Utes 2011 Football Discussion

[Bronco70]

Utah is right where everyone thought they would be- best overall record in the PAC 12 South (excluding USC).

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, but I think it is germane to point out that Utah is tied with ASU in overall record (which doesn't actually matter in regard to the PAC12 championship game), and trails both ASU and UCLA in the conference standings.

UCLA plays Colorado at home, then at USC to finish out. Theoretically, they should go 1-1. We'll see. If that happens, and Utah wins out, they finish tied in the conference, with Utah holding the head-to-head tie breaker.

ASU plays Arizona and Cal, both at home. Cal might give them a fight (depending on which Cal team shows up - they are a shot in the dark any given game.) I don't see Arizona beating them. But, weirder things have happened. If ASU finishes 1-1, they own the tie breaker over Utah.

Obviously, even if the Utes win out, they need some help to get to the PAC12 championship. It's a long shot, IMO. I will root for it, of course, but I am certainly not counting any chickens at this point.

 

[prodigy]

ASU will win it, but their reward is playing a hungry Oregon team trying to get back to the national championship. Have fun with that.

 

[SaltyDawg]

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, but I think it is germane to point out that Utah is tied with ASU in overall record (which doesn't actually matter in regard to the PAC12 championship game), and trails both ASU and UCLA in the conference standings.

UCLA plays Colorado at home, then at USC to finish out. Theoretically, they should go 1-1. We'll see. If that happens, and Utah wins out, they finish tied in the conference, with Utah holding the head-to-head tie breaker.

ASU plays Arizona and Cal, both at home. Cal might give them a fight (depending on which Cal team shows up - they are a shot in the dark any given game.) I don't see Arizona beating them. But, weirder things have happened. If ASU finishes 1-1, they own the tie breaker over Utah.

Obviously, even if the Utes win out, they need some help to get to the PAC12 championship. It's a long shot, IMO. I will root for it, of course, but I am certainly not counting any chickens at this point.

I think you misunderstood my post. I wasn't saying Utah will play in the PAC 12 Championship game. I was only saying Utah right now has the best overall record in the PAC 12 South (except for USC) and will almost certainly finish the season that way.

I know they probably won't pass ASU for the right to get smashed by Oregon in the Championship game. I hope they do, but like you I know it probably won't happen.

Now if ASU loses this weekend, hope is alive and well. But all signs point to ASU winning this weekend and ending all hope for the Utes in that championship game.

Either way, it's pretty awesome the Utes are still in the running for the championship game (and a Rose Bowl game) with only 2 weeks left in the season. Especially considering the injuries this season.

 

[Bronco70]

I think you misunderstood my post. I wasn't saying Utah will play in the PAC 12 Championship game.

Yeah, I know that's not what you were getting at. I'm just being cautious with my optimism.

Either way, it's pretty awesome the Utes are still in the running for the championship game (and a Rose Bowl game) with only 2 weeks left in the season. Especially considering the injuries this season.

I agree with this. Not what I expected a scant 3 weeks ago. And I am excited for next season. The running game has surpassed anyone's expectations, as has the defense as a whole, IMO.

 

[NUMBERICA]

For the Utes to have done this well - even if they lose out - despite the injury issues/the worst QBs in D-I speaks volumes about the program. If you're not pumped about what Utah's been able to do considering everything facing them, you either are a homer and had absurd hopes or you're a hater. Utah has done well this season.

Finding someone better than Hays and more durable (and better) than Wynn shouldn't be difficult. But then again, Utah didn't do a great job with their QB sitch for this season to begin with.

At any rate, the Utes will be just fine and I believe it realistic that they will probably sit a little below USC and on par or above everyone else in the division soon enough.

 

[TroutBum]

You know what I love? I love to see "(except USC)" after all of Salty's lofty predictions and statements. I'm serious, it really warms my heart.

You know, Karl Malone was the greatest PF of all time! (except Tim Duncan)

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

BYU was the best in-state football team in 2011. (except for Utah)

 

[TroutBum]

BYU was the best in-state football team in 2011. (except for Utah)

Probably the best post in this thread. (except for every single post I made)

 

[SaltyDawg]

You know what I love? I love to see "(except USC)" after all of Salty's lofty predictions and statements. I'm serious, it really warms my heart.

You know, Karl Malone was the greatest PF of all time! (except Tim Duncan)

I think most predictions from before the season began (and before all of Utah's injuries) had Utah finishing behind USC. USC is not eligible though, so I don't really care about them.

Even so, Utah lost to USC at the Coliseum on the last play of the game. If you think USC is on a much higher level than Utah right now, there's probably nothing anyone can tell you except we'll see next year (in SLC).

 

[TroutBum]

I think most predictions from before the season began (and before all of Utah's injuries) had Utah finishing behind USC. USC is not eligible though, so I don't really care about them.

Even so, Utah lost to USC at the Coliseum on the last play of the game. If you think USC is on a much higher level than Utah right now, there's probably nothing anyone can tell you except we'll see next year (in SLC).

Great argument. (except it sucks)

 

[SaltyDawg]

Great argument. (except it sucks)

It doesn't suck as much as your analogy. A better analogy is: Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron are the best home run hitters of all time (except for Barry Bonds and Mark McGuire).

Either way, USC is irrelevant to my point in that post. They don't matter as far as the Utes division standing, regardless of how good or bad they may be.

 

[bigb]

Even so, Utah lost to USC at the Coliseum on the last play of the game.

Score before the last play of the game:
USC 17
Utah 14
Score after the last play of the game:
USC 23
Utah 14
How exactly is this losing on the last play of the game?