Mac Keeps His Job If...

Mr. Crimson has been all over the place on the Mac issue and coming off of a 4-7 season walking into what could be a buzzsaw of a season I wonder what we will consider good. Utah will have a young new QB and the bulk of the recievers will be new as will the secondary, we play all of the power teams on the road including a trip to #5 Oregon who are talking National Title and Heisman for their QB. On the upside we are strong up front on both sides of the ball and should have more production at running back, in addition it would be hard to believe the offense could be worse this year.

So what equates to a good season this year?????

From a card carrying 'head chompper' my honest answer is this: We need to win every game at home. This shouldn't be a problem. It's a very weak home schedule and losing any is unacceptable (although I will tolerate one home lose if we beat oregon on the road). Then we need to win at least 3 of the six road games. This will be a little tougher but certainly should be something we can do. Our road games are Oregon, South Florida, Illinois, BYU, CSU and Vegas. No undo-able. However, confidence will be extremly important this year. By doing this we would finish the season at 8 - 3. For this schedule, that would be acceptable and respectable. IF Mac's program is the program that he and many of you likes to think it is (much better than previous coaches), 8-3 is the bottom line.

Now, my cynical answer: This year will a success if we can limit our false starts to 5 a game. If Mac will let a kicker and\or QB make an error without yanking him out of the game. If we can limit the secretive game plan of run, run, bomb, punt to once a quarter. Finally if Mac can prove to the world that he's not an old senile man who refuses to change from his mentality that if we just execute we could win every game. This is BS. For example, if y'zgut ran a fast break in bb to perfection and timed his jumps just right(ie executed it right), he'd still not be able to dunk the ball at the end. Coaches are there for a reason other than they get good seats. Mac needs to let his coaches be creative, period.

Go Utes! I'll still be cheering you on even when you suck.

- We win at least 4 of our home games. (I think the SDSU game is probably a toss-up. The others are all must-wins)

- We beat at least two of the top 5 conference teams (UNLV, CSU, AFA, SDSU, or BYJC) and have a winning conference record.

- We show marked improvements from one game to the next, and are playing at a high level by the end of the season. Basically, I want reason for optimism for the following year.

- ONE QB is chosen by the end of the 4th game, and he is NEVER pulled unless he's injured.

- The team plays with heart and desire EVERY week.

- Personal Fouls and Taunting penalties are at least halved from last year, and total penalty yardage is significantly decreased.

- I'm actually occasionally surprised by the offensive play-call.

- Turnover margin is positive - or at least in the single digits if it must be negative.

- Mac has a recruiting class similar to this year's. (Actually, I'd be willing to forgive a 5-6 season if Mac can deliver at least 3 of the following - Jonathan Mapu, Kekoa Reyes, Daniel Tautofi, Luke Doty, Kevin Richardson, Taiusi Lutui, or recruits of similar quality.

- I can go 3 consecutive games without asking, "When does basketball start?"

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

> Our road games are Oregon, South Florida, Illinois,
> BYU, CSU and Vegas.

We play at Indiana not Illinois, South Florida is a home game. Air Force is the other road game.
 

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