So, can we actually handle an air raid? The Wazzu Game, 2019

[LA Ute]

We seemed powerless to stop USC’s air raid, which one of Mike Leach’s disciples designed. Let’s see how we handle his mentor’s schemes next week. Fire away.

[sancho]

We seemed powerless to stop USC’s air raid, which one of Mike Leach’s disciples designed. Let’s see how we handle his mentor’s schemes next week. Fire away.

I still think we are more or less the same team we've been for the past 5 years. This game is a toss up, as all WSU/Utah games have been in that time span. They will move the ball easily at times, and we will have to score and control the clock.

[LA Ute]

I hear we’ve opened the week as 8-point favorites. Not sure what to make of that.

[sancho]

I hear we’ve opened the week as 8-point favorites. Not sure what to make of that.

You never know how a team will react to a loss, but Wazzu's collapse is the kind of loss that can leave a team hungover. Our loss seems like the kind of loss that should be motivating.

[UTEopia]

We seemed powerless to stop USC’s air raid, which one of Mike Leach’s disciples designed. Let’s see how we handle his mentor’s schemes next week. Fire away.

USC and WSU are two totally different pass attacks. USC killed us with the deep ball while Leach will dunk and dink. It is really hard to tell what happened from the television feed, but Blackmon took a terrible angle on one of the long passes and did not high point the ball. He got sucked under on another. Johnson got beat straight up on the first one. I thought the PI penalty at the end of the game was total BS. I also thought a number of the PF's against USC were bad as were a couple of holdings on the Utes. I'm disappointed the Utes did not play more 3 deep zone.

Every week is a challenge and this will be no different. There are no elite teams in the PAC, just a bunch of better than average teams.

[concerned]

USC and WSU are two totally different pass attacks. USC killed us with the deep ball while Leach will dunk and dink. It is really hard to tell what happened from the television feed, but Blackmon took a terrible angle on one of the long passes and did not high point the ball. He got sucked under on another. Johnson got beat straight up on the first one. I thought the PI penalty at the end of the game was total BS. I also thought a number of the PF's against USC were bad as were a couple of holdings on the Utes. I'm disappointed the Utes did not play more 3 deep zone.

Every week is a challenge and this will be no different. There are no elite teams in the PAC, just a bunch of better than average teams.

Somebody posted a thread on twitter identifying our defense on each long bomb. Every single time, we were in a cover 1 with Burgess close to the line to defend the run. Whenever we were in a cover 2, they never threw deep. They recognized the defense, and tossed it up.

We were in the stands, and not only did Blackmon take horrible angles, Lewis and JJ got abused. Lewis in particular was horrible. He was replaced by Nurse after the last touchdown, where he totally lost Pittman and then whiffed at him all the way to the end zone.

[sancho]

Somebody posted a thread on twitter identifying our defense on each long bomb. Every single time, we were in a cover 1 with Burgess close to the line to defend the run. Whenever we were in a cover 2, they never threw deep. They recognized the defense, and tossed it up.


That's our defense, though. We take risks with man-to-man coverage in order to plug other holes. Part of playing that defense is understanding that there is always some small chance of getting burned big. In this game, we got burned big multiple times. The odds of that happening were pretty low - it's like USC rolled snake-eyes 3 times in a row.

If someone hits a halfcourt shot against you once, do you change your defense to stop that from happening again? What if they hit another? At what point do you change? I don't know the answer. We've always been about man coverage, and it's usually been good for us. I'm not sure if/when you change that mid game. And USC was just tossing up jump balls...you can make a case for continuing our defense to encourage more jump balls because that's often how turnovers happen.

What's clear to me is that USC's lines dominated ours. When they were in Air Raid mode, they had all the time in the world. When they switched to power run mode for the last series, they pushed us all over the place. And their defensive line lived in Huntley's face. I think our DBs had a bad game compounded by bad luck, but our lines got beat down hard.

[Scorcho]

playing BYU, NIU and Idaho St's wide receivers to get ready for USC's wasn't ideal

[Applejack]

That's our defense, though. We take risks with man-to-man coverage in order to plug other holes. Part of playing that defense is understanding that there is always some small chance of getting burned big. In this game, we got burned big multiple times. The odds of that happening were pretty low - it's like USC rolled snake-eyes 3 times in a row.

If someone hits a halfcourt shot against you once, do you change your defense to stop that from happening again? What if they hit another? At what point do you change? I don't know the answer. We've always been about man coverage, and it's usually been good for us. I'm not sure if/when you change that mid game. And USC was just tossing up jump balls...you can make a case for continuing our defense to encourage more jump balls because that's often how turnovers happen.

What's clear to me is that USC's lines dominated ours. When they were in Air Raid mode, they had all the time in the world. When they switched to power run mode for the last series, they pushed us all over the place. And their defensive line lived in Huntley's face. I think our DBs had a bad game compounded by bad luck, but our lines got beat down hard.

I agree. From the USC game:

- The first TD was totally covered by JJ until the last second when he fell down. Bad luck.
- The second TD was a totally blown sack (I think, by Lloyd) which allowed the QB to scramble for ten seconds. Then he heaved it up between two backs (Blackmon was one). Bad tackling.
- The third one was on Lewis/Blackmon. Blackmon misjudged the throw and completely took himself out of the play. Lewis got dusted from the start.

Utah gave up a ton of big plays through the air. But they absolutely (until the last drive) stuffed the run. That typically is a winning formula for us. And it would have been on Friday if not for some boneheaded mistakes (the fumble!!!) and a lack of a kicker (one kick blocked and another that we didn't even try).

[concerned]

I agree. From the USC game:

- The first TD was totally covered by JJ until the last second when he fell down. Bad luck.
- The second TD was a totally blown sack (I think, by Lloyd) which allowed the QB to scramble for ten seconds. Then he heaved it up between two backs (Blackmon was one). Bad tackling.
- The third one was on Lewis/Blackmon. Blackmon misjudged the throw and completely took himself out of the play. Lewis got dusted from the start.

Utah gave up a ton of big plays through the air. But they absolutely (until the last drive) stuffed the run. That typically is a winning formula for us. And it would have been on Friday if not for some boneheaded mistakes (the fumble!!!) and a lack of a kicker (one kick blocked and another that we didn't even try).

Dont forget the last bomb that led to the rushing touchdown. Blackmon got beat deep and Fink put it right on the money. Blackmon made an ankle tackle to save the TD.

I agree with Sancho's analysis too, except for the analogy to half court shots in basketball. They saw something in our defense and thought they could beat it. they were right. When you make 4 out of 4 of those, it is not a lucky half court shot. That is what adjustments are for.

[Applejack]

Dont forget the last bomb that led to the rushing touchdown. Blackmon got beat deep and Fink put it right on the money. Blackmon made an ankle tackle to save the TD.

I agree with Sancho's analysis too, except for the analogy to half court shots in basketball. They saw something in our defense and thought they could beat it. they were right. When you make 4 out of 4 of those, it is not a lucky half court shot. That is what adjustments are for.

I thought on the first two drives we played way too much cover 1: 4 wideouts and 4 dbs and zero help over the top. After the first two TDs, scalley did make some adjustments and I think for the most part they worked. After that point the TDs were on the 80 or so pass and catch with the aforementioned terrible coverage and the pass you describe which was a perfect pass.

I don't know why we came out in one-on-one matchups, however. USC receivers are good.

[sancho]

I don't know why we came out in one-on-one matchups, however. USC receivers are good.

I would have liked our odds 1-on-1 vs a 3rd string QB. Didn't work out.

[LA Ute]

Here’s a question that I’ve been wondering about. If a DB sees he has been beaten deep, or that he has no good chance at a jump ball,isn’t the best option to interfere and take the penalty? Then again, maybe Pittman had our DBs beaten so badly that the penalty option wasn’t even available.

I too was surprised and disappointed that when USC started to run we could not stop them, even though we had to.

[concerned]

Here’s a question that I’ve been wondering about. If a DB sees he has been beaten deep, or that he has no good chance at a jump ball,isn’t the best option to interfere and take the penalty? Then again, maybe Pittman had our DBs beaten so badly that the penalty option wasn’t even available.

I too was surprised and disappointed that when USC started to run we could not stop them, even though we had to.


USC did that on the deep ball to Dixon or Thompson ??, when the db got turned around, grabbed him by the arm. Took the penalty for 15 yards.

[sancho]

Here’s a question that I’ve been wondering about. If a DB sees he has been beaten deep, or that he has no good chance at a jump ball,isn’t the best option to interfere and take the penalty? Then again, maybe Pittman had our DBs beaten so badly that the penalty option wasn’t even available.


I think this is often hard to gauge in the moment. It's 3rd down, you think you're going to make a play on the ball, and BOOM, you get beat badly. We had a DB in position fall down, we had a DB terribly misjudge a ball - neither of those were scenarios when you are clearly beat and decide to take a penalty.

[sancho]

Back to Wazzu, I don't know what to expect out of our defense. We were overmatched vs USC on the lines. I don't think that will be the case again, but we aren't going to pressure Gardner a ton. Wazzu is good with pass protection. Do we come out in our standard man-to-man? Do we drop 8? Does everyone remember when we dropped 8 against WSU for the first half and shut them down and then they figured us out and beat us in the 2nd half? I think we should just mix things up as much as possible and disguise looks. Try to keep them guessing.

A lot depends on our offense. We rack up 450 yards again, and I love our chances!

[sancho]

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The old Dan Mullen connection?

[LA Ute]

Back to Wazzu, I don't know what to expect out of our defense. We were overmatched vs USC on the lines. I don't think that will be the case again, but we aren't going to pressure Gardner a ton. Wazzu is good with pass protection. Do we come out in our standard man-to-man? Do we drop 8? Does everyone remember when we dropped 8 against WSU for the first half and shut them down and then they figured us out and beat us in the 2nd half? I think we should just mix things up as much as possible and disguise looks. Try to keep them guessing.

A lot depends on our offense. We rack up 450 yards again, and I love our chances!

I listened to KW's press conference while working out this morning. He said that no matter what defensive look you give them Wazzu has already seen it. You just have to outplay them with assignment-sound football. (That'a Kyle talking, not me.)

[concerned]

I listened to KW's press conference while working out this morning. He said that no matter what defensive look you give them Wazzu has already seen it. You just have to outplay them with assignment-sound football. (That'a Kyle talking, not me.)

He also said that the WSU and USC schemes and routes are pretty similar, and that it is not a bad thing to play them back to back.

[sancho]

I listened to KW's press conference while working out this morning. He said that no matter what defensive look you give them Wazzu has already seen it. You just have to outplay them with assignment-sound football. (That'a Kyle talking, not me.)

I'm sure that's true, but I still see value in deception and in mixing things up.

[LA Ute]

I'm sure that's true, but I still see value in deception and in mixing things up.

I am sure we will make them work hard to figure out what we are doing.

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

So apparently Dish and Fox are in a tiff, and Dish dropped all of the Fox channels this afternoon. So if you're like me there's a good chance you won't be seeing the game on your home tv Saturday evening.

[sancho]

So apparently Dish and Fox are in a tiff, and Dish dropped all of the Fox channels this afternoon. So if you're like me there's a good chance you won't be seeing the game on your home tv Saturday evening.

Time to cut the cord!

Sorry, though, this really is too bad. If you can make it, you're welcome to watch at my place in CO.

Do any streaming services offer a free trial period?

[Dwight Schr-Ute]

Time to cut the cord!

Sorry, though, this really is too bad. If you can make it, you're welcome to watch at my place in CO.

Do any streaming services offer a free trial period?

Well, fortunately enough, Sling is also owned by Dish, so if you typically stream through Sling, you’ll be out of luck this weekend, as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sullyute]

Well, fortunately enough, Sling is also owned by Dish, so if you typically stream through Sling, you’ll be out of luck this weekend, as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That better not be true, or I am going to mad!

[Diehard Ute]

That better not be true, or I am going to mad!

It’s true

https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/fs1-btn-and-more-go-dark-on-sling-tv-dish/



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[sancho]

Well, fortunately enough, Sling is also owned by Dish, so if you typically stream through Sling, you’ll be out of luck this weekend, as well.


I stream through youtubetv, so I'm still okay. This is garbage, though. They lock you into contracts, but they're more than happy to change their end of the bargain.

[LA Ute]

I almost never go to the Fashion Place mall, but today I did. I spotted this, and was impressed.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190928/52dc78063e972baf73e65bd3ffa0b6de.jpg

[hostile]

I almost never go to the Fashion Place mall, but today I did. I spotted this, and was impressed.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190928/52dc78063e972baf73e65bd3ffa0b6de.jpg
You a Carhartt guy? I like their work pants.

[LA Ute]

You a Carhartt guy? I like their work pants.

I went to the Apple Store there. Lots of bright, shiny things!

[Diehard Ute]

I almost never go to the Fashion Place mall, but today I did. I spotted this, and was impressed.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190928/52dc78063e972baf73e65bd3ffa0b6de.jpg

That flag flies year round.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[LA Ute]

That flag flies year round.

Good.

[LA Ute]

So much to say about this game. A couple of items I picked up from the post-game show:


Wazzu is the highest-scoring team in the PAC-12 and the 6th highest in the USA. They were averaging 52.8 points per game until tonight when they got 13 -- and were shut out during the second half. Not sure when was the last time Mike Leach was shut out.


We controlled the ball for over 12 minutes of the 3rd quarter. That was one big reason Wazzu had so few offensive opportunities.


The Utes had almost 500 yards of offense in the first three quarters.

[chrisrenrut]

So much to say about this game. A couple of items I picked up from the post-game show:


Wazzu is the highest-scoring team in the PAC-12 and the 6th highest in the USA. They were averaging 52.8 points per game until tonight when they got 13 -- and were shut out during the second half. Not sure when was the last time Mike Leach was shut out.


We controlled the ball for over 12 minutes of the 3rd quarter. That was one big reason Wazzu had so few offensive opportunities.


The Utes had almost 500 yards of offense in the first three quarters.

I was surprised that WSU didn’t play with more urgency the few minutes they had the ball on offense in the 2nd half. Then again, the few times they looked to throw downfield they were picked or almost picked.

[LA Ute]

I was surprised that WSU didn’t play with more urgency the few minutes they had the ball on offense in the 2nd half. Then again, the few times they looked to throw downfield they were picked or almost picked.

I was really impressed by the defensive secondary -- they went head to head with WSU's receivers and were much more than a match for them.

[Applejack]

To answer the thread title, yes, yes we can.

[UTEopia]

I was really impressed by the defensive secondary -- they went head to head with WSU's receivers and were much more than a match for them.

I applaud Scalley and company for doing something totally different than they have ever done before. I have never seen the Utes play a three deep zone and it was very effective in keeping the Wazzu WR's in front of them. On the flip side, I wish we would have had that in the arsenal a week ago.

[Applejack]

I applaud Scalley and company for doing something totally different than they have ever done before. I have never seen the Utes play a three deep zone and it was very effective in keeping the Wazzu WR's in front of them. On the flip side, I wish we would have had that in the arsenal a week ago.

Tru

[LA Ute]

I applaud Scalley and company for doing something totally different than they have ever done before. I have never seen the Utes play a three deep zone and it was very effective in keeping the Wazzu WR's in front of them. On the flip side, I wish we would have had that in the arsenal a week ago.

This reminds me of Kyle‘s repeated statements during the week that the Utah coaches had nothing special planned defensively for Washington state, because “they’ve seen everything.” Maybe the Cougars hadn’t really seen everything!

[SoCalPat]

Most flawless game I can remember since 2015 Oregon. Wazzu never got untracked offensively or defensively. Had a few drops, did turn the ball over on downs early, but nothing was fatal, and more than enough players stepped up to overcome whatever missteps we had. Nine drives, five TDs, one FG, one punt, one missed FG, one turnover on downs. Surgical precision.

[DrumNFeather]

I was in attendance on Saturday night. The weather was crazy...pretty sure we got hailed on there for a minute. A lot of folks bailed at halftime, but the crowd that stuck around was pretty loud. Despite the conditions, really enjoyable result. Glad to see Huntley punch one more in at the end there.

[concerned]

I was in attendance on Saturday night. The weather was crazy...pretty sure we got hailed on there for a minute. A lot of folks bailed at halftime, but the crowd that stuck around was pretty loud. Despite the conditions, really enjoyable result. Glad to see Huntley punch one more in at the end there.


Pssst. Dont tell anyone who left at halftime that Bernard's interception got them a free chic fil a sandwich. They don't deserve it. It'll be our secret.

[DrumNFeather]

Pssst. Dont tell anyone who left at halftime that Bernard's interception got them a free chic fil a sandwich. They don't deserve it. It'll be our secret.

Haha...the stadium went nuts. That was pretty funny. My section cleared out quite a bit, so I got to enjoy the game with some space.

[Scratch]

I was in attendance on Saturday night. The weather was crazy...pretty sure we got hailed on there for a minute. A lot of folks bailed at halftime, but the crowd that stuck around was pretty loud. Despite the conditions, really enjoyable result. Glad to see Huntley punch one more in at the end there.

The funny thing is that the weather was way better in the second half, and so was the football.

[UtahsMrSports]

I propose a fund be set up to pay for DrumNFeather to attend each game, home or away, as this appears to be the common link in victories going forward.