Utah-Colorado State

[Jarid in Cedar]

Overview

Colorado State is coming off their second win of the year 43-10 vs UNLV. The Rams rode a strong running game with 121 yards from Leonard Mason and 75 yds from Chris Nwoke to the victory. Pete Thomas was not needed much but was 10-14, 233, 3-0. The recipe for CSU success this year entails a strong running game that takes pressure off of their Freshman QB.

Utah won a rather pedestrian game 30-6 at Wyoming. Utah finally had a 100 yd rusher with Matt Asiata gaining 109 yds. The defense lost the shutout after a late pick(one of 3) that set up the Pokes with a short field.

Utah Defense vs. CSU Offense

Passing Game

QB Pete Thomas has played about as well as can be expected for a freshman. He has struggled against upper level defenses, but has a few impressive performances, breaking 300 yds on 2 occasions. His favorite targets have been Tyson Liggett 27-199-0 and Lee Greenwood 16-255-1. TE Eric Pietz, 10-113-3, is a favorite target in the red zone and 3rd down short.

Utah is still led by Brandon Burton and SS Brian Blechen. The Utes are giving up a paltry 155.7 yds/game and rank 15th nationally in PED. The pass rush has garnered 19 sacks, led by CB Lamar Chapman with 4.5.

Look for CSU struggle in the passing game mostly because the Rams will struggle to establish a running game against the Utah.

Advantage Utah

Running Game

The Rams average 117.9 yds a game(6th in MWC) and have been led recently by Leonard Mason 47-300-2, who has over 100 yds the last 2 games. They are coming off 259 yds rushing against the Rebels, which accounts for about 25% of their yearly totals.

The Utes continue to be tough against the run, lowering their game average to 97.3 which is 13th nationally. The defensive line anchored by Sealver Siliga and Dave Krugar continue to give free running to the linebacking crew to scrape and make the plays at the line of scrimmage, instead of 2-3 yards deep.

Look for Utah to dominate the LOS again

Advantage Utah

Utah Offense vs CSU Defense

Passing Game

The good Jordan Wynn 16-25 with 2 TD's and the bad Jordan Wynn 3 picks with 2 in the end zone both made an appearances against Wyoming. Jereme Brooks continues to be the leading receiver with 25-357-4, but DeVonte Christopher is catching up, 21-388-4, after a strong game against the Pokes. Brad Clifford had a solid game catching 6 passes.

CSU gives up 209.0 yds/game but are 120th nationally in PED. They have only picked 2 passes on the season. The Rams start 3 upper classmen in the secondary, but Freshman CB Shaq Bell is their best performer to date.

The good Wynn will reappear at home, spreading the ball out to a plethora of targets.

Advantage Utah

Running Game

Utah continues to run the ball efficiently averaging 188.7 yds/game, led by Matt Asiata,71-354-3, and Eddie Wide, 66-338-6. But Reggie Dunn is starting to become a threat on the reverse or fly sweep. The speedy wideout has only 6 carries on the year, but has picked up 88 yards and has 2 TD's. Look for the Utes to find ways to get the ball into Dunn's hands.

CSU is giving up 202 yards/game which is 6th in the conference. The Rams run a 4-3 led by All-conference caliber LB Mycheal Sisson from the strong side. Weak Side LB, Ricky Brewer, lead the team in tackles with 57.


Advantage Utah

Special Teams

The Utah return games continue to augment the offense, improving field position and setting up the offense in stellar field position. The Punt return is led by Shaky Smithson, who is in a position to collect multiple team and conference records. The Utes average 21.7 yds/return which is 2nd nationally. Not to be outdone, the kick return is 1st nationally with an average of 29.2 yards. Joe Phillips had a blocked PAT, breaking his perfect record this season.

CSU is not shabby on the return game with 27.7 yds(5th nationally) on kickoffs, but only average 8.8 on punts. Tony Drake mans the Kickoff returns and Momo Thomas is the main Punt returner. Kicker Ben Deline has bee busy this year going 10/13 with no misses inside of 30 yards.

Advantage Utah

Final Analysis

Utah returns home for their first game in a month. CSU is not a very good road team, losing 3 games by an average of 44-14, which gives me this weeks score.

Utah 44 CSU 14

[il Padrino Ute]

The OL starters gave up their first sack against Wyoming and they're not too happy about it. I think they'll use that as motivation to give Wynn plenty of time in the pocket to make his reads and find the open receiver.

Wynn's two interceptions in the endzone were the result of him just throwing the ball in the vicinity of a receiver, so I'm sure he was reminded that if he's going to throw the ball in a situation like that, he needs to put more zip on it, regardless the opponent.

I'd like to see Utah really go run heavy this week simply because CSU won't be able to stop it. It's fun to see an aerial attack, but watching an offense physically dominate the opponent by pounding out a ground game is very satisfying. It demoralizes the front seven and makes the secondary susceptible to a deep pass for big gains.

The defense just needs to keep playing it's game and watching Shaky return punts is always great fun. Like those announcers during the Iowa State game said several times, Shaky is must see tv.

[Top Ute]

I'd like to see Utah really go run heavy this week simply because CSU won't be able to stop it. It's fun to see an aerial attack, but watching an offense physically dominate the opponent by pounding out a ground game is very satisfying. It demoralizes the front seven and makes the secondary susceptible to a deep pass for big gains.

So you'd rather win 31-10 than 56-17?

We physically dominate on the ground in short-yardage and goal-line. We score points by passing the ball. We're a much better passing team than we are a running team. It's not even close when your longest runs of the year come from your fourth-string RB, your third-string QB and a WR on sweeps.

Meanwhile, we have NINE players who have been on the receiving end of pass plays that outdistanced anything Asiata or Wide have given us on the ground. Hell, we have TWO tight ends with longer gains on catches than any of our top RBs.

So yeah, we could go run heavy and still win comfortably, but we'd be running away from our team's strength.

[DrumNFeather]

I'm interested to see if Steve Fairchild lasts beyond this year. He is a CSU guy, so one would think he'd get some leeway, but this is a team that is not likely to go bowling for the second straight year and could potentially finish what? 4-8? 3-9? That ain't gonna get it done.

[il Padrino Ute]

So you'd rather win 31-10 than 56-17?

We physically dominate on the ground in short-yardage and goal-line. We score points by passing the ball. We're a much better passing team than we are a running team. It's not even close when your longest runs of the year come from your fourth-string RB, your third-string QB and a WR on sweeps.

Meanwhile, we have NINE players who have been on the receiving end of pass plays that outdistanced anything Asiata or Wide have given us on the ground. Hell, we have TWO tight ends with longer gains on catches than any of our top RBs.

So yeah, we could go run heavy and still win comfortably, but we'd be running away from our team's strength.

Yes, I would. I love smash-mouth football and am not so concerned by the margin of victory. I love seeing the looks on the faces of the opposition when they know that no matter what they do, they are going to be physically dominated and there is nothing they can do about it.

[Top Ute]

Yes, I would. I love smash-mouth football and am not so concerned by the margin of victory. I love seeing the looks on the faces of the opposition when they know that no matter what they do, they are going to be physically dominated and there is nothing they can do about it.

You should have gotten into coaching, because saying you're not concerned about margin of victory is a standardized coach speak. But show me a coach who would rather lead by 2 TDs instead of 4 going into the fourth quarter, and I'll show you someone who's unemployed.

[Top Ute]

I'm interested to see if Steve Fairchild lasts beyond this year. He is a CSU guy, so one would think he'd get some leeway, but this is a team that is not likely to go bowling for the second straight year and could potentially finish what? 4-8? 3-9? That ain't gonna get it done.

Fairchild is gone only if Pete Thomas takes a noticeable step backward next year, and CSU's conference win total drops. With UNM, BYU and Wyoming still left on the schedule (two of the three are at home), CSU is a good bet to get to 3 conference wins from 0 last year, and maybe 4. That kind of progress doesn't put coaches on the hot seat.

Plus, the non-conference schedule is dumbed down significantly for next year, with Northern Colorado, Utah State and San Jose State on the docket. No way is Fairchild not CSU's coach for next year. Year 3 is often the tell-all year about what kind of coach you have, and CSU looks primed for 7 wins next year with a team that returns multiple players everywhere save the secondary.

[Senioritis]

Utah will pound the Rams like Rocky Balboa working the sides of beef at the warehouse.

I really like these Utes. I've still got a hunch that they drop one or two, but it won't be against any team coached by Morgan Fairchild. No way, no how.

[il Padrino Ute]

You should have gotten into coaching, because saying you're not concerned about margin of victory is a standardized coach speak. But show me a coach who would rather lead by 2 TDs instead of 4 going into the fourth quarter, and I'll show you someone who's unemployed.

Good thing I didn't go the coaching route, eh? Being a fan, as long as the Utes win, I'm happy. As I said, I prefer the smash-mouth style of football, that's all. Other folks prefer a wide-open score fast and often style, which is okay too.

[OrangeUte]

Looks like a half empty stadium at kick off.

UTES moving easily on their first possession.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Posting live from the Wi-Fi Hotspot at the McDonalds in Kayenta, AZ!

[OrangeUte]

Posting live from the Wi-Fi Hotspot at the McDonalds in Kayenta, AZ!

Very exotic. Utes punch it in. 7-0. Looked too easy until they got into the red zone. Wait review of play.

[OrangeUte]

UTES TD.

[Jarid in Cedar]

Good first Drive. The rain may hold scoring down.

[OrangeUte]

Good first Drive. The rain may hold scoring down.

It could. Looks like it kept a lot of fans away. Muss only 2/3 full.