2014 College Football
- Thread starter Safetydan
- Start date
green
Well-Known Member
USC gives up a lot of sacks. Utah is leading the nation in sacks, have only played six games, and second place is a ways behind and second place has played 8 games. What Utah is doing with their DL is incredible. They are elite. The best DL in the nation. The best special teams in the country. Utah has the best defense in the PAC-12, and in PAC-12 games, Utah has the best rushing attack in the PAC-12. If you count OOC games, Utah's rushing attack is #2 in the PAC-12 behind Oregon. If Utah can get anything out of the passing game, they can win the south.
Kessler will be running for his life as USC has three freshmen OL starting this weekend.
USC averages 28 points on the road, and only scored 13 vs Stanford.
USC has a great run defense...in the first half of games. In the second half, they fall fast and have the worst run defense in the 4th quarter in all of football.
If Utah can keep it close, they win this game.
I think this game is a lot like the OSU game.
Utah goes into halftime up 13-6. After three quarters, Utah is up 20-12. Then USC scores a fourth quarter TD, because that is what everyone does against Utah. 20-19. But, this is where Booker takes over. Utah wins it 30-19.
Kessler will be running for his life as USC has three freshmen OL starting this weekend.
USC averages 28 points on the road, and only scored 13 vs Stanford.
USC has a great run defense...in the first half of games. In the second half, they fall fast and have the worst run defense in the 4th quarter in all of football.
If Utah can keep it close, they win this game.
I think this game is a lot like the OSU game.
Utah goes into halftime up 13-6. After three quarters, Utah is up 20-12. Then USC scores a fourth quarter TD, because that is what everyone does against Utah. 20-19. But, this is where Booker takes over. Utah wins it 30-19.
trigg3r
Well-Known Member
I love your optimism and hope it plays out that way. I guess we'll see. Dangerous game.
7StraightIsGreat
Well-Known Member
Green, interesting that USC is the worst in 4th qtr run D. I wonder how that will play out playing at altitude. Even before I heard that stat, I've felt strongly that Utah can't abandon the run game early. And while Booker has been amazing, where's Poole? IMO he opens up so much of the passing game and it's been a few games since I've seen him on the field it seems. When Utah beat Stanford last year, they pummeled the Cardinal with screens and quick passes to Poole and Dres.
It's gonna take every bullet Utah has in the gun for the rest of the season.
It's gonna take every bullet Utah has in the gun for the rest of the season.
fishonjazz
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Thompson has been the qb. Which means every play is either a run or a long bomb.
With Wilson back at qb I think we will see poole again
green
Well-Known Member
I agree. One fatal flaw with Thompson is his windup. You make quick throws with him at QB.
The kid took a lot of heat last year for his interceptions, so it's been understandable that he has been too careful this year. If Anderson, Scott, and Tonga catch the ball consistently this year, Wilson probably has some decent numbers. Thompson gives the offense a different look, but Wilson gives them the better chance to win, imo.
Duck Rodgers
Well-Known Member
No, just no. Stanford by a mile. But hey, blitz away. Nelson Agholor, Juju Smith, etc. all excel off of WR screens. Buck Allen is a very good pass catching running back also. USC is just built to destroy Utah this year. I'm thinking by 21 at least.
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♪alt13
Well-Known Member
Things not lookin so good for Bronco. If you're a BYU coach you know that you are in trouble when KSL starts callin you out.
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=32053317&nid=272&title=byu-problems-start-at-the-top
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=32053317&nid=272&title=byu-problems-start-at-the-top
gregbroncs
Well-Known Member
Utah has not blitzed that often. They are getting their sacks with 4 man fronts more often than off of blitzes.
If I remember correctly, the HC has to be LDS, but the assistants and other coaches don't.
That's very possible. I don't think support staff at BYU have to meet the "only if a qualified LDS candidate can't be found" standard that faculty do (I could be wrong). And it seems very possible that the head coach hiring would be in line with the faculty rules but the assistant coach hiring would be in line with the staff rules.
Duck Rodgers
Well-Known Member
This is the only game highlight tape where you can clearly see whether you were blitzing or not on your big defensive plays and 80% of them were blitzes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9qsAO8_rWg
That shows all the sacks and INTs from the Mich game I believe and there was only one time you didn't blitz. And beyond that, you were QB spying, which is almost the same thing depending on the read. UCLA highlights are less clear but you can still see non-defensive lineman Utah players in the backfield on most of those sack/TFL highlights, which means you were most likely blitzing those times as well. You clearly blitz plenty. Your line is good, but you definitely are not only sending 4 linemen and getting to the QB if those two game highlights are any indication. Quite the opposite.
I've personally only seen the Washington State game in its entirety, where you didn't blitz at all really, but that just means your coaches thought it was better to play that quick release offense by staying stable in that zone, but that's not your general philosophy.
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Duck Rodgers
Well-Known Member
Boise State is 88-4 at home since 2000. Now that's big time football.
♪alt13
Well-Known Member
Usc has had troubles this year with their Offensive line. Yes they were able to put together good protection last week against Colorado but Colorado isn't Utah. I don't thin this game will be about whether or not the Utes can handle USC's Offense it's whether they can put together enough of their own. The Utes need to move the chains early. My only worry about the Utah D is in the 4th quarter if they have spent most of the game on the field.
7StraightIsGreat
Well-Known Member
Not sure if serious but I usually can't with you.
Is that really considered "Big Time" when 90% of those home wins were against WAC/MWC level conference competition?
Don't get me wrong, that's an impressive mark, and there were some mighty impressive wins sprinkled in there, but overall, shouldn't you be beating New Mexico and Wyoming at home?
7StraightIsGreat
Well-Known Member
I know Duck thinks it's gonna be a blowout but I was surprised to see Vegas has this game as a pick 'em. I don't gamble but those Vegas guys rarely miss the mark by that much. I was stunned that USC wasn't a ten point favorite.
I still feel like USC is gonna be mighty tough for Utah to beat but as the game gets closer, I find myself feeling like Utah has a chance. I really like how bad USC has been on kick return coverage. They may choose to kick it out of bounds all night but if they don't, Clay could be the ultimate X factor in this game. I also think if Utah sticks to pounding the ball, the 3rd and 4th qtrs could wear down that amazing front 7 of USC's.
That being said, it's still going to take Utah's best effort of the year for then to win.
I still feel like USC is gonna be mighty tough for Utah to beat but as the game gets closer, I find myself feeling like Utah has a chance. I really like how bad USC has been on kick return coverage. They may choose to kick it out of bounds all night but if they don't, Clay could be the ultimate X factor in this game. I also think if Utah sticks to pounding the ball, the 3rd and 4th qtrs could wear down that amazing front 7 of USC's.
That being said, it's still going to take Utah's best effort of the year for then to win.