Utah Utes
Current Record 4-0
Have the week off to gloat in the big victory over Oregon and to rub the noses of BYU fans in it. I'd feel better, and I am sure Kyle Whittingham agrees with me, if they were more concerned about California than that team in Provo.
Probable Wins:
California
Arizona State
Oregon State
Washington
Colorado
Toss Up:
USC
Arizona
UCLA
Optimists Prediction: 12-0--CFP
Pessimists Prediction: 9-3--Foster Farms Bowl
How I think the rest of the season goes: Utah will get a back-to-reality ugly overtime win against California, followed by a come-from-behind win vs Arizona State. They will lose a close game to USC, but then wipe out Oregon State, Washington and Arizona. They will have a game-of-the year close win to UCLA followed by a bench-clearing big win over Colorado. Because UCLA will beat USC, there is a 3-way tie for first in the PAC-12 south, which Utah gets the tie breaker for being the highest ranked of the three. Conference final prediction: Stanford 38 Utah 35. Utah settles for an Alamo Bowl appearance against Oklahoma.
BYU Cougars
Current Record: 2-2
I don't know anymore what to expect of the Cougars. As ugly as the loss to Michigan was, it could be a harbinger for the rest of the season. That is not good for BYU or their hopes for the long term future. One thing not considered in all of this is the effect of the Mission Age Change of the LDS Church a few years ago. Those first 18-year-old missionaries, and Tanner Mangum is one of them, are now freshmen who weren't at spring ball. And Mangum isn't the only one who has been called upon to save this team. Good luck in getting through this season. On the other hand, this may be the last year that BYU struggles.
Probable Wins:
Wagner
Fresno State
Toss Up:
Connecticut
Cincinnati
East Carolina
Missouri
San Jose state
Utah State
Optimists Prediction: 10-2
Pessimists Prediction: 4-8
This week's prediction: BYU 10 UConn 6
How will the rest of the season go for BYU: BYU gets an ugly, close, defensive win against UConn thanks to a pick 6 and another interception returned deep into Husky territory. The offense struggles with barely 100 yards. BYU does a little better against East Carolina because Harvey Langi is moved full-time back to running back, but the Cougars still lose the game. They also lose a close game to Cincinnati. After that game, Tommy Tuberville declares that the Bearcats are a better fit for the Big 12 than BYU and his team proved it. BYU gets a closer than it should be victory over Wagner, pulling away in the 2nd half. Then lose another close game at San Jose State. Missouri is another close loss. The Cougars then clobber Fresno State in the home finale before going to Logan and winning a close game to become bowl eligible. After winning the Hawaii Bowl, Bronco Mendenhall announces his retirement to be replaced by Kalani Sitake.
Utah State Aggies
Current Record: 1-2
Chuckie is hurt. What else is new? Chuckie has been hurt a lot. And I have a hard time finding more than a game or two where the backup, wherever it was, couldn't lead this team. They will be fine.
Probable Wins:
Colorado State
Fresno State
San Diego State
Wyoming
New Mexico
Nevada
Probable Loss:
Boise State
Toss Up;
Air Force
Nevada
BYU
Optimists Prediction: 9-3--Poinsettia Bowl
Pessimists Prediction: 7-5--Potato Bowl
This Week's Prediction: Utah State 25 Colorado State 16
How the rest of the season goes for Utah State: The Aggies win a close one to Colorado State and a not-so-close one to Fresno State before getting embarrassed at home by Boise State. They respond with blow out wins against San Diego State, Wyoming and New Mexico before losing in overtime to Air Force. They close out the season with a win against Nevada and a loss to BYU. After the BYU game, it is announced that Matt Wells will replace Darrell Hazel at Purdue with a 2.75 million dollar contract. Kevin Clune coaches USU to victory over Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl, but Rob Ash is named the new head coach.
Weber State Wildcats
Current Record: 2-2
It's amazing what can be done when you are not playing above your league. Weber State is now 2-2. They won their second game before October dawned. Now, they are playing to improve on their record since Ron McBride retired.
Probable Wins:
North Dakota
UC Davis
Idaho State
Probable Losses:
Montana
Eastern Washington
Toss Up:
Southern Utah
Northern Arizona
Optimists Prediction: 7-4
Pessimists Prediction: 5-6
This week's prediction: keep reading
How the rest of the season goes for the Wildcats: Weber State gets a good, close win against the Thunderbirds, followed by a close loss to Montana, but then they also get wins against North Dakota and Northern Arizona. They take Eastern Washington to overtime before losing. They bounce back against UC Davis, but fall to Idaho State in the season finale in a snowstorm with Ron McBride in attendance. Finishing over .500 for the first time in 4 years feels good, and people welcome a return of competitive Weber State football. Surprisingly, Jay Hill stays on for one more season.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Current Record: 2-2
SUU had last week amounted to a scrimmage against a team that wore a different colored uniform. It's a chance to work out a few bugs, build confidence, get the backups some playing time. Now that those wounds have been licked, let's see what the rest of the season brings.
Probable Wins:
Sacramento State
UC Davis
Probable Losses:
Montana State
Portland State
Toss Up:
Weber State
Cal Poly
Northern Arizona
Optimists Prediction: 7-4
Pessimists Prediction: 4-7
This Week's Prediction: Weber State 24 Southern Utah 21
How the rest of the season goes for Southern Utah. After a disappointing loss, SUU comes back and clobbers Sacramento State at home which is the beginning of a 3-game winning steak before losing a close game to Montana State in a sub-zero blizzard. Even though the weather is nicer in Portland, SUU loses in a blowout as two former BYU quarterbacks battle. SUU and Northern Arizona renew the rivalry on the last week of the season, the two teams combine for 130 points as SUU wins 67-63.
No comments:
Post a Comment