For theraputic reasons I need to post my game comments.

This team is a complete enigma. We have the talent to play with anybody but the heart to beat no one. For the 3rd strait game this team has come out flat. This team is mired with two problems, 1) Intangibles. This team doesn't do the little things necessary to win games. Missed field goals, poor blocking, personal fouls, motion penalities, dropped passes, poor qb play, bad special teams play, predicable play calling, turnovers, discipline, etc (I could go on). Championship teams don't struggle with the "little things". 2) Tendancies on Offense. I can with 80 to 85% accuracy tell if the Utes will run or pass by looking at two things related to their formation. Notice when the running backs are 6-7 yards off the ball and the recievers are split wide (closer to the side line) they run. When the backs are 5 yards off the ball and the WR's are tighter (closer to the lineman) they pass. I know teams have personel that moniter this board looking for information. I plead with the UTAH person to inform the Utah staff.

I read posts about Tommy Lee play calling on this board. To me the problem isn't the predicablity of run, run, pass. But rather the predicability of how we pass and who we pass to. Our passing game is awful. We kill ourselves by not using the entire field. We don't pass to backs, TE's or utilize WR's over the middle. Our 2 minute offense was nothing more then sideline stuff. Note to Tommy the clock stops on a first down, You can use the middle of the field. Our passing game is an occasional screen and a long sideline pass. The pass that was picked in the second half wasn't only because of a bad read but because we ran that play 10 to 12 times (3 recievers on the wide side. Widest WR runs strait down the field to clear space. Middle WR goes 15 yrds and in to pick off the other DB. The inside WR runs a 15 to 20 yrd out. The problem is that the man covering the outside WR leaves his man and sits on the out and it's an easy pick).
What does Tommy have on his resume by way of player development? Maybe the reason we can't get a QB is that reason. He gets an F for his lack of inovation and development of his players.

Here's my report card per position:

OL- B. I thaught they played great. Created holes for backs, picked up blitzes well and opened holes for the backs.
RB- C-. Way to many turnovers. Tate and Hunter will get the carries from her on out.
QB- C. Darnell played pretty good. For a change he actually threw a few long balls pretty well. Pick in the 4th quarter was killer.

DL- C. Gave up to many yards on the ground. No pressure on Gesser. Garrett Smith played stellar, the rest were invisable.
LB- C+. Gave up to many yards on the ground. Oleaveo played well. The rest invisable.
DB- D-. Didn't show up until the second half. To my surprise teams have been successful picking on Dyson. Gesser threw some good balls, but the DB's weren't staying with people. By the way, note to Darnell, use Gesser as the example of how to complete a pass while scrambling.

Special teams- Is there a grade worse then F? nuff said. Mcnabb has skated by for way to long without being held accountable. If it wasn't for an occasional Smith return he'd really be exposed.

We needed this win to get some confidence for league play. We have no confidence, and these three games have done little to improve the team. It's safe to say that we can put the MWC championship bottles on ice for another year. Were not ready for Air Force, but I'll still be to the game an hour early hope to see someone there.

Long time no post.

1. Is it me or are we as fans not the most pathetic group around? You know the only time you can get a Utah fan to stand up and cheer during a game is to have the cheerleaders run around with 15 cent plastic footballs. I can't imagine why our 2/3 full stadium can't STAND their fat tushes up once in a while to cheer LOUD during a big possesion by the opposing teams offense. Here is a thought that probably doesn't apply to anybody on this board: if you are coming to view a sporting event in person, maybe you ought to have fun. If you want to just watch the game, it's on TV and you can fall asleep in your recliner.

2. What is the rule on eligibility for collegiate athletics? I am thinking that if there was some loophole that I may go back and finish the graduate degree, walk on to the football team, and I could trot my fat butt out to kick field goals during the game. There is no excuse at this level to be as piss poor as Utah has been for the last 5 years.

3. In reference to question number two, how long does it take for a coach under McBride to get canned? McNabb is the WORST special teams coach in the nation. Period. What does Fred Graves do. I sometimes wonder if he is some wax doll they just roll out because I sure as heck don't see a pulse. And the broader question is, what does the record need to be for McBride to get canned sooner rather than later? He had a great run getting this program up out of the shadow of crappy but his time has run its course. They are too comfortable up on the hill now and it is showing on the field.

I feel much better now and now I am not up a 4 AM because Utah lost. I was actually doing some work. This provides some GREAT therapy. At least my wife (Y grad and Patriot fan) is suffering similar pains these days. Misery loves company I think.

GO UTES!

After sitting through another "FRUSTRATING AS HELL" football game at the Univerisity of Utah this weekend, I have the following comments:

1. I have attended Ute Football games at the U now with my father for the past 20 years and will continue to support the team and school. I am, however, VERY VERY disapointed in the team so far this season. Poor execution, poor discipline and poor enthusiasm for the game itself.

2. I have always and always will be a bigger Ute Basketball (and basketball in general) fan than football. BUT, this year, I am admiting openly that I am VERY eagerly awaiting the upcoming Hoops season and a major reason is because of the futility of the Football team. The pathetic offensive display the past 3 weeks has done nothing but increase my eagerness of the upcoming potentially great (I have more faith in Majerus than McBride) hoops season.

3. Although I still am a supporter of McBride, I am beginning to lose confidence in the team. I still can't bring myself to fire arguably the best football coach at Utah over a poor start, but I am getting closer and closer.

4. A glimmer of hope should still exist for this Ute team. A. Although they are 0-3, they are 0-0 in conference play. They have 3 of the toughest games at home and IF they can somehow turn things around and get on a roll, they can still win the conference. B. The offense is beginning to show some signs that they can be a dominant offense. The O-line did a better job on Saturday and the emergence of the 2 JC backs should help in a GREAT way. I have NOT lost 100% hope that the team can still have a good, not great year.

Anyway...I have stayed away from the board because I am not happy right now, but also because I am very busy with work and school these days.

Go UTES. WIN A GAME!

Utes Rule

I took a few notes at the game on offensive play calling. Does anyone know where I can get an actual chart to do this? It made the game more interesting to watch.

1st quarter notes: only 2 possesions,1 turnover? Did anyone get a good look at the fumble? I thought Morgan was down from my vantage point. 4 straight passes on first drive when only down by 7 ending in a punt?
1st down: 1 run/2 passes
2nd down: 1 pass
3rd down: 1 pass

2nd quarter notes: 4 possesions, 1 touchdown, and 3 other scoring opportunities blown by our great kickers. 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty Utes on one drive. One 4th and 2 conversion. Tommy Lee does know how to use more than a 1 back set after all. I think the Utes should become a 4 down offense, and forget the kicking game when in scoring range.
1st down: 4 runs/5 passes
2nd down: 2 runs/7 passes
3rd down: 3 passes
4th down: 1 run

3rd quarter notes: impressive as hell first drive, players executed, and Tommy Lee mixed it up. Defensive touchdown on fumble recovery. Turnovers even, and big MO is going the Utes way. Whetman had no helmet problems, but he doinked an extra point through the goal posts. Botched snap on field goal saves Kaneshiro. Four scoring opportunities blown at this point.
1st possesion breakdown
1st down: 2 runs/2 passes
2nd down: 2 runs/2 passes
3rd down: 1 run/1 pass
rest of quarter
1st down: 3 runs/1 pass
2nd down: 2 runs(busted play on one)/1 pass
3rd down: 3 passes

4th quarter notes: pathetic play calling, bad QB reads, punting down by 10 points with 3:35 to go? First drive identical to first drive in first quarter, and they were still only down 7. 4 straight passes ending in a punt to start the decisive 4th quarter. Darnell throws into double coverage underneath while Russel had his man beat by 5 yards deep. I told my brother before this play snapped the safeties looked like they were cheating up a little for short routes, or a blitz. I told him play action, and bomb to Russel would be a great call. Tommy Lee did call play action, but Darnell made the wrong read. In this case I blame the player.
1st down: 1 run/6 passes
2nd down: 1 run/2 passes
3rd down: 4 passes
4th down: 2 passes no conversions

All this doesn't mean jack, but it was fun to get into the mind of Tommy Lee. If T.L.(players also)can bottle the first drive in the 3rd quarter, and repeat it over and over they could make some noise. I noticed the Utes spread the ball around the field more this game, and the O-line sustained blocks a little better on the run plays. Darnel looked pretty good throwing except in the middle of the field, and the interception in the 4th quarter that I feel killed the Utes MO.

Rickert (sp)? made a good point on 1320 after the game saying the Utes always seem to be missing a cylinder whether it be on a single play, or one of the phases of the game breaks down. I agree, but I still believe TURNOVERS are the biggest reason for the 0-3 start. The Utes have 11 in 3 games. AARRGGHHHHH!!!! Another post game caller on KALL 910 after the game said last year the players won in spite of the coaching. Well players do win games. Can there be more done to the offense? ABSOLUTELY! Can the players execute better? ABSOLUTELY!

My point is there is plenty of blame to go around. If I were to give a pecentage of blame at this point it would be as follows...
50% players
25% coaches(Lee gets 20% of the 25%)
25% opposition: I know everyone thought we would just cake walk over AZ, Cal, and WSU. They had something to say about that as well. I think they are improved over last year, and the Utes just did not protect the football against them.

With all this off of my chest now, I will sleep well. I still believe this team will pull it together. They have to start taking care of the football however. We still need an average showing by the offense in points.(17-21 IMO) I don't see our defense playing that poorly again. I have picked the Utes every game thus far, and will stick with them to beat Air Force. UTES 28 FALCONS 24

GO UTES!!!!!!!!!!!

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