Pac-12 Day
by JazzyUte on Jun 9, 2011 4:22 PM MDT
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July 1st will be a monumental day for Utah athletics - it's the day they officially become BCS and join the Pac-12 Conference.
To celebrate this occurrence, the state of Utah will designate the 1st 'Utah Pac-12 Day' and hold a celebration on the lawn of the Utah State Capitol. All Ute fans are invited and admission is free.
If you're in the area on July 1st, definitely stop by and join in on the fun.
Here at Block U, I plan on taking a look back at some of the Utes' biggest and best games against Pac-10 opponents as we lead up to the official day Utah joins the conference. It should be fun and even though the Utes have never belonged to that conference until now, they've certainly played their fair share of Pac-10 programs.
And many of those games were some of the most memorable in Utah football history.
So stay tuned...
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So What
The Zoobs will claim July 4th (Independence Day) is all about them, and that’s going to be celebrated every year.
by Comrade Crimson on Jun 9, 2011 10:38 PM MDT reply actions
June 17, 2010
I have said it before, I will say it again. Joining the Pac-12 is the greatest thing to ever have happened to the University of Utah.
6-17-2010 and 7-1-2011 are dates that will go down in infamy (to borrow a phrase).
by Utah-UCLA alum on Jun 10, 2011 12:45 AM MDT reply actions
The third best day in U of U history
The day I walked onto campus as a freshman
It's great...
Seeing a mid-major make the climb up, and it should do wonders, in terms of revenue, thanks to the massive television contract that Larry Scott was able to get sewn up.
Out of curiosity, what is the average Utah fan’s expectation in terms of where they’ll finish in the standings this season?
(You’ll have to forgive me if this was hashed out earlier or elsewhere, but I didn’t spot anything in a quick search).
Along those lines, what is the ceiling, and what is the bottom, in terms of expectations? Do you expect growing pains and the new schedule will have a huge impact; or do you think that the Utes have prepared themselves schedule-wise, enough that the transition will be smooth?
In terms of our final record..
expectations vary. I would say most of the fan base (in a very general sense) is cautiously optimistic. Some people are expecting a 6-6 year and others think we are capable of 9-3 or even better. As for myself I could see it go either way. When you really break it down, the success of our football team will come down to two things: how well or offense gets into a rhythm with the pro-style offense, and how well our young defensive backs step up and make plays. As for our offense, personally I think we’ll struggle a little at first but hit our stride mid way through the year. I expect most of our wins in the early part of the year to be defensive wins. The biggest thing for our offense is to stay healthy. We have a lot of talent at RB and WR but lack depth on the line and QB, but our starters are pretty solid. I’m not too worried about our DB play because we are looking to have a much better pass rush this year with some additions to the d-line. Anyone that knows our defense knows that we play alot of man defense and a good pass rush is essential to help our DBs make plays. Personally I think we are capable of a 9-3 season, maybe even a 10-2 season, but a lot of things have to come together and go our way for that to happen. Worst case scenario would be 6-6 but I think most Ute fans (generally) feel that that would be the bottom for our team.
I'm hoping for 9-3...
expecting around 7-8 wins. I’m optimistic, but know that the season can go to the trash can fast if our QB or some others get injured. The big difference in the jump from mid-major is depth, and the Utes just don’t have BCS depth out of the gates at most positions. That will take a few years to develop and is one of the big reasons it’s not fair to compare mid major schedules to top BCS programs when people argue the SOS. Basically, the SOS matches the resources available to non-AQs, so the fact that Utah, BSU and TCU were able to do so well in BCS bowls is quite amazing. Behind Wynn, we have no experience. O line is thin, too. I’m not sure that more injuries will happen with the increased conference competition, but if the “grind” theory holds true, it could really hurt the top heavy Utes.
It's a good question about expectations...
This is a strange year. There are plenty of significant questions marks that by themselves would cast some doubt on a season. Put them all together? Who knows. For instance:
1) Starting QB played last season injured and had off-season surgery. Did not play in the spring game. How will he do?
2) The top two running backs graduated last year. The players likely to fill that role this year include:
a) a true freshman
b) a JC transfer
c) a collegiate rugby player and phenomenal raw athlete playing his first year of American collegiate football
3) a new OC (Chow) changing the offense from a hybrid spread to a pro-style offense
Now, you tell me what to make of that? All of that on top of entering a new and tougher conference for the first year? I honestly have no idea what will happen—it’s exciting! If we were in the MWC, even with those questions, I’d pencil in 4-5 wins. This year? I can see one game (vs. Montana State) that I KNOW we’ll win. After that, you could argue the outcome of every remaining game on the schedule.
We have great coaches, talented players, and a passionate home crowd, but this is the hardest schedule I’ve ever seen the team play. With OOC road games at BYU & Pitt, this schedule is brutal. Put a gun to my head and I’ll say 7-5.
by fountainofute on Jun 10, 2011 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions
I HOPING for an undefeated season...
But I realize that that would be a miracle. Anything less than 7 wins and I’ll be disappointed. At 9 I start getting pleasant. 10 and I’m grinning ear to ear. 11 and I’m bouncing off the ceiling…12? Well, let’s just say the folks in our Ohio sales office won’t want to talk to me.
as for National Ranking – this first year of the PAC-12 I’d be happy with being anywhere in the top 20 at year’s end.
"It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word" - Andrew Jackson
Why can't there be an 'edit' button?
I Hoping for and undefeated season? Sheesh and what grade did I make it to?
"It's a damn poor mind that can only think of one way to spell a word" - Andrew Jackson
Um, yeah
Because you’re a state school and they’re not.
you too mr bobwoodshed. a 20 post wonder who did every poll and recomended just about everything on that powerhouse, wazzou
Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world. Still public enemy #1 and enjoying every minute of it.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Jun 10, 2011 6:40 PM MDT up reply actions
enjoy lane kiffin you 2 post wonder.
Anderson Silva would never fight "Bones". He is too scared to fight the real P4P champion. Nick Diaz, the man who will prove to the MMA world that he is the best WW in the world. Still public enemy #1 and enjoying every minute of it.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Jun 10, 2011 6:38 PM MDT up reply actions
Wow.
I see you’re playing it cool, Utah. Well done.
Fuck you, Juju. We'll do it ourselves.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Jun 11, 2011 6:05 PM MDT reply actions
Why shouldn't Utah celebrate?
Especially considering where this team came from just a mere 20 or so years ago before hiring Coach Mac.
Especially considering where this team came from just a mere 8 years ago before hiring the Urban Legend.
Especially considering where this team was possibly going to go as they waited and hoped that Coach Whit would embrace his true Utah Man-ness and spurn his Alma Mater a mere 6 years ago.
This is a big deal. It deserves a time to celebrate. So long as on July 2nd the celebration ceases, and the work continues.
Just funnin' ya a little.
It’s just amusing to see, that’s all. The enthusiasm is amazing. All the multi-part special reports in the papers, the “Official PAC-12 Day,” all the rest. Quite a show. The folks covering CU seem to be more into hand-wringing than celebrating.
Fuck you, Juju. We'll do it ourselves.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Jun 17, 2011 5:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Any idea?
Has anyone heard or seen any indication that the Utes will break out new uniforms for this season? They would be foolish to step into the Pac-12 wearing the same old duds from the MWC days. That would come across as small time.
I’ve been hoping for a year that we will see ALL NEW uniforms this season to signal a new era, and I’m talking ALL NEW… helmets, jerseys, pants, style. A total overhaul.
But I haven’t heard a thing about it. I was thinking that maybe they’re saving it for July 1, but no news makes me worry that we’ll have the same old look come September.
Thoughts?
The only change the Utes should make
Is getting rid of the MWC Logo, and replacing it with a Pac-12 logo.
Keeping the same uniform isn’t “small time”, it’s tradition. There’s nothing wrong with our uniforms.
disagree
I respect your position, but I couldn’t disagree more.
To put it bluntly, the Utes’ current uniforms have no tradition. They’ve been around since 2008 (I believe). They’re not like the ones before that… or the one before that… or the one before that. We’ve had at least four uniform changes since 2000, so where’s the tradition you speak of?
If Utah saw fit to change their unis in ‘08/’09 to continue in the mountain west, why on earth wouldn’t you do it again to enter the most important era of your existence?
The Utes’ current unis absolutely scream “small time” to me. Look at all the uniforms in any BCS league and you’ll see that most are far better than ours. That’s especially true in the Pac-12.
Agreed… there’s nothing wrong with Utah’s uniforms. But they aren’t quite Pac-12 are they?
I'm with Tomahawk....
I want new unis.
I want black pants, solid black thank you, and get rid of all the little swish’s and odd patterns on it. I want a more solid look. Not necessarily just plain color, just less….busy and more classy.
You're in Nike Country now.
Uncle Phil will take care of you.
Fuck you, Juju. We'll do it ourselves.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Jun 17, 2011 5:57 PM MDT up reply actions
I wish
I wish you were right. But I don’t think you are. Under Armour still outfits Utah, and prob has a contract to do so for the immediate future.
I guess it’s always possible Phil Knight will come calling with an offer the Utes can’t refuse (see Oregon). But barring that, I’m afraid we’re sticking with UA.
The switch to Under Armour was for financial reasons
At the time, Under Armour was making a big push into D1 football and offered a significantly better contract than the previous Nike deal. Utah signed a 5-year deal which runs through 2013.
I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
Also, the team council voted for the change (in 2008)
I keep accidentally eating my pets. Maybe I should get something less appetizing, like a cat instead of a Twinkie.
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
Contracts expire.
Just sayin’.
Ducks GOOOOD. Fuskies BAAAAAD.
by BigGreenWreckingMachine on Jun 20, 2011 4:02 PM MDT up reply actions
Just in case no one else has noticed....
If you check out the Utah store online, there are a bunch of new shirts and such with Nike and Adidas logos on them. Haven’t seen those in years, I haven’t been looking but still.
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