🏈 Greetings all

[SkinyUte]

I am excited about the Utes playing the tide! We have great respect for Alabama football... but we are no Hawaii!

This is the game we have been waiting for since the 2004 Fiesta Bowl lame duck vs PITT!

Yeah i have lots of respect for florida lite myself.

Obviously.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Whoever did the graphic you have tried to include in your sig (need to read the BBCode on how to post it, BTW) did a nice job...well...except for...err...the Alabama player you have pictured is no longer on the team. :?

That's OK, neither is the Utah one. That's Eric Weddle, who is currently a starter for the San Diego Chargers. (And who, coincidentally, was a whopping 2-star recruit coming out of HS. Just one of the reasons why most Ute fans don't put much stock into the recruiting class arguments. )

All due respect, neither did we......when that was all we could get. Also can make the same argument with DeMeco Ryans, whom was "only" a 3 star out of HS. But, consider how well our highly touted Freshmen have played this year, all 4 & 5 star kids, & it's easy to see how the higher rated guys are the way to go.

 

[SkinyUte]

Whoever did the graphic you have tried to include in your sig (need to read the BBCode on how to post it, BTW) did a nice job...well...except for...err...the Alabama player you have pictured is no longer on the team. :?

That's OK, neither is the Utah one. That's Eric Weddle, who is currently a starter for the San Diego Chargers. (And who, coincidentally, was a whopping 2-star recruit coming out of HS. Just one of the reasons why most Ute fans don't put much stock into the recruiting class arguments. )

All due respect, neither did we......when that was all we could get. Also can make the same argument with DeMeco Ryans, whom was "only" a 3 star out of HS. But, consider how well our highly touted Freshmen have played this year, all 4 & 5 star kids, & it's easy to see how the higher rated guys are the way to go.

Don't get me wrong, highly ranked kids are great gets. I just don't think recruiting rankings are the end-all, be-all indicator when it comes to predicting future success, despite what that Colin Cowherd blowhard says.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Sorry to sound trite, but respect is earned...not given. I expect the Utah Football Team to earn some measure of respect....whether they win or not.

There are a couple of issues that I think are tied up in the question of respect.

First is the issue of a team's relative quality of performance. When we talk about respect what we often mean is whether others judge our team to be good/capable of winning/etc. Yes, I agree that type of respect is definitely earned. I also think a team that finishes their regular season undefeated has already earned some. The relative degree of respect probably depends on strength of schedule and other such things that are hard to measure...but the basis for respect is already there. The Utes have the chance to increase it when they take the field in the Sugar Bowl.

But there's another facet to respect which is not founded in measures of performance. It comes from things like good sportsmanship; helping a player from an opposing team up off the ground after you tackle him; giving your team 101%; showing up for practice on the days you don't feel like it; maintaining school-football life balance. It comes from the fact maybe one player, for example, is struggling to keep up his grades, make all his work outs and practice sessions, and help take care of a sick relative at the same time. We all have our burdens to bear; being a student athlete at any level is not a Sunday stroll in the park, am I correct?

Prior to this season I had never heard of the Utah Utes. I admit that at first I was really bummed that the Crimson Tide would face a team in the postseason that I considered to be a non brand name. I wanted us to face off against Texas or USC, for example. I whined to my family and friends, who all agreed with me. (Misery loves company!)

Now my goal is to get over it, accord the Utah team the respect and esteem they already deserve, and look forward to game day.

LJ, you are absolutely correct. ANY team that goes 12-0 in todays D-1 surely DESERVE respect.....regardless the "name". Utah is certainly no different. The final analysis will come after the game, but you're right. Until their fans & team show differently, they should be treated with all due respect regardless of where they are located. Great post.

 

[TerryP]

Whoever did the graphic you have tried to include in your sig (need to read the BBCode on how to post it, BTW) did a nice job...well...except for...err...the Alabama player you have pictured is no longer on the team. :?

That's OK, neither is the Utah one. That's Eric Weddle, who is currently a starter for the San Diego Chargers. (And who, coincidentally, was a whopping 2-star recruit coming out of HS. Just one of the reasons why most Ute fans don't put much stock into the recruiting class arguments. )

All due respect, neither did we......when that was all we could get. Also can make the same argument with DeMeco Ryans, whom was "only" a 3 star out of HS. But, consider how well our highly touted Freshmen have played this year, all 4 & 5 star kids, & it's easy to see how the higher rated guys are the way to go.

Don't get me wrong, highly ranked kids are great gets. I just don't think recruiting rankings are the end-all, be-all indicator when it comes to predicting future success, despite what that Cowherd blowhard says.

You say that despite looking at the teams who've won the MNC the last few years and where they were ranked in terms of recruiting classes before those championship runs?

One place where it will have a bearing on this game is in the reserve roles...

 

[SkinyUte]

Whoever did the graphic you have tried to include in your sig (need to read the BBCode on how to post it, BTW) did a nice job...well...except for...err...the Alabama player you have pictured is no longer on the team. :?

That's OK, neither is the Utah one. That's Eric Weddle, who is currently a starter for the San Diego Chargers. (And who, coincidentally, was a whopping 2-star recruit coming out of HS. Just one of the reasons why most Ute fans don't put much stock into the recruiting class arguments. )

All due respect, neither did we......when that was all we could get. Also can make the same argument with DeMeco Ryans, whom was "only" a 3 star out of HS. But, consider how well our highly touted Freshmen have played this year, all 4 & 5 star kids, & it's easy to see how the higher rated guys are the way to go.

Don't get me wrong, highly ranked kids are great gets. I just don't think recruiting rankings are the end-all, be-all indicator when it comes to predicting future success, despite what that Cowherd blowhard says.

You say that despite looking at the teams who've won the MNC the last few years and where they were ranked in terms of recruiting classes before those championship runs?

Sure, but the reverse is also true. Let's ask Tenessee (#4), Michigan (#5), and Texas A&M (#6) how those top 10 recruiting classes from 2005 are turning out. That's why I think that while the rankings can be accurate given the right program, it's not always the best indicator of future performance.

One place where it will have a bearing on this game is in the reserve roles...

Absolutely agree, and that's the main difference between the BCS and non-BCS schools. The 1's can often compete, but there is a huge talent gap between Bama's 2's and Utah's.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Whoever did the graphic you have tried to include in your sig (need to read the BBCode on how to post it, BTW) did a nice job...well...except for...err...the Alabama player you have pictured is no longer on the team. :?

That's OK, neither is the Utah one. That's Eric Weddle, who is currently a starter for the San Diego Chargers. (And who, coincidentally, was a whopping 2-star recruit coming out of HS. Just one of the reasons why most Ute fans don't put much stock into the recruiting class arguments. )

All due respect, neither did we......when that was all we could get. Also can make the same argument with DeMeco Ryans, whom was "only" a 3 star out of HS. But, consider how well our highly touted Freshmen have played this year, all 4 & 5 star kids, & it's easy to see how the higher rated guys are the way to go.

Don't get me wrong, highly ranked kids are great gets. I just don't think recruiting rankings are the end-all, be-all indicator when it comes to predicting future success, despite what that Colin Cowherd blowhard says.

I agree. For a great illustration, look at what CNS did at LSU, & where they are now by comparison. Both he & Miles recruited very well at LSU, & their classes were closely ranked, but look at the difference in the performance on the field as recent as last year. With Saban's kids LSU won a MNC......& promptly fell on their face this year with all Miles recruits. Of course, coaching had something to do with it, but the talent level was very similar.

 

[Guest]

Big_Fan, you lose credibility when you make posts like this. The basis for your confidence of an Alabama win is that they have played better teams this year (even though Alabama's strength of schedule is 10 spots lower than Utah's). Looking at the records of the teams you beat this year looks similar to the records of the teams Utah beat above:

You played
Clemson 7-5
Tulane 2-10
Western Kentucky 2-10
Arkansas 5-7
Georgia 9-3
Kentucky 6-6
Mississippi 8-4
Tennessee 5-7
Arkansas State
LSU 7-5
Mississippi State 4-8
Auburn 5-7
Florida 12-1

You had some very impressive wins over good teams but you also almost lost against a poor Kentucky team. I look forward to Jan 2nd. It will be much closer than you think.

PS - you were silent on my offer of a friendly wager. If you are so confident that Alabama will blow Utah out, why not agree to my wager?

How many times do I have to tell you people that I could not possibly CARE how credible I am to UTah fans? Sheesh, an invisible voice on a message board doesn't respect me. How will I ever go on in life!

If you read my prediction columns, most of them have the point spread to within 2 or 3 points of the actual outcome, and I nailed it a few times. That's all I need for my cred...that and look at my post count, then compare it to your own post count.

My post had NOTHING to do with Alabama's record and who we played, and EVERYTHING to do with that lame attempt to demand respect that you Utes are making. westcoastute was the one throwing up those teams as if he needed validation.

I don't even know why you brought up Alabama's record for THIS SEASON, when the Utah record was teams played over a time span of a DECADE and used to show how good Utah was. How lame can you get. If I did the same thing, I would be listing top 10-15 teams who got beat and finished with a 10 win record.

It amazes me how bad of a need you people have for validation. Play the game...win it or lose it...but quit acting like you are entitled to respect and are the victim of some kind of Football manifestation of Jim Crow legislation.

As for a wager, look at my profile. Examine the field that says "occupation." There is your answer.

...although someone does owe me a coke. I don't even remember what it was for. Last year, someone else bought a well for a village through Worldvision. I won't gamble, but if you want to commit to buying a well or livestock for someone through worldvision - when you get blown out, that would be admirable.

http://www.worldvision.org/home.nsf/index.htm

 

[washute]

As for a wager, look at my profile. Examine the field that says "occupation." There is your answer.

I did not mean any disrespect by proposing a wager that would require the loser to wear a Utah/Alabama tie for a week. I felt the wager would be acceptable since no money would change hands. I am sorry for any disrespect felt by you. Although you are an invisible voice, you are a real person and I am sincerely sorry for disrespecting your occupation. Please excuse my ignorance. I look forward to a good game on January 2nd. Best of luck to you. I have a great deal of respect for the Alabama fans on this site.

 

[Guest]

As for a wager, look at my profile. Examine the field that says "occupation." There is your answer.

I did not mean any disrespect by proposing a wager that would require the loser to wear a Utah/Alabama tie for a week. I felt the wager would be acceptable since no money would change hands. I am sorry for any disrespect felt by you. Although you are an invisible voice, you are a real person and I am sincerely sorry for disrespecting your occupation. Please excuse my ignorance. I look forward to a good game on January 2nd. Best of luck to you. I have a great deal of respect for the Alabama fans on this site.

Apologies, I missed where you proposed a wager for wearing a tie, and made the mistake of assuming that it was some sort of monetary suggestion. Assumptions are usually a bad idea, and I jumped in head-long.

I read my post again, and it could have been construed as going off on you, and that was not my intent.

As it pertains to respecting my knowledge of sports or ability to predict outcome of games, I was serious when I said that I do not fish for respect or credibility from Utah fans. I write articles geared toward Alabama readers, and sometimes I do write with a homer-ish mentality. I understand that as such it will not be well received by rivals. I am not paid for my efforts - like others on this site, I do what I do for the sheer enjoyment of it, and the hope that someone will enjoy the efforts. That is what we get out of it...the satisfaction of knowing that our efforts brought enjoyment to someone.

That said, I do a large amount of statistical research and evaluation. I really do review techniques played on a position by position basis, and I really do evaluate the three deep - across the board.

Utah fans have been, by and large, some of the most gracious fans I have come across. If you were to peruse these (and other) boards when we are playing our conference rivals, the amount of venom directed at us is scary. Because of this, I am sometimes quick to issue a retort that is, perhaps, harsher than necessary.

All in all, no harm done. I don't own a Utah tie, and doubt that I could find one around here. I did not take anything from your post assuming disrespect, but I do feel that comparing the past 10 years of Utah's best wins against the 2008 season for us to be short sighted. If you look at the teams we have played this season from the same homer-ish perspective, you get:

Clemson ranked 9
UGA ranked 3rd
Kentucky was 5-0 and just outside top 25
Ole Miss ranked #20 AP to end season
LSU ranked 16
Auburn started the season ranked #10

Obviously, things didn't finish the way they started. Clemson fell hard, and UGA fell to 16 in the AP. UK suffered a rash of injuries and fell. Ole Miss actually climbed. LSU fell hard. Auburn fell hardest.

That was my issue with the list of Utah conquests. The ranking at the time you played them did not indicate how good they actually were. Clemson did not deserve a top 10 ranking...and most of those you listed did not deserve to be top 25.

I hope for a good, competitive game. I don't expect it though. Games are made by match-ups. I don't think Utah matches up well with us. If Utah manages to stay close or even win, it will be more impressive to me then what Florida did. Florida is loaded with All-American caliber players. If you take the Utah colored glasses off and compare the two teams (Utah and Florida), you will have to agree that there is no comparison. Florida would have gone 12-0 against your schedule, and would not have had a game closer than 30 points. We would not have dominated to that degree, but I am confident that we would have gone 12-0 with more ease than we did in the SEC. As I was saying though, if Utah plays close or wins, it will be because your players played with heart, pluck and grit, and your coaches out coached ours. To me, that is far more impressive than overwhelming talent...which is why, regardless of anyone's perception that I am disrespecting Utah, I actually have more respect for your accomplishments than Florida's or Georgia's. You guys won impressively, in spite of having a roster filled with players who (while good) are not All-Americans.

Heres to a good game and meaningful (and not so meaningful) discussion between now and then.

 

[washute]

I also agree that looking at Utah's play against BCS schools over the past 10 years is irrelevant to predicting how they will do on the 2nd. The most that analysis reveals is that Utah's program has had some success against BCS schools in the past 10 years.

I still think that there is not a great difference between Utah's 1s and Alabama's 1s (aside from the size of the OL and DL of course). However, I do agree that Utah's players do not receive anywhere near the same national attention as Alabama's players. The best our players get is a top ten play here or there. This play was one of SC's top plays of the year (sneak peak at Sean Smith). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9M2w9m320k


There is also a large difference in the national prominence of our coaches. This story was in our local Salt Lake Tribune this morning.
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_11231122

No doubt about it, Utah has its hands full on the 2nd.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

I still think that there is not a great difference between Utah's 1s and Alabama's 1s (aside from the size of the OL and DL of course). However, I do agree that Utah's players do not receive anywhere near the same national attention as Alabama's players. The best our players get is a top ten play here or there. This play was one of SC's top plays of the year (sneak peak at Sean Smith).

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There is also a large difference in national prominence of our coaches. This story was in our local Salt Lake Tribune this morning.
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_11231122

No doubt about it, Utah has its hands full on the 2nd.

I believe Bama has its handsful also. You all have a great team, no doubt.

 

[SkinyUte]

As I was saying though, if Utah plays close or wins, it will be because your players played with heart, pluck and grit, and your coaches out coached ours. To me, that is far more impressive than overwhelming talent...which is why, regardless of anyone's perception that I am disrespecting Utah, I actually have more respect for your accomplishments than Florida's or Georgia's. You guys won impressively, in spite of having a roster filled with players who (while good) are not All-Americans.

I think you hit the nail on the head as to why most Utah fans feel it won't be a blowout. Whatever "it" is that allows teams to be successful in college football - toughness, heart, moxy, whatever you want to call it - this Utah team seems to have captured "it". Looking at the straight matchups on paper, we lose by 30. Factor in that ever-elusive "it" factor, and it think it becomes much closer.

 

[RollllTide!]

As I was saying though, if Utah plays close or wins, it will be because your players played with heart, pluck and grit, and your coaches out coached ours. To me, that is far more impressive than overwhelming talent...which is why, regardless of anyone's perception that I am disrespecting Utah, I actually have more respect for your accomplishments than Florida's or Georgia's. You guys won impressively, in spite of having a roster filled with players who (while good) are not All-Americans.

I think you hit the nail on the head as to why most Utah fans feel it won't be a blowout. Whatever "it" is that allows teams to be successful in college football - toughness, heart, moxy, whatever you want to call it - this Utah team seems to have captured "it". Looking at the straight matchups on paper, we lose by 30. Factor in that ever-elusive "it" factor, and it think it becomes much closer.

I agree with these statements. Many of Bear Bryant's teams had a reputation of being small and scrappy. The difference was the coaching. BAMA has been the underdog team all year. The difference is the coach. I believe it will be one of the best bowl games this season.

 

[Guest]

As I was saying though, if Utah plays close or wins, it will be because your players played with heart, pluck and grit, and your coaches out coached ours. To me, that is far more impressive than overwhelming talent...which is why, regardless of anyone's perception that I am disrespecting Utah, I actually have more respect for your accomplishments than Florida's or Georgia's. You guys won impressively, in spite of having a roster filled with players who (while good) are not All-Americans.

I think you hit the nail on the head as to why most Utah fans feel it won't be a blowout. Whatever "it" is that allows teams to be successful in college football - toughness, heart, moxy, whatever you want to call it - this Utah team seems to have captured "it". Looking at the straight matchups on paper, we lose by 30. Factor in that ever-elusive "it" factor, and it think it becomes much closer.

I agree with these statements. Many of Bear Bryant's teams had a reputation of being small and scrappy. The difference was the coaching. BAMA has been the underdog team all year. The difference is the coach. I believe it will be one of the best bowl games this season.

The reason I think it will be a blowout anyway, is that Bama has more talent + the "it." It is not just an instance of Bama having a bunch of talented players who are not a team. They are the same sort of scrappy group that Utah is...just much more talent.

Like I said, I think this is a bad match up for Utah. Almost any other BCS team would have been a better match-up for them.

 

[TerryP]

As I was saying though, if Utah plays close or wins, it will be because your players played with heart, pluck and grit, and your coaches out coached ours. To me, that is far more impressive than overwhelming talent...which is why, regardless of anyone's perception that I am disrespecting Utah, I actually have more respect for your accomplishments than Florida's or Georgia's. You guys won impressively, in spite of having a roster filled with players who (while good) are not All-Americans.

I think you hit the nail on the head as to why most Utah fans feel it won't be a blowout. Whatever "it" is that allows teams to be successful in college football - toughness, heart, moxy, whatever you want to call it - this Utah team seems to have captured "it". Looking at the straight matchups on paper, we lose by 30. Factor in that ever-elusive "it" factor, and it think it becomes much closer.

I agree with these statements. Many of Bear Bryant's teams had a reputation of being small and scrappy. The difference was the coaching. BAMA has been the underdog team all year. The difference is the coach. I believe it will be one of the best bowl games this season.

Some of those Bryant teams had the reputation of being bulldozers as well...

But going to your point of being small and scrappy.

There is a difference in what happened back then and the type of player you see now. Those smaller guys in Bryant's time were chosen because of the offense we were running. They were faster than most of LB'ers they were facing.

On the flip side of this coin. Small and scrappy defensive players would work well if we were a team that tried to spread the field and be faster than the other team. We don't.

When you look at the defensive side of the ball you see bigger guys on the Bama side as well. However, those bigger LB'ers, safeties, etc. run just as well as who they are facing. Florida's skill guys had a half-a-step on our back 7, but that half-a-step didn't get them past our guys.

I keep seeing this "smaller, faster, scrappier" theme and it confuses me. Seriously, what is the plan, run around our guys?

 

[RollllTide!]

As I was saying though, if Utah plays close or wins, it will be because your players played with heart, pluck and grit, and your coaches out coached ours. To me, that is far more impressive than overwhelming talent...which is why, regardless of anyone's perception that I am disrespecting Utah, I actually have more respect for your accomplishments than Florida's or Georgia's. You guys won impressively, in spite of having a roster filled with players who (while good) are not All-Americans.

I think you hit the nail on the head as to why most Utah fans feel it won't be a blowout. Whatever "it" is that allows teams to be successful in college football - toughness, heart, moxy, whatever you want to call it - this Utah team seems to have captured "it". Looking at the straight matchups on paper, we lose by 30. Factor in that ever-elusive "it" factor, and it think it becomes much closer.

I agree with these statements. Many of Bear Bryant's teams had a reputation of being small and scrappy. The difference was the coaching. BAMA has been the underdog team all year. The difference is the coach. I believe it will be one of the best bowl games this season.

Some of those Bryant teams had the reputation of being bulldozers as well...

But going to your point of being small and scrappy.

There is a difference in what happened back then and the type of player you see now. Those smaller guys in Bryant's time were chosen because of the offense we were running. They were faster than most of LB'ers they were facing.

On the flip side of this coin. Small and scrappy defensive players would work well if we were a team that tried to spread the field and be faster than the other team. We don't.

When you look at the defensive side of the ball you see bigger guys on the Bama side as well. However, those bigger LB'ers, safeties, etc. run just as well as who they are facing. Florida's skill guys had a half-a-step on our back 7, but that half-a-step didn't get them past our guys.

I keep seeing this "smaller, faster, scrappier" theme and it confuses me. Seriously, what is the plan, run around our guys?

For some reason I feel like it is David vs Goliath. Yes on paper we should crush them. They are the one that is small and scrappy. We came to the SECCG undefeated, and that game was winnable for us except for the Tebo effect. On paper they should not be playing us, however they are. We need to look at them as the underdog and put ourselves in their shoes. They have all to gain and nothing to lose.

I believe they will come ready to play. I know we will. That usually means a close game. It has happened all year.

 

[UAgrad93]

Big Fan I was glad to see that you did the leg work to find the rankings and records of the teams that are considered "big" wins for the Utes. As usual, you do great work.


To the Utah fans here, enjoy the site and maybe the first half of the game. I have said all year long that are games are determined by our line play. You guys haven't seen physical line play til you play BAMA on the 2nd. I too see a 17 to 21 point win based on our physicality.