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Utah Utes football: Johnson not dwelling on last year's game

The revenge factor - Brian Johnson will have over 300 yards passing. Matt Asiata will have over 100 yards rushing. Don�t even get me started on the Utes Defence (They will play huge). I see the UTES with the big W on this one�.

Go UTES!!!!

I really don't think the Utes have been tested this year yet. Johnson is way over rated. I think the defense is solid, but will have problems with the Beavers little scat back. OSU 28 Utah 17.

Utah wins this game because of the matchup of Utah's defense against Oregon's ground attack. Utah can shut down the run better than any defense because of their quickness and agility in the D-tackle and D-ends.
The Ute offense will score some points, so the 2 stats that could turn the game to the Beavers' favor are:

1. Turnovers: If Utah has 3 or more turnovers, they probably won't come out of this game unbeaten; and

2. OSU Passing Efficiency: If OSU starts completing passes against the weaker Utah D-backs, then they have a very good chance of converting 3rd downs and converting TDs. This is the biggest concern I have of this game. Tonight is the time for the Utah D-Backs to step it up a notch or two.

GO UTES!!

Turnovers: Utah's offense needs to help their defence by not giving OSU short fields to score on.
Utah +2 - Utah wins
Utah +1 - very good chance Utah wins
Utah -1 to 0 - good chance Utah wins
Utah -2 or more - good bye BCS bowl

Rushing Defense: limit Quizz to less than 100 yards rushings without giving up big passing plays

Finishing Drives: Utah's offense needs to finish drives instead of bogging down and settling for field goals; it's great to have an all-American kicker you can count on; it's not so great if he's kicking 2 to 4 field goals every game because the offense can't finish drives

Utah 38 OSU 14

Good luck Utes!

RE All About Matchup

Point #2: If you read the OSU boards they're hoping that we focus so much on "Quiz" that we forget their passing game. Anderson had better have the boys ready for the play-action pass.

I am anxious, nervous, whatever you want to call it, about our offense. Have Whit and Ludwig beaten discipline into them to where we don't cough up the ball or have drive-killing penalties? Is Johnson going to be allowed to run if he see's the opportunity (that's where I think he's most threatening)? What kind of game is Ludwig going to call?????

I hope we have answers because I'd like to have hair on my head when the game ends.

If we just come out and finally play the first complete game of the season there will be a lot of happy Ute fans from kick-off to final gun. We will also shut up most of the mouths running from the TDS. (At least for a day until they think up more tripe.)

If not, well, the line from "All About Eve" comes to mind, "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!".

This is the first team we've faced this season that can run and pass. Actually, it's the first team we've faced that can even pass. Let's see what happens.

Watched all 5 games this year and I have my fears with Oregon State. Are the Utes going to play a complete game? Is Ludwig going to open it up with his play calling? Will we hang on to the ball? Is Johnson going to get sacked or run it? Are the defensive backs going to stay with their assignments? These are some of the questions that I have and I�m not the only one asking - so are a few other folks:

�There have been too many turnovers, too many sacks and too many stalled drives against inferior competition. In easy wins over Utah State and Weber State. The Utes rank near the bottom in the national stats in sacks allowed at No. 103, are tied for 93rd in turnovers lost and are tied for 69th in turnover margin�. - Mike Sorensen

Oregon State is probably licking their lips with those 2 stats.

�Sometimes we hold the ball too long, sometimes our protection's broken down and sometimes the route structure has been very poor and we're not getting open,� - Kyle Whittingham

Johnson, O-line, Ludwig take notes here � important stuff � the BOSS is seeing these things.

Utah's key on defense is to contain OSU's run and force them into long-yardage pass situations. I would much rather see Moreno try to beat us on throws down the field than to see their running backs picking up big chunks of yardage behind their massive offensive line.

Utah's key on offense is efficiency. Possess the ball, finish drives, don't turn it over.

Oh, and special teams needs to avoid any big mistakes.

Should be a Ute win it they can do all of this.

I dont know why everyone is so worried Oregon St is not that good they played ONE good game against USC the Utes will come out with a solid victory everyone calm down if Oregon St was playin BYU then fans should be worried but not with the UTES

Seems I've read that before...do you have anything else? Maybe something original?

i think johnson thinks about last years game every game. he has happy feet and is tentative, or, eats the ball instead of taking off when he could. i dont think he has gotten over losing most of two seasons to being hurt and is playing scared.

If Utah's defense can't handle Oregon State's offense, they'll be in big trouble when they face BYU, which has a MUCH better offense than Oregon State.

Oregon state has beaten a real team unlike BYU who plays community colleges and winless or one win garbage teams. Until BYU goes out there and beats a real team you shouldn't be talking.

ummm, is this article about BYU? Maybe we should consider that the two offenses you mentioned are not close to the same. Hrmm?

Bury your head in the sand and pretend that BYU's offensive prowess is only the result of playing weak teams.

Knowledgeable football fans know that BYU has an extremely talented and mature offense, much better than Oregon State's. And getting better.

The balanced Beaver offense will give the expected strong Ute defense their first real test. If the Utes struggle against OSU, that's a serious warning sign for the Ute faithful about how Utah will perform against BYU.

As a diehard BYU fan, I'm hoping Utah does well and beats the stuffing out of the Beavers.

We need an undefeated Utah team to face in November to prove that BYU is legitimate to all the naysayers -- at least nationally.

Many of the local haters will never acknowledge BYU having a pretty good team even if the Cougars beat everybody on their schedule 100-0.

Good luck tonight Utes!

I agree with you tons, but now you watch, you'll get byu fans posting about Utah's weak schedule, but don't worry, they are just insecure. It is the truth though!

Haha, your right! USU and Weber St. aren't weak schedules. Hahaaaa! I didn't know Weber St. wasn't considered a community college!? Think before you post. The finger can be pointed right back at U!

Is the post at 11:05 directed towards my post at 10:19? If so, I didn't say anything about Utah having a tough schedule, but you did confirm my statement about being insecure. I won't say to anyone that Utah has a better schedule that tds. It might have looked better on paper, but unless Mich keeps winning it won't seem so good. Maybe YOU should think before you post.

"Johnson missed two complete games before returning for the second half of a loss at UNLV. He reclaimed his starting job the next week and Utah has gone 13-1 since."

Wow, 13-1 that's really GREAT! There aren't many teams in the country that can claim a record THAT good! And that includes some big names like Michigan, Louisville, UCLA, and a big bowl win over a very tough and talented Navy team too.

By the way, who did we lose to during that 13-1 streak? I didn't see that part in the article. But that must have been some great team! I'll bet it's got to be a team that's ranked pretty high.

stop posting! who cares about BYU vs Oregon State and who has the better offense. Your game is tommarrow and you will not find me posting on it. Your team is good; there is your validation now go away.

Touchdowns not field goals, positive turnover margin and total rushing less than 100 yards for the Beavers = Blowout.
I wish I had more confidence, I think it will be close.