The Utes New Home and Managing a BCS Schedule

[Green Monstah]

One of the arguments that BCS coaches and commentators used to use against letting non-BCS schools into the bigtime bowl games was that the teams in the MWC and WAC didn't have to prepare for big-time games week in and week out.

If a team like BSU, Utah, BYU, TCU, etc. could win big games on the road against blue-chip opponents, I didn't think that playing SDSU or Wyoming should damage the victor's chances at being a BCS and/or NC "buster."

My attitude may be changing some as I watch Utah's first two conference games. This is not a knock on the Utes by any stretch, but I think UW was a very beatable team, but when you have to play two Pac-12 teams and your rival in a three-week span, I wonder if it stretches the players and coaches more than I anticipated.

OTOH, this may be a rebuilding and/or transition year for the Utes; combined with the newness of the season, there may be nothing to the argument that Utah's losses against USC and UW are due to the P12 schedule.

I'm curious to know Ute fans' perspectives and to see if their opinions on the rigor of a BCS schedule now that they're no longer on the outside looking in.

[Goatnapper'96]

One of the arguments that BCS coaches and commentators used to use against letting non-BCS schools into the bigtime bowl games was that the teams in the MWC and WAC didn't have to prepare for big-time games week in and week out.

If a team like BSU, Utah, BYU, TCU, etc. could win big games on the road against blue-chip opponents, I didn't think that playing SDSU or Wyoming should damage the victor's chances at being a BCS and/or NC "buster."

My attitude may be changing some as I watch Utah's first two conference games. This is not a knock on the Utes by any stretch, but I think UW was a very beatable team, but when you have to play two Pac-12 teams and your rival in a three-week span, I wonder if it stretches the players and coaches more than I anticipated.

OTOH, this may be a rebuilding and/or transition year for the Utes; combined with the newness of the season, there may be nothing to the argument that Utah's losses against USC and UW are due to the P12 schedule.

I'm curious to know Ute fans' perspectives and to see if their opinions on the rigor of a BCS schedule now that they're no longer on the outside looking in.

I think there is some merit to the argument that when Utah had a bad effort against AFA and won late or in OT, they likely would have lost that game to a middle tier BCS opponent and many will point to Washington game as proof....but to quote the great coach made famous by Brent Johnson's untimely shank, "not so fast my friend..."

We all knew Utah came into this year very shallow at one very crucial position. Whe Jordan Wynn is healthy enough to play Utah competes very well with USC at USC. Now USC is not a great Pac team this year but I think the difference in performance indicates that Wynn's absence had a huge impact on the Ute team.

[Green Monstah]

I think there is some merit to the argument that when Utah had a bad effort against AFA and won late or in OT, they likely would have lost that game to a middle tier BCS opponent and many will point to Washington game as proof....but to quote the great coach made famous by Brent Johnson's untimely shank, "not so fast my friend..."

We all knew Utah came into this year very shallow at one very crucial position. Whe Jordan Wynn is healthy enough to play Utah competes very well with USC at USC. Now USC is not a great Pac team this year but I think the difference in performance indicates that Wynn's absence had a huge impact on the Ute team.

Did you know that Brent Johnson is my uncle?

[Goatnapper'96]

Did you know that Brent Johnson is my uncle?

Well, even as a 7 year old I made very rude comments about your grandmother then!

[Green Monstah]

Well, even as a 7 year old I made very rude comments about your grandmother then!

Haha.

Without going into detail, I think that one moment drastically changed the rest of his life. He's a great guy, has great kids and grandkids and wife, but there's a certain sadness and lack of confidence that ties directly to that play, IMO.

Sometimes I forget this when I lambbaste a BYU player, and I feel guilty afterward.

[SeattleUte]

One of the arguments that BCS coaches and commentators used to use against letting non-BCS schools into the bigtime bowl games was that the teams in the MWC and WAC didn't have to prepare for big-time games week in and week out.

If a team like BSU, Utah, BYU, TCU, etc. could win big games on the road against blue-chip opponents, I didn't think that playing SDSU or Wyoming should damage the victor's chances at being a BCS and/or NC "buster."

My attitude may be changing some as I watch Utah's first two conference games. This is not a knock on the Utes by any stretch, but I think UW was a very beatable team, but when you have to play two Pac-12 teams and your rival in a three-week span, I wonder if it stretches the players and coaches more than I anticipated.

OTOH, this may be a rebuilding and/or transition year for the Utes; combined with the newness of the season, there may be nothing to the argument that Utah's losses against USC and UW are due to the P12 schedule.

I'm curious to know Ute fans' perspectives and to see if their opinions on the rigor of a BCS schedule now that they're no longer on the outside looking in.

Of course it's more challenging in a BCS conference than any mid-major. Did anyone ever doubt it? Honestly, did anyone ever doubt it?

[Green Monstah]

Of course it's more challenging in a BCS conference than any mid-major. Did anyone ever doubt it? Honestly, did anyone ever doubt it?

No, that's not the point. This is used as an argument to discount big wins by non-BCS schools. "Sure, mid majors can win discrete games against BCS opponents, but they don't have to worry about playing another BCS opponent the next week," and therefore, the value of the victory is discounted.

[wally]

Of course it's more challenging in a BCS conference than any mid-major. Did anyone ever doubt it? Honestly, did anyone ever doubt it?

I don't think that anybody ever doubted it, but many wore their crimson glasses while assessing the potential of this Ute team.

As a fan, I set my sights on an 8-4 season as something that I would be 'happy' with. That still seems like a possibility. I would be 'satisfied' with a 7-5 season.

[SeattleUte]

I don't think that anybody ever doubted it, but many wore their crimson glasses while assessing the potential of this Ute team.

As a fan, I set my sights on an 8-4 season as something that I would be 'happy' with. That still seems like a possibility. I would be 'satisfied' with a 7-5 season.

Everyone seems to have forgotten that our starting qb missed the entire second half, the score being 10-7 at half. Is there something about being a Ute fan that brings on extremely early dementia? This game was very winnable by the Utes. They had a ton of bad luck.

[Green Monstah]

Everyone seems to have forgotten that our starting qb missed the entire second half, the score being 10-7 at half. Is there something about being a Ute fan that brings on extremely early dementia? This game was very winnable by the Utes. They had a ton of bad luck.

OOC, could the same argument be made for the BYU-Utah game? Clearly, our starting QB didn't leave the game at the half, but the score was close at halftime. Did the cougs run into some "bad luck"? I have to confess, I didn't watch the U-UW game, so I'm at your mercy as far as what unravelled in the Second half.

[SeattleUte]

OOC, could the same argument be made for the BYU-Utah game? Clearly, our starting QB didn't leave the game at the half, but the score was close at halftime. Did the cougs run into some "bad luck"? I have to confess, I didn't watch the U-UW game, so I'm at your mercy as far as what unravelled in the Second half.

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=415

See, I'm the only one who gets it.

[Green Monstah]

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=415

See, I'm the only one who gets it.

I promise never to utter the words, "SU knows dick about football" again.

[Hot Lunch]

I think there is some merit to the argument that when Utah had a bad effort against AFA and won late or in OT, they likely would have lost that game to a middle tier BCS opponent and many will point to Washington game as proof....but to quote the great coach made famous by Brent Johnson's untimely shank, "not so fast my friend..."

We all knew Utah came into this year very shallow at one very crucial position. Whe Jordan Wynn is healthy enough to play Utah competes very well with USC at USC. Now USC is not a great Pac team this year but I think the difference in performance indicates that Wynn's absence had a huge impact on the Ute team.

It does have a huge impact on the team. With Wynn playing, the Utes were down 10-7 at halftime and that was after repeatedly shooting themselves in the foot. They turned the ball over three times, twice inside the 10 yard line going in to score. UDUB's only touchdown was on a fumbled kick-off and their other 3 points came from a long field goal on a drive where Utah had 2 personal fouls that moved them 30 yards closer (I hope Nai Fotu never sees the field again). During the first half, Utah was able to move the ball effectively and the D wasn't having much trouble stopping UDUB's offense. The out comes John Hays in the 2nd half and it was all over.

[Hot Lunch]

Everyone seems to have forgotten that our starting qb missed the entire second half, the score being 10-7 at half. Is there something about being a Ute fan that brings on extremely early dementia? This game was very winnable by the Utes. They had a ton of bad luck.

I don't consider turning the ball over "bad luck".

[wally]

Everyone seems to have forgotten that our starting qb missed the entire second half, the score being 10-7 at half. Is there something about being a Ute fan that brings on extremely early dementia? This game was very winnable by the Utes. They had a ton of bad luck.

I blame our general proximity to BYU Fans. Our competing fanbases have a sort of maslowian esteem need for constant one-upmanship. I believe this extends to the preseason hype train.