Utah vs. Michigan Prediction Thread - Page 4 - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Flystripper · 08-29-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Hey I already said I won't be surprised if Michigan wins.

How did Rich Rodriguez do in his 1st year at West Virginia? 3-8.

Talent at WVU in his first year was not even close to the talent Michigan has.

RockyBalboa · 08-29-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flystripper

Talent at WVU in his first year was not even close to the talent Michigan has.

Does it really matter if you don't have a QB that can run your system?

If you don't have a QB who knows the offense and a solid O-line....then it doesn't matter if the rest of players are 5 star all world athletes. They don't have a solid QB to run their system AND they have a patchwork O-line...at best.

Flystripper · 08-29-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Does it really matter if you don't have a QB that can run your system?

If you don't have a QB who knows the offense and a solid O-line....then it doesn't matter if the rest of players are 5 star all world athletes. They don't have a solid QB to run their system AND they have a patchwork O-line...at best.

I don't think RR is going to really try and run the full version of his WVU offense. he has already said he adapted it to what he has. I guess we will see tomorrow.

il Padrino Ute · 08-29-2008, 07:33 PM

IMO, a lot of the success that Meyer had in his first year was because Alex Smith had a very good football mind and understood that offense rather quickly. Had Elliott not been hurt against A&M, he would have continued starting and I honestly don't think Elliott understood that offense as well as Smith did.

It remains to be seen if either QB from Michigan can run that offense well enough for Rodriguez to have a good 1st season at Mich. He certainly has more players that were some of the best high school football players in the country, but that doesn't always mean they'll be great in college or that they can run the spread.

I'm with Rocky on the point that if Michigan can exploit Utah's weakness in the middle front of the defense, odds are good that Michigan will win. I just have to give the nod to Utah only because the team isn't learning and implementing a new offense.

cougjunkie · 08-29-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

Does it really matter if you don't have a QB that can run your system?

If you don't have a QB who knows the offense and a solid O-line....then it doesn't matter if the rest of players are 5 star all world athletes. They don't have a solid QB to run their system AND they have a patchwork O-line...at best.

I disagree about the defense.

Morgan Trent: CB- made several preseason all-american teams, preseason all-big10.

Donovan Warren CB- first team freshman all-american last year

Brandon Harrison S- first team all big-10 last year.
Steve Brown-S 3 year starter at safety.

Brandon Graham- 8.5 sacks at D-end last year
Terrence Tyler- on everyones all-american lists.

They do have 3 new linebackers but they all have experience, this is a very good defensive team.

On offense they just need a facilitator for now, the O-line is new but they are big.

Also Michigan had a really old school strength and conditoning coach that was let go by Rodriguez, so old school in fact that they didnt even have a bench press in their weight room. They stripped the old weight room brought in brand new equipment and every player on the team said they are in the best shape of their lives.

RockyBalboa · 08-29-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cougjunkie

I disagree about the defense.

Morgan Trent: CB- made several preseason all-american teams, preseason all-big10.

Donovan Warren CB- first team freshman all-american last year

Brandon Harrison S- first team all big-10 last year.
Steve Brown-S 3 year starter at safety.

Brandon Graham- 8.5 sacks at D-end last year
Terrence Tyler- on everyones all-american lists.

They do have 3 new linebackers but they all have experience, this is a very good defensive team.

On offense they just need a facilitator for now, the O-line is new but they are big.

Also Michigan had a really old school strength and conditoning coach that was let go by Rodriguez, so old school in fact that they didnt even have a bench press in their weight room. They stripped the old weight room brought in brand new equipment and every player on the team said they are in the best shape of their lives.

I really respect your insights and knowledge. Way more than most on this board, and it'll be fun to see how tomorrow turns out.

LA Ute · 08-30-2008, 05:02 AM

Lol

DrumNFeather · 08-30-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyBalboa

I really respect your insights and knowledge. Way more than most on this board, and it'll be fun to see how tomorrow turns out.

CJ sure has pulled the wool over your eyes. Anyone can read sporting news and plagiarize it.

TripletDaddy · 08-30-2008, 11:28 PM

In SoCal, ABC was broadcasting the SC game, of course. When the clock wound down on that, we were given the last 6 minutes of the Utah Michigan game....what an exciting ending.

Nice job, Utah. That is a cool win.

And freaking Fight On, SC. Bring on the Luckeyes. Sanchez is ready, Maualuga is ready, Patrick Turner is ready, Joe McKnight is ready.

SC's defense looked amazing today and the offense looked fantastic.

Sep 13 is going to be a GREAT game.

OrangeUte · 08-31-2008, 02:22 AM

What I take from the game:

1. Utes are tougher mentally than last year.

2. Offense still tightens up when having a lead - I.e. Mcb ride. We need to get the urban meyer killer instinct back.

3. Mental errors leading to stupid penalties absolutely must get fixed.

4. Asiata is a stud.

5. O-line needs to do a better job protecting johnson or we will have no passing game. That 2nd half was painful to watch.

6. Defense is as good as promised.

7. Michigan is fast defensively and offensively not as bad as expected given new system, etc.

8. I am worrried about unlv next week bc I'm still not convinced utes are mentally very tough. They need killer instinct.

08-29-2008, 07:33 PM	#34
il Padrino Ute Board Pinhead Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In the basement of my house, Murray, Utah. Posts: 15,941	IMO, a lot of the success that Meyer had in his first year was because Alex Smith had a very good football mind and understood that offense rather quickly. Had Elliott not been hurt against A&M, he would have continued starting and I honestly don't think Elliott understood that offense as well as Smith did. It remains to be seen if either QB from Michigan can run that offense well enough for Rodriguez to have a good 1st season at Mich. He certainly has more players that were some of the best high school football players in the country, but that doesn't always mean they'll be great in college or that they can run the spread. I'm with Rocky on the point that if Michigan can exploit Utah's weakness in the middle front of the defense, odds are good that Michigan will win. I just have to give the nod to Utah only because the team isn't learning and implementing a new offense. __________________ "The beauty of baseball is not having to explain it." - Chuck Shriver "This is now the joke that stupid people laugh at." - Christopher Hitchens on IQ jokes about GWB.

08-30-2008, 05:02 AM	#37
LA Ute Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 118	Utah by 5.7 Lol __________________ "Always do right. It will annoy some people and surprise the rest." --Mark Twain

08-30-2008, 11:28 PM	#39
TripletDaddy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 9,483	In SoCal, ABC was broadcasting the SC game, of course. When the clock wound down on that, we were given the last 6 minutes of the Utah Michigan game....what an exciting ending. Nice job, Utah. That is a cool win. And freaking Fight On, SC. Bring on the Luckeyes. Sanchez is ready, Maualuga is ready, Patrick Turner is ready, Joe McKnight is ready. SC's defense looked amazing today and the offense looked fantastic. Sep 13 is going to be a GREAT game. __________________ Fitter. Happier. More Productive. "Everyone is against me. Everyone is fawning for 3D's attention and defending him." -- SeattleUte

08-31-2008, 02:22 AM	#40
OrangeUte Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 748	What I take from the game: 1. Utes are tougher mentally than last year. 2. Offense still tightens up when having a lead - I.e. Mcb ride. We need to get the urban meyer killer instinct back. 3. Mental errors leading to stupid penalties absolutely must get fixed. 4. Asiata is a stud. 5. O-line needs to do a better job protecting johnson or we will have no passing game. That 2nd half was painful to watch. 6. Defense is as good as promised. 7. Michigan is fast defensively and offensively not as bad as expected given new system, etc. 8. I am worrried about unlv next week bc I'm still not convinced utes are mentally very tough. They need killer instinct.