When Utah scored their famous 57-28 victory over BYU in 1988, Provo Daily Herald columnist penned an article stating it was a changing of the times in Provo. He said it was a signal of the end of BYU dominance in the WAC. They would still be good, but not just dominant.
The same kind of reality is falling into Boise this season. This weekend, Boise State dropped the first game to a team from the State of Utah since they were members of the Big Sky Conference and lost at Weber State in 1993. Boise State has been very successful in football since it's inception in 1968. The Broncos, at both the I-AA and I-A levels, have only suffered 5 losing seasons. There are not many teams in the country that have experienced that kind of success. Since 1968, BYU has endured 9 loosing campaigns. However, teams with the kind of success that the Broncos have had are a rarity.
The most successful college football team in history, the Michigan Wolverines, average 9 wins per season. Nobody wins 10 games per year every year. It just doesn't happen to anyone. No matter what happens in Boise the remainder of the season, it's simply not time to panic. I can foresee at least 3 more wins at BSU this season. If you run the kind of program where 8 wins is a bad season, you should be pretty darn happy with that. Being happy with that reality is a sign of humility.
Players of the Week
BYU 37 Boise State 20
BYU POW: QB Taysom Hill
399 Yards and 3 TDs passing, 69 Yards and 1 TD Rushing
USC 19 Utah 3
Utah POW: The Defensive Line
Held USC to 30 Net Yards Rushing with a long of only 13 yards
Southern Utah 19 Idaho State 9
SUU POW: QB Mike Sharp
178 Yards Passing 157 Yards Rushing with 1 Touchdown
By Conference
PAC-12
Washington RB Bishop Sankey
241 Yards Rushing and 2 Touchdowns
FBS Independents
BYU QB Taysom Hill
MWC
Wyoming RB Shaun Wick
234 Yards Rushing in the loss to San Jose State
Big Sky Conference
Eastern Washington QB Vernon Adams
Tossed 6 Touchdown Passes vs. Montana
Games of the Week
PAC-12
Stanford 20 Oregon State 12
FBS Independents
Navy 24 Pittsburgh 21
MWC
Fresno State 35 San Diego State 28
Big Sky
Northern Arizona 17 Cal Poly 13
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. Arizona State
4. UCLA
5. Washington
6. Oregon State
7. USC
8. Arizona
9. Utah
10. Washington State
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Independent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. Idaho
7. New Mexico State
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Utah State
3. Boise State
4. San Diego State
5. San Jose State
6. UNLV
7. Wyoming
8. Nevada
9. Colorado State
10. New Mexico
11. Air Force
12. Hawaii
Big Sky
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Northern Arizona
5. Southern Utah
6. Cal Poly
7. Sacramento State
8. Portland State
9. North Dakota
10. UC Davis
11. Idaho State
12. Northern Colorado
13. Weber State
Projections
BYU
Current Record: 6-2
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Fight Hunger Bowl)
Borderline: Notre Dame
Projected Loss: Wisconsin
Projected Finish 9-4 at worst, 10-3 at best
Utah
Current Record: 4-4
Projected Wins: Colorado
Borderline: Washington State
Projected Losses: Arizona State, Oregon
Projected Finish: 5-7 at worst, 6-6 at best
Utah State
Current Record: 4-4
Projected Wins: Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Finish: 9-4
Southern Utah
Current Record: 6-3
Projected Win: Weber State
Borderline: Northern Arizona
Projected Loss: Montana State
Projected Finish: 7-5 at worst 8-4 at best
Weber State
Current Record: 1-8
Borderline: Idaho State
Projected Losses: Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana
Projected Finish: 1-11 at worst, 2-10 at best
Note about quarterbacks:
BYU is the only school in Utah with a quarterback who has remained healthy all season.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Winning the Shootout.
It's good for BYU fans to see BYU win an offensive shootout this season for more than one reason. First, off, we know that the Cougar defense is not invincible. Since the mid 2010 season, the BYU defense, for 11 games every season has been tough, but there has always been that one game where the opponent runs up the score. In 2011, it was Utah who put up 54 points, and BYU lost 54-10. Last year, it was Oregon State that found the weak link in BYU's armor. BYU lost that game too. Winning a shootout is a sign that the Cougars are improved, at least on offense.
There are two other tests for BYU to prove that this year's team is better than last years. The first comes this Friday at home against Boise State. The last two games against the Broncos have been tough, close losses for Bronco's team. After a bye week, BYU gets to play at Notre Dame. If BYU wins both of those games, then we can claim progress over last year's team and look forward to next season.
Finally, after watching BYU's game yesterday, I have a feeling that the 2015 Heisman race could be a battle between Taysom Hill and John O'Korn. Hill, at least, won round 1. Round 2 is next fall in Provo.
Players of the Week
Arizona 35 Utah 24
Utah POW QB Adam Schultz
Very efficient in coming off the bench for Travis Wilson
Utah State 41 New Mexico 10
USU POW RB Joey DeMartino
144 Yards Rushing
BYU 47 Houston 46
BYU POW QB Taysom Hill
417 Yards Passing, 128 Yards Rushing 4TD Passes
Eastern Washington 34 Southern Utah 10
SUU POW QB Aaron Kantu
Hung tough in the blowout.
Montana State 34 Weber State 16
WSU POW RB Bo Bolen
124 Yards Rushing and 1 TD
Conference Players of the Week
PAC-12
Arizona RB Ka'Deem Carey
236 Yards Rushing and 1 TD vs. Utah
FBS Independent
BYU QB Taysom Hill
MWC
Colorado State RB Kapri Biggs
201 Yards Rushing and 3TDs vs. Wyoming
Big Sky
Northern Arizona RB Zach Bauman
266 Yards Rushing and 2TDs vs. Idaho State
Games of the Week
PAC-12
Arizona 35 Utah 24
FBS Independents
BYU 47 Houston 46
MWC
Boise State 34 Nevada 17
(Closest game in the MWC this week)
Big Sky
Montana 21 Cal Poly 14
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. Arizona State
3. Stanford
4. UCLA
5. Washington
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Utah
9. Washington State
10. USC
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Independent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. New Mexico State
7. Idaho
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. Utah State
4. San Diego State
5. Nevada
6. San Jose State
7. UNLV
8. Wyoming
9. Colorado State
10. Air Force
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii
Big Sky
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Northern Arizona
5. Cal Poly
6. Southern Utah
7. Sacramento State
8. North Dakota
9. Portland State
10. UC Davis
11. Idaho State
12. Northern Colorado
13. Weber State
Projected Finishes
BYU
Current Record: 5-2
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Tossup: Boise State
Projected Losses: Notre Dame, Wisconsin
Projected record: 8-5 or 9-4
Utah
Current Record:4-3
Projected Wins: USC, Colorado, Colorado State (New Mexico Bowl)
Tossup: USC, Washington State
Projected Losses: Arizona State, Oregon
Projected Record: 7-6 at worst, 9-4 at best
Utah State
Current Record: 4-4
Projected Wins: Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Record: 9-4
Southern Utah
Current Record: 5-3
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Weber State
Tossup: Northern Arizona
Projected Loss: Montana State
Projected Finish: 7-5 at worst, 8-4 at best
Weber State
Current Record: 1-7
Tossup: Idaho State
Projected Losses: Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana
Projected Finish: 1-11 at worst, 2-10 at best
QB Power Rankings
I am suspending the rankings this weeks as I do not yet know if Travis Wilson will play against USC.
There are two other tests for BYU to prove that this year's team is better than last years. The first comes this Friday at home against Boise State. The last two games against the Broncos have been tough, close losses for Bronco's team. After a bye week, BYU gets to play at Notre Dame. If BYU wins both of those games, then we can claim progress over last year's team and look forward to next season.
Finally, after watching BYU's game yesterday, I have a feeling that the 2015 Heisman race could be a battle between Taysom Hill and John O'Korn. Hill, at least, won round 1. Round 2 is next fall in Provo.
Players of the Week
Arizona 35 Utah 24
Utah POW QB Adam Schultz
Very efficient in coming off the bench for Travis Wilson
Utah State 41 New Mexico 10
USU POW RB Joey DeMartino
144 Yards Rushing
BYU 47 Houston 46
BYU POW QB Taysom Hill
417 Yards Passing, 128 Yards Rushing 4TD Passes
Eastern Washington 34 Southern Utah 10
SUU POW QB Aaron Kantu
Hung tough in the blowout.
Montana State 34 Weber State 16
WSU POW RB Bo Bolen
124 Yards Rushing and 1 TD
Conference Players of the Week
PAC-12
Arizona RB Ka'Deem Carey
236 Yards Rushing and 1 TD vs. Utah
FBS Independent
BYU QB Taysom Hill
MWC
Colorado State RB Kapri Biggs
201 Yards Rushing and 3TDs vs. Wyoming
Big Sky
Northern Arizona RB Zach Bauman
266 Yards Rushing and 2TDs vs. Idaho State
Games of the Week
PAC-12
Arizona 35 Utah 24
FBS Independents
BYU 47 Houston 46
MWC
Boise State 34 Nevada 17
(Closest game in the MWC this week)
Big Sky
Montana 21 Cal Poly 14
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. Arizona State
3. Stanford
4. UCLA
5. Washington
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Utah
9. Washington State
10. USC
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Independent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. New Mexico State
7. Idaho
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. Utah State
4. San Diego State
5. Nevada
6. San Jose State
7. UNLV
8. Wyoming
9. Colorado State
10. Air Force
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii
Big Sky
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Montana
4. Northern Arizona
5. Cal Poly
6. Southern Utah
7. Sacramento State
8. North Dakota
9. Portland State
10. UC Davis
11. Idaho State
12. Northern Colorado
13. Weber State
Projected Finishes
BYU
Current Record: 5-2
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Tossup: Boise State
Projected Losses: Notre Dame, Wisconsin
Projected record: 8-5 or 9-4
Utah
Current Record:4-3
Projected Wins: USC, Colorado, Colorado State (New Mexico Bowl)
Tossup: USC, Washington State
Projected Losses: Arizona State, Oregon
Projected Record: 7-6 at worst, 9-4 at best
Utah State
Current Record: 4-4
Projected Wins: Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Record: 9-4
Southern Utah
Current Record: 5-3
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Weber State
Tossup: Northern Arizona
Projected Loss: Montana State
Projected Finish: 7-5 at worst, 8-4 at best
Weber State
Current Record: 1-7
Tossup: Idaho State
Projected Losses: Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana
Projected Finish: 1-11 at worst, 2-10 at best
QB Power Rankings
I am suspending the rankings this weeks as I do not yet know if Travis Wilson will play against USC.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Upset City
For a couple of days, my gut has told me that an upset was brewing among our Utah 5. I wondered if it would be the Aggies with the unknown element in Logan, or if BYU would lay and egg against Georgia Tech. Perhaps the WSU wildcats would pull a game out against the Cal Poly Mustangs. But no, it was the Utes catching Stanford without a winning game plan.
That can happen, however, when a team is hungry enough. This year in the PAC-12, it's been close but no cigar for Utah. However, today, they were able to hang at the end of the game.
Whether or not this turns out to be the turnaround Ute fans have been expecting remains to be seen. The Utes have not yet played a game out of the State of Utah. They are not yet bowl eligible. There are other surprises in the conference in 2013, and a couple of them appear on Utah's schedule. They do not have time to sit back and enjoy this as they have a tough game in the desert in Tuscon next week. It's right back to work and such is life in the PAC-12.
POWs
Utah 27 Stanford 21
RB Bubba Poole
-When a close game is on the line, a good running back not only chews up yards, but chews up clock.
BYU 38 Georgia Tech 20
LB Spencer Hadley
-In the second half, this game turned into a defensive battle until the 4th quarter pick 6. When your offense can't generate anything more than a 3-and-out, the defense has to come up big. Hadley, just returned from suspension, did just that.
Boise State 34 Utah State 23
WR Travis Reynolds
-Utah State was able to make the game interesting because the quarterbacks had someone sure and steady as a target.
Southern Utah 17 Portland State 7
DB Tyree Mills
-The second quarter interception returned inside the 10 was big.
Cal Poly 47 Weber State 0
None Selected
-WSU continues to underwhelm on both sides of the ball.
Conference Players of the Week
PAC-12
Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
-336 yards in the air, 88 yards on the ground as Oregon defeated Washington.
FBS Indy
Army RB Terry Baggett
-304 yards on 18 carries as the Black Knights smothered Eastern Michigan.
MWC
San Jose State QB David Fales
-Completed 80% of his passes, threw for 431 yards and helped SJSU outlast Colorado State.
Big Sky
Northern Arizona RB Zach Bowman
-196 yards and 2 touchdowns as NAU nipped Sacramento State
Games of the Week
PAC-12
Utah 27 Stanford 21
-Stanford is the first top 5 to go down in defeat in 2013.
FBS Independent
BYU 38 Georgia Tech 20
-This game was close until a 4th quarter pick 6 by Alani Fua
MWC
UNLV 39 Hawaii 37
-The Rebels were almost victims of a Warrior comeback. They won the game on a 44-yard field goal as time expired.
Big Sky
Northern Arizona 39 Sacramento State 38
-The Lumberjacks erased a late 17 point Hornet lead.
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. UCLA
3. Arizona State
4. Oregon State
5. Stanford
6. Utah
7. Washington
8. USC
9. Washington State
10. Arizona
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Inepdendent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Army
5. Old Dominion
6. Idaho
7. New Mexico State
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. Utah State
4. San Diego State
5. Wyoming
6. UNLV
7. Nevada
8. San Jose State
9. Colorado State
10. Air Force
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii
Big Sky
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Cal Poly
4. Montana
5. Southern Utah
6. Northern Arizona
7. Sacramento State
8. North Dakota
9. UC Davis
10. Portland State
11. Northern Colorado
12. Idaho State
13. Weber State
Projected Finishes
BYU
Currently 4-2
Projected Wins: Houston, Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Projected Losses: Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame
Projected Finish: 8-5
(Houston is the projected win that could become a loss while Boise State is the projected loss that could become a win.)
Utah
Currently 4-2
Projected Wins: Arizona, USC, Washington State, Colorado
Projected Losses: Arizona State, Oregon, Fresno State (Las Vegas Bowl)
Projected Finish: 8-5
(USC is the projected win that could turn into a loss. Fresno State is the projected loss that could turn into a win)
Utah State
Currently 3-4
Projected Wins: New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Finish: 9-4
(UNLV and Wyoming are the most dangerous teams left on USU's schedule.)
Southern Utah
Currently 5-2
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Weber State, Northern Arizona
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State
Projected Finish: 8-4
(SUU will need to defeat either EWU or Montana State to make the FCS playoffs.)
Weber State
Currently 1-6
Projected losses: Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana, Idaho State
Projected Finish: 1-11
Utah QB Power Rankings
1. Wilson
2. Hill
3. Garretson/Harrison
4. Kantu
5. Chippowetti
That can happen, however, when a team is hungry enough. This year in the PAC-12, it's been close but no cigar for Utah. However, today, they were able to hang at the end of the game.
Whether or not this turns out to be the turnaround Ute fans have been expecting remains to be seen. The Utes have not yet played a game out of the State of Utah. They are not yet bowl eligible. There are other surprises in the conference in 2013, and a couple of them appear on Utah's schedule. They do not have time to sit back and enjoy this as they have a tough game in the desert in Tuscon next week. It's right back to work and such is life in the PAC-12.
POWs
Utah 27 Stanford 21
RB Bubba Poole
-When a close game is on the line, a good running back not only chews up yards, but chews up clock.
BYU 38 Georgia Tech 20
LB Spencer Hadley
-In the second half, this game turned into a defensive battle until the 4th quarter pick 6. When your offense can't generate anything more than a 3-and-out, the defense has to come up big. Hadley, just returned from suspension, did just that.
Boise State 34 Utah State 23
WR Travis Reynolds
-Utah State was able to make the game interesting because the quarterbacks had someone sure and steady as a target.
Southern Utah 17 Portland State 7
DB Tyree Mills
-The second quarter interception returned inside the 10 was big.
Cal Poly 47 Weber State 0
None Selected
-WSU continues to underwhelm on both sides of the ball.
Conference Players of the Week
PAC-12
Oregon QB Marcus Mariota
-336 yards in the air, 88 yards on the ground as Oregon defeated Washington.
FBS Indy
Army RB Terry Baggett
-304 yards on 18 carries as the Black Knights smothered Eastern Michigan.
MWC
San Jose State QB David Fales
-Completed 80% of his passes, threw for 431 yards and helped SJSU outlast Colorado State.
Big Sky
Northern Arizona RB Zach Bowman
-196 yards and 2 touchdowns as NAU nipped Sacramento State
Games of the Week
PAC-12
Utah 27 Stanford 21
-Stanford is the first top 5 to go down in defeat in 2013.
FBS Independent
BYU 38 Georgia Tech 20
-This game was close until a 4th quarter pick 6 by Alani Fua
MWC
UNLV 39 Hawaii 37
-The Rebels were almost victims of a Warrior comeback. They won the game on a 44-yard field goal as time expired.
Big Sky
Northern Arizona 39 Sacramento State 38
-The Lumberjacks erased a late 17 point Hornet lead.
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. UCLA
3. Arizona State
4. Oregon State
5. Stanford
6. Utah
7. Washington
8. USC
9. Washington State
10. Arizona
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Inepdendent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Army
5. Old Dominion
6. Idaho
7. New Mexico State
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. Utah State
4. San Diego State
5. Wyoming
6. UNLV
7. Nevada
8. San Jose State
9. Colorado State
10. Air Force
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii
Big Sky
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana State
3. Cal Poly
4. Montana
5. Southern Utah
6. Northern Arizona
7. Sacramento State
8. North Dakota
9. UC Davis
10. Portland State
11. Northern Colorado
12. Idaho State
13. Weber State
Projected Finishes
BYU
Currently 4-2
Projected Wins: Houston, Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Projected Losses: Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame
Projected Finish: 8-5
(Houston is the projected win that could become a loss while Boise State is the projected loss that could become a win.)
Utah
Currently 4-2
Projected Wins: Arizona, USC, Washington State, Colorado
Projected Losses: Arizona State, Oregon, Fresno State (Las Vegas Bowl)
Projected Finish: 8-5
(USC is the projected win that could turn into a loss. Fresno State is the projected loss that could turn into a win)
Utah State
Currently 3-4
Projected Wins: New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Finish: 9-4
(UNLV and Wyoming are the most dangerous teams left on USU's schedule.)
Southern Utah
Currently 5-2
Projected Wins: Idaho State, Weber State, Northern Arizona
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State
Projected Finish: 8-4
(SUU will need to defeat either EWU or Montana State to make the FCS playoffs.)
Weber State
Currently 1-6
Projected losses: Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana, Idaho State
Projected Finish: 1-11
Utah QB Power Rankings
1. Wilson
2. Hill
3. Garretson/Harrison
4. Kantu
5. Chippowetti
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Is the magical season over for Utah State?
Utah State's hope for a conference championship dimmed once Chukie Keeton went down in the 1st quarter against BYU on Friday evening. But does that mean that hopes are over for Utah State this season? I wouldn't give up on the Aggies if I were you.
First of all, let's take a look at what is going on in Boise. They are in an uncharacteristically "poor" season. But a poor season for Boise State represents the consistency that Utah State is looking for, at worst, the Broncos will finish with 8 wins. Utah State is now hoping for 9. There is some other drama happening in Boise. Chris Peterson is considered by some to be the front-runner for the opening at USC, and the program can through all the money at Peterson can imagine to get him. It will be difficult for BSU players to put that all behind them.
USU fans should also be proud of the way their team fought in the 4th quarter. First, they stopped BYU in the red zone, then they made a good long drive against the tough Cougar defense. Even when the game was out of reach, they didn't quit. Yes, Boise State is the favorite in Logan on Saturday, but not so fast. I would give the Aggies a chance against Boise State, and perhaps a place in the conference championship game.
BYU 31 USU 14
BYU MVP: WR Mitch Matthews
USU MVP: QB Craig Harrison
UCLA 34 Utah 27
Utah MVP: WR Dres Anderson
UCD 21 SUU 3
SUU MVP: QB Aaron Kantu
Eastern Washington 41 Weber State 19
WSU MVP: QB Austin Chippowetti
Conference Players of the Week
FBS Independents
Navy RB Keenan Reynolds
PAC-12
Washington State QB Connor Halliday
MWC
Nevada QB Cody Fajardo
Big Sky
Montana State RB Cody Kirk
Power Rankings
FBS Independents
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. Idaho
7. New Mexico State
PAC 12
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. Arizona State
5. Washington
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Utah
9. Washington State
10. USC
11. Colorado
12. California
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. San Diego State
4. Utah State
5. Nevada
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. Air Force
9. San Jose State
10. UNLV
11. Hawaii
12. New Mexico
Big Sky
1. Montana State
2. Eastern Washington
3. Montana
4. Cal Poly
5. Northern Arizona
6. North Dakota
7. Southern Utah
8. Portland State
9. Southern Utah
10. Sacramento State
11. Northern Colorado
12. Idaho State
13. Weber State
Beehive State QB Power Rankings
1. Travis Wilson, Utah
2. Taysom Hill, BYU
3. Craig Harrison, Utah State
4. Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
5. Austin Chippowetti, Weber State
Projected Finishes
BYU (3-2)
Projected Wins: Georgia Tech, Houston, Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Projected Losses: Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame
Projected Finish 8-5
Utah State (3-3)
Projected Wins: New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Loss: Boise State
Projected Finish: 9-4
Utah (3-2)
Projected Wins: Arizona, USC, Colorado, Wyoming (New Mexico Bowl)
Projected Losses: Stanford, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona State
Projected Finish: 7-6
Southern Utah (4-2)
Projected Wins: Portland State, Idaho State, Weber State
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State, Northern Arizona
Projected Finish: 7-5
Weber State (1-5)
Projected Losses: Cal Poly, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana, Idaho State
Projected Finish: 1-11
First of all, let's take a look at what is going on in Boise. They are in an uncharacteristically "poor" season. But a poor season for Boise State represents the consistency that Utah State is looking for, at worst, the Broncos will finish with 8 wins. Utah State is now hoping for 9. There is some other drama happening in Boise. Chris Peterson is considered by some to be the front-runner for the opening at USC, and the program can through all the money at Peterson can imagine to get him. It will be difficult for BSU players to put that all behind them.
USU fans should also be proud of the way their team fought in the 4th quarter. First, they stopped BYU in the red zone, then they made a good long drive against the tough Cougar defense. Even when the game was out of reach, they didn't quit. Yes, Boise State is the favorite in Logan on Saturday, but not so fast. I would give the Aggies a chance against Boise State, and perhaps a place in the conference championship game.
BYU 31 USU 14
BYU MVP: WR Mitch Matthews
USU MVP: QB Craig Harrison
UCLA 34 Utah 27
Utah MVP: WR Dres Anderson
UCD 21 SUU 3
SUU MVP: QB Aaron Kantu
Eastern Washington 41 Weber State 19
WSU MVP: QB Austin Chippowetti
Conference Players of the Week
FBS Independents
Navy RB Keenan Reynolds
PAC-12
Washington State QB Connor Halliday
MWC
Nevada QB Cody Fajardo
Big Sky
Montana State RB Cody Kirk
Power Rankings
FBS Independents
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. Idaho
7. New Mexico State
PAC 12
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. Arizona State
5. Washington
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Utah
9. Washington State
10. USC
11. Colorado
12. California
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Boise State
3. San Diego State
4. Utah State
5. Nevada
6. Wyoming
7. Colorado State
8. Air Force
9. San Jose State
10. UNLV
11. Hawaii
12. New Mexico
Big Sky
1. Montana State
2. Eastern Washington
3. Montana
4. Cal Poly
5. Northern Arizona
6. North Dakota
7. Southern Utah
8. Portland State
9. Southern Utah
10. Sacramento State
11. Northern Colorado
12. Idaho State
13. Weber State
Beehive State QB Power Rankings
1. Travis Wilson, Utah
2. Taysom Hill, BYU
3. Craig Harrison, Utah State
4. Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
5. Austin Chippowetti, Weber State
Projected Finishes
BYU (3-2)
Projected Wins: Georgia Tech, Houston, Idaho State, Nevada, USC (Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl)
Projected Losses: Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame
Projected Finish 8-5
Utah State (3-3)
Projected Wins: New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming, Navy (Armed Forces Bowl)
Projected Loss: Boise State
Projected Finish: 9-4
Utah (3-2)
Projected Wins: Arizona, USC, Colorado, Wyoming (New Mexico Bowl)
Projected Losses: Stanford, Oregon, Washington State, Arizona State
Projected Finish: 7-6
Southern Utah (4-2)
Projected Wins: Portland State, Idaho State, Weber State
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State, Northern Arizona
Projected Finish: 7-5
Weber State (1-5)
Projected Losses: Cal Poly, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana, Idaho State
Projected Finish: 1-11
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Job Security in College Football
I wasn't sure what to write about this week, but then I read about Lane Kiffin getting fired as the USC head coach last night as the team's charter plane landed at home after a loss to Arizona State. I write this as I am trying to process the entire situation.
In last week's blog, I called Provo fanstasyland. I think the same has to be said of Los Angeles, but in a different degree. The expectations this season were far too high. USC has been dealing with a rash of injuries this week, and are also dealing with a loss of scholarships players from sanctions a couple of years ago, and a rash of transfers from the program. There is much inexperience on the team. I am shocked to believe that USC had expectations of anything but a .500 season this year, especially considering the depth of the PAC-12. Every program has as 'down' season every now and again. Boosters and fans need to have a level of patience and accept reality.
Here on the Wasatch Front, one program is really struggling with the idea of realistic expectation. It's not Utah, as it seems that most people believe that Kyle Whttingham will get at least one more season to prove that the Utes can succeed in the PAC-12. It's not BYU, even as the fan base begins to grow impatient with an impotent offense. It actually Weber State.
This season, if Weber State does not win 4 games this season, Weber State can fire coach Jody Sears without a contract buyout. That seems reasonable as the Wildcats won just two games last season. A 4 win season looks like a reasonable level of improvement. The problem was the schedule is just not realistic. After surprising Stephen F. Austin the schedule became extremely unrealistic, perhaps the hardest the program has ever faced. Their non-conference schedule included Utah and Utah State as well as FCS top 10 McNeese State.
The program is unraveling fast. Since that opening game, where the Wildcats won 50-40, the team has given up 214 points while scoring only 22. This season the team has averaged 14.4 points per game, including the 50-point first game (5.5 points per game in the other 4 games) while giving up 50.8 points per game. In their homecoming game, out of 16 drives, 8 ended after only 3 plays, there were 4 fumbles, two at the end of the only 2 first half drives . The program appears to be heading to a 1-10 season before their next winnable game against perennial Big Sky cellar dweller Idaho State, and at this rate, the Bengals will be a big favorite.
I've said it before, the Weber State futility is not solely on the head of coach Jody Sears. We all know what John L. Smith did to the program. But now Sears in a sticky, syrupy mess he can't get out of. Personally, I think that athletic director Jerry Bovee is the one who deserve the pink slip in Ogden. He hired Smith and he provided WSU with their unrealistically difficult schedule. Out of everything that could be controlled that happened to Weber, it's Bovee who is responsible for a lot of it.
Players of the Week
BYU 37 Middle Tennessee 10
Player of the Game: QB Taysom Hill
Utah State 40 San Jose State 12
Player of the Game: Chuckie
Sacramento State 31 Weber State 3
Player of the Game: RB Bo Bolen
Southern Utah 27 Northern Colorado 21
Player of the Game: WR Fatu Moala
Conference Players of the Week
FBS Indy:
BYU QB Taysom Hill
PAC-12:
Washington RB Bishop Sankey
MWC:
UNLV RB Rim Cornett
Big Sky: Montana State RB Shawn Johnson
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. Washington
5. Arizona State
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Utah
9. USC
10. Washington State
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Independent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. New Mexico State
7. Idaho
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Utah State
3. Boise State
4. San Diego State
5. Nevada
6. Wyoming
7. San Jose State
8. Air Force
9. UNLV
10. Colorado State
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii
Big Sky Conference
1. Montana State
2. Cal Poly
3. Eastern Washington
4. Montana
5. Southern Utah
6. Northern Arizona
7. Portland State
8. Sacramento State
9. North Dakota
10. Northern Colorado
11. UC Davis
12. Idaho State
13. Weber State
Utah QB Power Rankings
1. Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
2. Travis Wilson, Utah
3. Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
4. Taysom Hill, BYU
5. Chippowetti/Adamczyk, Weber State
In last week's blog, I called Provo fanstasyland. I think the same has to be said of Los Angeles, but in a different degree. The expectations this season were far too high. USC has been dealing with a rash of injuries this week, and are also dealing with a loss of scholarships players from sanctions a couple of years ago, and a rash of transfers from the program. There is much inexperience on the team. I am shocked to believe that USC had expectations of anything but a .500 season this year, especially considering the depth of the PAC-12. Every program has as 'down' season every now and again. Boosters and fans need to have a level of patience and accept reality.
Here on the Wasatch Front, one program is really struggling with the idea of realistic expectation. It's not Utah, as it seems that most people believe that Kyle Whttingham will get at least one more season to prove that the Utes can succeed in the PAC-12. It's not BYU, even as the fan base begins to grow impatient with an impotent offense. It actually Weber State.
This season, if Weber State does not win 4 games this season, Weber State can fire coach Jody Sears without a contract buyout. That seems reasonable as the Wildcats won just two games last season. A 4 win season looks like a reasonable level of improvement. The problem was the schedule is just not realistic. After surprising Stephen F. Austin the schedule became extremely unrealistic, perhaps the hardest the program has ever faced. Their non-conference schedule included Utah and Utah State as well as FCS top 10 McNeese State.
The program is unraveling fast. Since that opening game, where the Wildcats won 50-40, the team has given up 214 points while scoring only 22. This season the team has averaged 14.4 points per game, including the 50-point first game (5.5 points per game in the other 4 games) while giving up 50.8 points per game. In their homecoming game, out of 16 drives, 8 ended after only 3 plays, there were 4 fumbles, two at the end of the only 2 first half drives . The program appears to be heading to a 1-10 season before their next winnable game against perennial Big Sky cellar dweller Idaho State, and at this rate, the Bengals will be a big favorite.
I've said it before, the Weber State futility is not solely on the head of coach Jody Sears. We all know what John L. Smith did to the program. But now Sears in a sticky, syrupy mess he can't get out of. Personally, I think that athletic director Jerry Bovee is the one who deserve the pink slip in Ogden. He hired Smith and he provided WSU with their unrealistically difficult schedule. Out of everything that could be controlled that happened to Weber, it's Bovee who is responsible for a lot of it.
Players of the Week
BYU 37 Middle Tennessee 10
Player of the Game: QB Taysom Hill
Utah State 40 San Jose State 12
Player of the Game: Chuckie
Sacramento State 31 Weber State 3
Player of the Game: RB Bo Bolen
Southern Utah 27 Northern Colorado 21
Player of the Game: WR Fatu Moala
Conference Players of the Week
FBS Indy:
BYU QB Taysom Hill
PAC-12:
Washington RB Bishop Sankey
MWC:
UNLV RB Rim Cornett
Big Sky: Montana State RB Shawn Johnson
Power Rankings
PAC-12
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. Washington
5. Arizona State
6. Oregon State
7. Arizona
8. Utah
9. USC
10. Washington State
11. Colorado
12. California
FBS Independent
1. Notre Dame
2. BYU
3. Navy
4. Old Dominion
5. Army
6. New Mexico State
7. Idaho
MWC
1. Fresno State
2. Utah State
3. Boise State
4. San Diego State
5. Nevada
6. Wyoming
7. San Jose State
8. Air Force
9. UNLV
10. Colorado State
11. New Mexico
12. Hawaii
Big Sky Conference
1. Montana State
2. Cal Poly
3. Eastern Washington
4. Montana
5. Southern Utah
6. Northern Arizona
7. Portland State
8. Sacramento State
9. North Dakota
10. Northern Colorado
11. UC Davis
12. Idaho State
13. Weber State
Utah QB Power Rankings
1. Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
2. Travis Wilson, Utah
3. Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
4. Taysom Hill, BYU
5. Chippowetti/Adamczyk, Weber State
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Revised Outlook for the 2013 season.
BYU
Current record 1-2.
Projected wins: Middle Tennessee, Houston, Idaho State
Projected losses: Utah State, Georgia Tech, Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Nevada
Likely finish 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 7-5
Worst Case Seconario: 2-10
Comments: Go fast and go hard is not going anywhere very fast, and it's been hard to watch. BYU may have lost their most exciting offensive player for the rest of the season, but possibly forever. Cody Hoffman and Kyle Van Noy must be regretting thier decisions to pass up the NFL and come back. It's time for BYU fans to embrace Women's soccer, forget football, look forward to basketball and begin the debate about who should replace Bronco Mendenhall. If Mendenhall walks the talk, he should walk away from Provo after this season is over.
Utah
Current Record 3-1
Projected wins: Colorado
Projected losses: UCLA, Stanford, Arizona, USC, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington State
Likely finish 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Comments: Utah has wins against other in-state teams to hang their hat on, but the PAC-12 is brutal this year. Very brutal. Even Washington State is improved. It is Utah's unfortunate luck that they don't have California on the schedule this year, or had Arizona or Washington State at home. If they did, I would feel better about a 6-6 season. If Utah is going to improve their prospects in 2013, they have to be more complete on defense. Utah fans should be thankful that Utah State can't run and BYU can't pass or their season would be a complete disaster.
Utah State
Current Record: 2-2
Projected wins: San Jose State, BYU, New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming
Projected losses: Boise State
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
Likely finish: 10-3, with a bowl win
Best case scenario: 11-3, with a loss in the conference championship game and a bowl win
Worst case scenario: 6-7 with a bowl game loss
Thank goodness for the MWC and that most of the difficult part of the season is behind them. The only worries for Aggie fans should be that it is too easy after Boise State rolls into town and someone on the underside of the MWC pulls and upset and whether or not Chuckie comes back for his senior season. True, Joe Hill has been no replacement for Kerwynn Williams, but down the stretch, the Chuckie Show won't need a running game.
Southern Utah
Current record: 3-1
Projected wins: Northern Colorado, UC Davis, Portland State, Idaho State, Weber State, Northern Arizona
Projected losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State
Projected Post-Season: 1st round of NCAA FCS playoffs.
Likely finish: 8-4 with a loss in the playoffs
Best case scenario: 11-3, making it to the FCS round of 8.
Worst case scenario: 6-6
Freshman Raysean Martin is well on his way to becomming the Big Sky Conference newcommer of the year, and it is looking good for SUU to finally make the post-season for the first time in school history. Just as long as they don't end up on the losing end of a barn-burned like they had with Sacramento State. I don't think the staff in Cedar City has the experience necessary to make them winners in the post-season yet, but as long as they can continue to recruit players like Martin, the future looks for the school that is really down south.
Weber State
Current record: 1-4
Projected Wins: Sacramento State, Idaho State
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana
Likely finish: 3-9
Best case scenario: 5-7
Worst case scenario: 1-11
Weber caught Stephen F. Austin by surprise in the first game of the season. They will have to find a way to do this again if coach Jody Sears is to reach his contractural goal of 4 wins this season. They will have to find their offense again.
Which of Utah's Head Coaches will return in 2014.
Bronco Mendenhall: 50-50 chance he will be back in 2014. Someone will have to be held responsible for the debacle that is BYU's offense this year. There is a good chance that Bronco Mendenhall will fall on his own sword after this season because he is that kind of guy. I doubt that he will be fired or forced to resign. Gary Crowton got three losing seasons in a row before he was cut loose. Bronco doesn't need to worry about employment. BYU's defense is good enough that Bronco will become a defensive coordinator somewhere next year, possibly in the PAC-12 or even in the NFL.
Likely replacement if Bronco goes: Current Defensive Coordinator Nick Howell. Other potential replacements: Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Darel Bevel, Navy Head Coach Ken Nuimatalolo, Utah Defensive Kalani Sitake, Southern Utah Head Coach Ed Lamb
Kyle Whittingham: It's possible that if Utah gets a bagel in PAC-12 play that Whit will be gone. But that probably won't happen and Whit will be back in 2014. Next year will be his win or else season.
Likely replacemetnt if Whit gets the boot: Current Co-Offensive Coordinator Dennis Ericson. Other possibilities--list of all of the current offensive and defensive coordinators in upper half the PAC-12.
Matt Wells: You've got to be kidding...100% chance Matt Wells will be back at Utah State in 2014.
Ed Lamb: 65% chance he will be back in Cedar City next season. There is a good chance he will be somewhere else. That is the reality of success. Unless it's BYU, I don't think that Lamb will be a head coach somewhere else. It is more likely he will become a defensive coordinator at the FBS level and work his way up to being a head coach at the FBS level.
Likely replacement for Lamb: Offensive Coordinator Steve Clark. Other possibilities include Defensive Coordinator Justin Ena, and former successful Big Sky Conference head coaches like Paul Wulff and soon-to-be former UNLV head coach Bobby Hauck.
Jody Sears: It's in the contract, if Weber doesn't get 4 wins this season, he can be fired without a buyout. Doesn't look good right now.
Likely replacement for Sears: Possibilities include assistant coaches from around the Big Sky including Steve Clark and Justin Ena or Mountain West Conference assistant coaches or former successful Big Sky Head Coaches like Paul Wulff.
Current record 1-2.
Projected wins: Middle Tennessee, Houston, Idaho State
Projected losses: Utah State, Georgia Tech, Boise State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Nevada
Likely finish 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 7-5
Worst Case Seconario: 2-10
Comments: Go fast and go hard is not going anywhere very fast, and it's been hard to watch. BYU may have lost their most exciting offensive player for the rest of the season, but possibly forever. Cody Hoffman and Kyle Van Noy must be regretting thier decisions to pass up the NFL and come back. It's time for BYU fans to embrace Women's soccer, forget football, look forward to basketball and begin the debate about who should replace Bronco Mendenhall. If Mendenhall walks the talk, he should walk away from Provo after this season is over.
Utah
Current Record 3-1
Projected wins: Colorado
Projected losses: UCLA, Stanford, Arizona, USC, Arizona State, Oregon, Washington State
Likely finish 4-8
Best Case Scenario: 6-6
Worst Case Scenario: 3-9
Comments: Utah has wins against other in-state teams to hang their hat on, but the PAC-12 is brutal this year. Very brutal. Even Washington State is improved. It is Utah's unfortunate luck that they don't have California on the schedule this year, or had Arizona or Washington State at home. If they did, I would feel better about a 6-6 season. If Utah is going to improve their prospects in 2013, they have to be more complete on defense. Utah fans should be thankful that Utah State can't run and BYU can't pass or their season would be a complete disaster.
Utah State
Current Record: 2-2
Projected wins: San Jose State, BYU, New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV, Colorado State, Wyoming
Projected losses: Boise State
Projected Bowl: Armed Forces
Likely finish: 10-3, with a bowl win
Best case scenario: 11-3, with a loss in the conference championship game and a bowl win
Worst case scenario: 6-7 with a bowl game loss
Thank goodness for the MWC and that most of the difficult part of the season is behind them. The only worries for Aggie fans should be that it is too easy after Boise State rolls into town and someone on the underside of the MWC pulls and upset and whether or not Chuckie comes back for his senior season. True, Joe Hill has been no replacement for Kerwynn Williams, but down the stretch, the Chuckie Show won't need a running game.
Southern Utah
Current record: 3-1
Projected wins: Northern Colorado, UC Davis, Portland State, Idaho State, Weber State, Northern Arizona
Projected losses: Eastern Washington, Montana State
Projected Post-Season: 1st round of NCAA FCS playoffs.
Likely finish: 8-4 with a loss in the playoffs
Best case scenario: 11-3, making it to the FCS round of 8.
Worst case scenario: 6-6
Freshman Raysean Martin is well on his way to becomming the Big Sky Conference newcommer of the year, and it is looking good for SUU to finally make the post-season for the first time in school history. Just as long as they don't end up on the losing end of a barn-burned like they had with Sacramento State. I don't think the staff in Cedar City has the experience necessary to make them winners in the post-season yet, but as long as they can continue to recruit players like Martin, the future looks for the school that is really down south.
Weber State
Current record: 1-4
Projected Wins: Sacramento State, Idaho State
Projected Losses: Eastern Washington, Cal Poly, Montana State, Portland State, Southern Utah, Montana
Likely finish: 3-9
Best case scenario: 5-7
Worst case scenario: 1-11
Weber caught Stephen F. Austin by surprise in the first game of the season. They will have to find a way to do this again if coach Jody Sears is to reach his contractural goal of 4 wins this season. They will have to find their offense again.
Which of Utah's Head Coaches will return in 2014.
Bronco Mendenhall: 50-50 chance he will be back in 2014. Someone will have to be held responsible for the debacle that is BYU's offense this year. There is a good chance that Bronco Mendenhall will fall on his own sword after this season because he is that kind of guy. I doubt that he will be fired or forced to resign. Gary Crowton got three losing seasons in a row before he was cut loose. Bronco doesn't need to worry about employment. BYU's defense is good enough that Bronco will become a defensive coordinator somewhere next year, possibly in the PAC-12 or even in the NFL.
Likely replacement if Bronco goes: Current Defensive Coordinator Nick Howell. Other potential replacements: Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator Darel Bevel, Navy Head Coach Ken Nuimatalolo, Utah Defensive Kalani Sitake, Southern Utah Head Coach Ed Lamb
Kyle Whittingham: It's possible that if Utah gets a bagel in PAC-12 play that Whit will be gone. But that probably won't happen and Whit will be back in 2014. Next year will be his win or else season.
Likely replacemetnt if Whit gets the boot: Current Co-Offensive Coordinator Dennis Ericson. Other possibilities--list of all of the current offensive and defensive coordinators in upper half the PAC-12.
Matt Wells: You've got to be kidding...100% chance Matt Wells will be back at Utah State in 2014.
Ed Lamb: 65% chance he will be back in Cedar City next season. There is a good chance he will be somewhere else. That is the reality of success. Unless it's BYU, I don't think that Lamb will be a head coach somewhere else. It is more likely he will become a defensive coordinator at the FBS level and work his way up to being a head coach at the FBS level.
Likely replacement for Lamb: Offensive Coordinator Steve Clark. Other possibilities include Defensive Coordinator Justin Ena, and former successful Big Sky Conference head coaches like Paul Wulff and soon-to-be former UNLV head coach Bobby Hauck.
Jody Sears: It's in the contract, if Weber doesn't get 4 wins this season, he can be fired without a buyout. Doesn't look good right now.
Likely replacement for Sears: Possibilities include assistant coaches from around the Big Sky including Steve Clark and Justin Ena or Mountain West Conference assistant coaches or former successful Big Sky Head Coaches like Paul Wulff.
Who will be coaching BYU and Utah next time they meet
There is one reality in college football that BYU fans need to come to terms with. As a head coach, you don't lose 4 consecutive games to your biggest rival and expect to keep your job. True, BYU does not live in the real world, anyone who has been to that campus in Provo can tell you that. Where else would you suspend one of your best players the week before the biggest game of the season on very little solid evidence he did anything wrong? But I digress. I am very amazed considering how thing have been so far this season, and how things have been since 2010 that Bronco's carcus is not firmly in the hot seat. It should be.
Utah will be celebrating this week, but even though they leave Provo's fantasyland a victor this weekend, it will not be so rosy once they are firmly in confernce play. Utah this year has 3 wins, 1 against a team that has a great quarterback but no running game, 2 an FCS team with no defense and 3 a once mighty program that has forgotten their true offensive legacy. Yes, the Utes are 3-1 right now, but getting to .500 is still an iffy prospect. Just as a reminder, Utah has UCLA, USC, Stanford, Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona coming up before they will be favored again. And by the way, Washington State no longer looks like a given for Utah, either. Same for Colorado. The PAC-12 is realityland. Utah has to win 3 of those games just to get to .500 this year and become bowl eligible. That's a tall order for this team. But I suspect that even at 3-9, Kyle will be back next season, after all he's won 4 straight against their biggest rival, and that kind of a record will save your job in college football, most of the time.
Things have to get better on The Hill because in 2014 and 2015, there will be no victories against BYU for Kyle Whittingham to fall back on. They don't play. But I suspect that small maket reality has hit the U just like it has the Jazz and just now RSL (with rumors that Jason Kreis has received an offer from the expansion NYCFC). There are four markets smaller than Salt Lake in the PAC-12, and guess how many combined Rose Bowl appearances Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State and Arizona have between them since 1978 when Arizona and Arizona State joined the PAC-10? If you guessed 5, you were right. Oregon 3 times, Washington State twice. Oregon State last played in the Rose Bowl in 1965 and Arizona has never been there. And yes, even with all of the recent success of Oregon, they have had only 3 Rose Bowl appearances since the PAC-8 became the PAC-10. The odds for Utah's success in the PAC-12 aren't good, and you simply have to look at what the other small market programs have done in recent seasons. Eventually, the Utes will smell roses, but not anytime soon, and not very often. If Utah fails to get to .500 in either 2013 or 2014, Whit will not be around for 2015.
I don't know who will be coaching either school in 2016 when BYU and Utah play again. I will probably address both situations when the other shoe gets close to falling. Right now, I am certain that Andy Reid will not be on the BYU sidelines, and I don't expect that Ty Detmer or Steve Young will be there either, even though that's what many BYU will fans wish for. Many of those same fans think that Bronco should keep his job. I suspect that BYU may get someone like Darel Bevel (Seahawks), Ken Nuimatalolo (Navy) or even Kalani Sitake (Utah). Utah probably won't get Gary Anderson or Chris Peterson to coach in Salt Lake. They don't have the money. There is a pretty good chance that Dennis Ericson will take over. If not Ericson, perhaps Noel Mazzone (UCLA) or Mike Bloomgren (Stanford) or a coordinator from one of the other PAC-12 schools will come to Salt Lake.
In the end of Bronco vs. Whittingham, Kyle won out. Good job Kyle. Enjoy this, Utah fans. It's not going to get any easier this season. Here's to hoping for the best for Utah and for the better for BYU.
Utah 20 BYU 13
BYU MVP: LB Kyle Van Noy
Utah MVP: QB Travis Wilson
USC 17 Utah State 14
USU MVP: RB Joey DeMartino
Southern Utah 24 Sacramento State 21
SUU MVP: RB Raysean Martin
McNeese State 43 Weber State 6
WSU MVP: RB Bo Bolen
PAC-12 Player of the Week: Oregon State QB Sean Mannion
FBS Indy Player of the Week: BYU LB Kyle Van Noy
MWC Player of the Week: Fresno State QB Derek Carr
Big Sky Player of the Week: Southern Utah RB Raysean Martin
PAC 12 Power Rankings
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. Washington
5. Oregon State
6. Washington State
7. USC
8. Arizona State
9. Arizona
10. Utah
11. Colorado
12. California
FCS Indy Power Rankings
1. Notre Dame
2. Navy
3. BYU
4. Army
5. Old Dominion
6. New Mexico State
7. Idaho
MWC Power Rankings
1. Fresno State
2. Utah State
3. Boise State
4. San Diego State
5. Air Force
6. San Jose State
7. Nevada
8. Wyoming
9. Colorado State
10. New Mexico
11. UNLV
12. Hawaii
Big Sky Power Rankings
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana
3. Southern Utah
4. Montana State
5. Cal Poly
6. Portland State
7. Northern Arizona
8. North Dakota
9. Northern Colorado
10. Weber State
11. Sacramento State
12. Idaho State
13. UC Davis
Beehive State QB Power Rankings
1. Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
2. Travis Wilson, Utah
3. Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
4. Taysom Hill, BYU
5. Chippowetti/Adamczyk, Weber State
Utah will be celebrating this week, but even though they leave Provo's fantasyland a victor this weekend, it will not be so rosy once they are firmly in confernce play. Utah this year has 3 wins, 1 against a team that has a great quarterback but no running game, 2 an FCS team with no defense and 3 a once mighty program that has forgotten their true offensive legacy. Yes, the Utes are 3-1 right now, but getting to .500 is still an iffy prospect. Just as a reminder, Utah has UCLA, USC, Stanford, Oregon, Arizona State and Arizona coming up before they will be favored again. And by the way, Washington State no longer looks like a given for Utah, either. Same for Colorado. The PAC-12 is realityland. Utah has to win 3 of those games just to get to .500 this year and become bowl eligible. That's a tall order for this team. But I suspect that even at 3-9, Kyle will be back next season, after all he's won 4 straight against their biggest rival, and that kind of a record will save your job in college football, most of the time.
Things have to get better on The Hill because in 2014 and 2015, there will be no victories against BYU for Kyle Whittingham to fall back on. They don't play. But I suspect that small maket reality has hit the U just like it has the Jazz and just now RSL (with rumors that Jason Kreis has received an offer from the expansion NYCFC). There are four markets smaller than Salt Lake in the PAC-12, and guess how many combined Rose Bowl appearances Oregon, Oregon State, Washington State and Arizona have between them since 1978 when Arizona and Arizona State joined the PAC-10? If you guessed 5, you were right. Oregon 3 times, Washington State twice. Oregon State last played in the Rose Bowl in 1965 and Arizona has never been there. And yes, even with all of the recent success of Oregon, they have had only 3 Rose Bowl appearances since the PAC-8 became the PAC-10. The odds for Utah's success in the PAC-12 aren't good, and you simply have to look at what the other small market programs have done in recent seasons. Eventually, the Utes will smell roses, but not anytime soon, and not very often. If Utah fails to get to .500 in either 2013 or 2014, Whit will not be around for 2015.
I don't know who will be coaching either school in 2016 when BYU and Utah play again. I will probably address both situations when the other shoe gets close to falling. Right now, I am certain that Andy Reid will not be on the BYU sidelines, and I don't expect that Ty Detmer or Steve Young will be there either, even though that's what many BYU will fans wish for. Many of those same fans think that Bronco should keep his job. I suspect that BYU may get someone like Darel Bevel (Seahawks), Ken Nuimatalolo (Navy) or even Kalani Sitake (Utah). Utah probably won't get Gary Anderson or Chris Peterson to coach in Salt Lake. They don't have the money. There is a pretty good chance that Dennis Ericson will take over. If not Ericson, perhaps Noel Mazzone (UCLA) or Mike Bloomgren (Stanford) or a coordinator from one of the other PAC-12 schools will come to Salt Lake.
In the end of Bronco vs. Whittingham, Kyle won out. Good job Kyle. Enjoy this, Utah fans. It's not going to get any easier this season. Here's to hoping for the best for Utah and for the better for BYU.
Utah 20 BYU 13
BYU MVP: LB Kyle Van Noy
Utah MVP: QB Travis Wilson
USC 17 Utah State 14
USU MVP: RB Joey DeMartino
Southern Utah 24 Sacramento State 21
SUU MVP: RB Raysean Martin
McNeese State 43 Weber State 6
WSU MVP: RB Bo Bolen
PAC-12 Player of the Week: Oregon State QB Sean Mannion
FBS Indy Player of the Week: BYU LB Kyle Van Noy
MWC Player of the Week: Fresno State QB Derek Carr
Big Sky Player of the Week: Southern Utah RB Raysean Martin
PAC 12 Power Rankings
1. Oregon
2. Stanford
3. UCLA
4. Washington
5. Oregon State
6. Washington State
7. USC
8. Arizona State
9. Arizona
10. Utah
11. Colorado
12. California
FCS Indy Power Rankings
1. Notre Dame
2. Navy
3. BYU
4. Army
5. Old Dominion
6. New Mexico State
7. Idaho
MWC Power Rankings
1. Fresno State
2. Utah State
3. Boise State
4. San Diego State
5. Air Force
6. San Jose State
7. Nevada
8. Wyoming
9. Colorado State
10. New Mexico
11. UNLV
12. Hawaii
Big Sky Power Rankings
1. Eastern Washington
2. Montana
3. Southern Utah
4. Montana State
5. Cal Poly
6. Portland State
7. Northern Arizona
8. North Dakota
9. Northern Colorado
10. Weber State
11. Sacramento State
12. Idaho State
13. UC Davis
Beehive State QB Power Rankings
1. Chuckie Keeton, Utah State
2. Travis Wilson, Utah
3. Aaron Kantu, Southern Utah
4. Taysom Hill, BYU
5. Chippowetti/Adamczyk, Weber State
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