re: finally | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Actually Utah DID dominate Air Force, at Air Force.

Air Force had 42 carries for 53 yards. Going into the game they were the 2nd ranked rushing team in the nation. Utah took the run game away from them and forced them to throw the ball.

Total yards: Utah 440, Air Force 191
First Downs: Utah 24, Air Force 9

Here's some stats for you to consider:

Total yards: byu 364, Wyoming 273
First Downs: byu 23, Wyoming 19

Scores can be very misleading when speaking about dominating a game. FYI, I don't want to hear your stats on turnovers. While they can and do have a huge impact on the scoreboard, I'm focused on domination from the line of scrimage.
re: Northern Iowa | 2:09 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Are you serious about byu's SOS taking a hit because Washington's starting QB got hurt in the Stanford game?

Locker started all four games and was 0 - 4. He threw a total of ONE touchdown pass in those four games, against byu.

His replacement in the Stanford game was impressive and matched his total touchdown passes for the year against Stanford.

Don't blame your miserable SOS on Locker!!!!

Oh, if you want to point out that Locker is a great running QB, he has a total of 180 yards on the year through 4 games (62 of those coming against byu).

Your 100+ SOS is legitimate at this point in the season.
Black out | 2:10 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Let's hope the "blackout" works out better for Utah than it did for Georgia. I for one would be a little hesitant to posture quite so much for such a big game--it'll only fuel TCU's fire.
Comments continue below
re:re: finally 1:58pm | 2:23 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
"Scores can be very misleading when speaking about dominating a game.FYI, I don't want to hear your stats on turnovers. "

FYI, the final score is what matters most. So what if one team can move the ball up and down the field but is not good at punching it into the endzone? Or they move the ball all the way downfield, get within easy scoring range, and then their QB throws a lateral which the receiver drops, doesn't go after it, and a defender picks it up and races 64 yards for a TD (see BYU vs. Wyoming)?

FYI again, if the score is close against a weak team then your defense didn't do a very good job (see utah vs. Weber State. HAHAHAHAHA!!!).

Naturally you would say the score can be misleading. And naturally you don't want to hear about BYU's turnover stats because ute fans are very jealous. By the way, how many shut-out wins does utah have this year? BYU has two (so far).

Have fun getting pounded by the wood chewing dam builders.
Anonymous | 2:48 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
if utah loses a game this year its not going to be from Oregon St this thursday.it will be from one of the mountain west teams that they underestimate like unlv last year. air force is not that good and the utes barely beat them. the utes always come ready to play against BCS teams and BYU but not always against the other teams
STXB | 3:08 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Gotta love it. Utes talking about who played who and why that matters. It doesn't. Every game is different. Every team matches up differently with every other team. It doesn't matter that Utah held on for a win against Michigan and BYU barely escaped with a one point win over Washington. Be careful, Utes. You used the whole we played so and so better so we are better argument last year. It backfired. Let me explain. Over and over last year, I read things like "We(Utes) beat UCLA soundly, BYU got beat by UCLA, we will own BYU." Or "We beat Wyoming 50-0 and BYU only beat them by 25. Plus we beat New Mexico by 18 and BYU only beat them by 6. Surely we will beat BYU." Um, BYU 17 Utah 10. It's all about the matchups. SOS, is something the BIG BOY conferences created to make themselves feel better about themselves. Accurate? Of course it is sometimes. Even the weather man gets it right sometimes.
not so dominant | 3:13 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
You have a different definition of domination than most intelligent football fans.

Behind at the half 9-16.

Tied at the end of three 16-16.

And, a late 80-yard drive to score the winning touchdown with 58 seconds left.

Is hardly what anybody except an extremely biased homer would call domination.

683 total yards is impressive, IF, it leads to a whole lot more than 30 points, especially when Utah only scored 23 points in the first 59 minutes of the game.

Utah was in danger of losing that game until 3rd and 1 at the Air Force 43 with 2:16 left when Asiata rushed to the right for a 13 yard gain to pick up the first down and put Utah in field goal range.

If AF had stopped the Utes on that play, Utah would have been forced into a very difficult choice. Go for it on fourth and whatever, and risk turning the ball over to Air Force in good field position with almost 2 minutes to play. Or punt, and hope to pin the Falcons deep in their territory, but still with almost 2 minutes to play.

A 60-yard FG try was unrealistic, even for Sakoda.
Anonymous | 3:14 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
You guys are great fans with discriminating know ledge, like how to spell the OSU running backs name. I believe we will have a close game only because of the travel, altidude and home field advantage, the spread could also have an influence on the game if the Beaver Defense does not get after your QB.
Re: Finally | 3:18 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
The Nevada Wolfpack is a decent WAC team. They barely lost to BSU last year in a thriller in Boise. As I recall, the Cougars of BYU lost to them when they flew into Reno the day of the game. (Thinking that all they had to do is show up).
Bottom line, Nevada would give EVERY team in the mountain west conference a good game.

Anyway it helps if you know what you are talking about, and obviously you don't.
re: OSBeavers | 3:28 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
OSU did look very good in beating USC, but one good game does not a season make.

We'll see how the Beavers do against the Utes tomorrow night. If Quizz runs all over Utah and the Beavers dominate the Utes like they did the Trojans, then I'll be a believer.
Rivals.com | 4:16 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Kyle is on the very short list for going to UW. Looks like the utes will have to look for another former BYU player to coach their team next year.
Cougar Diehard... | 4:18 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
C'mon people, anyone that has there head on straight would love to see the Cougar-Ute showdown at the end of November, and as much as I love the Cougars chances this year, GO UTES and kick some Beaver trash this Thursday! Whether neither of us have been tested or not, we scare a lot of teams! Keep it and lets REPRESENT!
Beaverish | 4:29 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
It's difficult to gauge the Utes since I only see one major opponent you've played so far this year. Now if Michigan is the same as the team that beat Wisconsin, then you have a real accomplishment. On the other hand, after looking at Michigan's other early season losses, I wonder. They have a new coach and system so that probably translates into a slow start and a better team in October. Again, this doesn't help in assessing the Utes.

Now if you think USC didn't play to their potential against OSU, then why did they sustain quite a few injuries last Thursday?

If you ask those who know about the Beavers, you will learn they make terrific improvements over their first few games. This team didn't begin to click until the 2nd quarter of their game against Hawaii. the defense became a real unit and the offensive line found their stride. If you put a runner like the Quizz together with a very improved Oline, you can end up with sudden danger. We saw that last week. Odds are we see it again this week.

Altitude may take some of our wind, but none of our fire!
Re:Couger Diehard | 4:34 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
It is nice to hear fans like you. I know I am like you just on the other side rooting for Utah.
I get very tired of all the smack that people talk, and how personal it gets. I hope that this years match up with Utah and BYU is as epic as it is looking.
Utes need to beat OSU first, and they are good.

Go Utes.
Chester | 4:39 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Utah should stop them because their defense is by far the best in the country. OSU will be stunned at how dominant the Ute defense is because no team has had a runner reach the 100 yard plateau or ever will.... that is until they play BYU's power-elusive-back UNGA! He's the real deal with FUI leading the way and could rush for 150 yards on the Utes if he gets 30 carries but he doesn't need to get that many to win. BYU is the most dominant offense in the Country and soon even the Yewt fans will be saying, 'What just hit us?' and that will be the #4 Cougars on their way to a BCS bowl game or possibly a national championship even though it's a longshot. Enjoy the ride Utes because your BCS day won't happen again. I believe in Bronco and BYU. NATIONAL CHAMPS BABY!!!
Air Force | 4:46 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Please stop with Air Force being a quality win. We understand that the yewets are very excited they beat the Falcons after last years disaster in RES. After Navy gets done beating Air Force they will not look so good. Air Force always starts out with a winning record and by the end of the season does not look as impressive.

Also Nevada is not a good team. Pleas stop with the we beat UNLV, as they are the bottom of the MWC every year. Didn't Nevada as I remember get completely dominated by a 4th place New Mexico Lobos team 20 to 0 last year over the mighty puppy Pack. Nevada was so good the canceled the BYU game. UNLV will have a losing record by the end of the season and Air Force will not look as good either. Some fans are cracking me up.
Dave from Midvale | 5:02 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Speaking as a Cougar fan and somebody who grew up in the south (Jacksonville, FL), I do hope the Utes win and darn glad to see the droves of Ute fans tht think the same about the Y now. There have been so many years that all I heard from the Ute fans was, "I'm for Utah and anybody playing BYU." Good form Utes.

As for this running back Jacquizze Rogers from OSU. Ya'll better watch out for this goomer. Down south they call these guys "scooter bugs." Short, small and shifty. They have the ability to make some wicked shifts when the hit the line. . . ala scooting from side to side or through some strange holes in the line.

Watch it. . . and GO UTES!
BYU Boy in Texas | 5:05 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Go Utes! Maybe the Mountain West can make the case that it deserves more attention.

Maybe we can get a better TV deal.
Ref: Rivals.com | 5:15 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Maybe they can get Mac back. He built that so called program. Back when it was competitive with BYU and it was a rivalry.
Minneapolis Coug | 5:19 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Best of luck in sending the Beavers back to the pond. The PAC-10 can never lose too much. It will be a much better game than BYU-USU. Tell me again why Utah and BYU have two byes (Aggies + another week off).
Don't Matter | 5:23 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Most everything said here is a bunch of whooey. It won't matter who played who or who beat who or who had the toughest schedule. Utah / BYU will be settled on the field where talent talks and BS walks.
Rush Decoy | 5:37 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
I think Oregon is going to rush to get the box loaded up and then the pass will be the difference in this game. I think Oregon will pass for 300 plus yards if that running game is anywhere close to 100 yards. Play action pass and some big plays could be coming the utes way. This is playing in the Beavs favor by using the little guy as a decoy while the passing game is poised to pounce and deal lethal blows to the Utes! Watch out Utah....Everyone knows that it is the pass that is the most lethal part of the Beavs offense.

Don't be fooled Utah, REPRESENT!
Re Cougar Diehard | 5:41 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
For the Cougar Diehard and the dude that responded to Cougar Diehard: YOU'RE AWESOME!!! I'm also growing tired of the personal attacks. What's crazy here is that you don't even know who these people are that post. For instance: You post a comment to a Utah fan, mocking him and calling him an idiot. You have no idea who he is or what his beliefs are. You never know, he could actually be your Bishop. By some remark, you could have just called your spiritual leader an idiot and that he's dumb because he likes a different team. I'd hate for that to be me. Anyway, my point is, don't mock people when you don't know who they are. I may not like BYU, but some of my best friends are BYU fans. I respect people more than to rag on them just for their team preference. So, for Cougar Diehard and anyone that shares these same views, thank you for actually having sense when you make posts. Go Utes, and Go Cougars!!! Everyone should take a side on rivalry week, until then, we can all learn from Cougar Diehard
Re: Air Force | 5:45 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
While you are at it, please stop with the, "We dominated Wyoming" Let's not forget that same Wyoming team was beat 45-16 in Laramie by a 2-2 MAC school. Also, Both UCLA and UW are dominating the PAC 10. That Northern Iowa School of Dental Hygiene is looking better every day.
re: Ref: Rivals.com | 6:02 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Just out of curiosity, what is the record in the rivalry since Mac left? I believe its 3-2 for the Utes, with the only blowout ( by 31 points mind you) coming from the Utes. I don't really understand if your post was meant as a dig, because if it was, it doesn't make bywho look too good now does it?
U of U Alum | 6:44 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Sorry folks, but I think the Utes are in for a beating tomorrow night. Utah has not played a tough, physical team all year and I don't think they'll respond well when OSU smacks them in the mouth. The Beavers have had a week to prepare since beating USC, the Utes have had 4 days since sleepwalking against Weber State. Stupid Utah penalties are the difference.
OSU - 28 Utah - 24
COUGARS should read this | 7:37 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
There is nothing better in sports, than the ability to control your own destiny. Utah has a chance tomorrow night to vault into a top ten ranking, and to establish itself as THE contender for a BCS bowl game. Like Coach Whit has preached, "YOU EARN RESPECT." Had OSU not beaten USC, this game would not be nearly as meaningful, but once again the stars have aligned for the school that Brigham Young ACTUALLY founded, THE UTES!

As for BYU, don't fool yourselves into thinking that the voters haven't noticed that you moved up without even playing a game. Even if you beat the aggies, I could honestly see you drop a few spots, especially if the Utes win, and the other BCS schools step up and win the games they are supposed to. Your remaining schedule is WEAK (Except UTAH) the teams you played are WEAK, and once again you will end up in the LAS VEGAS BOWL, as the UTES head to their SECOND BCS GAME!

GO UTES
osu | 8:08 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
beavers run all over yewts. utah is overratedm
re: re: finally 3:18pm | 8:20 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
"The Nevada Wolfpack is a decent WAC team...As I recall, the Cougars of BYU lost to them when they flew into Reno the day of the game...Nevada would give EVERY team in the mountain west conference a good game."

Holy Wolfpack Batman, you had to go all the way back to 2002 this time to find something to knock the Cougars. Leave it to a desperate ute fan to pull something irrelevant from the past. Yes, a game from Crowton's first of three losing seasons. That really has a lot to do with how good Nevada is and whether they could compete in our conference.

Let's see, this year Nevada has two huge wins: Grambling and UNLV. But then they got blown out by Texas Tech and Missouri. That must mean they're 4-0 the way ute fans calculate this stuff. And last year they finished 6-7 (4-4 WAC) and lost 23-0 to New Mexico in their bowl game. Yeah, real decent team.

Hey ute fan, whatever helps you feel good about your little team. Anyway it helps if you know what you're talking about and you obviously don't.
UTES should read this | 8:23 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Trust a boneheaded Ute fan to continue beating the SOS drum. Except for 3 games, BYU and Utah play the EXACT SAME SCHEDULE.

If both BYU and Utah are undefeated and ranked in the Top 12 when they meet on November 22nd, the winner of that game will determine which team goes to a BCS bowl.

It won't matter if Utah's SOS is #1 and BYU's SOS #121 (in reality their SOS's will be nearly the same).

Read this carefully"

If BYU beats Utah on November 22nd, Utah's chances of getting a bid to a BCS bowl over BYU are ZIP, NADA, ZILCH, ZERO, NONE.

How many times do we have to repeat this before the Ute SOS drum beaters get it???
re: Cougars should read this | 8:43 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
"As for BYU, don't fool yourselves into thinking that the voters haven't noticed that you moved up without even playing a game." - How could they not have noticed?? They were the ones casting the votes! Don't think the readers here haven't noticed your statement makes no sense.

"Your remaining schedule is WEAK (Except UTAH) the teams you played are WEAK, and once again you will end up in the LAS VEGAS BOWL, as the UTES head to their SECOND BCS GAME!" - Aren't you one of those ute fans who've been predicting impending doom for BYU since the start of the 2006 season? Well, gotta hand it to you we've had 4 losses during that span of time so you've been right 4 whole times. Four out of 30 games counting this year, so 13%. That's about how often ute fans are right about everything else too, come to think of it.

To osu @8:08 | 8:48 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
What's up Zoob ?? Overratedm ???
Go Blue | 9:18 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Take it to 'em Utah.
The Other Broncos | 9:52 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
Way to go Smurf's 31-3 and still undefeated. Wanna see "Moore" of the BCS busters....Couldn't believe the attention ESPN was given Boise Sate, BYU and Utah.... constant chatter all through the game.....Way to bring attention to the Real West in the Mountains.
Go Beavs | 10:14 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008
I have actually no idea which OSU team will show up against Utah. The team that got blown out by Penn State or the team that took care of business against USC. Here's hoping for a close OSU win.
re: finally | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 1 | 8:17 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008
What your stats DON'T SHOW is that BYU pulled it's starters midway through the third quarter because the game had already been decided. They held Wyoming scoreless with 2nd and 3rd stringers playing most of the second half.

THAT, is domination.

What your stats DON'T SHOW is that Utah had it's starters in the game until the final gun and didn't score the winning touchdown until the final minute of the game.

That, IS NOT domination.

Stats can be deceiving.
To: re: ref Rivals.com | 11:41 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008
I was referring to the Whittingham era, which is 2-1 cougars with two in a row. LOL!!!!

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Utah's run defense has been stifling this season and against strong competition. The Utes will face another tough challenge in Oregon State running back Jacquizz Rodgers, above.

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