| FTBL Who do we play in the Sugar Bowl?

[cyclingute51]

Cyclingute51 I was reading this moring how big is your stadium? I think that might factor in to way some might not want to play. It's not as big as some right?

45,000?

Yes, you are correct. Remember, you gotta start somewhere.

We have gotten better, and hope or rather expect to continue to improve.

As a fanbase we are trying to increase the size of our stadium, but in a state that has a population of a little over 3 million finding the money is a little difficult.

Just keep an eye on us in the coming seasons. I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised by what are team can and will do.

 

[utefan]

While not the largest stadium,

it is still larger than much of the Big East, C-USA, some of the some Pac-10 as well as Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Duke

 

[Guest]

Re: While not the largest stadium,

it is still larger than much of the Big East, C-USA, some of the some Pac-10 as well as Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and Duke

Ehh...You'd be suprised.

 

[utefan]

cjaytch

I wasn't responding to something that you posted, I was just providing a general overview of Utah for you among other things.

The answer to some of your questions should be do some research before making derogatory comments.

Difference between MWC, MAC, and WAC. Look it up and you would be able to figure it out pretty quickly. Over 1/2 the WAC is ranked somewhere below 90. Pretty easy to get through that challenging schedule.

The MWC has the best record against BCS conferences versus any other non-BCS conference.

Utah has the best record of non-BCS schools versus BCS schools.

Can you honestly tell me the the MWC is not better that at least 1 BCS conference? I would have to assume that you are being very myopic if you do believe that.

 

[utefan]

Actually it may be you who is surprised.

I've attached a link for you to look at.

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=832931

 

[TerryP]

Other than that good luck! Can’t wait to get on the field!
O btw you don’ t see us responding with a##hats huh, really classy. I tried to get on there site, but can't says I have to be validated. BTW they love you on that site TP :lol:

Catching up on a few things from yesterday still...just looking at questions I had, and how they were answered this year.

That said, what do you mean...without my looking, care to give me a little hand and link what you are talking about?

 

[Guest]

Re: What do you know of the Runnin' Utes of Utah?

Why can't we play a real team.

I suspect most of you haven't got a clue about the team that your beloved Tide will play.

Just a little food for thought. Don't overlook my Utes.

They are on a 7 game bowl win streak, included in that was the 2005 Fiesta bowl over an admittedly outclassed Pitt team.

The Utes are one of 2 FBS teams that are undefeated, can you name the other?

The last I saw the Utah S.O.S. was higher that 'bama's.

Don't be so sure that you will roll the Utes, presuming our teams go up against each other.

As a Ute Fan, I have a ton of respect for Alabama football. I know about your storied football history. I love the way your boys play. Your boys are hard playing, and seem to show respect to all of their opponents.

Good Luck.

--cyclingute51

Your schedule would be ranked #71
Alabama's 56

And honestly, it isn't that close. The best team on your schedule would have a losing record against ours. Looking at your schedule makes me laugh...hard.

Here is how your schedule stacks up defensively (total Defense - scoring defense):

Michigan: 68 - 80
ULNV: 103 - 100
Utah State: 98 - 106
Air Force: 45 - 35
Weber D2
Oregon State: 33 - 61
Wyoming :40 - 77
Colorado State: 95 - 88
New Mexico: 46 - 45 (held Utah to 13)
TCU: 2 - 2 (held Utah to 13)
SDSU: 112 - 113
BYU: 58 - 34

Averag Ranking Total Defense: 64
Average Ranking Scoring Defense: 67

Those numbers would drop significantly if there was an accurate way to factor in Weber state, who I omitted, but ranks 76th in D1AA...probably around 150th among all schools if I am estimating, because some FBS teams are actually better than some FCS teams (like some on your schedule).

Your Schedule:

You beat the worst Michigan team of all time, by two points. Michigan got beaten worse by Toledo and Northwestern.

You beat a UNLV team that gave up over 40 points SIX times on the season.

Utah State...a team blown out by San Jose State and Nevada.

USAF - A service academy.

Oregon State - most impressive win on the season simply because OSU upset USC...but they also lost to Stanford.

Wyoming - Yep...impressive winners over Tennessee the week after they fired their coach. A team with just 4 total wins - one over a D2 school.

Colorado State - Gave up 38 or more points 5 times, and was good enough to be one of Wyoming's wins.

New Mexico - Any team that loses to Texas A&M...

TCU - Quality win...should have been a loss. No way a team who outgains another 444-275 should lose. Utah had 45 yards rushing and 230 passing...guess what? Alabama has a better defense than TCU.

San Diego State - One of the worst teams in the FCS...lost 70-7 to New Mexico.

BYU - respectable win. BYU is a decent team, but 5 interceptions + 1 fumble is giving the game away. Alabama will not do that.


Alabama will shut down the Utah running game with relative ease, and mix up coverages. Alabama will have the fastest secondary your team will have played against - by far.

My early opinion...if we play Utah...is Bama winning in the 45-10 range.

You can blather on about what you have done in recent bowls, but the Southern Miss team you beat in the Liberty bowl in 2003 had been beaten 17-3 that season, by one of the worst Bama teams in recent memory. It was during a year when we had three coaches in the 8 months prior to the season. Your other wins were over Pitt, Ga. Tech, Tulsa, and Navy.

I am sorry, but this Bama team is a whole different breed from Pitt, Ga. Tech, Tulsa, or Navy. Coffee and Ingram will both break 100 yards, and if Roy Upchurch is healthy, Alabama may have 3 backs over 100 yards each...and what Julio will do to your secondary will not be pretty...and don't talk about your overstuffed cornerback who is as big as Julio. He is slow and weak. If he was fast and strong, he would be playing somewhere else.
Utah has impressive stats against the run because you have not played anyone who could run it.

And we don't care that your running back weighs 235. Our middle linebackers go 250 and our nosetackle weighs 365 (and can dunk a basketball). We played against CJ Spiller and James Davis and allowed 0 yards rushing. We held Knowshon Moreno to 38 yards. We held 10 teams below 100 yards rushing this season. Your 235 pound runningback does not frighten us.


You don't like the lack of respect Utah is getting from Bama fans? Sorry. Deal with it. We have had to deal with people kicking us while we are down...You are Utah...a big state with a small population, beautiful landscape, miserable climate, and a boatload of heretics. Your football team has done nothing historically for us to blink at. When you are a traditional power and go to a bowl, you dream about getting matched up with other traditional powers...USC, OU, Texas, OSU...Utah is not even a blip on the radar.

We have never played you, and really don't want to. No fear or disrespect...just general disinterest. We played the Utah State flavor in 2004 and 2005, and beat the crap out of them...but that was regular season.

Look, I wouldn't mind playing Utah in-season...you would make a good homecoming opponent, certainly better than Arkansas State (though Arkansas State did beat Texas A&M, unlike New Mexico)...but I really hate you screwing up our bowl like Hawaii did Georgia's last season...you remember? That Hawaii team that spanked you and then got blown out by UGA in the BCS?

 

[TerryP]

Other than Notre Dame, there have only been two non-BCS conference schools in BCS Bowl Games. Their record is 1-1. Hardly a precident.

It's probably not a good idea to underestimate an undefeated team Division 1 team, regardless of their conference. Those teams show up to bowl games quite motivated.

Ask Oklahoma.

I know I'm being picky, but by my count it's 3 with Utah (W), Boise State (W) and Hawai'i (L). Notre Dame has been twice, if I recall correctly, losing both games.

You're right Terry. To my point, non-BCS schools are not an automatic cupcake. We shouldn't expect Utah to roll over and get killed.

I agree with you Jeff.

I look at that Hawai'i game as a bit of a...fluke isn't the right word, more like anomaly.

While I don't think this was the root cause of their loss, I do think that playing on the "big stage" had a lot to do with their loss.

Let's face it. Playing in New Orleans and that type of football venue, as compared to traveling to say a New Mexico and playing there...seriously, two different worlds.

Georgia came into that game with a huge chip on their shoulder as well. They felt they should be playing in New Orleans, but a week later against a different opponent.

If there is one advantage for Alabama here, and I'm not talking about an advantage over Utah but an advantage in terms of our team, is this will make the second game in a row we've prepared for a spread team. If their spread is like Florida's, I don't know.

I've looked at ESPN360 and see they have two games there with Utah they've archived...so, at least I'll get a better feel from what they do in a couple of days than I have today.

 

[utefan]

Similar offense but used a bit differently as we don't have

a monster like Tebow at QB. When the offense is firing on all cylinders, look out. However, when it misfires, it is as bad as it can get.

I do believe the teams match up better than people will expect, and Utah has a bowl winning streak that tops the nation to keep intact. Our head coach knows how to win, especially when he has a month to plan. All of our bowl wins weren't over patsies either.

 

[Guest]

Im reading this whole thing...and i see FBS alot...whats that??

 

[SkinyUte]

Re: What do you know of the Runnin' Utes of Utah?

That Hawaii team that spanked you and then got blown out by UGA in the BCS?

What? I don't even remember the last time we played Hawaii.

 

[Guest]

Cyclingute51 I was reading this moring how big is your stadium? I think that might factor in to way some might not want to play. It's not as big as some right?

45,000?

Yes, you are correct. Remember, you gotta start somewhere.

We have gotten better, and hope or rather expect to continue to improve.

As a fanbase we are trying to increase the size of our stadium, but in a state that has a population of a little over 3 million finding the money is a little difficult.

Just keep an eye on us in the coming seasons. I think that you'll be pleasantly surprised by what are team can and will do.

You keep going 12-0 and that and see the stadium grow :wink:

 

[Guest]

Re: What do you know of the Runnin' Utes of Utah?

That Hawaii team that spanked you and then got blown out by UGA in the BCS?

What? I don't even remember the last time we played Hawaii.

You are right, I got you confused with Boise. They are good. Who are you again?

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[cyclingute51]

Re: What do you know of the Runnin' Utes of Utah?

Why can't we play a real team.

I suspect most of you haven't got a clue about the team that your beloved Tide will play.

Just a little food for thought. Don't overlook my Utes.

They are on a 7 game bowl win streak, included in that was the 2005 Fiesta bowl over an admittedly outclassed Pitt team.

The Utes are one of 2 FBS teams that are undefeated, can you name the other?

The last I saw the Utah S.O.S. was higher that 'bama's.

Don't be so sure that you will roll the Utes, presuming our teams go up against each other.

As a Ute Fan, I have a ton of respect for Alabama football. I know about your storied football history. I love the way your boys play. Your boys are hard playing, and seem to show respect to all of their opponents.

Good Luck.

--cyclingute51

Your schedule would be ranked #71
Alabama's 56

And honestly, it isn't that close. The best team on your schedule would have a losing record against ours. Looking at your schedule makes me laugh...hard.

Here is how your schedule stacks up defensively (total Defense - scoring defense):

Michigan: 68 - 80
ULNV: 103 - 100
Utah State: 98 - 106
Air Force: 45 - 35
Weber D2
Oregon State: 33 - 61
Wyoming :40 - 77
Colorado State: 95 - 88
New Mexico: 46 - 45 (held Utah to 13)
TCU: 2 - 2 (held Utah to 13)
SDSU: 112 - 113
BYU: 58 - 34

Averag Ranking Total Defense: 64
Average Ranking Scoring Defense: 67

Those numbers would drop significantly if there was an accurate way to factor in Weber state, who I omitted, but ranks 76th in D1AA...probably around 150th among all schools if I am estimating, because some FBS teams are actually better than some FCS teams (like some on your schedule).

Your Schedule:

You beat the worst Michigan team of all time, by two points. Michigan got beaten worse by Toledo and Northwestern.

You beat a UNLV team that gave up over 40 points SIX times on the season.

Utah State...a team blown out by San Jose State and Nevada.

USAF - A service academy.

Oregon State - most impressive win on the season simply because OSU upset USC...but they also lost to Stanford.

Wyoming - Yep...impressive winners over Tennessee the week after they fired their coach. A team with just 4 total wins - one over a D2 school.

Colorado State - Gave up 38 or more points 5 times, and was good enough to be one of Wyoming's wins.

New Mexico - Any team that loses to Texas A&M...

TCU - Quality win...should have been a loss. No way a team who outgains another 444-275 should lose. Utah had 45 yards rushing and 230 passing...guess what? Alabama has a better defense than TCU.

San Diego State - One of the worst teams in the FCS...lost 70-7 to New Mexico.

BYU - respectable win. BYU is a decent team, but 5 interceptions + 1 fumble is giving the game away. Alabama will not do that.


Alabama will shut down the Utah running game with relative ease, and mix up coverages. Alabama will have the fastest secondary your team will have played against - by far.

My early opinion...if we play Utah...is Bama winning in the 45-10 range.

You can blather on about what you have done in recent bowls, but the Southern Miss team you beat in the Liberty bowl in 2003 had been beaten 17-3 that season, by one of the worst Bama teams in recent memory. It was during a year when we had three coaches in the 8 months prior to the season. Your other wins were over Pitt, Ga. Tech, Tulsa, and Navy.

I am sorry, but this Bama team is a whole different breed from Pitt, Ga. Tech, Tulsa, or Navy. Coffee and Ingram will both break 100 yards, and if Roy Upchurch is healthy, Alabama may have 3 backs over 100 yards each...and what Julio will do to your secondary will not be pretty...and don't talk about your overstuffed cornerback who is as big as Julio. He is slow and weak. If he was fast and strong, he would be playing somewhere else.
Utah has impressive stats against the run because you have not played anyone who could run it.

And we don't care that your running back weighs 235. Our middle linebackers go 250 and our nosetackle weighs 365 (and can dunk a basketball). We played against CJ Spiller and James Davis and allowed 0 yards rushing. We held Knowshon Moreno to 38 yards. We held 10 teams below 100 yards rushing this season. Your 235 pound runningback does not frighten us.


You don't like the lack of respect Utah is getting from Bama fans? Sorry. Deal with it. We have had to deal with people kicking us while we are down...You are Utah...a big state with a small population, beautiful landscape, miserable climate, and a boatload of heretics. Your football team has done nothing historically for us to blink at. When you are a traditional power and go to a bowl, you dream about getting matched up with other traditional powers...USC, OU, Texas, OSU...Utah is not even a blip on the radar.

We have never played you, and really don't want to. No fear or disrespect...just general disinterest. We played the Utah State flavor in 2004 and 2005, and beat the crap out of them...but that was regular season.

Look, I wouldn't mind playing Utah in-season...you would make a good homecoming opponent, certainly better than Arkansas State (though Arkansas State did beat Texas A&M, unlike New Mexico)...but I really hate you screwing up our bowl like Hawaii did Georgia's last season...you remember? That Hawaii team that spanked you and then got blown out by UGA in the BCS?

You bring up many good points.

But I have to say Hawaii blows. They played no one, had no defense, and ran into a pissed of UGA team. Hawaii shouldn't have been in the Sugar Bowl. We didn't play Hawaii last year, and haven't since the MWC was formed.

Utah State is not Utah. Utah State has had maybe 5 winning seasons in the last 20. I think that they'll get better, they just hired our DC as HC.

I admit that respect is earned. But disrespect out of ignorance of your opponent is just plain stupidity and overblown arrogance.

Most Utah fans are well versed football fans. We may not intimately know the history of Bama football, but we do have a working knowledge of it.

I suspect most our problem with some of your fans is the ignorance of our program by those fans. We have noticed that most of you guys are well versed and are capable of looking beyond the borders of Alabama and the SEC to see that there is good football played all over the country.

We all hope to have a good discussion with you. We also hope that the football game will be an exciting one. Obviously we want our beloved Utes to win, but if we lose a hard fought game, then so be it. It's another step in building our football program into what we all hope it can be.

Good luck. See you in New Orleans, I hope.

--cyclingute51

 

[RolltideinKY]

Am I missing something here...

Nobody has selected anybody for a bowl game YET, right?

 

[Guest]

Am I missing something here...

Nobody has selected anybody for a bowl game YET, right?

Nope....hahhaha we might be playing someone else!
Maybe get lucky and play a BCS team....

OK OK UTAH FANS. Im just joking!!!

 

[SkinyUte]

Am I missing something here...

Nobody has selected anybody for a bowl game YET, right?

I was just thinking about that as well. Would hate to build up any sort of animosity if we don't end up playing each other!

 

[cjaytch]

Re: cjaytch

Difference between MWC, MAC, and WAC. Look it up and you would be able to figure it out pretty quickly. Over 1/2 the WAC is ranked somewhere below 90. Pretty easy to get through that challenging schedule.

I know, i was baiting ya Unfortunately, among the rest of the college football world, the perception isnt a difference.

Can you honestly tell me the the MWC is not better that at least 1 BCS conference? I would have to assume that you are being very myopic if you do believe that.

The Big East is a JOKE and needs to be kicked out of the BCS. Trust me, i would not be any more excited about playing Cincinnati than I am Utah. The ACC is better than the big east. They just dont have a 'dominant' team this year. Thats what separates the SEC from them, the SEC has 2. The Big 12 has 3. The PAC10 has 1, and the Big 10 has sort-of 2.

And for whoever said it, no, i do not believe BYU would do well in the SEC. They remind me of Ky when Mumme was there. TCU would do ok because they seem to be pretty physical.

 

[Guest]

Am I missing something here...

Nobody has selected anybody for a bowl game YET, right?

Nope....hahhaha we might be playing someone else!
Maybe get lucky and play a BCS team....

OK OK UTAH FANS. Im just joking!!!

I would say it and NOT be joking.

I had much rather play Ohio State or Texas or USC or pretty much any other team than Utah or Boise. Playing Utah in a BCS bowl is like taking a luxurious all expense paid vacation trip to Tahiti with Rosie O'donnell.

 

[RolltideinKY]

Exactly Big Fan.

As far as getting people to watch the game, Bama vs any of those three would be mint.

Vs. Utah...eh. Win or lose doesn't matter. It won't get the viewership that a better matchup would.