stanford coach David Shaw. He appeared on numerous shows as part of the so-called ‘car wash,’ in which college coaches make the trek to Bristol for a one-day barrage of interviews with ESPN reporters, appearances on ESPN shows and chats with ESPN executives.


Shaw was the only Pac-12 coach to visit ESPN HQ. His trip required a red-eye flight and came on the eve of Stanford's training camp.


This commentary, however, is not about what Shaw did -- that could have been any of the coaches in ESPN's studios Tuesday -- so much as what his peers didn't do.


They didn't take advantage of an opportunity to visit with some of the most influential opinion-shapers and decision-makers in college football. For all the much-publicized subscriber losses, ESPN remains the most powerful media entity in the sport by an order of magnitude.


A cross-country flight and 24 hours on the ground seems, from this vantage point, like a fractional outlay of time and energy compared to the invaluable face time with ESPN powerbrokers.


OK, two key points:


• The coaches did a pint-sized version of the car wash last week at Pac-12 media day in Hollywood, where they met with ESPN reporters and broadcasters and received airtime on a multi-hour live show on ESPNU.


• In years past, the conference has shuttled all the coaches to Bristol for a formal car wash session in late July. This year, it was informal: ESPN didn’t extend invitations that were, in turn, rejected.


Shaw's approach was wholly voluntary, and proactive: He felt it was important, and ESPN welcomed him with appearances on Get Up, SportsCenter, Scott Van Pelt and College Football Live.


All of which brings us to the larger discussion about Pac-12 brand building and the role coaches could, or should, play in that essential endeavor.


Yes, they are paid to win and graduate players.


Yes, they are smart guys with smart advisers and no doubt had good reason for not going to Bristol.


And yes, ESPN went over the line last year with Washington (i.e., the cupcake nonsense and Kirk Herbstreit's rebuke of Chris Petersen).


But ESPN is also invested in the Pac-12, to the tune of $1.5 billion over 12 years, and could be at the negotiating table for the next round of rights.


I'd argue that schlepping to Bristol, even days after the mini-car wash in Hollywood and days before the start of training camp, is still worth the time and effort ... that the high road and the big picture matter ... that the pilgrimage could carry benefits down the road for the schools and the conference.


Football is arguably the best marketing tools the campuses have, the football coach is often the public face of the university, and ESPN provides a platform unmatched in college sports.


Before we close, a final point:


Don't pin this missed opportunity on the folks at Pac-12 HQ. The conference brass is acutely aware of ESPN’s influence and encouraged the coaches to visit Bristol. Only one felt it was worth the time. More should have. -- Jon Wilner

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Anyone know why the football season was cancelled? That's the only thing I can think of why this thread has been so slow despite camp having started.

Anyway, sounds like we've had our first season ending injury announcement. "Junior running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (https://utahutes.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7274) will be out for the season with an injury." Maybe people knew this, but it was news to me.

Some good news to balance out the bad. "Junior linebacker Bryant Pirtle (https://utahutes.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7345) (Louisville, Ky./Pima CC), who signed with Utah last December, has completed his academic requirements and will begin practice today."

https://utahutes.com/news/2018/8/6/football-week-2-of-fall-camp-brings-out-the-pads.aspx

[Scorcho]

Anyone know why the football season was cancelled? That's the only thing I can think of why this thread has been so slow despite camp having started.

Anyway, sounds like we've had our first season ending injury announcement. "Junior running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (https://utahutes.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7274) will be out for the season with an injury." Maybe people knew this, but it was news to me.

https://utahutes.com/news/2018/8/6/football-week-2-of-fall-camp-brings-out-the-pads.aspx


RB seems like such an injury prone position. Too bad he looked exceptional the last few games of 2017.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

RB seems like such an injury prone position. Too bad he looked exceptional the last few games of 2017.

At least it wasn't a leg issue.

1026523349596295168

[DrumNFeather]

Anyone know why the football season was cancelled? That's the only thing I can think of why this thread has been so slow despite camp having started.

Anyway, sounds like we've had our first season ending injury announcement. "Junior running back Devonta'e Henry-Cole (https://utahutes.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7274) will be out for the season with an injury." Maybe people knew this, but it was news to me.

Some good news to balance out the bad. "Junior linebacker Bryant Pirtle (https://utahutes.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7345) (Louisville, Ky./Pima CC), who signed with Utah last December, has completed his academic requirements and will begin practice today."

https://utahutes.com/news/2018/8/6/football-week-2-of-fall-camp-brings-out-the-pads.aspx

If it makes you feel better, I was just going to post those updates! :highfive:

Seems like it has been a pretty quiet camp so far. I guess having a clear cut #1 at QB and an OC for a second straight year will do that for ya!

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

It sounds like Ford is already living up to the hype.

1026524921915006977

[sancho]

xTiTnw6Yg5nzWwQh5C

[Diehard Ute]

Pirtle will be a bit behind beyond missing time learning, he has to go through the acclimation process before he’s allowed in pads.




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[Dwight Schr-Ute]

1026577414871085056

[Sullyute]

Wow, was that a tight end catching the ball #44?

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Wow, was that a tight end catching the ball #44?

1026617554905657344


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[UTEopia]

I have 2 North end zone seats that my son cannot use for the Weber St. game. N25, Row 39, seats 18 and 19. Face value is $46 per ticket. I am happy to sell them to anyone interested.

[concerned]

Apparently this is not Sasquatch


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DkQQ_LyU4AA4tAE.jpg


Francis Bernard outside the football facility this morning.

[DrumNFeather]

A 62 yard field goal from Matt Gay in the scrimmage on Saturday. Not too shabby.

[DrumNFeather]

Also, Bernard has officially joined the team.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Also, Bernard has officially joined the team.

Damn. Now what are we going to hand-wring about?

[DrumNFeather]

Damn. Now what are we going to hand-wring about?

QB1...it will always be QB1.

[Scorcho]

Josh Furlong‏Verified account @JFurKSL (https://twitter.com/JFurKSL) 5m5 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/JFurKSL/status/1029073698286751746)More



Whittingham said Matt Gay hit a 62-yard field goal during the scrimmage, and added that he hit two more today. Troy Taylor added that his kick on Saturday easily could have gone for 70. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/72x72/1f631.png

...

it's going to be unbelievable when we line up to kick field goals on the other side of midfield

[U-Ute]

Video

1027290951134281728

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

QB1...it will always be QB1.

LOL. I know right?! I can't believe that Huntley still hasn't been able to distance himself from Tuttle!

[Applejack]

LOL. I know right?! I can't believe that Huntley still hasn't been able to distance himself from Tuttle!

Or Shelley!!! Shelley?!?!?

[Mormon Red Death]

Video

1027290951134281728

#allgayallday

[LA Ute]

Wow. ESPN gives the South no respect. They rank the South ninth out of nine divisions reviewed. They don’t even mention Utah.


PAC-12 South
Teams: Arizona State, Arizona, Colorado, UCLA, USC, Utah
Average FPI: 6.1

Talk about uncertainty in a division! There is a whole mess of it in the Pac-12 South, with USC as the lone team in the division in the preseason power rankings. Add in that Arizona, Arizona State and UCLA are all dealing with new head coaches and you can see why this division comes in last. The Trojans were the only team in the division to finish with more than seven wins in 2017, and it seems as though it's going to take some time to get those numbers up. Chip Kelly is looking for a new quarterback at UCLA after Josh Rosen's departure and could start true freshman Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Kevin Sumlin and Herm Edwards have their quarterbacks at Arizona and Arizona State, respectively, but both have a lot of work to do with the rosters outside of that position. If USC can find its quarterback after Sam Darnold's departure for the NFL, the Trojans should be in great shape, but the rest of the division has too many questions going forward.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24332984/ranking-every-college-football-power-5-conference-division?utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.espn.com%2fcollege-football%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f24332984%2franking-every-college-football-power-5-conference-division&utm_campaign=bang-mult-nl-pac-12-hotline-nl

[Utebiquitous]

Shameful to see what little homework gets done by "the" national sports outlet. Oh well, it's on Utah to make them look like morons.

[Diehard Ute]

Wow. ESPN gives the South no respect. They rank the South ninth out of nine divisions reviewed. They don’t even mention Utah.



http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/24332984/ranking-every-college-football-power-5-conference-division?utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=http%3a%2f%2fwww.espn.com%2fcollege-football%2fstory%2f_%2fid%2f24332984%2franking-every-college-football-power-5-conference-division&utm_campaign=bang-mult-nl-pac-12-hotline-nl

Guessing there’s some payback for the Pac-12 ignoring ESPN’s little shindig this year.


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[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Matt Gay and Mitch Wishnowsky were selected by CBS Sports as Pre-Season All Americans today.


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[Dwight Schr-Ute]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180816/4ba266a63f7df4b972eb33b60df98bef.jpg

Francis Bernard already making his presence felt among the quarterbacks. I have to admit, pictures from yesterday and today show he’s in a lot better shape than what I was afraid of after seeing him last week in a frumpy sweatshirt.


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[Sullyute]

I am not afraid to admit that makes me a little giddy. T-minus two weeks.

[U-Ute]

Oh good lord. Zach's custom avatar builder goes to 200.

2398

[chrisrenrut]

Oh good lord. Zach's custom avatar builder goes to 200.

2398

Damn! Those are Earl Campbell thighs.

[LA Ute]

My wife and I went to Fan Fest last night. It was the first time I had ever gone. It was a lot of fun and the atmosphere was great. We ran into Ma’ake right off the bat, and it was great to see him. (Although he and exchange opposing views on politics, we are buds.) He said the attendance was the most he had ever seen. The band was playing in the end zone all night and the enthusiasm of those kids was infectious. They were clearly having a lot of fun.

The longest autograph lines were for Tyler Huntley and Chase Hanson. Chase’s was the longest by far:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180819/1e67906529fc6c61bc72098ff2fbe6b2.jpg

[UtahsMrSports]

Fan Fest was a blast. Glad you got to go. I had my 3 kids (ages 7 to 2.5 months) . it was fun to see the two older ones light up as the athletes talked to them. One of the Womens hoops players asked them their names and then wrote a quick message on their posters.

[LA Ute]

Nice story on Wishnowsky, from Yahoo Sports and SI.

Mitch Wishnowsky and Utah Are Setting the Pace in a New Phase of the Australian Punter Pipelinehttps://sports.yahoo.com/mitch-wishnowsky-utah-setting-pace-164441314.html?utm_source=listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fsports.yahoo.com%2fmitch-wishnowsky-utah-setting-pace-164441314.html&utm_campaign=bang-mult-nl-pac-12-hotline-nl

[DrumNFeather]

AP Poll is out: https://collegefootball.ap.org/poll (https://collegefootball.ap.org/poll/2018/1)

Utes come in at 28

Season opponents:

6 Washington
14 Stanford
15 USC
24 Oregon

[concerned]

"Couple of notable teams that did not make the poll:

In the BCS/CFP era, Utah has had 5 seasons when it started unranked but finished ranked and ZERO seasons when it started ranked/finished unranked. No other team has that ratio."

[FountainOfUte]

"Couple of notable teams that did not make the poll:

In the BCS/CFP era, Utah has had 5 seasons when it started unranked but finished ranked and ZERO seasons when it started ranked/finished unranked. No other team has that ratio."

It's weird. I'm not sure what it will take for Utah to get some measure of respect nationally. I understood it in the MWC, but you'd think by now it would make less and less sense to keep us out of a pre-season T25.

[U-Ute]

It's weird. I'm not sure what it will take for Utah to get some measure of respect nationally. I understood it in the MWC, but you'd think by now it would make less and less sense to keep us out of a pre-season T25.

To paraphrase Majerus: Move SLC closer to LA.

[LA Ute]

To paraphrase Majerus: Move SLC closer to LA.

Here are the immutable USA population facts:

Eastern Standard Time Zone: 150.2 million (47.1%)
Central Standard Time Zone: 92.3 million (29.0%)
Mountain Standard Time Zone: 21.3 million (6.7%)
Pacific Standard Time Zone: 53.0 million (16.6%)

This is one reason why I am proud of what Utah accomplishes. Among other things, money and attention flow to the places where the most eyeballs live. It’s amazing we do as well as we do. It’s also probably the main reason why joining the PAC-12 was the most important event in the history of University of Utah sports, not to mention of the University itself; and one of the more important events in the history of the State of Utah as well.

https://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-the-US-population-lives-in-the-Eastern-Central-and-Pacific-timezones-respectively

[Applejack]

Here are the immutable USA population facts:

Eastern Standard Time Zone: 150.2 million (47.1%)
Central Standard Time Zone: 92.3 million (29.0%)
Mountain Standard Time Zone: 21.3 million (6.7%)
Pacific Standard Time Zone: 53.0 million (16.6%)

This is one reason why I am proud of what Utah accomplishes. Among other things, money and attention flow to the places where the most eyeballs live. It’s amazing we do as well as we do.

Thank you Kyle W!

[LA Ute]

Thank you Kyle W!

And Ron McBride, and Urban Meyer, and Rick Majerus, and Jerry Pimm, and a host of others. I would also mention Chris Hill, but I don’t want to send SeattleUte into tachycardia.

I will not mention Greg Hughes.

[Applejack]

And Ron McBride, and Urban Meyer, and Rick Majerus, and Jerry Pimm, and a host of others. I would also mention Chris Hill, but I don’t want to send SeattleUte into tachycardia.

I will not mention Greg Hughes.

Sure, they are all great. Although we are talking about sustained competitiveness with limited resources. The only other one on your list that merits praise for doing that is Fat Rick; as Fat Rick is the greatest basketball coach of all-time at Utah, so too is Kyle W the best football coach of all-time. And it's not even close.

[LA Ute]

Sure, they are all great. Although we are talking about sustained competitiveness with limited resources. The only other one on your list that merits praise for doing that is Fat Rick; as Fat Rick is the greatest basketball coach of all-time at Utah, so too is Kyle W the best football coach of all-time. And it's not even close.

No argument on any of that. I just don’t think any one person got Utah in.

[Irving Washington]

No argument on any of that. I just don’t think any one person got Utah in.
You also have to give Pershing (and others in the Admin bldg) a lot of credit. Getting our academic standing looking better contributed.

[LA Ute]

You also have to give Pershing (and others in the Admin bldg) a lot of credit. Getting our academic standing looking better contributed.

Yep. That was a 30+ year process that started with David Gardner.

[U-Ute]

Yep. That was a 30+ year process that started with David Gardner.

Soon after I started at the U, we hired Chris Hill, and he hired Majerus and McBride.

You're welcome.

[SoCalPat]

Sure, they are all great. Although we are talking about sustained competitiveness with limited resources. The only other one on your list that merits praise for doing that is Fat Rick; as Fat Rick is the greatest basketball coach of all-time at Utah, so too is Kyle W the best football coach of all-time. And it's not even close.

Not even close? Forget about what Urban has done since leaving Utah, and especially the matters of the last month. He won two outright titles in two years at a school that hadn't won an outright title in multiple generations. Kyle has half as many such titles in nearly 6.5 times as many seasons.

Kyle is the best proven coach for the uniqueness that is Utah -- there is no doubt about that. But if you're going to talk about "best" you need to include results, and Kyle's in no way match up with Urban's.

[Applejack]

Not even close? Forget about what Urban has done since leaving Utah, and especially the matters of the last month. He won two outright titles in two years at a school that hadn't won an outright title in multiple generations. Kyle has half as many such titles in nearly 6.5 times as many seasons.

Kyle is the best proven coach for the uniqueness that is Utah -- there is no doubt about that. But if you're going to talk about "best" you need to include results, and Kyle's in no way match up with Urban's.

Urban is a great coach. But the discussion was about "sustained competitiveness" (at least until LAUte made it all about joining the Pac-12). Urban was amazing at Utah, but he did not "sustain" anything.

[SoCalPat]

Urban is a great coach. But the discussion was about "sustained competitiveness" (at least until LAUte made it all about joining the Pac-12). Urban was amazing at Utah, but he did not "sustain" anything.

Try telling yourself that every time you look at The Muss.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Davir Hamilton has announced that he’s transferring. Had a lot of hope for him when he committed but he just keeps getting buried on the depth chart. Strange timing though. He expects to graduate in the spring so he’ll be a grad transfer with two years to play two. It seems like there wouldn’t have been a down side to staying on the team through the season, because you never know. It’s not as though it’s going to save him a year of eligibility. :shrug:


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[LA Ute]

Urban is a great coach. But the discussion was about "sustained competitiveness" (at least until LAUte made it all about joining the Pac-12). Urban was amazing at Utah, but he did not "sustain" anything.

Actually, the discussion was all about why Utah doesn’t get more attention and respect. But I enjoyed making it “all about joining the Pac-12” (sic) so much, I’m going to do it again in exactly the same words:


Here are the immutable USA population facts:

Eastern Standard Time Zone: 150.2 million (47.1%)
Central Standard Time Zone: 92.3 million (29.0%)
Mountain Standard Time Zone: 21.3 million (6.7%)
Pacific Standard Time Zone: 53.0 million (16.6%)

This is one reason why I am proud of what Utah accomplishes. Among other things, money and attention flow to the places where the most eyeballs live. It’s amazing we do as well as we do. It’s also probably the main reason why joining the PAC-12 was the most important event in the history of University of Utah sports, not to mention of the University itself; and one of the more important events in the history of the State of Utah as well.

https://www.quora.com/What-percentage-of-the-US-population-lives-in-the-Eastern-Central-and-Pacific-timezones-respectively

Then someone could not resist his inner troll and decided to turn a perfectly interesting discussion of how Utah has overachieved despite its challenging geographic circumstances into a discussion about individuals. I’m so sorry I made it all about joining the PAC-12.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

A couple very nicely put together hype videos put out by the football department and one by the athletic department.

1032683216807768064

Direct link: https://twitter.com/utah_football/status/1032683216807768064

I can’t seem to figure out what I’m screwing up, but here’s the Athletic Dept video, at least.

https://youtu.be/B7CGawWoA9Y


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[Applejack]

Try telling yourself that every time you look at The Muss.

Sir, I knew Urban Meyer. Urban Meyer was a friend of mine. Urban Meyer did not start the Muss.

https://continuum.utah.edu/departments/we-muss-we-muss/

(he was a great supporter/recruiter, but the MUSS came about from pent-up student demand. It just took administrators not standing in the way to make the MUSS work)

[sancho]

So...NCAA officially recognizes Utah as 2008 national champions? Is that right? Looks like we are commemorating a 10 year anniversary this season. Let's bust out a banner.

[SoCalPat]

Sir, I knew Urban Meyer. Urban Meyer was a friend of mine. Urban Meyer did not start the Muss.

https://continuum.utah.edu/departments/we-muss-we-muss/

(he was a great supporter/recruiter, but the MUSS came about from pent-up student demand. It just took administrators not standing in the way to make the MUSS work)

Urban put a product out there that ensured the Muss' viability, basically forever. He immediately turned Utah into a football school.

[Applejack]

Urban put a product out there that ensured the Muss' viability, basically forever. He immediately turned Utah into a football school.

Sure. I loved Urban. He did great work in almost two years here. He had a great football team here.

But giving him credit for creating the muss (it predates him) is like giving him credit for recruiting Alex Smith.

[LA Ute]

Urban was apparently the first Utah head coach to have a student cheering section called The MUSS. Not having been around at that time, I didn’t know that.

THE HISTORY OF THE MUSS

https://attheu.utah.edu/home-page/the-history-of-the-muss/

[sancho]

So...NCAA officially recognizes Utah as 2008 national champions? Is that right? Looks like we are commemorating a 10 year anniversary this season. Let's bust out a banner.

Now the Pac-12 recognizes it as well. Am I the only one who thinks this is neat? I was at the Sugar Bowl - greatest football experience of my life. Now the game means just a tiny bit more. It's nice to have a title in the books. It's cool to be the only non-BCS champion in the BCS era.

It's also pretty cool that UCF gets to be the only (so far) non-P5 champion in the playoff era.

[Applejack]

Urban was apparently the first Utah head coach to have a student cheering section called The MUSS. Not having been around at that time, I didn’t know that.

THE HISTORY OF THE MUSS

https://attheu.utah.edu/home-page/the-history-of-the-muss/

Yes, the MUSS' first season was also Urban's first season. The formation of the MUSS, however, predated Urban. Urban was a big supporter, though.

[Applejack]

Now the Pac-12 recognizes it as well. Am I the only one who thinks this is neat? I was at the Sugar Bowl - greatest football experience of my life. Now the game means just a tiny bit more. It's nice to have a title in the books. It's cool to be the only non-BCS champion in the BCS era.

It's also pretty cool that UCF gets to be the only (so far) non-P5 champion in the playoff era.

What? That we won a NATTY 10 years ago? No big deal. Some of us already knew.

[LA Ute]

Yes, the MUSS' first season was also Urban's first season. The formation of the MUSS, however, predated Urban. Urban was a big supporter, though.

It wasn't called the MUSS until 2003 when he became coach. It started one year before, in 2002, and was called the Utah Football Fan Club.

You're right, he didn't start the MUSS but he sure was instrumental in launching it, because it was really nothing before he showed up:


It all began early in 2002 with a group of nine Utah students who started what was first called the Utah Football Fan Club. The club was started in conjunction with the Alumni Association under the guidance of Director of Alumni Relations John Fackler, a.k.a. the Godfather of the MUSS.

"We thought we might get maybe 300 students," said Fackler of their first-year efforts.

Instead, 800 showed up.

The next year, the group nearly doubled to 1,400, and in 2004 it doubled again to 2,800. Of course it didn't hurt that the Utes were winning, going 10-2 in 2003 and 12-0 in 2004, but much of the credit goes to Fackler and the energetic group of U. students.

Now the MUSS has 5,000 members and so much support, its numbers have been capped in order to leave a few seats for students who don't belong to the group.

"It's grown beyond our wildest dreams," said Fackler.

Although Meyer didn't start the group, he was a big help in building it up. He made a concerted effort to visit the dorms and various campus groups. He came up with the idea to have the team stand and gather in front of the MUSS after every game and sing the school fight song, "Utah Man," while the band played.

"I give Urban a lot of credit," said Fackler. "We knew we'd get the diehard fans, but we also wanted to get the social fans."

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/705338170/Utah-Utes-football-Fan-club-a-MUSS-do-for-U-students.html

[Applejack]

It wasn't called the MUSS until 2003 when he became coach.:deadhorse2:

[LA Ute]

:deadhorse2:

Sheesh, don't you have better GIFs than that one? I had to stare at it for a while before I could see the shocking cruelty to an animal you are promoting. Anyway, just trying to be historically accurate.

[Applejack]

Sheesh, don't you have better GIFs than that one? I had to stare at it for a while before I could see the shocking cruelty to an animal you are promoting. Anyway, just trying to be historically accurate.

Don't you control the gifs for this site? Get your house in order!

[LA Ute]

Don't you control the gifs for this site? Get your house in order!

No, that's Jarid's job.

[U-Ute]

Sir, I knew Urban Meyer. Urban Meyer was a friend of mine. Urban Meyer did not start the Muss.

https://continuum.utah.edu/departments/we-muss-we-muss/

(he was a great supporter/recruiter, but the MUSS came about from pent-up student demand. It just took administrators not standing in the way to make the MUSS work)

True. The MUSS existed before Urban. I remember a rain soaked MUSS banner in the stadium during a rainy UNLV game in 2002. It was a horrible game to attend because of the weather and the opponent.

After Urban was hired, I remember him talking on a coach's show about how he was going to engage the student body and try to make football an "event". Then 2004 happened.

It was a nice combination of events that happened at the right time.

[Applejack]

True. The MUSS existed before Urban. I remember a rain soaked MUSS banner in the stadium during a rainy UNLV game in 2002. It was a horrible game to attend because of the weather and the opponent.

After Urban was hired, I remember him talking on a coach's show about how he was going to engage the student body and try to make football an "event". Then 2004 happened.

It was a nice combination of events that happened at the right time.

:cheers:

[sancho]

:deadhorse2:

What is the argument again? If we are arguing coaching legacy, there's only one coach who brought us a national championship. He's the coach who should get a lifetime contract, and, maybe a statue or a field naming ceremony.

[tooblue]

So, this is the year. There should be no excuses. USC is starting a freshman at QB, UCLA has a new coaching staff, Colorado were one hit wonders, Arizona State is in disarray and Arizona has a pre-season Heisman candidate at QB, but they are still Arizona.

The Utes on the other hand, by all accounts, are loaded on both sides of the ball, especially the D. Anything less than an appearance in the playoff and I will consider this season a huge disappointment. Again, this is the year.

[SoCalPat]

What is the argument again? If we are arguing coaching legacy, there's only one coach who brought us a national championship. He's the coach who should get a lifetime contract, and, maybe a statue or a field naming ceremony.

The original argument was best. Now it's turned into whose legacy is greater.

Urban was the best coach ever to walk the sidelines at Utah by a country mile, and to say he never built anything sustaining here is not only ridiculous, but largely disproven. Kyle's legacy could arguably be considered stronger, since he was a product of the state and the rivalry long before he ever wore red and white.

[LA Ute]

What is the argument again? If we are arguing coaching legacy, there's only one coach who brought us a national championship. He's the coach who should get a lifetime contract, and, maybe a statue or a field naming ceremony.

No real argument. I was curious about when the MUSS started. According to what I dug up, it was first called the MUSS when Urban started in 2003. For a single season, 2002, there was the Utah Football Fan Club, a name that Applejack probably came up with. I the articles I cited are correct, the MUSS got its name and also real lift-off when Urban came.

[chrisrenrut]

So, this is the year. There should be no excuses. USC is starting a freshman at QB, UCLA has a new coaching staff, Colorado were one hit wonders, Arizona State is in disarray and Arizona has a pre-season Heisman candidate at QB, but they are still Arizona.

The Utes on the other hand, by all accounts, are loaded on both sides of the ball, especially the D. Anything less than an appearance in the playoff and I will consider this season a huge disappointment. Again, this is the year.

Sound like the typical BYU method. Huge hype and expectations going into the season (BYU always wins February and August), and then as you said, huge disappointment after reality sets in.

[Senioritis]

I looked at the depth chart. It gave me the pee shivers. These guys could be freaking good. Also, lots of youth. And linebackers even AJ can't bitch about.

The biggest pisser is the way the scheduling Gods have deigned that the good guys have an impossible task to win the Southerly regional championship. Swap the crossover games for Southern Cal and the Mighty Utes, and even my overly-cynical father would like the chances of the good guys taking the south this year. It's so odd to look at USC's schedule and see no Oregon or Washington. Makes me feel a little guilty for our boys screwing up the Pac 10 round-robin schedule, but the Mighty Utes are the team paying the price, so screw everybody. Bit of a shame that this 2018 team can't play the 2019 schedule, but, based on my understanding of physics and the laws of Heaven, that's not going to be possible. So we'll just have to wear everybody's asses like hats on the uphill climb.

Utah came into 2018 ready to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and we're all out of bubblegum. If Huntley stays healthy, my father's optimistic prediction is Utah wins at least 5 games. At least. Light 'em up!

[Senioritis]

So, this is the year. There should be no excuses. USC is starting a freshman at QB, UCLA has a new coaching staff, Colorado were one hit wonders, Arizona State is in disarray and Arizona has a pre-season Heisman candidate at QB, but they are still Arizona.

The Utes on the other hand, by all accounts, are loaded on both sides of the ball, especially the D. Anything less than an appearance in the playoff and I will consider this season a huge disappointment. Again, this is the year.

This is what happens when the Spirit of the Zoob possesses a fan of the BYU to analyze the Utes like he would his own Mighty Cougars. But I agree, Utah should look pretty good on the ol' rabbit ears. Hoping to catch some snaps between I Dream of Genie reruns on the UHF.

[tooblue]

This is what happens when the Spirit of the Zoob possesses a fan of the BYU to analyze the Utes like he would his own Mighty Cougars. But I agree, Utah should look pretty good on the ol' rabbit ears. Hoping to catch some snaps between I Dream of Genie reruns on the UHF.

Playoff or bust. No more damned excuses man. I'm tired of ya'll pretending to be the bees knees ... it's time for a middling team from the weakest of the so-called power five to step up.

[Applejack]

I looked at the depth chart. It gave me the pee shivers. These guys could be freaking good. Also, lots of youth. And linebackers even AJ can't bitch about.

The biggest pisser is the way the scheduling Gods have deigned that the good guys have an impossible task to win the Southerly regional championship. Swap the crossover games for Southern Cal and the Mighty Utes, and even my overly-cynical father would like the chances of the good guys taking the south this year. It's so odd to look at USC's schedule and see no Oregon or Washington. Makes me feel a little guilty for our boys screwing up the Pac 10 round-robin schedule, but the Mighty Utes are the team paying the price, so screw everybody. Bit of a shame that this 2018 team can't play the 2019 schedule, but, based on my understanding of physics and the laws of Heaven, that's not going to be possible. So we'll just have to wear everybody's asses like hats on the uphill climb.

Utah came into 2018 ready to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and we're all out of bubblegum. If Huntley stays healthy, my father's optimistic prediction is Utah wins at least 5 games. At least. Light 'em up!

Impossible!

[chrisrenrut]

Depth Chart is out. Page 10 here: https://utahutes.com/services/download_file.ashx?file_location=https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/utahutes.com/documents/2018/8/27/fbweber18.pdf


Notables from Josh Furlong on ksl.com


The offensive line has two freshmen, Braeden Daniels and Simi Moala, as backups at the two tackle positions. Daniels got a lot of praise throughout camp for his ability to instantly contribute.
Left guard continues to be locked up as Nick Ford and Orlando Umana battle for the starting role. Whittingham said the two will likely play in a rotation until someone separates himself as the starter.
Britain Covey is back in his starting role as slot receiver. As a result, Demari Simpkins, who started at slot last season, has been shifted outside to the Z receiver spot. The other starters are veterans Siaosi Mariner and Samson Nacua. Behind them is up-and-coming receivers Bryan Thompson, Jaylen Dixon, Jameson Field and Bronson Boyd. Don’t be surprised if freshmen Solomon Enis and Terrell Perriman get some playing time here, too.
Redshirt freshman Mika Tafua was named the starter at the right defensive end position, beating out junior Caleb Repp for the top spot.
BYU transfer Francis Bernard is now listed as the backup rover linebacker behind Chase Hansen. Bernard quickly acclimated to the defensive schemes and will add some solid depth to the linebacker position.
Tre Strong, a walk-on transfer from Montana State, will backup Jaylon Johnson at the left cornerback spot. Strong had a solid fall camp and should be a viable backup.
Utah will continue with its long and short snapper positions. Heralded long snapper Maddie Golden will actually start in the short snapper position, with junior transfer Keegan Markgraf filling the long snapper duties.

[SoCalPat]

I looked at the depth chart. It gave me the pee shivers. These guys could be freaking good. Also, lots of youth. And linebackers even AJ can't bitch about.

The biggest pisser is the way the scheduling Gods have deigned that the good guys have an impossible task to win the Southerly regional championship. Swap the crossover games for Southern Cal and the Mighty Utes, and even my overly-cynical father would like the chances of the good guys taking the south this year. It's so odd to look at USC's schedule and see no Oregon or Washington. Makes me feel a little guilty for our boys screwing up the Pac 10 round-robin schedule, but the Mighty Utes are the team paying the price, so screw everybody. Bit of a shame that this 2018 team can't play the 2019 schedule, but, based on my understanding of physics and the laws of Heaven, that's not going to be possible. So we'll just have to wear everybody's asses like hats on the uphill climb.

Utah came into 2018 ready to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and we're all out of bubblegum. If Huntley stays healthy, my father's optimistic prediction is Utah wins at least 5 games. At least. Light 'em up!

Yeah, the schedule is a bitch. And I'm not sold on Huntley just yet as having taken that next step. At Utah, it's always about the QB. Huntley is no different. If he's the real deal, the schedule won't matter as much. We can still win 10 games and the South outright.

[sancho]

I've picked us at 6-7 wins for the past few seasons, but I'm feeling it this year. I think we finish 10-3. I'm concerned about the pass rush, but I think the offense will be pretty good.

[Ma'ake]

I've picked us at 6-7 wins for the past few seasons, but I'm feeling it this year. I think we finish 10-3. I'm concerned about the pass rush, but I think the offense will be pretty good.

I get the concern about the pass rush, but more & more offenses are designed to get the ball out much quicker, or are just not conducive to attacking with pressure on the QB from DEs on the outside. USC, Stanford, CU and UW are offenses where that can be effective, but WSU, Arizona, Oregon and where Kelly wants to take UCLA make it far more difficult.

I want to see Mike Tafua - how exactly did he beat out Caleb Repp? We'll see them rotate, we'll get to see, but I think Tafua must have been better at holding the edge, as the Run D is getting more emphasis, as Scalley explained a couple of weeks ago, to negate offenses like Oregon, UCLA, etc.

[Applejack]

Tre Strong, a walk-on transfer from Montana State, will backup Jaylon Johnson at the left cornerback spot. Strong had a solid fall camp and should be a viable backup.




:blink:

[LA Ute]

Yeah, the schedule is a bitch. And I'm not sold on Huntley just yet as having taken that next step. At Utah, it's always about the QB. Huntley is no different. If he's the real deal, the schedule won't matter as much. We can still win 10 games and the South outright.

I see the schedule as an opportunity to show everyone that we are the real deal. (How else can we look at it, anyway? It’s out of Utah’s control. Silver lining and all that.) If we do well we will be glad at season’s end that we had this schedule.

[Applejack]

I think Utah will be good, yea even very good. But I think this schedule most certainly dooms us to 2nd-4th place in the south. It is basically handing USC a two-game advantage before the season starts (I know, I know we can beat UW and Ore and USC can lose to Cal and OSU. Just kidding about the OSU part). To expect us to be two games better than USC AND to beat USC is asking too much for just about every team in the nation.

[Scratch]

:blink:

Tyrone Smith is dinged up, so that's why he's not listed there. It sounds like he could play, but they're holding him out against Weber so he can get more time to get to 100%.

Also, I think if Jaylon went down for an extended period in a close game you'd see him get replaced with Lewis.

[U-Ute]

Sound like the typical BYU method. Huge hype and expectations going into the season (BYU always wins February and August), and then as you said, huge disappointment after reality sets in.

Yep. Every year like clockwork.

The hype starts in February as BYU nabs the Next Big Hype. All through spring ball the discussion starts to revolve around Heisman candidates and national championships. The hype jumps another level in the summer and hits its apex in August during fall camp, as it does for all schools. But it seems like our local media helps feed the BYU narrative due to the numbers they draw.

Then the games are played and like reality's Lucy to BYU's Charlie Brown, things start falling apart. BYU spirals, Utah quietly wins a couple of games they should win.

Then October comes, BYU has all but disappeared, Utah wins a big game (Stanford, USC, Oregon) and all the discussion is shifted to Utah as we show up in the College Football Poll and whether or not this year we can make it through November.

Then BYU goes to Las Vegas and Utah wins a bowl game against a respectable opponent.

Then football disappears for a while as we argue whether or not Larry K is a terrible coach.

[tooblue]

Yep. Every year like clockwork.

The hype starts in February as BYU nabs the Next Big Hype. All through spring ball the discussion starts to revolve around Heisman candidates and national championships. The hype jumps another level in the summer and hits its apex in August during fall camp, as it does for all schools. But it seems like our local media helps feed the BYU narrative due to the numbers they draw.

Then the games are played and like reality's Lucy to BYU's Charlie Brown, things start falling apart. BYU spirals, Utah quietly wins a couple of games they should win.

Then October comes, BYU has all but disappeared, Utah wins a big game (Stanford, USC, Oregon) and all the discussion is shifted to Utah as we show up in the College Football Poll and whether or not this year we can make it through November.

Then BYU goes to Las Vegas and Utah wins a bowl game against a respectable opponent.

Then football disappears for a while as we argue whether or not Larry K is a terrible coach.

What in hades are you talking about? BYU is looking at 5 wins at best, and I haven't heard a single member of the media in Utah say otherwise ... good gravy man, get a grip: Utah is poised to finally do something special this year. Whittingham's got the horses on both sides of the ball, the rest of the south is vulnerable, so it's now or maybe never.

Is the shell shock of bi-gone era's still so prevalent, or have you reconciled with the fact Utah is and always will be a middling team in the weakest of so-called power five conferences?

From my perspective, this is the year, if there ever was a year where Utah could make a big splash.

[LA Ute]

From my perspective, this is the year, if there ever was a year where Utah could make a big splash.

Thanks for the offer of free Kool-Aid, but see Applejack’s post and learn from him. He is wise beyond his tender age.

[tooblue]

Thanks for the offer of free Kool-Aid, but see Applejack’s post and learn from him. He is wise beyond his tender age.

You guys are hopeless. You've all but given up, which is really sad. Look, I really hope BYU has a better than expected season that includes beating Utah. But I don't think that's going to happen.

Trying sincerely to be objective, anyone who sleeps on Utah this season is foolish. This is the kind of year and Utah team that is going to be in the PAC 12 championship game. If not, it is a wasted season cementing Utah's place as a middling team in a weak conference.

[LA Ute]

You guys are hopeless. You've all but given up, which is really sad. Look, I really hope BYU has a better than expected season that includes beating Utah. But I don't think that's going to happen.

Trying sincerely to be objective, anyone who sleeps on the Utah this season is foolish. This is the kind of year and Utah team that is going to be in the PAC 12 championship game. If not, it is a wasted season cementing Utah's place as a middling team in a weak conference.

High hopes, tempered by realism. It’s how longtime Utes fans roll.

[U-Ute]

High hopes, tempered by realism. It’s how longtime Utes fans roll.

ftdF4ZkueWGHBYc4b5

[Utebiquitous]

I agree with AppleJack's realism but I also think these next two season are critical ones or we may cement ourselves as a middling team (I'll leave it there. I think the Pac-12 is far from a weak conference). Two consecutive years of strong play competing for the south title and winning it one of the years is not too much to expect.

[LA Ute]

I agree with AppleJack's realism but I also think these next two season are critical ones or we may cement ourselves as a middling team (I'll leave it there. I think the Pac-12 is far from a weak conference). Two consecutive years of strong play competing for the south title and winning it one of the years is not too much to expect.

Yes. It's nice to be the tough team that no one wants to play, but we can't get stuck there.

[SoCalPat]

I agree with AppleJack's realism but I also think these next two season are critical ones or we may cement ourselves as a middling team (I'll leave it there. I think the Pac-12 is far from a weak conference). Two consecutive years of strong play competing for the south title and winning it one of the years is not too much to expect.

This. We’ll have been in this league nearly a decade after 2019. If you would’ve told me we wouldn’t have won a South title in that time, I would’ve said Kyle was a goner. That he won’t be is almost more damning — he keeps getting chances and he can’t finish the deal.

[LA Ute]

This. We’ll have been in this league nearly a decade after 2019. If you would’ve told me we wouldn’t have won a South title in that time, I would’ve said Kyle was a goner. That he won’t be is almost more damning — he keeps getting chances and he can’t finish the deal.

REVISED POST:

One thing that rubs me the wrong way is that criticism of Kyle is so strongly denounced here. I fully acknowledge that he’s by far our most successful long-term coach ever and I hope he stays until he doesn’t want to coach here anymore. He’s also a terrific human being. I admire him greatly.

I don’t like the idea, however, that we can’t get anyone else better, ever, which seems to prevail among many here. There is also a sense here that those who mention any shortcomings in Kyle are unrealistic and uninformed and don’t appreciate how unattractive the Utah job is. I think this reflects a mistaken view of Utah‘s position in the world and its rapidly improving attractiveness.

[sancho]

(I think I covered everything in those three sentences.)

Do it without the sarcasm, and you'll be there.

[LA Ute]

Do it without the sarcasm, and you'll be there.

Point well taken.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

This is a fantastic video just released by the athletic department. It wouldn't surprise me if they show it on the big screen before every home game this season. Well done, media people.

https://youtu.be/yo4bRJKwLnI

[USS Utah]

It's been a drama free August for the Utes -- a great thing as far as I am concerned. Am I seeing an attempt to create some drama here, on a thread that has had little discussion of fall camp?

[Applejack]

It's been a drama free August for the Utes -- a great thing as far as I am concerned. Am I seeing an attempt to create some drama here, on a thread that has had little discussion of fall camp?

Let the drama begin: Johnny Capra is out for the year.

[Applejack]

Game Day: :jig:

Here are some highlights of our historic RAY GUY punters to get you pumped up:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxFVELn3tjE

[Applejack]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcouLBk2Yp8

[Sullyute]

Let the drama begin: Johnny Capra is out for the year.

What? Where are you seeing this? That is a huge hit to the depth of the offensive line.

[Scratch]

What? Where are you seeing this? That is a huge hit to the depth of the offensive line.

It's been floating around all week. He wasn't on the depth chart and word leaked out that he was dinged up and probably done for the year. He may end up medically retiring.

I feel good about the O-Line's top 6. I think that if anyone anywhere on the line goes down then Ford and Umana both play full time, as opposed to the guys listed as backups. If a tackle gets hurt, I think Ford moves outside and Umana stays in. If more than that go down we're in big trouble. Toala is OK, but I don't think the coaches want to have to rely on him full time. While he's not our best player, Jackson Barton may be the most indispensable player on this team.

[Sullyute]

It's been floating around all week. He wasn't on the depth chart and word leaked out that he was dinged up and probably done for the year. He may end up medically retiring.

I feel good about the O-Line's top 6. I think that if anyone anywhere on the line goes down then Ford and Umana both play full time, as opposed to the guys listed as backups. If a tackle gets hurt, I think Ford moves outside and Umana stays in. If more than that go down we're in big trouble. Toala is OK, but I don't think the coaches want to have to rely on him full time. While he's not our best player, Jackson Barton may be the most indispensable player on this team.

Thanks for the clarification on that and the outlook on the o-line. Just in case, I will start rubbing my “lucky rabbit’s foot” to ward off any future team injuries.

[Applejack]

It's been floating around all week. He wasn't on the depth chart and word leaked out that he was dinged up and probably done for the year. He may end up medically retiring.

I feel good about the O-Line's top 6. I think that if anyone anywhere on the line goes down then Ford and Umana both play full time, as opposed to the guys listed as backups. If a tackle gets hurt, I think Ford moves outside and Umana stays in. If more than that go down we're in big trouble. Toala is OK, but I don't think the coaches want to have to rely on him full time. While he's not our best player, Jackson Barton may be the most indispensable player on this team.

Yeah, both of the Offensive line and Defensive line are kind of thin on bodies that we can count on.

[Diehard Ute]

It's been floating around all week. He wasn't on the depth chart and word leaked out that he was dinged up and probably done for the year. He may end up medically retiring.

I feel good about the O-Line's top 6. I think that if anyone anywhere on the line goes down then Ford and Umana both play full time, as opposed to the guys listed as backups. If a tackle gets hurt, I think Ford moves outside and Umana stays in. If more than that go down we're in big trouble. Toala is OK, but I don't think the coaches want to have to rely on him full time. While he's not our best player, Jackson Barton may be the most indispensable player on this team.

Yes, Ford slides to tackle if needed

And Capra basically missed all of camp, while I’m sure they were hoping he’d be there, I don’t think he’s been counted on at all really.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[U-Ute]

This is a fantastic video just released by the athletic department. It wouldn't surprise me if they show it on the big screen before every home game this season. Well done, media people.

https://youtu.be/yo4bRJKwLnI

Our media game has gone up several levels since joining the PAC-12. It's nice to see.

[LA Ute]

I’ve just boarded a plane from LA to SLC and the Loyola Marymount women’s volleyball team is on this flight. Those are some very tall young women!

No Ute gear visible yet, but I did over hear one guy say he played LB at the U in 2000.

EDIT: I see a Weber State hat just ahead of me. That’s a first for me in L.A.

[sancho]

I want to see...

more cohesion on the RPOs between the offensive units.

the new faces at WR.

Zach Moss bullying the defense.

one 50 yard FG attempt.

pressure on the QB.

[SoCalPat]

Our media game has gone up several levels since joining the PAC-12. It's nice to see.

Even without sound, a great package.

Almost pointed out that there was nothing from 2008 TCU, which would've been a major sin, but a rewatch clearly showed Freddie Brown jumping off the turf after his score.

I think the fanbase is grown up enough to appreciate a video that would take a complete 180 -- one that celebrates the worst of Utah football. You'll never see an athletic department do that -- hell, they're so thin-skinned, they don't show their own team's turnovers in a highlight package of a game. Of course, you'd have several BYU finishes. But you'd put in 2007 UNLV, pretty much any close game from the Stobart era, any Boise State game and 2002 Air Force. Just to name a few ...

[Scratch]

I want to see Shelley, with the Utes up by 30+ in the 4th, take a knee about 6 inches short of the 50, and then trot out Matt Gay to kick a 68 yarder.

[Applejack]

I want to see...

more cohesion on the RPOs between the offensive units.

the new faces at WR.

Zach Moss bullying the defense.

one 50 yard FG attempt.

pressure on the QB.


I want to see Shelley, with the Utes up by 30+ in the 4th, take a knee about 6 inches short of the 50, and then trot out Matt Gay to kick a 68 yarder.

You guys really love some field goal action!

[sancho]

You guys really love some field goal action!

Yes, I do. Multiples of 7 are boring. Plus, gotta make a bunch of FG to make the fake FG game winner vs USC completely believable.

[LA Ute]

I sat by Cole Fotheringham’s parents on the way up from LA. Nice people. I’m sure they enjoyed that TD!

[Applejack]

I'm excited to see our new and improved wideouts this game.

[Sullyute]

I'm excited to see our new and improved wideouts this game.

Ha! Covey looks great, but the rest are back to dropping balls.

[sancho]

Four turnovers is why you open with Weber St instead of playing a P5 opponent on a neutral field.

[Applejack]

Shelley has been excited. Put in qb2

[Scratch]

I sat by Cole Fotheringham’s parents on the way up from LA. Nice people. I’m sure they enjoyed that TD!

They are absolutely fantastic people. One of the best families you could ever meet. His dad was just a few rows behind us at the game.

[SoCalPat]

Disappointed we didn't match Weber's intensity or desire early, but we responded appropriately once down 10-0.

Huntley had some balls that could've been picked off, but weren't. He also was let down several times by his receivers early. He was insistent on handing off more, passing more and running less, so he's clearly maturing. We've got a stable of good TEs and Solomon Enis is gonna press guys in the starting lineup for snaps. We'll miss Raelon Singleton to stretch defenses vertically, but I like where we're headed in the pass game.

Moss is Moss, and he had over 2X many runs as Tyler. Would've been 3X, but when you cover 86 in one run, that takes away your chances to tote the rock.

Defense was great, but Pac-12 teams ain't gonna average 1 yard per play like Weber did. We weren't challenged physically at all. Next week, being on the road and a step up in class will be that unit's first true test.

Of all the FCS openers we've had under Kyle, this is the one that left me with the fewest questions marks.

[LA Ute]

I liked the heavier and effective use of tight ends that we saw tonight. More than we’ve seen in quite some time.

[LA Ute]

Anyone else notice some of Huntley's longer and mid-range passes? They looked like floaters, and they ended up being jump balls, 50-50 balls, whatever you want to call them. It looked weird to me. Thoughts?

[Diehard Ute]

Anyone else notice some of Huntley's longer and mid-range passes? They looked like floaters, and they ended up being jump balls, 50-50 balls, whatever you want to call them. It looked weird to me. Thoughts?

Had to watch on TV with the newborn at home (that’s the first season opener I’ve ever missed in 35 years)

The Pac-12 guys were saying he just looked a bit amped up on his early throws. They liked the type of throw he was making, he was just overthrowing most of them. For what it’s worth.


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[concerned]

Anyone else notice some of Huntley's longer and mid-range passes? They looked like floaters, and they ended up being jump balls, 50-50 balls, whatever you want to call them. It looked weird to me. Thoughts?

I thought his timing and accuracy were off generally, although it got better in the 2nd half. He was late on some throws, he was wide on some throws, and he both underthrew and overthrew receivers in the end zone (all of which were potential td's). His receivers (esp. mariner) didn't help him out much. A number of catachable balls were not caught.

[Diehard Ute]

I thought his timing and accuracy were off generally, although it got better in the 2nd half. He was late on some throws, he was wide on some throws, and he both underthrew and overthrew receivers in the end zone (all of which were potential td's). His receivers (esp. mariner) didn't help him out much. A number of catachable balls were not caught.

Yeah, certainly a lot of dropped passes

On the plus side he made much better decisions most of the time. He wasn’t looking to just bolt all the time. He kept his head up and was finding receivers while scrambling and genuinely seemed to run the offense better


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[concerned]

Yeah, certainly a lot of dropped passes

On the plus side he made much better decisions most of the time. He wasn’t looking to just bolt all the time. He kept his head up and was finding receivers while scrambling and genuinely seemed to run the offense better


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Agree 100%. Bodes well for the season. I think I meant Simpkins, not Mariner, didnt help him much.

[SoCalPat]

Agree 100%. Bodes well for the season. I think I meant Simpkins, not Mariner, didnt help him much.

Yeah, you think someone who glosses himself as much as Simpkins could do better than 2 catches for 13 yards against an FCS team.

[sancho]

The long ball wasn't his strength last season either. It's a sacrifice worth making for all the things he is good at.

He continues to impress with his accuracy on the run. When he's moving, he really hits his targets.

I think the single best play in college football is the "QB evades pressure, runs around for 5 seconds, and either finds an open receiver or runs for 35 yards". That's probably our opponents' most successful play against us over the years. Huntley had one of those last night.

We had 12 players make catches last night.

Marquise Blair and Chase Hansen are dynamite.

Disappointing that we failed to convert on 4th and 1.

[DrumNFeather]

Yeah, certainly a lot of dropped passes

On the plus side he made much better decisions most of the time. He wasn’t looking to just bolt all the time. He kept his head up and was finding receivers while scrambling and genuinely seemed to run the offense better


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Listening to Bill Riley today...he counted the drops at 4. Sure felt like a lot more than that, but I'll take him at his word on that one.

[Applejack]

Listening to Bill Riley today...he counted the drops at 4. Sure felt like a lot more than that, but I'll take him at his word on that one.

That it a ton. Think of dropping four catches against Stanford (or whoever). That is potentially four first downs, and around forty yards average we are giving up because we can't focus on the ball correctly. For as much as I read this offseason about what a new group of receivers our old receivers were, they looked like the old group plus Covey.

I thought in general our O-ffense looked bad. The total yards were ok though, so maybe I just expected too much. I think the line was the biggest disappointment of the night.

The defense looked lights out - but it's Weber State so they should.

I don't think we should ever play FCS teams, but if we do a game like last night (comfortable win, but not too comfortable; no injuries (right?); and Covey runs around like a grainy high school mix tape) is the way to do it.

[sancho]

For as much as I read this offseason about what a new group of receivers our old receivers were, they looked like the old group plus Covey.


I always thought it was the old group plus Covey. That's not so bad. It would be great to have a Carrington, but we really aren't that school.

[U-Ute]

I always thought it was the old group plus Covey. That's not so bad. It would be great to have a Carrington, but we really aren't that school.

I'm hearing good things about Enis. Some compared him to Carrington in his ability to get open.

[UTEopia]

The things I did not like:
1. 4 turnovers
2. Short yardage - we struggled on both 3rd and short and 4th and short.
3. Drops - too many.
4. Slow start on O.
5. Snaps on FG's and punts were poor.

Things I liked:
1. Use of TE's in pass game.
2. Enis will be a big play guy at some point.
3. Mariner quietly had 6 catches.
4. Huntley did not run the ball very much.
5. The D was dominant.

Talked with Ganther and Schramm for a few minutes after the game. They said they really got banged up. Probably have 8 or 9 guys who will not be able to play next week. That is one of the big problems playing up. USU will probably get banged up a bit against Michigan State.

[sancho]

Things I liked:
4. Huntley did not run the ball very much.


I don't want an overcorrection. Huntley can run, and we should use him. We need to find the sweet spot.

[Diehard Ute]

I don't want an overcorrection. Huntley can run, and we should use him. We need to find the sweet spot.

I don’t think this was an over correction. Rather I think he’s playing within the offense for that week. We don’t need Huntley to run in this kind of game. We do need to avoid getting him killed.

Many of Huntley’s runs last year were the result of not running the offense correctly, fixing that is a good thing.


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[SeattleUte]

I'm hearing good things about Enis. Some compared him to Carrington in his ability to get open.

Our highest rated recruit ever. It was down to us and Penn State.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Our highest rated recruit ever. It was down to us and Penn State.And he was a PSU legacy. His dad, Curtis Enis, was an All-American at PSU.

[Old Standing ute]

The wind was really strong in the first half--Utes were going into it in 2nd quarter. Huntley had to throw fastballs, but they still should have been caught.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

And he was a PSU legacy. His dad, Curtis Enis, was an All-American at PSU.

And they nearly got him.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180901/9e25907fe6d9d92ab70da915ae900a9e.png


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[LA Ute]

I got to sit next to Solomon at a Crimson Club dinner about 2 weeks ago. Very impressive young man. In that setting
he looked more like a basketball player than a football player. Tall and skinny.

[Irving Washington]

Anyone else notice some of Huntley's longer and mid-range passes? They looked like floaters, and they ended up being jump balls, 50-50 balls, whatever you want to call them. It looked weird to me. Thoughts?

His longer passes all seemed to be floaters. I suspect he had to throw at least some of them that way because the offensive line was not giving him enough time to let the receiver get downfield.

I think a big part of his remaining the starter will depend upon his decision-making on the options (I wasn't enamored with his passing.) That was better, although finding out that eight of Moss' runs went for 2 yards or less makes me wonder.

[UTEopia]

I don’t think this was an over correction. Rather I think he’s playing within the offense for that week. We don’t need Huntley to run in this kind of game. We do need to avoid getting him killed.

Many of Huntley’s runs last year were the result of not running the offense correctly, fixing that is a good thing.


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Although I definitely do not want to see Huntley get hurt running the ball, I think those who watched Arizona against BYU saw what happens when you try to coach your fantastic running QB to not run and fail to use his running ability as a significant part of the attack. It is a delicate balance and it will be interesting to see what the coaches do moving forward.

[sancho]

Although I definitely do not want to see Huntley get hurt running the ball, I think those who watched Arizona against BYU saw what happens when you try to coach your fantastic running QB to not run and fail to use his running ability as a significant part of the attack. It is a delicate balance and it will be interesting to see what the coaches do moving forward.

Man, was that dumb. I figured Tate would suffer with Arizona's coaching downgrade, but to not run him at all? A guy who regularly topped 200 rushing yards last season?

Tate had it coming 100% for not realizing what a gift Coach Niumatalolo would be.

Running QBs have been amazingly effective in college football over the past decade. If you have a QB who can run, you run him. Huntley's not in Tate's class as a runner, but he can still get us some good yards on the ground.

[Applejack]

Man, was that dumb. I figured Tate would suffer with Arizona's coaching downgrade, but to not run him at all? A guy who regularly topped 200 rushing yards last season?

Tate had it coming 100% for not realizing what a gift Coach Niumatalolo would be.

Running QBs have been amazingly effective in college football over the past decade. If you have a QB who can run, you run him. Huntley's not in Tate's class as a runner, but he can still get us some good yards on the ground.

Agreed. If you are trying to make tom Brady out of Tate or Huntley, you'll be disappointed.

[sancho]

I picked this to be the big year for Utah (10-3), but I gotta say - it now looks like an 0-3 start in the conference is likely. UW, @WSU, @Stanford? Gonna be rough.

[sancho]

I picked this to be the big year for Utah (10-3), but I gotta say - it now looks like an 0-3 start in the conference is likely. UW, @WSU, @Stanford? Gonna be rough.

ESPN's FPI predicts a 7-5 season for us. They set our odds of winning for the next 3 games:

UW - 28.1%
@WSU - 49.3%
@Stanford - 18.4%

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018


Playing math with ESPN's fake numbers, we have a 30% chance of going 0-3, a 47% chance of going 1-2, a 20% chance of going 2-1, and a 3% chance of going 3-0.

[UTEopia]

ESPN's FPI predicts a 7-5 season for us. They set our odds of winning for the next 3 games:

UW - 28.1%
@WSU - 49.3%
@Stanford - 18.4%

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018


Playing math with ESPN's fake numbers, we have a 30% chance of going 0-3, a 47% chance of going 1-2, a 20% chance of going 2-1, and a 3% chance of going 3-0.

Well, that's depressing.

[sancho]

ESPN's FPI predicts a 7-5 season for us. They set our odds of winning for the next 3 games:

UW - 28.1%
@WSU - 49.3%
@Stanford - 18.4%

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018


Playing math with ESPN's fake numbers, we have a 30% chance of going 0-3, a 47% chance of going 1-2, a 20% chance of going 2-1, and a 3% chance of going 3-0.

I decided to play around with these numbers some more. With ESPN's odds of winning, Utah's final record odds are:

0.02% chance of finishing 2-10
0.36% 3-9
2.43% 4-8
8.78% 5-7
19.16% 6-6
26.54% 7-5
23.69% 8-4
13.45% 9-3
4.63% 10-2
0.86% 11-1
0.07% 12-0 ...so you're saying there's a chance?

[sancho]

When will we know the kickoff time for WSU on 9/29? My wife wants to throw a dinner party, and she doesn't want me yelling in the other room instead of conversing with our guests.

[Sullyute]

When will we know the kickoff time for WSU on 9/29? My wife wants to throw a dinner party, and she doesn't want me yelling in the other room instead of conversing with our guests.

Probably depends on how well we do this weekend. So Sunday evening or Monday morning, would be my guess.

[SoCalPat]

When will we know the kickoff time for WSU on 9/29? My wife wants to throw a dinner party, and she doesn't want me yelling in the other room instead of conversing with our guests.

This game has Pac-12 Network written all over it, what with only four league games that week. It'll be an early kickoff. Tell your wife it's safe for the guests to show up around 5:30 p.m.

[sancho]

Update: ESPN now has us finishing 8-4 instead of 7-5. The south is being downgraded quickly:

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

New odds, per ESPN:

2-10, 0.03%
3-9, 0.41%
4-8, 2.62%
5-7, 9.30%
6-6, 20.16%
7-5, 27.60%
8-4, 23.75%
9-3, 12.31%
10-2, 3.45%
11-1, 0.39%

[concerned]

These stats ytd are eye-opening. We are going to get Covey killed.


Outside WR’s:

Thompson – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD
Mariner – 7 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD
Simpkins – 4 rec, 47 yards, 0 TD
Boyd – 2 rec, 40 yards, 0 TD
Enis – 3 rec, 42 yards, 0 TD

Inside WR’s:

Nacua – 10 rec, 69 yards, 0 TD
Vickers – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD
Covey – 23 rec, 262 yards, 0 TD
Perriman – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD
Dixon – 3 rec, 90 yards, 0 TD
Fields – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD

[sancho]

Outside WR’s:


This is disappointing. Mariner, Simpkins, Boyd, Enis. Someone needs to step up. Or maybe it's Huntley. I don't know.

[concerned]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/522401936708870144/_1sSI1S4_bigger.jpegUteBeliever‏ @UteBeliever (https://twitter.com/UteBeliever) 11m11 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/UteBeliever/status/1041761104718835714)More

UteBeliever Retweeted ESPN 700
Between this, Covey and Whit, Taylor has lost the team. 3 votes of no confidence. Particularly troubling is that it's coming from offensive players.

UteBeliever added,
ESPN 700Verified account @ESPN700
"I feel like we should run more. We have a mini Marshawn Lynch in the backfield." -Lo Falemaka#Utes

[LA Ute]

These stats ytd are eye-opening. We are going to get Covey killed.


Outside WR’s:

Thompson – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD
Mariner – 7 rec, 82 yards, 1 TD
Simpkins – 4 rec, 47 yards, 0 TD
Boyd – 2 rec, 40 yards, 0 TD
Enis – 3 rec, 42 yards, 0 TD

Inside WR’s:

Nacua – 10 rec, 69 yards, 0 TD
Vickers – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD
Covey – 23 rec, 262 yards, 0 TD
Perriman – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD
Dixon – 3 rec, 90 yards, 0 TD
Fields – 0 rec, 0 yards, 0 TD

Looks like Covey is the only one who can consistently get open and catch the ball.


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[LA Ute]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/522401936708870144/_1sSI1S4_bigger.jpegUteBeliever‏ @UteBeliever (https://twitter.com/UteBeliever) 11m11 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/UteBeliever/status/1041761104718835714)More

UteBeliever Retweeted ESPN 700
Between this, Covey and Whit, Taylor has lost the team. 3 votes of no confidence. Particularly troubling is that it's coming from offensive players.

UteBeliever added,
ESPN 700Verified account @ESPN700
"I feel like we should run more. We have a mini Marshawn Lynch in the backfield." -Lo Falemaka#Utes



I imagine the players were asking themselves why, after driving all the way past midfield on Moss’s back, they’re throwing on 2nd and 2.

[Diehard Ute]

Looks like Covey is the only one who can consistently get open and catch the ball.


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Doesn’t help when he does that and fumbles though....


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[concerned]

This is my new theory, based on nothing other than it is what I think I would do in KW's position. He will give Troy Taylor one more year to develop a competent offense. If we are this bad at the end of next year, KW will retire. He wont want to go thru yet another coordinator and start all over again on offense. It won't be worth it. (At least it wouldn't for me.)

[concerned]

Doesn’t help when he does that and fumbles though....


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Covey has fumbled in every game.

[sancho]

I imagine the players were asking themselves why, after driving all the way past midfield on Moss’s back, they’re throwing on 2nd and 2.

I think throwing on 2nd or 3rd and short is pretty high percentage for us. The problem is when we get nothing on first and second and then have 3rd and long. We rarely convert those.

[sancho]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/522401936708870144/_1sSI1S4_bigger.jpegUteBeliever‏ @UteBeliever (https://twitter.com/UteBeliever) 11m11 minutes ago (https://twitter.com/UteBeliever/status/1041761104718835714)More

UteBeliever Retweeted ESPN 700
Between this, Covey and Whit, Taylor has lost the team. 3 votes of no confidence. Particularly troubling is that it's coming from offensive players.

UteBeliever added,
ESPN 700Verified account @ESPN700
"I feel like we should run more. We have a mini Marshawn Lynch in the backfield." -Lo Falemaka#Utes



This feels like a bad thing.

[concerned]

This is concerning, since our OC is a qb guru, supposedly


Pac-12 QBR
1. Garbers, Cal 74.5
2. Wilkins, ASU 72.4
3. Herbert, UO 72.2
4. Montez, CU 69.2
5. Browning, UW 62.5
6. Costello, Stan 59
7. Blount, OSU 55.9
8. Tate, UA 54.9
9. Minshew, WSU 54.9
10. Daniels, USC 53.6
11. Huntley, Utah 39.8
12. Thompson-Robinson, UCLA 23

[DrumNFeather]

This feels like a bad thing.

I would say that "lost the team" 3 games into the season is a bit of a stretch, but even Kyle admitted during his press conference today that things need to be simplified.

[Nice Marmot]

TT's play calling reminds me of Crowton's offense at byu: there doesn't seem to be any sort of method to it. I'm the only Ute fan I know that thought A-Rod was fine, any shortcoming during his tenure was due to an average QB and well below average WRs. We still have those troubles but TT's play calling is making those issues worse. Dumping A-Rod was a mistake.

Huntley can't make an accurate throw more than 20 yards downfield, his only deep throw against UW was picked.

The Utes need to be a power run team. We've only had two decent receivers during our PAC years, Carrington who was only here for one year & Covey who is going to be broken in half in the next game or two.

If Tuttle isn't starting next year, he's not nearly as good as we hyped him up to be.

Defense looks good though.

[LA Ute]

Doesn’t help when he does that and fumbles though....


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Yeah, I guess I feel very forgiving towards him for that because he’s so tough and has been the only receiver who’s contributed all season (judging by the stats concerned posted). To me it looks like he’s the only WR who’s really working hard out there.

I was also really interested in what you said about the receivers short-arming Huntley’s inaccurate passes as a means of survival. Maybe Covey’s just crazy or brave enough to actually catch the ball, bad pass or not.

[sancho]

TT's play calling reminds me of Crowton's offense at byu: there doesn't seem to be any sort of method to it. I'm the only Ute fan I know that thought A-Rod was fine, any shortcoming during his tenure was due to an average QB and well below average WRs. We still have those troubles but TT's play calling is making those issues worse. Dumping A-Rod was a mistake.

Huntley can't make an accurate throw more than 20 yards downfield, his only deep throw against UW was picked.

The Utes need to be a power run team. We've only had two decent receivers during our PAC years, Carrington who was only here for one year & Covey who is going to be broken in half in the next game or two.

If Tuttle isn't starting next year, he's not nearly as good as we hyped him up to be.

Defense looks good though.

I'll see your ARod and raise you a BJohnson. I didn't want either of them to be fired.

Huntley is not the most accurate downfield passer, but this is college football, you don't have to be the most accurate downfield passer to have some success. He just needs to make a good decision and let it rip. That will turn into a completion sometimes (happened against NIU, and it happened for Shelley against Weber). We should still try a few times per game. It keeps the defense honest, and when it works, the payoff is huge.

[sancho]

I was also really interested in what you said about the receivers short-arming Huntley’s inaccurate passes as a means of survival.

I don't want to call out our players for things that may not be happening. Our drops seem like good old fashioned drops and not alligator arm drops.

[LA Ute]

I don't want to call out our players for things that may not be happening. Our drops seem like good old fashioned drops and not alligator arm drops.

I don't think they were intentionally missing. I didn't read what Diehard said that way. What he seemed to be passing along was the idea that the WRs were not making moves to get to badly thrown passes in order to avoid being vulnerable to nasty hits like the ones Covey got. That's still not flattering at all but it's different from saying they were intentionally missing. (It's different only in degree, I admit, but still different.)

[Rocker Ute]

I don't think they were intentionally missing. I didn't read what Diehard said that way. What he seemed to be passing along was the idea that the WRs were not making moves to get to badly thrown passes in order to avoid being vulnerable to nasty hits like the ones Covey got. That's still not flattering at all but it's different from saying they were intentionally missing. (It's different only in degree, I admit, but still different.)

I think it is a combo of Huntley's accuracy and the routes they are being forced to run in this offense. Many of the routes that Covey had to run are the type ripe for big hits... and he absolutely got them. Add to the risk if you are having to stretch yourself out, reach behind you so you aren't able to look ahead or jumping to make the catch... double whammy. The coaching staff needs to be better at protecting guys like Covey... particularly because Covey is extraordinary at getting extra yardage after a catch.

[SoCalPat]

I think it is a combo of Huntley's accuracy and the routes they are being forced to run in this offense. Many of the routes that Covey had to run are the type ripe for big hits... and he absolutely got them. Add to the risk if you are having to stretch yourself out, reach behind you so you aren't able to look ahead or jumping to make the catch... double whammy. The coaching staff needs to be better at protecting guys like Covey... particularly because Covey is extraordinary at getting extra yardage after a catch.

We should be lining Covey up everywhere we can, even in the shotgun with Huntley split wide or in the backfield. What we lack in talent, we have to make up in ingenuity. And with Covey, we can really mindjack with opposing defensive coordinators. We can't keep running him out of the slot and expect him to hold up physically.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

We should be lining Covey up everywhere we can, even in the shotgun with Huntley split wide or in the backfield. What we lack in talent, we have to make up in ingenuity. And with Covey, we can really mindjack with opposing defensive coordinators. We can't keep running him out of the slot and expect him to hold up physically.

An interesting film breakdown on the jet sweeps we have designed for Covey and what’s not working. Utah stuff starts at the 5:15 mark.

https://youtu.be/LzAc2SffmEc


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[concerned]

An interesting film breakdown on the jet sweeps we have designed for Covey and what’s not working. Utah stuff starts at the 5:15 mark.

https://youtu.be/LzAc2SffmEc


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Seemed like a pretty good analysis. Who is this guy?

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Seemed like a pretty good analysis. Who is this guy?

Max Browne was SC’s starting QB when they lost to Alabama in the opener 52-6. I think he was replaced by Sam Darnold soon after.




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[Applejack]

Interesting choice to use the kitchen sink as his backdrop.

[UTEopia]

I think I had reasonable expectations and hopes going into the season. I thought we would go 8-4 with the hope that with some breaks we might get to 10 wins and win the south. I’m now having a hard time seeing us get to 6 wins. The last time I remember being this pessimistic about Utah football was the year we jumped out to a big lead against Wazzu at home and then watch them take the lead and then have Drez drop a perfectly thrown ball that likely would have been a winning TD. We were in LA the following week visiting our daughter and the Utes were playing at UCLA. I was so pessimistic, we drove right by the Rose Bowl and did not go to the game. Utes beat UCLA that night when Bruins missed a FG.

[sancho]

I think I had reasonable expectations and hopes going into the season. I thought we would go 8-4 with the hope that with some breaks we might get to 10 wins and win the south. I’m now having a hard time seeing us get to 6 wins.

ESPN's computers still have us going 8-4, and they are usually pretty low on us.

Stupid Wazzu gave up so many big plays vs USC last night. They almost did us a favor. Now both teams will feel somewhat desperate next week.

[sancho]

[QUOTE=sancho;115053]ESPN's computers still have us going 8-4

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

Season Odds:

2-10, 0.05%
3-9, 0.68%
4-8, 4.14%
5-7, 13.51%
6-6, 25.77%
7-5, 29.27%
8-4, 19.19%
9-3, 6.54%
10-2, 0.86%

[Scorcho]

[QUOTE=sancho;115053]ESPN's computers still have us going 8-4

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

Season Odds:

2-10, 0.05%
3-9, 0.68%
4-8, 4.14%
5-7, 13.51%
6-6, 25.77%
7-5, 29.27%
8-4, 19.19%
9-3, 6.54%
10-2, 0.86%

are we giving to little credit to WSU for Saturday?

since Mike Leach lost to Eastern Washington to open up the 2016 season, the Cougars are 15-1 in Pullman (only loss to the UW team that went to the playoffs)

[LA Ute]

OK, time for some good news and props. Current NCAA defensive stats:

Utah

Total defense: 5th
First down defense: 2nd

Not bad.

[SoCalPat]

[QUOTE=sancho;115353]

are we giving to little credit to WSU for Saturday?

since Mike Leach lost to Eastern Washington to open up the 2016 season, the Cougars are 15-1 in Pullman (only loss to the UW team that went to the playoffs)

Perhaps. If Wazzu keeps this up, Leach is a strong contender for COY. Wazzu was picked 5th in the North. Their only road games left are OSU, Stanford and Arizona. So two are winnable. They get Cal, Oregon and UW in Pullman. Hard to see Wazzu not winning 7 games, minimum. But if you’re gonna do something in this league, you gotta win road games against above average teams.

[LA Ute]

I saw this at UF.net:

*****

Statchat

• Utah is No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in first down defense (57).

• Utah is No. 3 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in rushing defense (83.8).

• Utah is No. 5 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in total defense (264.8).

• Utah is No. 5 in the nation (No. 1/T Pac-12) in red zone defense (0.667, 6-of-9).

• Utah is No. 8 in the nation (No. 3 Pac-12) in net punting (42.63).

• Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency defense (100.75).

• Utah leads the Pac-12 in fewest penalties (25, tie) and ranks third in fewest penalty yards (211).

• Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 14 nationally) in scoring defense (16.3).

• Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in pass defense (181.0).

• Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in opponent third-down conversion percentage (31.7).

• Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in pass defense (181.0).

• Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss (7.5).

• Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in fewest passes intercepted (2, tie).

*****
Who can’t be proud or impressed when reading those numbers? Now, if we can just score enough points when we need to score them, we’ll see how defense wins championships.

[SoCalPat]

I saw this at UF.net:

*****

Statchat

• Utah is No. 2 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in first down defense (57).

• Utah is No. 3 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in rushing defense (83.8).

• Utah is No. 5 in the nation (No. 1 Pac-12) in total defense (264.8).

• Utah is No. 5 in the nation (No. 1/T Pac-12) in red zone defense (0.667, 6-of-9).

• Utah is No. 8 in the nation (No. 3 Pac-12) in net punting (42.63).

• Utah is No. 1 in the Pac-12 in pass efficiency defense (100.75).

• Utah leads the Pac-12 in fewest penalties (25, tie) and ranks third in fewest penalty yards (211).

• Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 (No. 14 nationally) in scoring defense (16.3).

• Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in pass defense (181.0).

• Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in opponent third-down conversion percentage (31.7).

• Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in pass defense (181.0).

• Utah is No. 3 in the Pac-12 in tackles for loss (7.5).

• Utah is No. 2 in the Pac-12 in fewest passes intercepted (2, tie).

*****
Who can’t be proud or impressed when reading those numbers? Now, if we can just score enough points when we need to score them, we’ll see how defense wins championships.

Reminds me of 2000, when we had an epic defense and an offense that couldn’t lace up their own cleats.

[sancho]

Reminds me of 2000, when we had an epic defense and an offense that couldn’t lace up their own cleats.

I don't know why, but I'm not fully a believer in the defense yet. I know the stats are there, but being completely shredded in the first half last week has left me a touch skeptical.

[Applejack]

Reminds me of 2000, when we had an epic defense and an offense that couldn’t lace up their own cleats.


I don't know why, but I'm not fully a believer in the defense yet. I know the stats are there, but being completely shredded in the first half last week has left me a touch skeptical.

I like the D. They are legit. C'mon, Sancho, you are always skeptical of numbers.

Having said that, this defense will always be prone to the big play (or plays, as was the case with Wazzu). Playing little-help man defense the whole game gives you a lot of protection against the run and a lot of freedom to disguise the pass rush in multiple ways, but every now and again it will burn you. That's why I am surprised more teams don't go full Washington State on us. Just throw deep all game; your completion percentage will be in the shitter, but all you have to do is connect on 2 or 3 of those deep balls to make it worth your time. Stanford should do this, but they won't and will just try and stuff the ball down our throats and it will be a close game on Saturday.

[sancho]

I like the D. They are legit. C'mon, Sancho, you are always skeptical of numbers.

Having said that, this defense will always be prone to the big play (or plays, as was the case with Wazzu). Playing little-help man defense the whole game gives you a lot of protection against the run and a lot of freedom to disguise the pass rush in multiple ways, but every now and again it will burn you. That's why I am surprised more teams don't go full Washington State on us. Just throw deep all game; your completion percentage will be in the shitter, but all you have to do is connect on 2 or 3 of those deep balls to make it worth your time. Stanford should do this, but they won't and will just try and stuff the ball down our throats and it will be a close game on Saturday.

You just know Bryce Love will get 110 yards, with 70 of those on one TD run in the 2nd half.

[Old Standing ute]

Wazzu might win division if in the south.

they almost beat USC on the road--which even in a down year for USC is not that easy.

And Vegas saw it as a 1 point game, so Utes losing is not that surprising.

Utes have a horrible/tough schedule this year--& it does not get easier until they are done with the north.

[UTEopia]

I was hoping Utah might hire David Yost, USU's current OC after firing ARod, but I guess he did not coach Freddie Whittingham's son in high school.

[LA Ute]

I was hoping Utah might hire David Yost, USU's current OC after firing ARod, but I guess he did not coach Freddie Whittingham's son in high school.

Sigh.

[Applejack]

I was hoping Utah might hire David Yost, USU's current OC after firing ARod, but I guess he did not coach Freddie Whittingham's son in high school.


Sigh.

Are you guys looking for an OC that can help us finally defeat BYU?

[LA Ute]

Are you guys looking for an OC that can help us finally defeat BYU?

No, just an OC hire that isn’t a head-scratcher.

[Diehard Ute]

While USU’s scoring stats are good....their offensive stats when opponent is take into account just aren’t much different than Utah’s.




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[Applejack]

While USU’s scoring stats are good....their offensive stats when opponent is take into account just aren’t much different than Utah’s.

Yeah, if you want USU's offense, either you really didn't watch yesterday's game or you just really like sub 200 yard passing. Or sub 6 yards per attempt.

I mean USU is good this year, I'm not raining on their parade. But I can just imagine the bellyaching if Whit hired USU's OC. It would look a lot like the current U fan bellyaching.

[LA Ute]

Yeah, if you want USU's offense, either you really didn't watch yesterday's game or you just really like sub 200 yard passing. Or sub 6 yards per attempt.

I mean USU is good this year, I'm not raining on their parade. But I can just imagine the bellyaching if Whit hired USU's OC. It would look a lot like the current U fan bellyaching.

Nope. Don’t want USU’s offense. My “sigh” was just about the way Kyle hires assistants, particularly 0Cs. It’s just a style thing that is getting old for me. Yes, I am in curmudgeon mode.


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[UTEopia]

Yeah, if you want USU's offense, either you really didn't watch yesterday's game or you just really like sub 200 yard passing. Or sub 6 yards per attempt.

I mean USU is good this year, I'm not raining on their parade. But I can just imagine the bellyaching if Whit hired USU's OC. It would look a lot like the current U fan bellyaching.

I really could care less about passing yards and ypc. What impressed me was their execution.

[sancho]

ESPN's computers love what Utah just did. We moved up from 40-something to #23. We are now favored to win the rest of our games.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

New season odds:

3-9, 0.01%
4-8, 0.22%
5-7, 1.94%
6-6, 8.75%
7-5, 22.47%
8-4, 32.90%
9-3, 25.55%
10-2, 8.14%

[LA Ute]

We are now favored to win the rest of our games.

That would make the word “awesome” 100% inadequate to describe such an outcome.

[Applejack]

ESPN's computers love what Utah just did. We moved up from 40-something to #23. We are now favored to win the rest of our games.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

New season odds:

3-9, 0.01%
4-8, 0.22%
5-7, 1.94%
6-6, 8.75%
7-5, 22.47%
8-4, 32.90%
9-3, 25.55%
10-2, 8.14%

I'm not sure I but what that computer is smoking: Arizona State (@ home) as our toughest game? Nearly 70% chance of beating USC?

I guess I'm showing my Ute in that I do not think a bowl game is a guarantee at this point. Arizona and BYU are probable wins, so should UCLA at the Rose Bowl (I can't believe I just typed that), but all of those are lose-able games against very legitimate opponents or BYU.

[sancho]

I'm not sure I but what that computer is smoking: Arizona State (@ home) as our toughest game? Nearly 70% chance of beating USC?


I'm with you. I tracked these percentages last year, and I felt like they were mostly in the ballpark. But 60+% chance of beating Oregon and CU?

Margin of victory matters, and our win over Stanford looks like gold to a computer.

[sancho]

That would make the word “awesome” 100% inadequate to describe such an outcome.

Awesome with a capital A, but remember that beign favored in each game is not the same as a prediction of winning out. Even ESPN's generous computers put us at just 8% chance of winning out.

[LA Ute]

Awesome with a capital A, but remember that beign favored in each game is not the same as a prediction of winning out. Even ESPN's generous computers put us at just 8% chance of winning out.

I'm still hopeful. Last Saturday night they played the way the way they are capable of playing. Nothing flukey about it.

[U-Ute]

I'm with you. I tracked these percentages last year, and I felt like they were mostly in the ballpark. But 60+% chance of beating Oregon and CU?

Margin of victory matters, and our win over Stanford looks like gold to a computer.

We're just following the pattern set by Notre Dame.

[SoCalPat]

Our game against USC has been relegated to the Pac-12 Network. Time TBA. No point yelling about it -- USC fans can carry the water on this one. And I'm sure they will.

[Diehard Ute]

Our game against USC has been relegated to the Pac-12 Network. Time TBA. No point yelling about it -- USC fans can carry the water on this one. And I'm sure they will.

6PM kick (MDT)


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[U-Ute]

6PM kick (MDT)


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The only October game that kicks off before 8pm.

[sancho]

A little football history. 10/06/2018. One week ago today. Utah prepared for a late Stanford game while Ute fans debated whether the Aggies were the best team in the state.

What a difference 7 days can make.

[LA Ute]

A little football history. 10/06/2018. One week ago today. Utah prepared for a late Stanford game while Ute fans debated whether the Aggies were the best team in the state.

What a difference 7 days can make.

I’m hoping like crazy that after a week we’re talking about what a difference 14 days can make. There’s lots of reason to believe (or at least hope) this team is gelling.

[sancho]

Computers continue to love Utah.

Up to #17 overall. Right behind Wisconsin and ahead of Texas, Michigan State, and West Virginia.

It has us ahead of some 1-loss P5 teams: Texas, WVU, Duke, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington State, and Colorado (at #50, the lowest ranked 1-loss team).

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

New cumulative odds:

4-8, 0.03%
5-7, 0.59%
6-6, 4.36%
7-5, 16.16%
8-4, 32.21%
9-3, 33.00%
10-2, 13.64%

That gives us a less than 1% chance of not being bowl eligible. I hope the rest of the season is as good to us as these computers.

That's greater than a 13.64% chance of winning the south.

By the way, Sagarin's four algorithms all place us between #14 and #20. S&P has us at #26.

[Irving Washington]

Computers continue to love Utah.

Up to #17 overall. Right behind Wisconsin and ahead of Texas, Michigan State, and West Virginia.

It has us ahead of some 1-loss P5 teams: Texas, WVU, Duke, Kentucky, Oregon, Washington State, and Colorado (at #50, the lowest ranked 1-loss team).

http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=254&year=2018

New cumulative odds:

4-8, 0.03%
5-7, 0.59%
6-6, 4.36%
7-5, 16.16%
8-4, 32.21%
9-3, 33.00%
10-2, 13.64%

That gives us a less than 1% chance of not being bowl eligible. I hope the rest of the season is as good to us as these computers.

That's greater than a 13.64% chance of winning the south.

By the way, Sagarin's four algorithms all place us between #14 and #20. S&P has us at #26.
The Standard and Poor index?

[U-Ute]

Of all the games left, I think ASU makes me the most nervous. We just don’t play well against them for some reason.

At least we have Oregon at home.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181021/0ab9c099a17ef93e4c82aab3d3b1bab9.png


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[Applejack]

Of all the games left, I think ASU makes me the most nervous. We just don’t play well against them for some reason.

At least we have Oregon at home.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181021/0ab9c099a17ef93e4c82aab3d3b1bab9.png


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It's hard to feel great about any of them. I think UCLA will be the easiest of the four, but they have a ton of talent. ASU has had our number in previous years, but the presence of Herm Edwards calms my nerves somewhat. Oregon has looked really good this year (I didn't watch last night) and Herbert is legit; I'm surprised we are favored by the computers in that one. And then Colorado, who for my money has been our biggest trouble since we joined the Pac.

But it makes for a crazy ride!

[chrisrenrut]

Utah sweeps the Pac-12 Player of the Week awards.

OFFENSIVE: Tyler Huntley, Jr., QB, Utah (Dania, Fla.)
• Huntley completed 22 of 29 pass attempts (.759) for a career-high-tying 341 yards and four touchdowns in Utah's 41-28 win over USC.
• Also rushed for 33 rushing yards and a touchdown in amassing 374 yards of total offense.
• Huntley's 46-yard touchdown pass to Britain Covey on third down and five in the first quarter sparked a run of 34 unanswered points by Utah.
• Huntley's scoring drives averaged 82 yards per drive.
• He has thrown for 200-plus yards in back-to-back games with his 300-plus yards against USC the fourth 300-yard game of his career.

DEFENSIVE: Chase Hansen, Sr., LB, Utah (Highland, Utah)
• Hansen led Utah with 11 tackles (3.0 TFL) and his second interception of the season in Utah's 41-28 win over USC.
• Hansen was integral in holding USC to just 3-of-14 on third down conversions, including 0-10 through the first three quarters.
• His interception came in the first quarter on the USC 20, eventually setting up the field goal that closed USC's lead to four (14-10).
• 10 of his 11 tackles stopped USC from a first down.
• With his 3.0 tackles for loss against USC, he has 14.0 on the season, ranking second in the Pac-12 and fourth in the nation.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Matt Gay, Sr., PK, Utah (Orem, Utah)
• Gay was 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on PATs against USC. He had seven kickoffs for 459 yards (65.6 average) with five touchbacks.
• His 33-yard field goal to open the second quarter cut USC's lead to 14-10, then added a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, giving Utah a 20-14 lead.
• He leads the Pac-12 in scoring by a kicker per game (8.0) and field goals per game (1.43).
• He is a perfect 6-for-6 in the 30-39-yard range this season.

[LA Ute]

Utah sweeps the Pac-12 Player of the Week awards.

OFFENSIVE: Tyler Huntley, Jr., QB, Utah (Dania, Fla.)
• Huntley completed 22 of 29 pass attempts (.759) for a career-high-tying 341 yards and four touchdowns in Utah's 41-28 win over USC.
• Also rushed for 33 rushing yards and a touchdown in amassing 374 yards of total offense.
• Huntley's 46-yard touchdown pass to Britain Covey on third down and five in the first quarter sparked a run of 34 unanswered points by Utah.
• Huntley's scoring drives averaged 82 yards per drive.
• He has thrown for 200-plus yards in back-to-back games with his 300-plus yards against USC the fourth 300-yard game of his career.

DEFENSIVE: Chase Hansen, Sr., LB, Utah (Highland, Utah)
• Hansen led Utah with 11 tackles (3.0 TFL) and his second interception of the season in Utah's 41-28 win over USC.
• Hansen was integral in holding USC to just 3-of-14 on third down conversions, including 0-10 through the first three quarters.
• His interception came in the first quarter on the USC 20, eventually setting up the field goal that closed USC's lead to four (14-10).
• 10 of his 11 tackles stopped USC from a first down.
• With his 3.0 tackles for loss against USC, he has 14.0 on the season, ranking second in the Pac-12 and fourth in the nation.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Matt Gay, Sr., PK, Utah (Orem, Utah)
• Gay was 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on PATs against USC. He had seven kickoffs for 459 yards (65.6 average) with five touchbacks.
• His 33-yard field goal to open the second quarter cut USC's lead to 14-10, then added a 30-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, giving Utah a 20-14 lead.
• He leads the Pac-12 in scoring by a kicker per game (8.0) and field goals per game (1.43).
• He is a perfect 6-for-6 in the 30-39-yard range this season.

:clap:

[U-Ute]

Food for thought.

1054033409826156549

[NorthwestUteFan]

Chase Hansen is like Eric Weddle, but bigger, and stronger, and faster, and quicker.

[SoCalPat]

Chase Hansen is like Eric Weddle, but bigger, and stronger, and faster, and quicker.

I know you’re trying to show your appreciation for Chase, who is a solid player in his own right. But let’s be clear ... Chase Hansen is nothing like Weddle, who is only the greatest complete football player Utah has ever had. He should never be on the lesser side of a comparison between any other Ute, past present or future.

[sancho]

Always feels good to become bowl eligible. Feels great to do it this early in the season and to have bigger things to play for.

[Mormon Red Death]

So the standings in the pac 12 south are Utah with 2 losses and everyone else with 3 losses. Here's a look at all of their remaining Pac12 Schedules and projected finish ()

Utah 4-2 (7-2)
@ASU
Ore
@Colo

USC 3-3 (5-4)
@OSU
CAL
@UCLA

Zona 3-3 (5-4)
Colo
@Wazzu
ASU

Colo 2-3 (3-6)
@Zona
Wazzu
Utah
@Cal

ASU 2-3 (3-6)
Utah
UCLA
@Ore
@Zona

UCLA 2-3 (2-7)
@Ore
@ASU
USC
Stan

[Applejack]

So the standings in the pac 12 south are Utah with 2 losses and everyone else with 3 losses. Here's a look at all of their remaining Pac12 Schedules and projected finish ()

Utah 4-2 (7-2)
@ASU
Ore
@Colo

USC 3-3 (5-4)
@OSU
CAL
@UCLA

Zona 3-3 (5-4)
Colo
@Wazzu
ASU

Colo 2-3 (3-6)
@Zona
Wazzu
Utah
@Cal

ASU 2-3 (3-6)
Utah
UCLA
@Ore
@Zona

UCLA 2-3 (2-7)
@Ore
@ASU
USC
Stan

USC with a cakewalk. Good thing we have a one game lead on them PLUS the tiebreaker. I think the ASU game is for all of the marbles: win, and we are sitting up two with two to play (assuming that Colorado loses again). If we lose that game it is complete, and utter chaos.

[Applejack]

How far to we move up in the polls this week? Every team between us (#23) and #14 lost except for one (Penn State). Do we jump Washington? Texas A&M?

I predict that we are #17 before ASU.

[LA Ute]

Just saw the Arizona - Oregon score. 44-15, ARIZONA. How on earth did that happen?

[Sullyute]

The PAC12 is a crazy mess this year. Utes have picked a great time to play their best ball. Fingers crossed that our October success continues in November.

[U-Ute]

Crazy weekend. The best two teams in each division were the only ones to do what they were expected to.

The good news is that the computers continue to love us.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181028/57921359f88fb5f35990299ec26e5ac4.png


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[U-Ute]

Utes up to 16.

1056610402803404800



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[concerned]

Looks like Siosi Mariner is on his way out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqrxWhoVAAA4Qy_.jpg

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

LOL.

Sure coach.

2434


Looks like Siosi Mariner is on his way out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqrxWhoVAAA4Qy_.jpg

[Diehard Ute]

Looks like Siosi Mariner is on his way out.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DqrxWhoVAAA4Qy_.jpg

They’ve been deleted.


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[Dwight Schr-Ute]

They’ve been deleted.


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1057015457528524800

[concerned]

1057015457528524800

Sure. No chance they were a cri de couer

[Sullyute]

1057015457528524800

Please tell me he is not an English major?

Edit: I checked, sociology major.

[SeattleUte]

Saturday morning I woke up and checked ESPN for the time of the Ute game, as I do every Saturday morning this time of year. It said Utah 41 UCLA 10. Surreal. Game over. 41-10; again. 41 points two weeks in a row and the third time. 42 and 40 points in the preceding week. For a moment I wondered if I was a victim of a practical joke by LAUte. What is going on with these wins and these point totals? Weird.

[LA Ute]

For a moment I wondered if I was a victim of a practical joke by LAUte.

Come on, I always knew Troy Taylor would work out as OC. Everyone knows that. I've been predicting it all along.

[SeattleUte]

Come on, I always knew Troy Taylor would work out as OC. Everyone knows that. I've been predicting it all along.

But what about all those 41s. That’s so weird.

[concerned]

Come on, I always knew Troy Taylor would work out as OC. Everyone knows that. I've been predicting it all along.

Now wait until USC or UW try to hire him away. Their OC's arent working out so well.