Most anticipated game of '11?
by JazzyUte on Aug 12, 2011 12:00 AM MDT
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Unlike last year, Utah isn't opening against a ranked opponent and definitely will be heavy favorites in their first game of the season.
This time last year, though, we weren't certain Utah could beat Pitt. We hoped they could, obviously, but understood, with what they returned and the defensive losses the Utes faced, it was not really anywhere near a guarantee.
Remember, Pitt entered last season ranked 15th in the nation.
Montana State? They're FCS and even though they're a good FCS team, it's hard to overlook that little fact.
We're excited, obviously, but I'm guessing people are only anticipating this game because it's the first on the schedule and not a chance at a statement win.
That comes in weeks two and three and four...and so on.
So what game are you anticipating the most?
This isn't a hey, let's overlook the Bobcats post, we shouldn't, but it's hard to not look at the possibility with the most diverse schedule in Utah football history.
Is it the Pac-12 opener against SC, which could go along way toward legitimizing the program? Is it the BYU game a week later, the first Holy War since both programs left the Mountain West Conference? Is it the Washington game, Utah's first home Pac-12 contest? What about Arizona State or Cal or Arizona?
Maybe it's Pittsburgh?
All good options.
The game I'm anticipating the most? The 2nd game of the season against the Trojans and it ain't even close.
I'm guessing I won't be alone in that thought.
But you never know...
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Second place:
Washington – First Pac-12 home game, and first Pac-12 conference game I will attend. Just excited to see it in person.
Third place: Arizona State. Should be a great game.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
I never said my first place
and that’s the USC game. Great opponent, first Pac-12 conference game ever, on the road. If Utah wins, it will be an awesome start to the Utes days in the Pac-12. And if Utah can even keep it close in a loss, I think that would be some measure of success.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
SC Is the First Big Game
So yes, it’s high on my list of exciting games to watch. It has the potential to really catapult the Utes forward this season should they win. So yes, I’m really looking forward to it.
The one I’m the most anxious about and most anticipating is OSU. Utah can afford to lose to USC on the road. Losing to OSU at home ( and heaven forbid the bad blackout voodoo repeats from last year, ) can really damage the season, the conference race, and the post season.
If anyone found my snowboarding gloves after storming the field following the 2004 TDS game, I want them back!
There is no blackout voodoo
Utah is 2-1 in blackout games. One of the most thrilling games in Utah history was that first blackout in 2008. Besides, all this superstition stuff is starting to make us all sound like a bunch of Ron McBrides.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
by CrimsonUte on Aug 12, 2011 10:23 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
*Laugh* @ the McBride
Oh, I know there’s not a curse, hence I said repeat of last year only. Not trying to sound superstitious or anything.
If anyone found my snowboarding gloves after storming the field following the 2004 TDS game, I want them back!
I won't become nervous for that game until things shake out...
By that time, Utah could be fighting for bowl eligibility and not jockeying for position in the Pac-12 South race.
I’d say the Cal game looms larger. The Utes probably need to split the Cal/Arizona roadies if they’re going to win the Pac-12 South.
Most anticipated game...hands down USC!
We will find out really quick how the utes are going to stack up against the PAC! Granted a loss to USC wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I think the game will reveal our caliber of team. To be honest I really anticipating the whole season. Never has Utah had such an interesting schedule. Every game will be a legitimate fight. There won’t be any gimmies this year. Ok maybe Montana state, but I think that even they could beat UNLV or new Mexico. It’s going to be a fun year.
by UtesFootball on Aug 12, 2011 10:01 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
Agreed that this entire schedule is fun.
Which game is the least exciting? No disrespect, but it’s the D1-AA game. But even that is the season opener, which is exciting in and of itself. And, as an added bonus to me, I work with a few Montana State grads (weird, right?) and would love to see their team beaten.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
There are a lot of close ones
But the top two in my mind are USC and Washington. There will be a lot of hype with USC as the first PAC 12 game and Washington the first PAC 12 home game.
If you were to ask me which game I would most like to be in the stands (including roadies), I would choose Washington. I wan’t to see the home crowd atmosphere of our first P12 game. This game is the very easy answer in my opinion for that reason.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St Larry soon would be there. -Maji Man
by daedalus17 on Aug 12, 2011 10:55 AM MDT reply actions 2 recs
I want to BE that home crowd atmosphere
We know how to make some noise at Rice Eccles Stadium. And I want the conference to experience that.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
Totally agree, USC is huge, but I can't be there, which is why I bought tickets to the Washington game!
I’m stoked to be at the first home game against our new conference!
My top two also
USC for obvious reasons, but especially Washington as they are the only PAC 12 team Utah does not have a W against.
My feeling is that the most important game for you guys will be either Wazzu or Ucla, and I’ll tell you why:
USC, Zona, and ASU are your “marquee” matchups. The games that will be pretty easy for the team and fans to get really geeked up about. And also games that, should you not win, won’t be a huge let-down. After all, they’re good teams.
But it’s how you play against the so-called Bad teams in conference play that will be critical. All of the talk about your entry into the 12-Pac has been about how hard a conference it is, how you can’t take any weeks off, blah blah blah. The games against lower-tier teams (Colorado, Ucla, Wazzu, and , yes, Cal) are more important. And they are the ones you need to anticipate.
That said, best of luck in all your games save one.
"Thanks. Go Bears!" - Ernest Owusu: the next great Cal DE
by SoCal Oski on Aug 12, 2011 11:20 AM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Excellent Point
If anyone found my snowboarding gloves after storming the field following the 2004 TDS game, I want them back!
Very excellent point
There’s no changing our “most anticipated game” answer from one of the top dogs, but like others have noted, this season is so awesome because every week is a battle and not a “hey, let’s go watch the backups get some playing time” game where TDs are half-cheered and expected.
You may consider Cal “lower-tier”, but they are one tough cookie at home, even if it is a home-away-from-home this year. That’s one of the games I have penciled as a loss for the Utes. As for crowd excitement level for each game, I think we all will have no problem making noise and being excited for every single home game in PAC12 play. Especially if we are still in the division race for each one.
I think the crowd will bring it every game
Take, for example, the Colorado State game last year. This was an opponent that was 2-5 coming into the game, and Utah pounded them 59-6. Yet the crowd was going crazy, especially when there was a great defensive play or stop. The atmosphere at Rice Eccles has come a long way over the past ten years.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
Especially when Shak (I think it was Shak) had a TD in the 4th with Utah up 51-6 or something ridiculous...
They were going crazy.
Good times. Wet game, but good times. You know, before TCU and ND, when we actually had hope that season.
Poor Shak
That guy was going to make some noise as starting DB. But that’s not worth permanent brain damage for a guy with recurring concussions.
Dolphins and sharks are natural enemies. Dolphins are like, "Quit eating us," and sharks are like, "Stop smiling all the time, you morons."
Sort-of-daily sort-of-funny sort-of-thoughts at danoftheday.com
This is actually an advantage for us
You have to remember that we’re used to playing Wyoming, New Mexico, and UNLV every year…the crowd and the players will be motivated for those games because it’s an upgrade from what we’re used to.
by GodisBrianJohnson on Aug 12, 2011 5:44 PM MDT up reply actions
i say ucla
Not because it is a huge game or anything, but my brother attends ucla and talks smack all the time. Granted it is mainly about basketball.
Now I won’t be able to watch the football season because I will be in bootcamp so here are the games I am going to record.
UCLA
COLORADO
WASHINGTON
OREGON ST
I am not recording usc because It will be the last game before I leave.
GO UTES
Are you sure he was safe? It looked like an out to the entire statium. Well bad call Blue.
by Alavel on Aug 12, 2011 12:03 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
Interesting that no one has picked the TDS in the comments.....
to me, that game means a lot more to them than it does to us. For us, its an out of conference game. we lose, we can still win the conference. We win, and they are out of the BCS right then and there. At that point, there is no difference for them between 11-1 and 6-6, they will play in the same game. Sure, the ankle biters will spin it and say “but ESPN loves us and will make somthing happen!” no they wont…..
I voted for USC. I am PUMPED about that game. But, gotta take care of business against MSU first. I am also very excited for UCLA. I hope we throttle those guys. They are already becoming the most annoying fans in the conference. And all this trash talk about Coach Chow just makes me hope that we beat them like its 2007.
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 12, 2011 1:01 PM MDT reply actions
I did
I don’t care what conference we’re in or what’s on the line, it’s still the Holy War. There is too much history and bad blood for me not to care.
by RunninUtes30 on Aug 12, 2011 1:28 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
No doubt I'm excited for the BYU game...
But it’s not as meaningful this year as in year’s past. It’s not a conference game. It’s not at the end of the season, so we don’t know if it’ll make or break the season yet and it’s certainly not going to be for a BCS bowl berth.
I’d rather beat SC than BYU.
thats my thoughts exactly.
In seasons past, I always followed the cougars and thought of the holy war at the end of the season. I tried to analyze how we might match up.
Now, they are third on our schedule and we have a different set of goals. Sure, it will feel great to beat them. But, it won’t mean as much to me as in years past and it looks like a majority on here feel the same way.
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 12, 2011 1:40 PM MDT up reply actions
have to disagree
I live next to several byu fans who’d blab all year about beating the U . I don’t live next to any usc fans. I get that a usc win is better from a conference/season standpoint, but the byu game still has that giant X factor that these other games don’t have.
Beating Byu is still at the top of my list. The fans are insufferable when they win, and now that utah is in the pac it’ll only get worse.
Beating sc would be a huge statement, but losing to the Y=364 days of pure misery.
by RunninUtes30 on Aug 12, 2011 3:02 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Just look at it this way: BYU can't cost us the Rose Bowl...
Look at Oregon in 2010. They opened the season with an ugly loss and then went on to play in the Rose Bowl (ultimate loss, but still)…
BYU is only there for bragging rights. Utah could beat SC the 2nd week and narrowly lose to BYU and still be the favorites out of the south. That means their chance at playing in the Granddaddy of Them All could come down to one game, regardless of what happens against BYU.
Ideally, of course, I’d love to beat BYU and will take pleasure in it if we do. But it won’t make or break the season like it has in years past.
Now fighting for the Rose Bowl becomes the #1 goal of this program every single year.
That takes precedence over BYU. Always will.
i get what ur sayin
But I’ve been involved in this rivarlry for 3 generations now. It’s still a 365 day affair in my household, as it is in many others. That isn’t a switch that just turns off because of conference affiliation. Do I want to go to a rose bowl over beating byu? Yes. But the question was what was the single most important game. Looking at it from a rose bowl perspective, a win over wash st is just as
important as a win over usc (each counts as 1 conf win). But does that mean wash st is more important than the holy war? Sure if u look at it from a Rose bowl perspective….but on a game by game basis my pick is still TDS.
by RunninUtes30 on Aug 12, 2011 3:55 PM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Im with ya on that.
I cant stand the zoob fans. Still, I would just as soon drop that game. Or play them every other year.
No longer tweeting due to an overload of spam. please check out my blog sometime @ bigbenstechnicalfoul.blogspot.com for my thoughts on sports, religion, politics, family life and a host of other random stuff.
by BigBenSportsGuy on Aug 12, 2011 3:40 PM MDT up reply actions
They [Ucla fans] are already becoming the most annoying fans in the conference.
Heh. You think you hate them now, but just wait until you get to know them a bit better. Oh, brother!
"Thanks. Go Bears!" - Ernest Owusu: the next great Cal DE
Oh come on...
…Baby bear fans are a little annoying but nothing compared to SC fans. Most of the SC fans in the coliseum aren’t even alumni. They’re jilted ex Ram and Raider fans. Only place I’ve visited where I thought someone could actually get hurt.
Zona fans are a distant second worse. They were pre-game drinking pretty hard under the hot sun for hours the year we visited. Wash and Oregon fans can talk a little smack but no big deal. I would rank UCLA after Wash and Oregon on the D-Bag scale. Dis-honorable mention goes to Furd fans for being soooo apathetic. Never been to Tempe or Pullman.
To leave on a positive note, Beaver fans are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Two trips up there and we were invited to halftime BBQ s by total strangers both times. Sitting in their section wasn’t even a problem. Something about 30 years of futility gave them a great attitude.
Arizona State
I have tickets to USC in LA and BYU but Arizona State takes the cake for me. I feel like that’s the biggest game on our schedule in terms of representing the South Division in the inaugural Pac 12 Championship Game. Then when you think of the recruits we lost and stole from the team in Tempe and I think we have a budding rivalry. Plus I just get the sence RES will be rocking that night.
USC.
By far. Partly because me and some buddies ponied up and are heading down to cali for the game! its gonna be a blast. And partly because I don’t think we have a huge chance at winning this game. but if we do, that’s a statement.
PS – first post ever on here but i read this (and slcdunk) daily haha. Maybe its time i posted more…
What is the most dreaded game on the schedule?
… the one game that you least look forward to either because it will be a big challenge or because it might be a big trap.
My vote: Washington State.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
USC is going to be an awesome game, but...
Looking at the big picture from a pre-season standpoint, it seems that the game that would be most important for us to win is against Arizona State in my opinion, since they are the pre-season favorite to represent the PAC-12 south in the first championship game in most peoples opinions. That being said, it wouldn’t suprise me if they came out and flopped their season again like they have the past couple of years. USC can go undefeated this year and still be watching from the sidelines while another team represents, and if the favorite is ASU, then I say that ASU is probably the most important game of the season if they can live up to the hype. Beating Lane Kiffin and that pretty boy Matt Barkley is going to be freaking awesome though, so USC is a very close second for me, with UCLA being third because it’s going to be awesome to hear about Rick Neuheisl getting fired after Norm Chow has our offense put up 60+ points on them. This season is going to be AWESOME!!!!!
Wow, BYU has even become an afterthought for me.
Just can’t get as excited to play them when they don’t even matter anymore. The hate will never die though, I just though we were talking about important games against teams that matter this season.
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