Two days until college football starts….Just some random thoughts on the games coming up this week locally and nationally…
1. Who’s going to be closer in their loss this weekend, Utah State or BYU? This is not meant as a slight to either program, I just don’t think that either one will win their openers. Utah State and BYU are both roughly 21 to 21 1/2 underdogs. Utah State travels to Utah and BYU travels to Dallas to play Oklahoma. I know that Utah has the big QB question and that Gary Anderson will have his team up and ready to play, but I just don’t think that the Aggies will have enough to match up with the Utah defense and be able to score much at all. On the other hand, I think the Cougars have enough offense to score points even against the 3rd ranked Sooners. Plus if OU gets up early I’d look for Bob Stoops to play his reserves and give BYU a chance to make the game respectable..What do you think?? Let me know in the comment section…
2. Let’s assume for just a minute that Terrance Cain is the starting QB for Utah on Thursday night (Safety Robert Johnson hinted at it last night on our show). Is this a bad thing for Jordan Wynn? Not at all, he’ll like get his shot at some point this season, plus give him a chance to mature and grow into his body, let’s remember he is still just 18 years old. Plus Ute fans should remember the way Alex Smith got his shot some 6 years ago…You just never know….The better question is what would this mean for Griff Robles? Is he content being the #3 guy and backing up the true freshman Jordan Wynn? How long will he stay and try to compete for a job he may never win (no pun intended)
3. I’m still continually baffled by the national media’s love affair with this BYU Football team in it’s picks for the conference title and potential BCS Busting selections. I have nothing against Bronco Mendenall, in fact I think the world of him, or his program. I just have a hard time comprehending how the Cougars get selected to be “that team” when they have their most daunting non-conference schedule in years and have to face 4 extremely athletic teams (Oklahoma, Florida State, TCU and Utah) this season. The same type teams that have given them all kinds of trouble in recent years. The most troubling thing to me and the biggest question is the defense. Is it good enough??? How much has it improved? Once this question is answered I will have a better handle on just how good this team can or will be….Again feel free to share your thoughts….
4. Here are the Top 3 games I want to see this weekend outside the locals…
Oregon at Boise State–Sadly this one is being played on the same night as Utah/Utah State. If Boise is going to be a BCS player this season, then this is the game!! Just how good is Oregon? I guess we’ll find out Thursday.
Georgia at Oklahoma State–Saturday in Stillwater. There’s been talk that OSU is this year’s Texas Tech and a BCS darkhorse. They will be tested against a talented Georgia defense, but may be lacking offensively without Stafford and Moreno.
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech–The biggest match up from a rankings standpoint this weekend, #5 vs. #7. Both teams have been hyped as national title contenders, not sure I believe it, but I guess we’ll see…
Cougar fan here. You want to know what all the hype about BYU is about? Seriously? BYU has had three straight top 25 finishes and three straight 10+ win season. Two conference championships in the last three years. BYU has been the most consistent program over the last three years. Utah will lose to UNLV 27-0 again. Whittingham has lost to EVERY MWC program since he’s been a head coach. Bronco has lost to TCU, Utah and SDSU. That’s it. Bottom line…BYU has a three-year home winning streak. They have TCU and Utah at home. BYU is more athletic on D than last year. Pendleton at OLB, Rich at safety, a healthy Bradley and Buckner. It’s not like BYU has never beat speed before. Were Utah and TCU slow in 2006 and 2007? Was UCLA slow last year? UCLA has PAC 10 talent and lots of speed on D, just as much as Utah and TCU. BYU always has, and always will own this conference. Sure, Utah will jump up every four or five years, but they will be irrelevant in the conference race all the other years.
The BYU offense is the weak point this year. Check out their offensive line. They have a good qb and a good rb, but do not have a proven receiver besides tight end pitta. Their defense is likely to be a strong point, not offense, even though that goes against byu standards. They won’t cover the oklahoma spread unless they can find a way to keep hall safe. look for the aggies to be closer to the utes. I can see utah getting into the red zone and missing some field goals- racking up yards, but not points.
Wynn is 19, not 18.