In regards to this season’s game with BYU

[UteDuke]

I’ve heard a lot of opinions from both sides of the spectrum on our game with BYU this coming football season. I think this article best summed up my feelings though:

http://www.blocku.com/2017/6/8/15766738/vegas-has-utah-o-u-at-6-5-wins-for-2017-are-you-taking-the-over

The writer lists probable wins, likely losses, and toss ups. He had listed the game with BYU as a toss up, with the following reasoning:

In the toss up, I know BYU caught people’s attention. The way I see it, after six straight losses, and under Kalani, the Cougs are going to come out with everything they have in this game. And frankly, if they don’t beat Utah this year, when will they? Of course, I think Utah is the more talented team, and that should win out, but Kalani will have those boys fired up.

I’m inclined to think the “toss up” leans a bit more in the Utes favor, but it’s true that this game has just enough intrigue that it could go the other way. If tds misses this chance though, it could be a long time before the outcome of this rivalry will be in question again.

[Utah]

Here’s BYU’s biggest problems:

1- They lost Langi and Nacua. Those two were wrecking balls for BYU last year and kept Utah from 9-21 points. 

2- their schedule vs our schedule. They have LSU before us and Wisconsin after us. That’s nuts. USC couldn’t survive a stretch like that last year and went 1-3. For BYU to think they can do better? 

3- depth. If they have any injuries vs LSU, they are screwed. LSU has an incredible D-Line. If Mangum goes down, they might not go bowling next year. 

Utah wins this and wins it easily in large part because of the schedule. BYU just isn’t good enough for this heavy of a load. 

[Utah]

Last year, they played 4 P5 schools in a row. 1-3. 

The year before, 3 in 4 games. 1-2. 

2013, 3 in a row, 1-2. 

2012, 3 in a row, 1-2. 

2011, 3 in a row, 1-2. 

And never have they played three teams as good as LSU, Utah and Wisconsin in a row. 

BYU will be lucky to go 1-2. 

[UteDuke]

I agree on all your points, I just worry that the emotion might be able to tip the scales. If the players and coaches are a QUARTER as obssessed with this as their fans, they are going to come at the Utes with all they’ve got. For many, I’ve heard they covet this win over even an upset of LSU.

Going along with your other point, scheduling LSU, Utah, and Wisconsin in a row is absolutely insane. While not the most popular teams from their respective conferences, each has earned a reputation for their physically bruising style. That is bound to take a tremendous toll on all of tds’ players. I really wish USU or someone else played them after Wisconsin instead of having their bye. It would be hilarious to see them get trounced by a smaller team due to the fatigue.

[FtheY]

Interesting stats on the records by year. Wasn’t USC also a different team at that point? I don’t disagree that it will be brutal for them. 

Uteduke, I am also concerned with the emotion this year, and the fact that it is down south. I like our chances but tds-p cannot be overlooked. We definitely cannot turn the ball over 5 times. 

While our schedule is brutal, their whole schedule is a 3 game stretch. I don’t think they play anyone worthwhile the rest of the season. Actually, I think they also have Mississippi State this year. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we might not win as many games as the last 3 years, but we sure do have a ton of exciting games to get up for. 

We need them to go 0-3 in that stretch. Both LSU and Wisconsin will be ranked higher than us. Can you imagine the crap if they upset the highest ranked team and lost the other two games? We would hear all season long about how they should have been undefeated in that stretch and since they beat the highest ranked team, that they are better than the other two losses. 

I cannot stand them. 

[ladyinred]

See they already have a built in excuse as to why they lost, and inevitably they will have a “moral victory” anyway.

[Anonymous]

Those people can talk themselves into anything. 

[ladyinred]

I figure that given Yner’s lack of P5 talent, they should typically only have about a 10% chance of beating Utah at any given meeting. That is still a threat, but for the most part, Utah has no business losing to tds. This year, given the uncertainty on Utah’s side, and also the home field advantage for them, I would say BYwho has about a 25% chance of catching us this year. But this is as good a chance as I see for them in the foreseeable future.

For Utah, losing an OOC game to a team like tds is not the end of the world, it is mostly the insufferable turds for a fanbase they have that make it most difficult to bear for us fans.

Having said all that, I think people are underestimating the value of a senior QB in Troy. Sure, he struggled at the end of last season, but I have a hunch this new offense is going to do well by him, add to that the experience he accumulated last year.

As for the other hard games on tds’s schedule, it’s worth remembering that one of those teams is likely to have a down year ala Mich. St last year. As much as I despise tds, I don’t really mind them beating LSU or someone as long as Utah takes care of business.

[Tony (admin)]

I’m so uninterested in the turds down south I don’t know their record from last year or who they played, other than us.  After we play them, they cease to exist to me except when I pass through that awful town on I15 and give them a 1-finger salute.

[Anonymous]

Sitake will beef up their lines. That will help them be competitive in every game, the way it has done for us.
Their main problem is that they won’t be getting premier talent anywhere else.
They don’t have a single player that concerns me.

[Newbomb Turk]

Agree. This year is their best shot. And they will be hyped up for it. It is now their Superbowl. Their fans will try to deny that, but their players have already admitted it (Van Noy)

[Guba]

This year is definitely their best chance in a while. However, do not underestimate the emotion and competitive drive on the Utah side either. They want to beat byu as much as any other team for sure! There are enough leaders on the team who understand what it takes to win against byu that I have no doubt about the competitive drive on utah’s team. It will be a battle but I think Utah ultimately wins due to superior talent.

[noneyadb]

Toss up? That was a miserably played game by Troy Williams, inexperienced LB’s and 6 turnovers to only enter the red zone twice. The games not a toss up. Ucla, and Stanford are toss up games, 💩-ds is nowhere near either one.

[Utah]

I agree. They lose Langi and Nacua who had three TO’s between them. They replace them with inferior players. 

Troy won’t make this same mistakes. 

Joe Williams was terrible. 

Hill kept it close with his legs. Mangum can’t do that  

I don’t think this game will be close. 

[crazyute]

I think Hill’s ability to run is the biggest thing being overlooked. Utah DL will feast on Mangum as a guy they can keep contained. Much like the last time he played against us.

[ironman1315]

And they are big fat doo-doo heads!

Seriously though, our defense will be better than last year I think and they’re tackles are not good…at all. Their interior lineman are okay though. ‘Twill be a slaughter.

[Rick]

I think tds-P will be so hobbled after playing a very tough LSU defense that Kylie Fitts and the gang will put Conner Mantooth out of the game before half time.  I see this being a huge Utah blowout.  Think about last year’s game with no turnovers.  It would have been at least a 20+ blowout.

[Author]

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