Year two in the PAC-12: the Utah 2012 football thread

[Scorcho]

The Utes can't do much to help their national credibility with wins over Northern Colorado, Utah State, BYU or Arizona State. But I expect them to be 4-0 and a Top 25 team by the time USC comes to town.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_...e-pac-12-south

:stirthepot:

[Scorcho]

and then there is this.

But the former Utah football coach and Utah quarterback are on the same page when it comes to the Utah-BYU rivalry, which could end after the Utes and Cougars meet on Sept. 15 in Salt Lake City.

"To me, that’s a major mistake," Meyer said.

Added Smith: "Same thing as coach said ... It is weird enough that the game is not at the end of the season anymore ... to not play at all would be a mistake."

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/...meyer.html.csp

Hill and Whitt aren't going to win any popularity contests, but I don't think they much care.

[Portland Ute]

and then there is this.



http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/...meyer.html.csp

Hill and Whitt aren't going to win any popularity contests, but I don't think they much care.

Alex Smith should feel free to speak his mind.

Meyer's opinion on the direction Utah football should take became meaningless the second he signed with Florida. Thanks for what you did here, Urb, but go coach your team.

In fact, I strongly believe that had Meyer been here when Utah joined the PAC12, he'd have been leading the charge to drop playing BYU and USU every year.

[Paperback Writer]

In fact, I strongly believe that had Meyer been here when Utah joined the PAC12, he'd have been leading the charge to drop playing BYU and USU every year.

I disagree. Urban Meyer experienced something similar when he went to Florida and Florida St. remained on the Gator's schedule and don't recall reading anything from Meyer to the contrary.

It was not a good thing for college football when Oklahoma-Nebraska went by the wayside. The Big Ten kept Ohio St.-Michigan and the PAC-12 kept USC-UCLA and Stanford-Cal. I think Texas-Texas A&M will be missed and hope BYU-Utah doesn't suffer that fate. I'll give props to the SEC for keeping its rivalry intact. If Georgia can continue with Georgia Tech; South Carolina can continue with Clemson; and Florida can continue with Florida St.; don't know why Utah has a problem with keeping BYU on their schedule.

[NorthwestUteFan]

don't know why Utah has a problem with keeping BYU on their schedule.

No problem, just allow Utah to have 7 home games next year by playing in RES in 2013, then resume the SLC-ProvOrem rotation.

[Donuthole]

No problem, just allow Utah to have 7 home games next year by playing in RES in 2013, then resume the SLC-ProvOrem rotation.

I would honestly be fine with this if, within 5 years--say by 2017, they can set it back to even by getting the game in Provo for 2 years in a row.

[SeattleUte]

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_...e-pac-12-south

:stirthepot:

At least three of those first four games are quite loseable. Utah state is well coached and nearly won at Auburn and some other big games including BYU last year. BYU's personnel is not that far below Utah's. Moreover, the problem with leaving these programs behind as we ascend Pac 12 heights is they are super motivated when we play them. I agree with Whit and Hill. Get them off the schedule.

Sun Devil Statium will never be easy for the Utes.

I don't know anything about NC.

[NorthwestUteFan]

I would honestly be fine with this if, within 5 years--say by 2017, they can set it back to even by getting the game in Provo for 2 years in a row.

As long as each team reaches their minimum number of desired home games, I really don't care.

To play the game last year and set up the current 2-year contract, Utah gave up a return trip by Iowa State, bought out the Boise State series (and got to be a punching bag for their basketball team my, how the mighty have fallen), kept the trip to Pitt, bought out the tail end of the Utah State series, etc. BYU merely had to play the game in September, and still complained about it.

[NorthwestUteFan]

I don't know anything about NC.

Skyline or Hunter High School football teams would have a pretty good shot at beating them. Northern Colorado were 0-11 last year. Montana State last year was an actual challenge and they were a solid team who made a few solid plays. NC on the other hand is very, very bad.

[Coach McGuirk]

As long as each team reaches their minimum number of desired home games, I really don't care.

To play the game last year and set up the current 2-year contract, Utah gave up a return trip by Iowa State, bought out the Boise State series (and got to be a punching bag for their basketball team my, how the mighty have fallen), kept the trip to Pitt, bought out the tail end of the Utah State series, etc. BYU merely had to play the game in September, and still complained about it.

Sorry you joined the PAC 12 and caused that.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Sorry you joined the PAC 12 and caused that.

Thanks for your sympathy. It really has been a challenge to continue on like this under such challenging circumstances. I appreciate your empathy.



Ahh who am i kidding. It is EFF-ing AWESOME!

[LA Ute]

At least three of those first four games are quite loseable.

My years as a Ute fan have taught me never to assume there will be no WTH??? loss during the season.

[Coach McGuirk]

Thanks for your sympathy. It really has been a challenge to continue on like this under such challenging circumstances. I appreciate your empathy.



Ahh who am i kidding. It is EFF-ing AWESOME!

I showed no empathy and I bet it is effing awesome. The pain of having to cancel a few games and pay for another doesn't seem to hurt too bad.

[The_Douger]

No problem, just allow Utah to have 7 home games next year by playing in RES in 2013, then resume the SLC-ProvOrem rotation.

Next year isn't the year you need the extra game at home. You have five PAC teams coming in, and Utah State.

You need mroe home games when you only have four PAC teams at home, like this year.

For example, in 2014, you're playing Michigan there, and have five PAC road games. Under the current rotation, BYU would be scheduled to come play that year at RES.

I don't get why you guys think you need BYU to come up there next year. That's your PAC heavy year with 5 home games.

[Scorcho]

Next year isn't the year you need the extra game at home. You have five PAC teams coming in, and Utah State.

You need mroe home games when you only have four PAC teams at home, like this year.

For example, in 2014, you're playing Michigan there, and have five PAC road games. Under the current rotation, BYU would be scheduled to come play that year at RES.

I don't get why you guys think you need BYU to come up there next year. That's your PAC heavy year with 5 home games.

I'm just guessing, but I believe Hill/Whitt want to have 7 home games most years. I don't know if that's possible for Utah or not, but considering that several SEC Schools are now play 8 home games per year, I can see why football scheduling is trending that way.

I think this direction is bad for college football. Maybe the new 4 team playoff with help curb this type of scheduling, but I'm not so sure.