Predictions, predictions, predictions (for Pitt)...

Can Utah stop the run? Defend an All American receiver? Protect Wynn? Catch the ball?
Can Pitt throw the ball? Defend the pass? Stop Utah’s interior D? Be conditioned for a 4th quarter at altitude? Keep rookie mistakes down?

Should be a great game. I am still concerned about the defense. I know the line will be great, and that Pitt has three new interior linemen which plays well into Utah’s hands. Still, all new linebackers worry me. Replacing four NFL draft picks from last year’s D won’t be easy either.

And I can’t help but have images of Utah State’s Robert Turbin breaking off a 95 yard run, right up the middle, in the first game of last year. Dion Lewis is a whole lot better, on every All-American list I’ve seen. Last year, it seemed Utah played better against big bruising backs, than smaller quick ones. Sounds like the D is improving, but how much of that can be attributed to them actually knowing the offenses plays? We shall see.

Star Lotulelei is going to be a great addition. Big guy, maybe like Cody from Alabama. But I’m not too sure what to make of Aiono getting moved around so much and still not cracking the starting line up. I heard he wasn’t in the best shape earlier in camp. I had been really excited to see what he could do and figured he’d be an immediate star. He’ll probably been fine though.

Pitt has a new QB and center. To me that equals a few false starts and maybe a bad exchange or two. We don’t know if he can pass either. Baldwin is supposed to be All-American caliber WR, but it won’t matter if he doesn’t get the ball thrown near him. He’s about nine inches taller than both of the Utes starting corners so that isn’t an ideal matchup for Utah fans . Hopefully the line can get into the backfield on pass plays and rattle Sunsuri. Don’t know how much he’ll be called upon in his first game though.

Offense sounds great. I think the Utes have a lot of weapons and balance behind a solid line. Cullen does have a whale of an assignment in his first D1 game, going against All American caliber Romeus. And although Pitt lead the nation in sacks last year, they replace a Co-Big East Defensive Player of the year in DT Mick Williams. Utah may be able to exploit the middle. I’ve heard Pitt’s replacements are pretty good though. We’ll see if Wynn gets a lot of pressure early from what could be the best DE tandem in the nation.

If he doesn’t, the Utes should be able to pick apart the outside on Pitt’s new CB’s. 4,700 feet above sea level is not where you want to begin your college career as a cornerback, against a good passing team. Asiata and Wide should help take some early pressure away from the backfield, along with some quick slants and screens. Utah’s receivers are largely untested, but I’m not worried too much.

One player I think is getting frequently over looked is Joe Phillips. The guy hit over 90% of his FG attempts last year. He may be the difference in a tight game. Remember in 2008, King Louie kicked 4 or 5 FG’s against Michigan, and a game winner against Oregon State. While TCU’s kicker missed two, within 30, when Utah beat them. Can’t put a price tag on a high percentage kicker. The betting line opened at 3, the price of a Utah FG.
 
Overall, I think the Utes need to score early and often and make Pitt uncomfortable, off their game plan, and play from behind through the air. Not a good situation for a new QB in his first game. Rookies make mistakes under pressure. Tire them out by the fourth quarter and get another score. Somewhere in the neighborhood of Utah 31 Pitt 21.

less and less optimistic about this game as it draws nearer. Dion Lewis may be the best back in the nation, and Pitt has two talented WR’s that present a big size mismatch. I’m concerned that our safeties will get exposed. And biggest of all, I worry about the expectations for Wynn considering he’ll start the 6th game of his collegiate career.

I’d probably still say Utah will win, but it’s with a steadily decreasing level of confidence.

I channel my good vibes to the Utes, notso much the MWC; until maybe it gains AQ status. I’ve been drinking the red kool-aid since my second graduate-school finish in ‘02, so i’ve been enjoying the dominance of the Utes in the MWC and BCS areanas on broadcasts as well as in person…well, when they come close to or in TX.

In answer to the question of want i want for ‘Christmas’ (= “this season”)…more Sugga-Bowl stuff!!! In standing amidst a sea of red-tide pachyderms in the far end-zone at the Superdome, i was soooo happy to be able to stand up and (keep) asking…“HOW ’BOUT THEM UTES???” that was realllllly fuuun :)

In comparison, i attended the pukin-purple-bowl (fourth time) last season at Amon G. Carter stadium…notso fun :(
The loud-mouthed tadpole behind me who kept softly taunting with “suger booooowl, hey mr. suger boooowl”…well, if 1) the other fans around me had not been so magnanimous and gracious, 2) live video cameras and law enforcement officials had not been present, and 3) my spouse had elected to stay at the house and have a great time with the grandbaby…THEN I WUDDA SAID,

“DO YOU NOT LIKE THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THE UTES HAVE BROUGHT TO YOUR CRUMMY STADUIUM AND YOUR OVERRATED TEAM??? IF SO, THEN KINDLY DISENROLL YOURSELF AND GO APPLY AT THE STOCKYARDS AS A SWEEPER!!!”
alas…

So, i’m going public to say that i am soooo looking forward to the purple BEATDOWN to occur 6 november..after which, when the Utes go PAC-12, the money so ungraciously accepted by some frog-fans will be removed from their grasping webbed paws forever…then see how national media attention is dolled-out to the true bottom feeders in the scum of the south. Fear-the-frogs…really? really?? f*** the frogs!

BoylenOut…. I though you were MeanBob for a minute then I saw your Pic and noticed you were absent a Kilt (Just play-n M-BOB). Wynn is not just starting his 6th game… he’s also the MVP of last years Bowl Game! You have to believe that his baptism by fire last year was critical for his confidence and command of the the Offense. Last year the Utes had two new QB’s, so they had a limited use of our potential O. This year they both look bigger, faster. & stronger. Each, being conservative, can implement at least double the amount of options and reads they were able to last year. Each has been a Starter so…we are deep at QB! Our line is VERY solid and I’m not worried about our WR’s catching the ball. In the spread all they have to do is make their adjustments and be in their spots and that’s all about COACHING (we got that… in spades). Same is true for the Defense. Big runs happen because people are not in their spots… Thats coaching. And with a young D thats what you coach. Make your READS and BE IN POSITION. It’s not rocket science. It’s football… Blocking, Tackling, and Mental Toughness (Otherwise known as fighting the urge to leave your spot for shiny objects of distraction).

Next round’s on me!

44-6 i think .we also started the downfall of one ben olsen in which our defense broke his jaw. utah 31 pitt. 24.