Utah football: Utes' second season in Pac-12 even harder than first - Salt Lake Tribu

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Utah football: Utes&#39; second season in Pac-12 even harder than first
Salt Lake Tribune
The Utah Utes knew one of the challenges of playing in the Pac-12 would be facing one tough team after another, but they&#39;re only now getting a full appreciation of just how difficult a Pac-12 schedule can be. The Utes have no time to dwell on Saturday ...
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[SeattleUte]

Playing in the Pac 12 compared to the MWC is like playing full court basketball compared to playing HORSE. It's easier even to hit a single jump shot (i.e., beat a BCS team) when you're not as in HORSE winded and pushed to the limit all the time . That has been Boise's secret. Play one maybe two good teams in a year, and after several weeks of not playing at all, or at the start of the season, and get really high and prepared for it. Doing it week in and week out is a different story. The Pac 12 has chastened us Utes. We need to work up to it.

[Viking]

Playing in the Pac 12 compared to the MWC is like playing full court basketball compared to playing HORSE. It's easier even to hit a single jump shot (i.e., beat a BCS team) when you're not as in HORSE winded and pushed to the limit all the time . That has been Boise's secret. Play one maybe two good teams in a year, and after several weeks of not playing at all, or at the start of the season, and get really high and prepared for it. Doing it week in and week out is a different story. The Pac 12 has chastened us Utes. We need to work up to it.

This is the right attitude.

I think that Utah has 3 more years of suffering, then they get it right. If BYU had a coach that knows his ass from his elbow, it could really hurt you in recruiting but as we are utterly incompetent in nearly all aspects of coaching (other than beating pansies), you're safe.

Utah will be the only team that matters in the state in five years. RIP, BYU football.

[doctorcoug]

Playing in the Pac 12 compared to the MWC is like playing full court basketball compared to playing HORSE. It's easier even to hit a single jump shot (i.e., beat a BCS team) when you're not as in HORSE winded and pushed to the limit all the time . That has been Boise's secret. Play one maybe two good teams in a year, and after several weeks of not playing at all, or at the start of the season, and get really high and prepared for it. Doing it week in and week out is a different story. The Pac 12 has chastened us Utes. We need to work up to it.

Actually, I kinda just thought that you guys suck this year. Nothing to do with the PAC-12 at all. Your QB sucks, your star back got hurt and hasn't been the same.

It certainly is nice to blame mediocrity on the conference toughness, but that isn't the whole story here.

via a galaxy s3 far far away

[Jeff Lebowski]

Playing in the Pac 12 compared to the MWC is like playing full court basketball compared to playing HORSE. It's easier even to hit a single jump shot (i.e., beat a BCS team) when you're not as in HORSE winded and pushed to the limit all the time . That has been Boise's secret. Play one maybe two good teams in a year, and after several weeks of not playing at all, or at the start of the season, and get really high and prepared for it. Doing it week in and week out is a different story. The Pac 12 has chastened us Utes. We need to work up to it.

Funny you keep referencing Boise. I remember you used to insist that Utah was a far better mid-major than Boise. Even though Utah never beat Boise, of course.

[The_Douger]

Boise's a way better program than Utah.

Utah has ducked Boise at every opportunity.

[LA Ute]

Boise's a way better program than Utah.

If you're just talking about football, Boise State may have an edge. But "way better?" How would BYU stack up, by your lights? Anyway, why would Utah or any PAC-12 school be eager to schedule Boise State?

[The_Douger]

If you're just talking about football, Boise State may have an edge. But "way better?" How would BYU stack up, by your lights? Anyway, why would Utah or any PAC-12 school be eager to schedule Boise State?

Boise's a way better program than BYU too.

You tell me, regarding scheduling. You guys bought out your remaining games against them.

I get tired of people complaining about their schedule, yet strangely they don't want to play them.

[Pheidippides]

Boise's a way better program than BYU too.

You tell me, regarding scheduling. You guys bought out your remaining games against them.

I get tired of people complaining about their schedule, yet strangely they don't want to play them.

I'm still not sure how BYU is relevant to this conversation. Maybe LAUte can enlighten us.

[DU Ute]

I'm still not sure how BYU is relevant to this conversation. Maybe LAUte can enlighten us.

LA Ute just knows that 6 of the first 8 posts in a thread seemingly about Utah have been made by BYU fans, so it must somehow be relevant to BYU. However, I'm guessing that LA is just as baffled as I am about why BYU is relevant to anything.

[pelagius]

Playing in the Pac 12 compared to the MWC is like playing full court basketball compared to playing HORSE. It's easier even to hit a single jump shot (i.e., beat a BCS team) when you're not as in HORSE winded and pushed to the limit all the time . That has been Boise's secret. Play one maybe two good teams in a year, and after several weeks of not playing at all, or at the start of the season, and get really high and prepared for it. Doing it week in and week out is a different story. The Pac 12 has chastened us Utes. We need to work up to it.

You shouldn't feel chastened. It seems strange to argue that some great weakness has been revealed in the Utah program (although plenty of people seem to want to argue that point). You're are overstating Utah's performance in the MWC under Whittingham. Utah had one great season under Whittingham. Every other year was similar (except for 2005): a team in the 30s.



This is not to discount 2008. It was a wonderful season, but nothing else has been even close to that under Whittingham. He consistently delivers teams in the 30s. This year it looks like Utah is more like a team in the 40-50s and not a team in the 30s. This is a drop-off but not a huge one. First, it strikes me that Utah's quarterback troubles alone are enough to explain the drop off. Second, Whittingham has gone to younger and less experienced assistant coaches. That also can help explain a drop off (but may pay off in the long term). There is just not any good evidence to suggest that playing in the PAC-12 is causing a drop off.

Long term, if Utah stays with Whitt, I think the evidence suggest Utah will typical be a mid 30s kind of team. Just like they were in the MWC under Whittingham. That's a good/solid program.

If there is a worrisome note for Utah (and it is similar to BYUs), it is the ratings have crept up a little post 2008 (but it started before going to the PAC-12) but it is probably just noise.

[Art Vandelay]

You shouldn't feel chastened. It seems strange to argue that some great weakness has been revealed in the Utah program (although plenty of people seem to want to argue that point). You're are overstating Utah's performance in the MWC under Whittingham. Utah had one great season under Whittingham. Every other year was similar (except for 2005): a team in the 30s.



This is not to discount 2008. It was a wonderful season, but nothing else has been even close to that under Whittingham. He consistently delivers teams in the 30s. This year it looks like Utah is more like a team in the 40-50s and not a team in the 30s. This is a drop-off but not a huge one. First, it strikes me that Utah's quarterback troubles alone are enough to explain the drop off. Second, Whittingham has gone to younger and less experienced assistant coached. That also can help explain a drop off (but may pay off in the long term). There is just is not enough evidence to suggest that playing in the PAC-12 is causing a drop off.

Long term, if Utah stays with Whitt, I think the evidence suggest Utah will typical be a mid 30s kind of team. Just like they were in the MWC under Whittingham.

If there is a worrisome note for Utah (and it is similar to BYUs), it is the ratings have crept up a little post 2008 (but it started before going to the PAC-12).

Can we get this and title it the pelagenius?

[LA Ute]

I'm still not sure how BYU is relevant to this conversation. Maybe LAUte can enlighten us.

I would never presume to attempt enlightening you about anything.

LA Ute just knows that 6 of the first 8 posts in a thread seemingly about Utah have been made by BYU fans, so it must somehow be relevant to BYU. However, I'm guessing that LA is just as baffled as I am about why BYU is relevant to anything.

niku DU

[SeattleUte]

You shouldn't feel chastened. It seems strange to argue that some great weakness has been revealed in the Utah program (although plenty of people seem to want to argue that point). You're are overstating Utah's performance in the MWC under Whittingham. Utah had one great season under Whittingham. Every other year was similar (except for 2005): a team in the 30s.



This is not to discount 2008. It was a wonderful season, but nothing else has been even close to that under Whittingham. He consistently delivers teams in the 30s. This year it looks like Utah is more like a team in the 40-50s and not a team in the 30s. This is a drop-off but not a huge one. First, it strikes me that Utah's quarterback troubles alone are enough to explain the drop off. Second, Whittingham has gone to younger and less experienced assistant coaches. That also can help explain a drop off (but may pay off in the long term). There is just not any good evidence to suggest that playing in the PAC-12 is causing a drop off.

Long term, if Utah stays with Whitt, I think the evidence suggest Utah will typical be a mid 30s kind of team. Just like they were in the MWC under Whittingham. That's a good/solid program.

If there is a worrisome note for Utah (and it is similar to BYUs), it is the ratings have crept up a little post 2008 (but it started before going to the PAC-12) but it is probably just noise.

But because there has been a 2008 we know he can do it again.

[pellegrino]

LA Ute just knows that 6 of the first 8 posts in a thread seemingly about Utah have been made by BYU fans, so it must somehow be relevant to BYU. However, I'm guessing that LA is just as baffled as I am about why BYU is relevant to anything.

how is that different from any thread about BYU football?