| FTBL Myth Busters (sorry for the long post)

[redandwhite10]

Hello all. I'm a Ute fan and first-time poster. I look forward to getting to know some of you and to talk football.

I watched the SEC title game and the whole time I'm watching I'm thinking to myself "good hell, I dont want any part of either of these teams!" I have great respect for what your team did this year. With all that said, I'm glad our seniors get to play a team like Bama and I happen to know that shortly after the announcement, the players headed off to the film room. I believe it will be a great game, and not a Hawaii part 2 situation as some believe.

There are several myths I'd like to dispel about Utah.

Myth #1: Non-AQ teams are not physical

Starting with a coach named Ron McBride back in the early 90s, Utah started to recruit the polynesian islands. We started bringing in mean, 300+ lbs lineman, 250+ lbs running backs etc.. We started to get physical with the recruitment of these types of players. The polynesians are nasty on the football field, but the nicest people off of it.

Our DC during this time was Kyle Whittingham. He was a tough-nosed LB at BYU in the early 80s. His attitude, combined with the recruitment of the "Big Nasties" created an attitude in the Utah program that prevails today.

This year we have two backs averaging 230 lbs. I don't think either of them even knows what "shifty" means. Our biggest, Matt Asiata, will look for the nearest DB once he gets to the second level and head straight for him. He knows he's not out running anyone, but he may be able to run over a few in the process.

We average 308 on the OL. They aren't spectacular, but do provide good pass protection. The run game is enough to keep a balanced attack.

Injuries have decimated our DL. We are small. We are fast with good technique, but our LBs need to play out of their minds to keep us in it. We average 230 here but we are extremely quick. Our front seven gives up just over 100 ypg in the run game.


Myth #2: Non-AQ teams have less athletes

This myth is actually partially true, so maybe it isn't a myth per se. However, our 1s are as good as anyone in the country at the skill positions as a team. BCS teams separate themselves on depth. Your 2s are significantly better than ours. However, we are 99% healthy coming into this game. We lost our stud LB, but his replacement is a fighter and should do ok.

Myth #3: Non-AQ teams lack team speed

Our defense features two DBs with sub 4.3 speeds, LBs around 4.6, and one converted lineman that was clocked at 4.7. We really are fast as a team, not just a few players. I know this is old news for an SEC team, all you guys are fast, but as a non-AQ, we can compete at this level. This is one reason Utah is a cut above other non-AQ schools.

Just my two cents for now. My only hope is that our offense starts hot and forces Bama to throw the ball a bit more than they'd like. If we do that, we'll have a chance to win in the 4Q.

 

[KingofBling]

Good..

Good info.. Welcome to the forum. Roll Tide!

 

[Guest]

Hello all. I'm a Ute fan and first-time poster. I look forward to getting to know some of you and to talk football.

I watched the SEC title game and the whole time I'm watching I'm thinking to myself "good hell, I dont want any part of either of these teams!" I have great respect for what your team did this year. With all that said, I'm glad our seniors get to play a team like Bama and I happen to know that shortly after the announcement, the players headed off to the film room. I believe it will be a great game, and not a Hawaii part 2 situation as some believe.

There are several myths I'd like to dispel about Utah.

Myth #1: Non-AQ teams are not physical

Starting with a coach named Ron McBride back in the early 90s, Utah started to recruit the polynesian islands. We started bringing in mean, 300+ lbs lineman, 250+ lbs running backs etc.. We started to get physical with the recruitment of these types of players. The polynesians are nasty on the football field, but the nicest people off of it.

Our DC during this time was Kyle Whittingham. He was a tough-nosed LB at BYU in the early 80s. His attitude, combined with the recruitment of the "Big Nasties" created an attitude in the Utah program that prevails today.

This year we have two backs averaging 230 lbs. I don't think either of them even knows what "shifty" means. Our biggest, Matt Asiata, will look for the nearest DB once he gets to the second level and head straight for him. He knows he's not out running anyone, but he may be able to run over a few in the process.

We average 308 on the OL. They aren't spectacular, but do provide good pass protection. The run game is enough to keep a balanced attack.

Injuries have decimated our DL. We are small. We are fast with good technique, but our LBs need to play out of their minds to keep us in it. We average 230 here but we are extremely quick. Our front seven gives up just over 100 ypg in the run game.


Myth #2: Non-AQ teams have less athletes

This myth is actually partially true, so maybe it isn't a myth per se. However, our 1s are as good as anyone in the country at the skill positions as a team. BCS teams separate themselves on depth. Your 2s are significantly better than ours. However, we are 99% healthy coming into this game. We lost our stud LB, but his replacement is a fighter and should do ok.

Myth #3: Non-AQ teams lack team speed

Our defense features two DBs with sub 4.3 speeds, LBs around 4.6, and one converted lineman that was clocked at 4.7. We really are fast as a team, not just a few players. I know this is old news for an SEC team, all you guys are fast, but as a non-AQ, we can compete at this level. This is one reason Utah is a cut above other non-AQ schools.

Just my two cents for now. My only hope is that our offense starts hot and forces Bama to throw the ball a bit more than they'd like. If we do that, we'll have a chance to win in the 4Q.

Don't apologize for the long post...I would spend all my time apologizing if I did.

You can read the reasoning in the other threads...

TCU shut down Utah.

Bama will shut down Utah...and our OL will demolish your DL. You will try to stack the box, and find out what second level blocking is...as well as how difficult it is to cover Julio Jones one on one.

Tide 45is
Utes 7ish

 

[redandwhite10]

TCU shut down Utah.

Bama will shut down Utah...and our OL will demolish your DL. You will try to stack the box, and find out what second level blocking is...as well as how difficult it is to cover Julio Jones one on one.
Tide 45is
Utes 7ish

I suppose myth #4 is that TCU shut down Utah

The truth is, TCU shut down Utah for about 6 1/2 minutes. I've rewatched the tape a few times and Utah actually outgains TCU in Q2-Q4. We had a hard time adjusting and settling into our gameplan on their first two drives.

In the Q2 they netted 6 yards of offense. They went scoreless after the first 6 minutes. Utah shot themselves in the foot on 2 drives into TCU territory in the 3rd and 4th quarters with some of the most asinine trick play calls I've seen.

In any event, Utah beat TCU and competed very well against their defense. I expect Utah to be able to score more than 7 points. No one has held utah to just one score. No one in the country has scored more than 28 on us either. Somehow, based on the high level of play from both teams, I don't think we'll see an offensive explosion from Bama or a complete failure of Utah's offense to produce.

 

[RolltideinKY]

Those Utes need to be afraid of Mr. Coffee. Very afraid...he will pound your defense into submission and then let Ingram and the others finish the deal.

If your team is not deep then the defense will be toast by the 3Q.

Oh, this game will be fun. Get ready for some smashmouth, old school pounding come January.

 

[Guest]

TCU shut down Utah.

Bama will shut down Utah...and our OL will demolish your DL. You will try to stack the box, and find out what second level blocking is...as well as how difficult it is to cover Julio Jones one on one.
Tide 45is
Utes 7ish

I suppose myth #4 is that TCU shut down Utah

The truth is, TCU shut down Utah for about 6 1/2 minutes. I've rewatched the tape a few times and Utah actually outgains TCU in Q2-Q4. We had a hard time adjusting and settling into our gameplan on their first two drives.

In the Q2 they netted 6 yards of offense. They went scoreless after the first 6 minutes. Utah shot themselves in the foot on 2 drives into TCU territory in the 3rd and 4th quarters with some of the most asinine trick play calls I've seen.

In any event, Utah beat TCU and competed very well against their defense. I expect Utah to be able to score more than 7 points. No one has held utah to just one score. No one in the country has scored more than 28 on us either. Somehow, based on the high level of play from both teams, I don't think we'll see an offensive explosion from Bama or a complete failure of Utah's offense to produce.

Its ok for you to think wrong. You are a Utah homer...it is your job to believe in your team.

Utah will be the 5th best defense Alabama has faced this season in terms of total defense, and that is with the Utes having faced some really horrific offenses. Your DL is too small to stand up to the pounding it will receive. Little fast guys may be ok out west, but not going against two first team All-American offensive linemen, possibly the best blocking tight end in the NCAA, and an outstanding supporting cast.

TCU held you to 275 yards of total offense and 13 points. Our defense is just as good against the run (possibly better - we have only given up 4 rushing TD's all season), and our secondary is faster. They are ahead of us statistically because of the offenses we have faced throwing the ball at us 80 more times. Tebow, Stafford, and Jevon Snead do tend to take their toll on passing defensive stats.

Props to your 12-0 season, but the 0 is about to go.

 

[redandwhite10]

Its ok for you to think wrong. You are a Utah homer...it is your job to believe in your team.

Whew! I'm sure glad it's ok for me to have my own opinions!

 

[bamafan4ever]

I will say this, the drive you had at the end of the 4th quarter with TCU was one hell of a drive. You guys operate the 2 minute drive brilliantly. We will have to be on our toes when you are in that offense because TCU could play defense well and were fast! I saw them dominate BYU the week before which didn't have a bad offense by anyone's standards.

I won't take the Utes lightly regardless what others say. You have a good team and we better not be flat footed because I know you guys will be motivated.

 

[Supraman]

Hello all. I'm a Ute fan and first-time poster. I look forward to getting to know some of you and to talk football.

I watched the SEC title game and the whole time I'm watching I'm thinking to myself "good hell, I dont want any part of either of these teams!" I have great respect for what your team did this year. With all that said, I'm glad our seniors get to play a team like Bama and I happen to know that shortly after the announcement, the players headed off to the film room. I believe it will be a great game, and not a Hawaii part 2 situation as some believe.

There are several myths I'd like to dispel about Utah.

Myth #1: Non-AQ teams are not physical

Starting with a coach named Ron McBride back in the early 90s, Utah started to recruit the polynesian islands. We started bringing in mean, 300+ lbs lineman, 250+ lbs running backs etc.. We started to get physical with the recruitment of these types of players. The polynesians are nasty on the football field, but the nicest people off of it.

Our DC during this time was Kyle Whittingham. He was a tough-nosed LB at BYU in the early 80s. His attitude, combined with the recruitment of the "Big Nasties" created an attitude in the Utah program that prevails today.

This year we have two backs averaging 230 lbs. I don't think either of them even knows what "shifty" means. Our biggest, Matt Asiata, will look for the nearest DB once he gets to the second level and head straight for him. He knows he's not out running anyone, but he may be able to run over a few in the process.

We average 308 on the OL. They aren't spectacular, but do provide good pass protection. The run game is enough to keep a balanced attack.

Injuries have decimated our DL. We are small. We are fast with good technique, but our LBs need to play out of their minds to keep us in it. We average 230 here but we are extremely quick. Our front seven gives up just over 100 ypg in the run game.


Myth #2: Non-AQ teams have less athletes

This myth is actually partially true, so maybe it isn't a myth per se. However, our 1s are as good as anyone in the country at the skill positions as a team. BCS teams separate themselves on depth. Your 2s are significantly better than ours. However, we are 99% healthy coming into this game. We lost our stud LB, but his replacement is a fighter and should do ok.

Myth #3: Non-AQ teams lack team speed

Our defense features two DBs with sub 4.3 speeds, LBs around 4.6, and one converted lineman that was clocked at 4.7. We really are fast as a team, not just a few players. I know this is old news for an SEC team, all you guys are fast, but as a non-AQ, we can compete at this level. This is one reason Utah is a cut above other non-AQ schools.

Just my two cents for now. My only hope is that our offense starts hot and forces Bama to throw the ball a bit more than they'd like. If we do that, we'll have a chance to win in the 4Q.

Don't apologize for the long post...I would spend all my time apologizing if I did.

You can read the reasoning in the other threads...

TCU shut down Utah.

Bama will shut down Utah...and our OL will demolish your DL. You will try to stack the box, and find out what second level blocking is...as well as how difficult it is to cover Julio Jones one on one.

Tide 45is
Utes 7ish

I am a huge college football addict in Utah, though I am not a Utes fan (nor am I a fan of their rival). So take my opinion for whatever it's worth.

I have always been amazed at how Utah can make BCS teams one-dimensional when they have time to prepare. Their head coach (Whittingham) has an amazing defensive mind and will have his team extremely well prepared to play Alabama.

All that I have heard is how amazing Julio Jones is and how Utah has nobody that can play with him. I remember a couple years back when Calvin Johnson was a Heisman candidate and all of the Georgia Tech fans said that Utah's defense won't be able to compete against him. Utah played Johnson man-to-man the entire game, limiting him to two catches for 19 yards. You are going to be very disappointed if you think that Julio Jones is going to have a field day in this match up. Is he a Heisman candidate? Future #2 pick?

I think that Alabama will win a very, very close game in the end. But, like me, you will gain a lot of respect for Utah football when it is all said and done.

 

[milliondollarfan19]

Supraman

I am a huge college football addict in Utah, though I am not a Utes fan (nor am I a fan of their rival). So take my opinion for whatever it's worth.

I have always been amazed at how Utah can make BCS teams one-dimensional when they have time to prepare. Their head coach (Whittingham) has an amazing defensive mind and will have his team extremely well prepared to play Alabama.

All that I have heard is how amazing Julio Jones is and how Utah has nobody that can play with him. I remember a couple years back when Calvin Johnson was a Heisman candidate and all of the Georgia Tech fans said that Utah's defense won't be able to compete against him. Utah played Johnson man-to-man the entire game, limiting him to two catches for 19 yards. You are going to be very disappointed if you think that Julio Jones is going to have a field day in this match up. Is he a Heisman candidate? Future #2 pick?

I think that Alabama will win a very, very close game in the end. But, like me, you will gain a lot of respect for Utah football when it is all said and done.

Well we do have some other threats on our receiving corps, Nick Walker, Mike McCoy, Marquis Maze, and more also have some very good TE that have contributed a lot this year.
and CNS has one of the best defensive minds in the country as i have heard said on ESPN and CBS when we play... and the thing about us is we are not a one dimension football team... I haven't watched any of yalls games but looking at your stats and comparing the strength of schedule im not really expecting a close game... i hope for one but not expecting it...

 

[TerryP]

I am a huge college football addict in Utah, though I am not a Utes fan (nor am I a fan of their rival). So take my opinion for whatever it's worth.

I have always been amazed at how Utah can make BCS teams one-dimensional when they have time to prepare. Their head coach (Whittingham) has an amazing defensive mind and will have his team extremely well prepared to play Alabama.

All that I have heard is how amazing Julio Jones is and how Utah has nobody that can play with him. I remember a couple years back when Calvin Johnson was a Heisman candidate and all of the Georgia Tech fans said that Utah's defense won't be able to compete against him. Utah played Johnson man-to-man the entire game, limiting him to two catches for 19 yards. You are going to be very disappointed if you think that Julio Jones is going to have a field day in this match up. Is he a Heisman candidate? Future #2 pick?

I think that Alabama will win a very, very close game in the end. But, like me, you will gain a lot of respect for Utah football when it is all said and done.

I already have respect for Utah so the last paragraph is a non-sequitur assuming you judge what I say based on the collective whole.

Interesting thought bring Ga. Tech into this conversation. That game in 2005 crossed my mind when I was thinking about this game a week or two ago.

Comparing Calvin Johnson to Julio Jones seems, at first glance, to be a good comparison until you take the other half of the equation into the comparison. John Parker Wilson and Reggie Ball couldn't be any more different.

(P.J. Daniels, Tech's running back that year, would be looking at a 4th string spot on this Bama team as well)

To this day I don't understand what on earth was in the minds of the offensive staff at Tech that day. On one series they would run until they were stopped. Next series, pass the ball only.

Seriously, one of the worst called games in terms of their OC that I have ever seen!! Their defense broke down more times than any team I've seen in recent memory.

It was pretty clear Ga Tech didn't want to be on the same field. Like a lot have said here, they didn't think Utah deserved to be playing a MWC team.

THAT, I question. I don't know what horse Tech came into that game riding on...heck, they finished 7-4 on the regular season in '05 and only had two "good wins."

I tended to follow that team a bit that year...caught my eye in week one when they beat a heavily favored Auburn team.

 

[Swamptick]

No one has held utah to just one score. No one in the country has scored more than 28 on us either. Somehow, based on the high level of play from both teams, I don't think we'll see an offensive explosion from Bama or a complete failure of Utah's offense to produce.

But who have they played? Not really anyone worth mentioning with the possible exception of TCU right?

I do think it is going to be a fun game. I am one of the Bama fans that is happy we got a team that I feel like we will really beat fairly convincingly. Congratulations on landing a BCS bowl! It's going to be a fun bowl.

Great posting and welcome to the forum!

 

[TerryP]

No one has held utah to just one score. No one in the country has scored more than 28 on us either. Somehow, based on the high level of play from both teams, I don't think we'll see an offensive explosion from Bama or a complete failure of Utah's offense to produce.

But who have they played? Not really anyone worth mentioning with the possible exception of TCU right?

I do think it is going to be a fun game. I am one of the Bama fans that is happy we got a team that I feel like we will really beat fairly convincingly. Congratulations on landing a BCS bowl! It's going to be a fun bowl.

Great posting and welcome to the forum!

If we gave Ole Miss credit for beating UF, shouldn't the same respect be given to Oregon State who beat USC?

If we say "we beat Ole Miss who beat UF," should not the same apply for Utah who beat Oregon State?

 

[cjaytch]

To this day I don't understand what on earth was in the minds of the offensive staff at Tech that day. On one series they would run until they were stopped. Next series, pass the ball only.

Wow, maybe someone messed up and Mike Shula's headset was wired into theirs that day.... :lol:

 

[Biff Grub]

If we gave Ole Miss credit for beating UF, shouldn't the same respect be given to Oregon State who beat USC?

If we say "we beat Ole Miss who beat UF," should not the same apply for Utah who beat Oregon State?

Fair enough. Good to know they beat Oregon State. Is there any other team on their list that is noteworthy? Any big blow outs? I know I could look it up but since we are talking about it here already....

 

[Swamptick]

If we gave Ole Miss credit for beating UF, shouldn't the same respect be given to Oregon State who beat USC?

If we say "we beat Ole Miss who beat UF," should not the same apply for Utah who beat Oregon State?

My question was sincere. I was unaware they played Oregon. Like I said earlier, I am glad Bama is playing them. I like them and think it's going to be fun. I do think we are going to beat them convincingly as long as the team does not lay down. If the Alabama team that played Florida, Auburn, Georgia and Clemson comes out to play, I don't think there are any other teams in the country that could beat us besides maybe OU, UF and Texas......and we could beat any of those teams too.

Roll Tide! LETS GO BOWLING!!

 

[Guest]

LBS's take.

In the SEC where Defense is king, Bama's running game has been impressive by any standard. It has not been through scheme or trickery, but through man-on-man, beat you down, physically dominating effort. This means that without the bodies, you can't "think" your way around it. --The Utes are not built to stop this approach, so one can not reasonably presume that they will. Which means that we score points and eat up the clock, meaning that the Utes have to be efficient, mistake free and pray for the opposite from Bama to keep the game close. (Conditions are not favorable for Bama to begin bad habits at this point).

Against teams expecting the pass, the Utes have put up some points. Frankly they have done an impressive job. That spread is a good one, but the point is that Bama knows how good it can be BECAUSE BAMA JUST PLAYED IT. --Tough break here for the Utes because having BAMA's preceding game against your last coach and against what is the same system (in spirit) heavily help the Tide. We had a week to study a season's worth of Florida's tape, then the chance to test our plan in a big game. Against that system and Florida's out-of-this-world recruiting we came up short 31-20. Now we have 4 WEEKS to rest, plan, and focus for a team that has not recruited TOP-5 classes since Moses played Middle Linebacker like Florida has. This scenario is something the Utes have not faced. The Utes are facing a running attack like they have not seen, and a defense that will be more perfectly prepared then they have seen.

By the Utah accounts posted here, the Utes DL is hurting. Their linebackers, I believed described as 230-ish with good speed, will have to step up against OL that both outweigh them by 100lbs, and are god enough to be projected as first rounders (#2 overall in Smith's case. Later first in Caldwell's case). This is not a formula for NOT putting 8-men in the box. --This is where Julio Jones is a gem. Once there are 8-in-the-box = cover 1, the CB will have to deal with Julio one-on-one. At 6'4", with WR speed, a 44" vertical, and being as strong as an ox, the guy is a freak. As a true freshman, Jones is "A freak" measured against the "must face 8 SEC defenses" standard. Then when Bama comes with 2-TEs (who we throw to), how do you cover Julio? Or when we load the field with athletes and a one-back set, do you double Julio and hope that our Senior QB suddenly got stupid and forgot how to check down to what you are not covering? What make Julio SO dangerous is that he is not a lone threat. (Odd, its suddenly sounding like we have Spread capability AND the most dreaded running game in the nation.) So what is comes down to is: Is Utah's defense ready to play on the same level as Florida, because so far that is the only answer?