Utah, what can they do?
Alright, I want to set some things straight here. I read an article today saying that Kyle Whittingham, Utah's head coach, is better then Bronco Mendenhall. Now, Matt Patton, the man who wrote the article said some very interesting things, but still needs to think before he talks. Now, we all know Utah lost their prized possession in Alex Smith, and their beloved head coach Urban Meyer. If Whittingham was such a great coach then why isn't Utah sitting on top of the Mountain West instead of on the bottom. Great coaches find ways to win! Am I not right? JoePa, one of the greatest head coaches of all times shows that, Urban Meyer may have dropped a few games this year but things are looking on the up and up in Gainesville, Steve Spurrier shows it the best. He wins close games, and he got a team not so great looking compared to his SEC opponents.
So, why is Whittingham's team at 5-5 right now? Oh wait let me guess, is it because they can't put it in from the one? That can't be it, no way the coach is to great to let his team lose a game for something like that. How about, not being able to finish off an opponent? TCU and UNM sure appreciate that fact. Neither of those can be it, because Whitttingham would never let his teams lose like that, he is to good, he is better then Mendenhall who only let his team lose one game that they had won. Oh, I got it, I nailed it down, it was the fact that he returned a solid defense core from last year. I mean his defense isn't showing up, that is it, it has to be. I mean they are the reason why Utah has 22 turnovers in 10 games. Maybe it is why they also have had 73 penalties this season averaging to 61.2 yards per game. Oh, wait, I forgot that defense forces the turnovers, they don't give the ball away, that is the offense. Whittingham is obviously the better coach.
One question remains in the back of my mind, just one. I know Mendenhall hasn't stayed anywhere longer then 5 years, but some how became the assistant head coach at UNM after 3 years and then in what, two years here became the head coach. If Whittingham is so good and so loyal to Utah, I mean he has been there for 12 years as the Defensive Coordinator, why didn't they hire Whittingham two years ago instead of going out and getting Urban Meyer? Oh wait, I forgot Whittingham is the better coach and has been for years, excuse me, let me not forget where I stand.
Now, to the more important things, the things that really matter. The stats, let us face some facts really quick. Utah will be starting a quarterback who has seen very little playing time this season, so sad to hear. I said a very untrue statement in one of my earlier blogs. Utah may spread their team out on the field well, but they don't run a true spread offense, maybe it is their head coaches decision, but moving on from that, they have ran the ball 415 times this season compared to a mere 338 passes. That is a little under a hundred plays difference. So, they do rely more on the run already, so expect the same come Saturday, even more so now.
They do seem to put up some nice numbers, 463.5 yards per game, but only average 28.1. Their opponent's seem to however average about 361 yards per game, but some how manage to score on average 24.5 points per game. Only a difference of four points mind you.
Utah seems to play well in the middle of the game, outscoring opponents 115 to 66 in the second quarter and 92 to 51 in the third quarter. Sadly they only out score opponents by one point, 45-44 in the first, and if a team has a shot of a comeback, the fourth would be the best time to do it. Whittingham allows his team to be out scored, 78-26 in the fourth. It doesn't seem to be much, but say the score is 24-28, Utah up in the fourth, oh what will Whittingham do then? Prevent a comeback? Not this time around, they haven't done it all season, so why start now?
Next thing, other determining factors, 73 penalties in 10 games, not acceptable. 24 fumbles, 14 lost, and 8 interceptions, not much better. A conversion rate of 41% on 3rd down, not acceptable, and having to punt on average, 5.2 times a game,lets make it an even 5.
Utah, what does Utah have? An offense that struggled against UNM's 3-3-5 defense, which BYU runs. In all reality, Utah has a good defense. That is it, nothing more. They turn the ball over to many times, their offense can't move the ball efficiently, they have no quarterback, or even an offensive star that will truly take care of business like they need him to. All Utah can pray for is their defense to force turnovers and take them into the endzone alone, other then that, it is not looking good. As much as I want to say this game is looking like it might be a great game, it might not be this year. BYU still has to take care of business and bring their A game to this game but Utah, you might as well start praying and hope that the bubble over here at BYU doesn't pop yours. BCS crashers? Oh, wait that was with a coach who didn't stick around for more then a few years either.
Oh, by the way, Professor Windsor, this is two blogs.
So, why is Whittingham's team at 5-5 right now? Oh wait let me guess, is it because they can't put it in from the one? That can't be it, no way the coach is to great to let his team lose a game for something like that. How about, not being able to finish off an opponent? TCU and UNM sure appreciate that fact. Neither of those can be it, because Whitttingham would never let his teams lose like that, he is to good, he is better then Mendenhall who only let his team lose one game that they had won. Oh, I got it, I nailed it down, it was the fact that he returned a solid defense core from last year. I mean his defense isn't showing up, that is it, it has to be. I mean they are the reason why Utah has 22 turnovers in 10 games. Maybe it is why they also have had 73 penalties this season averaging to 61.2 yards per game. Oh, wait, I forgot that defense forces the turnovers, they don't give the ball away, that is the offense. Whittingham is obviously the better coach.
One question remains in the back of my mind, just one. I know Mendenhall hasn't stayed anywhere longer then 5 years, but some how became the assistant head coach at UNM after 3 years and then in what, two years here became the head coach. If Whittingham is so good and so loyal to Utah, I mean he has been there for 12 years as the Defensive Coordinator, why didn't they hire Whittingham two years ago instead of going out and getting Urban Meyer? Oh wait, I forgot Whittingham is the better coach and has been for years, excuse me, let me not forget where I stand.
Now, to the more important things, the things that really matter. The stats, let us face some facts really quick. Utah will be starting a quarterback who has seen very little playing time this season, so sad to hear. I said a very untrue statement in one of my earlier blogs. Utah may spread their team out on the field well, but they don't run a true spread offense, maybe it is their head coaches decision, but moving on from that, they have ran the ball 415 times this season compared to a mere 338 passes. That is a little under a hundred plays difference. So, they do rely more on the run already, so expect the same come Saturday, even more so now.
They do seem to put up some nice numbers, 463.5 yards per game, but only average 28.1. Their opponent's seem to however average about 361 yards per game, but some how manage to score on average 24.5 points per game. Only a difference of four points mind you.
Utah seems to play well in the middle of the game, outscoring opponents 115 to 66 in the second quarter and 92 to 51 in the third quarter. Sadly they only out score opponents by one point, 45-44 in the first, and if a team has a shot of a comeback, the fourth would be the best time to do it. Whittingham allows his team to be out scored, 78-26 in the fourth. It doesn't seem to be much, but say the score is 24-28, Utah up in the fourth, oh what will Whittingham do then? Prevent a comeback? Not this time around, they haven't done it all season, so why start now?
Next thing, other determining factors, 73 penalties in 10 games, not acceptable. 24 fumbles, 14 lost, and 8 interceptions, not much better. A conversion rate of 41% on 3rd down, not acceptable, and having to punt on average, 5.2 times a game,lets make it an even 5.
Utah, what does Utah have? An offense that struggled against UNM's 3-3-5 defense, which BYU runs. In all reality, Utah has a good defense. That is it, nothing more. They turn the ball over to many times, their offense can't move the ball efficiently, they have no quarterback, or even an offensive star that will truly take care of business like they need him to. All Utah can pray for is their defense to force turnovers and take them into the endzone alone, other then that, it is not looking good. As much as I want to say this game is looking like it might be a great game, it might not be this year. BYU still has to take care of business and bring their A game to this game but Utah, you might as well start praying and hope that the bubble over here at BYU doesn't pop yours. BCS crashers? Oh, wait that was with a coach who didn't stick around for more then a few years either.
Oh, by the way, Professor Windsor, this is two blogs.
posted by Eric @ 9:14 AM
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