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Alabama by the numbers

As we inch closer to the Big Game, it's important we actually look at what Utah will be facing Friday. It's not going to be an easy game and if the Utes aren't playing at their highest level, they could get rolled. Fortunately, I think Kyle Whittingham will have his boys ready and that should at least keep them in the game. 

Of course, it doesn't change the fact the Utes are facing a pretty damn good team.


Passing

Passing Rushing Sacks
G Rating Comp Att Pct Yds Y/G Y/A TD INT Rush Yds Y/G Avg TD Sack YdsL
John Parker Wilson 13 123.8 169 293 57.7 2096 161.2 12.4 9 6 60 25 1.9 0.0 5 - -
Greg McElroy 4 178.5 8 11 72.7 123 30.8 15.4 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 - -
Alabama's passing game isn't the big concern for Utah. Though Wilson is a decent quarterback, if the Tide's chances of winning come down to his arm, they may be in trouble. 

Rushing

Rushing Receiving
G Rush Yds Y/G Avg TD Rec Yds Y/G Avg TD
Glen Coffee 13 220 1347 103.6 6.1 10 12 78 6.0 6.5 0
Mark Ingram 13 135 702 54.0 5.2 12 6 46 3.5 7.7 0
Roy Upchurch 9 58 350 38.9 6.0 4 9 101 11.2 11.2 0
Terry Grant 7 35 88 12.6 2.5 1 4 36 5.1 9.0 0
Jeramie Griffin 2 6 29 14.5 4.8 0 1 9 4.5 9.0 0
John Parker Wilson 13 60 25 1.9 0.0 5 0 0 0 0 0
Demetrius Goode 2 9 24 12.0 2.7 0 0 0 0 0 0
Marquis Maze 7 1 1 0.1 1.0 0 11 137 19.6 12.5 2
This is where Alabama beats you. The Crimson Tide's dominant running game, centered around Glen Coffee, run all over teams. The Utes' defensive line will have to play their best game of the season if they have any chance of winning this game. It won't be an easy task, but I think Utah is up for the challenge.

Receiving

Receiving
G Rec Yds Y/G AVG TD
Glen Coffee 13 12 78 6.0 6.5 0
Mark Ingram 13 6 46 3.5 7.7 0
Roy Upchurch 9 9 101 11.2 11.2 0
Terry Grant 7 4 36 5.1 9.0 0
Jeramie Griffin 2 1 9 4.5 9.0 0
Marquis Maze 7 11 137 19.6 12.5 2
Julio Jones 13 51 847 65.2 16.6 4
Nick Walker 12 29 299 24.9 10.3 2
Mike McCoy 7 16 191 27.3 11.9 1
Darius Hanks 5 8 88 17.6 11.0 0
Earl Alexander 4 7 116 29.0 16.6 0
Travis McCall 6 7 52 8.7 7.4 0
Brad Smelley 5 6 91 18.2 15.2 0
Nikita Stover 5 5 86 17.2 17.2 1
Will Oakley 2 2 27 13.5 13.5 0
B.J. Scott 2 2 7 3.5 3.5 0
Preston Dial 1 1 8 8.0 8.0 0

Kicking

Field Goals PAT
G 0-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ FGM FGA PCT XPM XPA PCT pts
Corey Smith 1 - - - - - 0 1 0.0% 0 1 0.0% 0
Leigh Tiffin 13 - - - - - 19 26 73.1% 44 45 97.8% 101

This game will come down to whether or not the Utes can keep Alabama's running game from exploding on them. That requires playing a very disciplined and heavy game up front. The defensive line can't allow the Tide to overpower them at the line of scrimmage and if Coffee does break loose, they can't miss tackles. Missed tackles kill opposing team defenses when they are trying to stop the run.

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Does anyone?

Does anyone else think that Julio Jones will have a huge game against us? Don’t get me wrong, I think our corners are great…but I think Jones will have a 200+ yard game with 2 TDs. Thats just me. Although, I still think Utah wins 34-31.

GO UTES!!

by Jman87 on Dec 31, 2008 12:26 AM MST reply actions  

This is one of those games where I really don't know what to expect.

Seriously, I’ve not felt this way for a long time.

It’s not a toss-up game, like maybe the TCU game was. It’s not a sure-loss like some of our games were during the McBride era and it isn’t a near-win like the Pitt game in 2004. It really is a game where I have no f’n clue what will happen.

by JazzyUte on Dec 31, 2008 1:31 AM MST up reply actions  

...
It really is a game where I have no f’n clue what will happen.

My sentiments exactly.

by Nico2.0 on Dec 31, 2008 7:09 AM MST up reply actions  

Well I think if I were a 'Bama fan, I'd have some type of clue.

Which maybe suggests I should have a clue, but am in denial.

But there is no doubt the Tide are favored and should win. But that doesn’t always happen and I think Utah is good enough to the point they could pull off the upset.

Like I said above, this isn’t like a McBride-era game where you knew Utah would get rolled, but it’s not a game you’d expect Utah to win, either. Maybe it kind of feels like when the Utes played Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl a few years ago. They were big underdogs, Tech was ranked and Utah rolled ’em.

by JazzyUte on Dec 31, 2008 1:18 PM MST up reply actions  

This Andre Smith thing...

…has been a bit of a head**** for all of us and we don’t know what to expect now. I was cautiously optimistic before, now, I have no idea.

by Nico2.0 on Dec 31, 2008 2:46 PM MST up reply actions  

I do not think Julio will have 200 yards, but I can promise you this: If he does have 200 yards, Utah will not win the football game.

JPW and the passing game is the one thing I think Utah can actually stop. If they can’t, they’re going to spend their day getting worked by the offense on play-action and draws.

I also expect Julio to see double coverage most of the night, probably with safety help over the top when possible, not because Utah’s corners aren’t good, but because it has been demonstrated time and again that it takes more than one player to tackle him. Leaving Jones on an island with a corner is bad, bad news — he’s made a living on catching a 5 yard pass and adding 30 more by breaking tackles and carrying anyone smaller than a defensive tackle along for the ride.

by PeteHoliday on Jan 2, 2009 4:27 PM MST up reply actions  

Good luck Utes...........

I’ll be pulling for “U”

12/19/08 - Thank you KLJ for coming into my life.

by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 1, 2009 2:08 AM MST reply actions  

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