After a fan superstition induced hiatus last season, which didn't work (who would have guessed that somebody rambling on very poorly about the teams has zero effect on the games), I'm back this season.
There will be a few changes. Mainly, it won't be every week. There's only so many times I can say the same thing (Utah's games will come down to execute, Byu's playing yet another scrub and should run away with this game, etc.) But for the big games, or if something major happens I will definitely write a post, and just generally when I feel like it and can get the time.
But for right now, let's get ready to break down some Cougars, and Utes.
Rise And Shout
First up, let's breakdown Byu. Cougars are entering year two of the Kalani Sitake era. Last season was mildy successful finishing 9-4 with a bowl win over Wyoming. Byu fans may not have got the dynamic offense they were hoping for, but they did get one last season (mostly) to say goodbye to Taysom Hill.
Defensively the Cougars were a force, as they were one of the nations leaders in turnovers, especially interceptions.
This year, offensive coordinator Ty Detmer will be entering year 2 with his system, and now has a quarterback who is better suited to what he wants to do, as Tanner Mangum, he of back to back Hail Mary fame, officially takes command.
That's the good news.
Now the not so good news.
We really have no idea how good Mangum is. During his freshman season Mangum show flashes, but also tended to throw up jump balls and got bailed out a lot by his WR's going up to get the ball. Mangum's stats also dropped drastically when playing a P5 team versus a G5 team. That said, the one consistency Mangum showed, regardless of competition, was the ability to remain calm no matter what was going on around him. This is the year we'll finally learn who Tanner really is.
Byu fans not only said goodbye to Taysom Hill last year, but also to all time leading rusher Jamaal Williams. Replacing Williams is a committee made up of Squally Canada, Trey Dye, and Riley Burt. Canada is currently the favorite to be the main guy, but truthfully it's looking like a year of Committee.
So what does it mean for Byu this year? The Offense has a lot of question marks surrounding it, but the defense looks like it will be a solid foundation to support them. Sitake is definitely trying to take after the Whittingham philosophy of a stout, punishing defense. Even without Kai Nacua, he looks to have really start building that in Provo, but it's a defense that will be tested early in the year, before the Cougars reach the lesser back half of the season.
An Enigma Dressed In Red
One question I've been asked a ton this offseason is what I think of the Utes this year. Truthfully the answer is, I have no idea.
I really didn't like last years team. There was just something not right. Troy Williams was okay at QB, but just not quite right.
The RB situation was a mess of epic proportions. I'm sure we all remember the story. Joe Williams started the season, and sucked. Then "retired" Utah then leaned on Freshman Zack Moss, before he got injured. Then looked to have something good with Armand Shyne before he was lost for the season. On the very next drive, and cheap shot ankle roll from Arizona also put Jordan Howard out for the year. Joe Williams than returned from retirement, with a fresh mind and ran away from everyone the rest of the season.
WR's were typical Utah WR's, meaning lots of dropped balls, and little separation. Though the big difference in previous years, is under Guy Holladay they actually seemed to make improvements as the season went on.
Defensively is where the team felt the most wrong, as while it was a typical tough punishing Utah defense, it was one I just never fully trusted, which was rewarded as they faltered down the stretch in games, and in the season.
Which brings me back to the question at hand. Going into 2017 I really have no clue what to think about Utah.
Once again Utah is entering the season with a new Offensive Coordinator after the previous 2 years of with Aaron Roderick. The bit of hope though, is that the difference this time, seems to be that not only does new Offensive Coordinator Troy Taylor come from a prolific system when he was at Eastern Washington, Taylor is also a QB coach who is actually a former QB, who played the position briefly in the NFL, and has coached players such as Jake Browning. The big question though is will his system translate from Division 1-AA.
One question about Utah has always been whether Whittingham would actually relinquish the controls of the offense to his guy, or if he'd rather just play it safe and rely on his defense. That's why it was really really surprising when the Monday after camp had finished, and a couple days after Sr QB Troy Williams was announced as QB, that true Sophomore Tyler Huntley was tabbed to be the starting QB.
This does not feel like a Whittingham move. Whittingham is a go with the devil you know type of guy when it comes to the QB position. Now to see if Whittingham can ride through the mistakes a young guy is bound to make.
Helping Huntley out will be transfer WR Darren Carrington. Last year Carrington played for Oregon. It was his tip toeing in the end zone that officially ended any hopes at the South Utah had last season. Carrington will be the first true playmaker on offense for Utah since Alex Smith. He also comes with a bit of baggage as the only reason he was transferring was because he was kicked off the team following a DUI and some other incidents.
Utah is sticking their necks out giving this kid a second chance. If he can keep his nose clean he could really be a massive difference for Utah this season. If not, I hope his tenure lasts about as long as Josh Gordon's Utah tenure did.
Defensively Utah returns a lot of starters. They'll still be anchored by Lowell Lotulelei and Filipo Mokofisi. Kyle Fitts returns from an injured 2016 to try and take up the slack that is left from Hunter Dimick leaving.
The Secondary though is rebuilt. Chase Hansen is the only returning starter back there. Gone is ball hawk Marcus Williams, 4 year starter Dominique Hatfield, and 5th round pick Brian Allen. Instead Utah is coming in with highly touted 4 star recruits. But once your in college those stars mean nothing. The defensive backfield is young, and if they don't learn quickly, could be problematic.
There are so many questions regarding this year's team. But as camp as gone on, it also feels different than normal years. Utah has a wide variance for their floor and their ceiling. They could easily be a 10 win team challenging for the South again, or they could struggle to remain above .500.
One Game At A Time
Both Utah and Byu are a little difficult to get a read on this year. But I'm going to try my best anyways. Note: I did not bother to watch the Portland State BYU game, because there is zero that can be taken from a game against so lousy of competition.
Week 0
Byu (0-0) vs. Portland State - The annual Byu-Tv Memorial prostitution game. Only due to a quirk in the schedule it's being played in week 0 on Espn. Not only is Portland State a 1-AA body bag, they're a terrible 1-AA body bag predicted to finish 9th in the Big Sky after winning only 3 games last year. Byu should win this one going away. (Yea I know they didn't but whatever.)
Week 1
Utah (0-0) vs. North Dakota - The annual Thursday Opener Memorial prostitution game. The only thing most College Football fans know about North Dakota is really what they know about North Dakota State, and have mistakenly though that's who Utah is playing. Yes, the Utes scheduled the lesser 1-AA team from North Dakota. Of course, North Dakota is still really good from 1-AA, ranked 5th. and has a history of national championships as well (Seriously what the hell is going in North Dakota to create 2 1-AA powerhouse). Of course all that said it's still a 1-AA team. Utah will win, but knowing past history, it'll be closer than any fan wants, and leave Utah fans feeling a wee bit nervous that Troy Taylor as OC is more of the same.
Byu (1-0) vs Louisiana State at
Week 2
Utah (1-0) at Byu (1-1) - The Holy War resumes. This will be the first game back at Rice-Eccles South since Mitchell Juergens pulled Reggie Porter out of bounds to try and fake a Pass Interference call to end the game in 2013. Byu fans seem to be pinning their hopes on this finally being the year to snap the 6 game losing streak to Utah simply because Utah lost a lot of talent to the NFL last year. Utah fans are hopeful that Troy Taylor will bring an actual offense to the team, and that their increased recruiting the past few years has given them the depth to reload. It's the Holy War. So we know that something weird will happen, it will probably be close, and Utah should win.
Week 3
Utah (2-0) vs San Jose State - Utah will look to avoid the annual Holy War hangover that seems to make them sluggish in the following game. Last year San Jose used that hangover to give the Utes a first half scare. The Spartans already have given a scare to a ranked team who didn't come out firing on all cylinders during Week 0, so if Utah is still hung up on the week before (no matter the result) the Spartans will happily take advantage. In the end though Utah will win and finish undefeated in out of conference play.
Byu (1-2) vs Wisconsin - Byu's brutal front stretch continues as welcome the boys from Madison into Provo to play the Badgers. Wisconsin is an old fashioned, line up the hogs and run it at you type of team. After LSU and Utah, the Cougars depth could really start to be tested in this game. Wisconsin will win and Byu will be glad the first month is almost over.
Week 4
Utah (3-0) at Arizona - For whatever reason, Utah really really struggles with the Arizona teams. Last year was the first time they managed to beat both of them in the same season, and even still struggled with them in doing so. Arizona enters the season with Rich Rodriguez on the hot seat, and is probably not long for the Wildcats anymore. Utah wins and the oven under Rich Rod's seat turns up just a bit more.
P.S. Bye weeks suck
Week 5
Byu (1-3) at Utah State - Things have not gone so well the last couple years for Matt Wells in Logan. This year doesn't look like it will be much better. Utah State fans loathe Byu. Byu fans are just glad to be playing a team that will be easier than the previous three. Utah State fans will continue to look down the barrel of a tough season. Byu fans are happy to win again.
P.S. Bye weeks suck.
Week 6
Utah (4-0) vs Stanford - Stanford blew the doors off of Rice in week 0. Stanford is the one team in the Pac-12 who is most similar to the style of football the Utes play. Stanford is also the only team Utah is undefeated against since joining the Pac-12. They will also be the toughest test yet for the Utes, and hand them their first loss.
Byu (2-3) vs Boise State - Speaking of weird things happening anyone remember last year's game between Byu and Boise State? The one where Boise State was -5 in Turnover Margin. If you don't remember that, surely your remember this:
Week 7
Utah (4-1) at Southern California - USC has long been considered the class of the Pac-12, but Utah has managed to play them well since joining the conference. The two teams have split the last 4 matchups, each winning on their own turf. Last year's game was the first start for freshman Sam Darnold. It was also the last time the Trojans lost a game all year. This year Darnold looks to build on his superb season from last year. This will not be the year Utah wins in the Coliseum
Byu (3-3) at Mississippi State - Last years game in Provo was a battle of two teams to see who wanted to win less that Byu pulled out late. Bulldog QB looked like he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but was a real terror on the ground. Mississippi looks to be a little better than they were last year, and take this one deep in SEC country.
Week 8
Utah (4-2) vs Arizona State - Coming off two consecutive losses, Utah looks to right the ship against Graham and the Sun Devils. Graham is the second Arizona based coach on the hot seat Utah will face this year. Graham will be the second one to have the dial turned up just a little bit more after a loss to the Utes
Byu (3-4) at East Carolina - This will be the last game of the season for Byu against a team with anything resembling a pulse. Glad to be done with front half of the season, Byu begins their win streak.
Week 9
Utah (5-2) at Oregon - Last time Utah was in Autzen they dismantled the Ducks so bad, it was the beginning of the end for Mark Helfrich. Two years later, the Ducks have a new coach in Willie Taggert. The Ducks still have a lot of talent, but they'll still be looking to find themselves in the new regime. Former Duck Darren Carrington will want to have a big big day as he leads the Utes to a win.
Byu (4-4) vs San Jose State - Byu will look to continue to right the ship as they take on the Spartans. The Spartans have been improving the last few years, but still aren't good. They may take a team by surprise if they aren't prepared, but the Cougars will win.
Week 10
Utah (6-2) vs Ucla - Before Sam Darnold was the next great QB in So Cal, there was Josh "Chosen" Rosen. Rosen had a down Sophomore year that was eventually shut down early due to injury. If Rosen can rebound to 2015 caliber the Bruins might finally manage to not underperform. Last year's game was shootout the Utes won 52-45 that also saw Joe Williams rush for a Utah record 332 yards. This game shouldn't be anything like that, but might be difficult for the Utes to pull out in the Rose Bowl
Byu (5-4) at Fresno State - Way back when the Bulldogs were a frisky G5 team who'd give anybody a tough game. Now they've been struggling to find their identity. The Cougars will become Bowl Eligible with their 3rd straight win.
Week 11
Utah (6-3) vs Washington State - The Pirate comes to down with his high flying offensive attack led by Utah native Luke Falk. Utah's defense will have had the whole season to get their feet under them, and that secondary won't be so inexperienced anymore. Utah manages to win a high scoring affair.
Byu (6-4) at UNLV - I still don't understand how UNLV isn't able to recruit well enough to be anything but a doormat. Byu wins.
Week 12
Utah (7-3) at Washington - Last year I was kicked out of the Hospital by my wife who had just delivered our 3rd child, so I could take the other two kids to go see this game. So even though the Washington won thanks to a late game punt return TD it couldn't dampen my happiness. This year I'll be happy because Utah goes to Washington and upsets the Huskies hurting their chances to repeat in the North.
Byu (7-4) vs Massachusetts - Senior Day for the Cougars as they celebrate in style by blowing away a Minutemen team that has struggled to find it's footing in Division 1-A.
Week 13
Utah (8-3) vs Colorado - Colorado was a surprise last year winning the South Division. The Buffs lose Sefo Liufao but new QB Steven Montez should step in without missing a beat. That said I think the Buffs will take a step back as a team, and Utah wins.
Byu (8-4) at Hawaii - For some reason I keep hearing that Hawaii is going to be decent this year and could be the nominee to be the loss that shouldn't happen for the Cougars. But come on it's still Hawaii. The only way Byu doesn't win is if they get to enamored with the island and all the good food. Won't happen.
So there you have it. Two teams who will end up with similar 9 win records, but very different seasons in getting there.
How To Watch
Utah plays this week on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Mountain Time. You'll be able to find it on the Pac-12 network. Meanwhile the Advocare Texas Kickoff Classic between the Cougars and LSU live from the New Orleans Superdome will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and broadcast on ESPN.
Next Week
With the Holy War next week, also will see the return of the Utah vs Byu position comparison.
What Say You?
Any comments? Please let me know what you think, or a topic for a future post.
