What to expect against SDSU
Moving forward from Saturday's debacle, I now turn your attention to the San Diego State Aztecs. I would hardly qualify this game as must-win, but it is important because it provides Utah a chance to gain some momentum heading into the Holy War. That's big, especially after how they struggled nearly across the board against TCU.
Now the Aztecs aren't a really good team. They blew a huge game last Saturday against Wyoming and it probably cost them a bowl bid. But they are at least good enough to put a scare into the Utes if Utah does not take this game seriously or they're hungover from last week's big-time defeat.
This is a team that might have the tools to compete for the conference championship, but they're surely built to test the programs that are. That includes Utah, even though they're probably out of the running when it comes to this year's crown. But a loss here could spiral the Utes' season out of control and definitely ruin what has been a fairly decent rebuilding year. However, I do not see that happening.
I don't see that happening because I expect Utah to be intensely focused this week. They should be angry after their last performance and what better team to take it out on than one that hasn't been relevant in college football since the Clinton administration? Exactly. Don't expect the Utes to pity themselves too long. They'll probably come out of the gate looking to set the tone early and bulldoze their way to victory, crushing the Aztec dreams of receiving a bowl berth.
But exactly what should we expect from Utah Saturday? I'm looking at nothing more than a complete effort. I want to dominate from start to finish. I want a similar game to what we saw two weeks ago against New Mexico. The Utes are hurting right now and nothing can make them feel better more than by taking out all their aggression on another team.
Now ideally, I'd love for them to do it in Provo a week and a half from today, but that ain't going to happen if they struggle with San Diego State. What this game will provide is a confidence boost heading into the second-biggest game of the year and probably the most important to Utah fans (I mean, who'd you rather beat, TCU or BYU with all things considered?).
Now that's what I want to see. Is that what we should expect?
This isn't the 2008 Aztecs (a team Utah walloped 63-14). They're better coached and most importantly, their defense is being run by one of the Utes' biggest nemesis - Rocky Long.
He's the former New Mexico coach who always knew how to handicap Utah, regardless of how good they were. I expect his defense to be just as fierce, though I think he's at a bigger disadvantage now that he isn't fully running a team. That responsibility goes to Brady Hoke, who's in his first season at SDSU. Hoke came via Ball State and thus far, has made the Aztecs a bit more competitive than they were last year, but still hasn't completely turned that program around.
With how demoralizing their loss was last week, you've got to think they're even more shattered emotionally than Utah. I like that. I think if the Utes get up on them early, it's over. Of course, if Utah lets them hang around, things could get pretty interesting.
Hopefully it's the former and by the third quarter we're already talking about the Holy War.
What do you expect Saturday?
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10 comments
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Comments
SDSU
this game can’t come soon enough
i’m excited to see how we respond
by utahmanami on Nov 18, 2009 4:30 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Can we call it a must not lose?
And I think last weeks loss was bad enough it might take two or three games to get the frustration out of the eplayers system.
BCS Evolution -- Punctuating the Equilibrium - twitter
by utesfan100 on Nov 18, 2009 7:20 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Yes. Not a must-win, but surely a game we can't afford to lose.
If that ever makes sense. haha
I hope you’re right. I hope the team isn’t satisfied with a huge beatdown of SDSU and decides they need to continue taking out their frustration against BYU.
by JazzyUte on Nov 18, 2009 11:20 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
utah wins by 4 touchdowns. sdsu will give up. they always do at this point in the season
9-2 and heading to provo. i already took the points and air force for the byu game. i think byu might squeek this one by. hopefully they don’t cover and maybe they even hit 16 in bcs poll. when we beat them will be right back where we started 10-2 and heading to vegas bowl vs i hope is an 8-4 usc team.
yes i am obsessive, obnoxious, in your face and all about covering the spread. those are my good qualities.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 18, 2009 12:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Another consideration
The weather may play a part in Saturday’s game too. Looking at how the Utes have played this year in weather is a mixed bag. Oregon was a slow start and until the rain let up it looked like we were in a daze and it cost us. Colorado another slow start, Whit turns the heaters off, and we make a huge come back. Louisville a little light drizzle in the first half and we didn’t get traction until the middle of the 2nd quarter when it let up. Are we going to win with a little snow on Saturday – Yes! This team should be PO’d about last week and want to come out make a statement – a least enough to roll into next week. My groups of folks are gearing up for weather and will be in the stadium cheering on our absolutely favorite team. GO UTES!!!!
TAO
by WhoAmISir on Nov 18, 2009 8:15 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Air Force was bad weather for a good chunk of the game.
The Utes played the worst of that game when it was raining. It cleared up in the second half a bit, but yeah, you’re right. Weather is not only going to be a factor on the field, but in the stands. That’s my fear…the snow will cause fans to stay home.
by JazzyUte on Nov 18, 2009 11:21 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Emotion
I expect the tone to be set early on Saturday. If there is anything that I have learned from the last 5 years, its that Coach Whit can bounce back like none other. I think he’s been playing up the emotional side of the loss to his players, and turning it (alchemical style) into white hot churning rage that will be let loose.
My mindset is that we come out swinging and take SDSU behind woodshed like TCU took us. I want it a foregone conclusion before the halftime whistle.
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington
by Hockey Beard in SLC on Nov 18, 2009 9:17 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
BOUNCE BACK
COME ON UTAH WE CAN DO THIS! WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE YEAR WITH WINS AGAINST SAN DIEGO STATE WHICH I WANT A BEATING OF! AND BYU! WE PUT UP 28 POINTS ON TCU IN TCU BYU ONLY PUT UP 7 AT THEIR OWN HOME! WE HAVE A FROSH QB AND A YOUNG OFFENSE! THEN POSSIBLE A BOWL SHOWDOWN WITH USC! HELL YEA COME ON UTES!
by westvirginiautefan on Nov 18, 2009 9:47 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
We should win
Let’s hope that we play well and have good team cohesion in doing so.
by MeanBobMean on Nov 18, 2009 1:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
tcu is a 32 piont favorite over wyoming. game starts at 11:00 am
i will check the weather 1 hour before the game. if there is snow on the field or snow flurries in the air i will take the cowboys to cover. no way wyoming wins game though.
yes i am obsessive, obnoxious, in your face and all about covering the spread. those are my good qualities.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Nov 18, 2009 5:50 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

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