Duh | 6:18 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
This is where Utah makes the stand........yeah right! Lets see how the UTES feel at the end of this one. Hope its good but, I doubt it.
Maddog | 6:43 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Sorry Utes but you have been exposed thanks to New Mexico. Johnson can plan on looking up from the ground all night long and the running game will be shut down.
TheHailstorm | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Should be a whale of a game. After watching them play It wouldn't surprise me at all to see them run the table and be in a BCS game. I see two good things coming from that senerio;
1.. A cash cow that helps all of the conference with the extra money coming from the other bowl eligable teams and
2. Byu and Utah fans can quit their nitpicking , sniveling , name calling ways with both teams adding a higher quaity recruiting class from all of the positive exposure.
I am a Utah man sir , but I can live with an 11-1 record .. I want the Utes to win in the worst, or rather the best way, but if the game swings toward TCU somethings bright and optimistic will still be in the future for all of the MWC teams.
Comments continue below
Mormon | 8:12 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
My Utes are going to prevail in this and the rest of their games. GO UTES!!!
UNLV | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
TCU can't shut down any running game. BYU just didn't have the intelligence to see that when they played them. With an effective running game, Johnson will pick TCU apart. Utah by 14.
Re: Maddog | 8:29 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Just like TCU was exposed against CSU the week before they played BYU?
TCU | 8:36 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
TCU will single-handedly knock the state of Utah out of the BCS.
To Duh and Maddog | 8:41 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
I hate to disclose any intelligence to you, but you are forgetting 3 big factors in favor of the U. TCU is on the road for back to back games. The U campus is nearly a mile high. And temperatures have been in the 30's all week for the Utes, and will be for the game as well. In Fort Worth, it has been 70s all week.

Those three factors will even out any athletic gains the Frogs have over the Utes. It's going to be a barn burner.
Dave | 8:46 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
The Utes will prevail once again!! 10-0 baby!! I say the Utes will dominate and win by at least 10 points or more.

BCS here we come once again!!

GO UTES
re Maddog | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Bitter bitter coogs. 400 yards of offense? Scoreboard isn't always in indicator of dominance. Utah dominated the game. It was never in question.

NM is always a tough opponent and the only reason we didn't blow the Lobos out was stupid penalties and poor play calling. They exposed nothing. Our offense has struggled all year long yet we are 9-0.

The Utes have shown that they get up for, and win the big games that they are not favored to win. see Georgia Tech, BYU (with backup ratliffe), Ucla (top ten team) Louisville, and on and on... K whit is the best coach in the state. He just needs a new offensive coordinater. GO UTES! 10-0 and BCS BOUND!!! (Again)
Eagle Tail Speaks | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Thank you, TheHailstorm. I agree completely. Want to have some fun, watch the contest on Thursday evening. The Utes have plenty of outstanding young men and athletes. Many communities are represented by this tremendous group. TCU will bring the most difficult test for them. Watch and enjoy as the Utes struggle and compete to win.
Dapper2k | 9:10 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Why Utah will win.

Both Defenses are very, very good, top 10 defenses for sure. Which will make it hard for the offenses to sustain drives. With both teams struggling to move the ball the Utes will gain ground on the kicking team winning the field position battle thanks to Louie Louie. With the Utes gaining 10 to 15 yards per punt getting into field goal range for Louie to put points on the board.

As sad as this souonds the Utes MVP is their Defense and thier Kicker. We've won 2 or 3 games this year because of Louie and I see another one coming on Thursday.

Louie for President! Go Utes!
My Analysis | 9:20 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Here's my analysis.....not the expert but here it is anyway. Per FoxSports, TCU scores 36.6 points a game on 408 yards per game while Utah scores 36.1 points on 405 yard per game. Offense - EVEN.

FoxSports shows TCU defense gives up 214 yards and 11 points a game. Utah's devense gives up 266 yards and 17 points a game. DEFENSE - Slight Edge to TCU.

I can't find Special Teams rankings, but Rivals.com ranks Louie as the best special teams player in the nation. SPECIAL TEAMS - Slight Edge to Utah

Intangibles - This is the only differetiator. TCU travels to Utah on a short week after playing a night game the Saturday before. They travel to a high altitude and weather.com shows the kickoff temperature at about 36 degrees. Those things all favor Utah, since TCU is used to hotter weather. Look at their game vs. Colorado St to see the effects of these elements (cold and altitude). INTANGIBLES - Edge Utah

In the end, it should be a very closely contested game. But, I think Utah should have a slight edge. Also, turnovers could decide the game.

Go Utes...I'll be there supporting in black!!
Horned frogs | 9:23 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
don't hop
Deceptive | 9:30 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
There's no question that TCU's D is excpetional, but those run stats are deceiving. With 38 sacks, opponents' rushing stats drop considerably. BYU averaged less than 1 yard/carry in raw stats, but 6-7 "carries" were a Max Hall sack. TCU can be run on. Unga averaged 3.8 yards/carry in the game. BYU didn't give him the ball enough, possibly because they were in a hole early and panicked. They shut down the run against Oklahoma, but also got scorched for more than 400 yards in the air and numerous big plays for TDs. This is a D that picks their poison. With Utah's diverse ability and numerous weapons to run the ball, they certainly have a good chance of having run success.

As for TCU's offense, they are nice, but not great. They are racking up stats lately on terrible defenses. The numbers for Dalton since return for injury are nice numbers, but they come against BYU, Wyoming, and UNLV. Bad, bad defenses. Again, I'm not saying that TCU isn't talented and dangerous, but people are in love with them for gaudy numbers that aren't necessarily depicting the whole story.
more ute fans | 9:40 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Hey cougs,
It looks like you should be cheering for Utah on thursday. If TCU wins then the conference is theirs and nov 22 is for 2nd place. If utah wins then BYU has a chance at sharing the conference title. Of course, that chance is very small if they keep playing like they are now. BYU will get routed against utah and will lose to AF if they dont get it together.

Go Utes!!
UTES will Compete | 9:40 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
At least Utah will show up and make a game out of it. Instead of get burned as if they were a bunch of white guys trying to play defensive secondary positions against fast guys from the south...wait...that's exactly what it was.
The Key... | 9:41 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
will be turnovers.

Whichever team is +2 in turnovers will win.

If Brian can avoid coughing up the ball, the Utes have a chance. If Brian plays his usual game - giving up one interception and one fumble - TCU will be celebrating their first trip to a BCS bowl.
Final | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
1 TCU 8-0 Fiesta
2 BYU 7-1 Poinsettia
3 Utah 6-2 Las Vegas
4 Air Force 5-3 Armed Forces
re: Maddog | 10:15 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Using your logic... TCU was exposed by Colorado State
Similarities? | 10:43 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Similarities? Speed? Run the Ball Very Well? "We are a lot Similarities between the two offenses."
You hope TCU didn't see this. Like Joe Glenn Said "Guaranteed"
I sure hope you guys win this one and play all the marbles when our BYU COUGARS come to town and see another magic. Harlene is Open and 4th and 19. Let's see here - 4th and goal - One Second left in the game and Utes up 38 to 35 - Max Hall pass the ball to cross pattern at the end zone and Ute defender taking the interception but slip through his hands and both D. Pitta and A. Collie catch the ball for TD - COUGARS WIN again and Greg Wrubell go real crazy over the KSL radio. YES. So, Utes go one game at a time and take care of buisness tomorrow night!
Dick | 10:45 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
The good news is, if Utah's MWC championship hopes go down the drain on Thursday, so do BYU's. Life doesn't get much better than that.
re: final | 10:59 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Brilliant! So 3rd place Utah goes to the Las Vegas Bowl (where TCU will go if they don't get a BCS Bowl Bid) over 2nd place BYU who gets stuck with the Poinsettia Bowl after beating Utah?

I'll help you out a little. If the 1st place MWC team goes to a BCS Bowl, the 2nd place MWC team will play at the Las Vegas Bowl.
Blackedout | 11:13 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
I hope the Utes play well for our sake, but if they don't, let's see if there's as much smack talk coming from Utah as there was after BYU's (AT TCU) game... It's time to back it up, or admit you're hot air. I like the word "Blackout" to describe what's likely to happen Thursday... Good Luck.
Hey Cougs | 11:21 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Your so worried about Utah getting Demolished by TCU maybe you should worry about your rag tag group of DB's trying to stay on the field without getting injured. Don't start thinking about Utah on Nov. 22nd and a conference championship until you get there with only 1 loss.
James | 11:25 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Hope Boylen gives a better speech than the last one, he kind of ran out of things to say and lost momentum, had to finish up "Go Utes!" to end with a cheer.
Hilarious | 11:27 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
"Men's basketball coach Jim Boylen is scheduled to address the crowd."

Ol' Jimmy is gettin' an early start on grabbing the mic to share his passion with the crowd.

We love you Jimmy!

GO UTES!!!!!
Nostradomus | 11:29 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
The Frogs will be cold and winded before the kickoff. Utah will make their usual mistakes to keep the game close. Brian will ultimately redeem himself and the Utes will be 10 and 0. But I degress. The world will come to an end before the bowl season starts, so we will never know what could have been.
Dashing | 11:35 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
So Utah fans like 10:45 a.m. will be cheering for a Utah to lose to TCU so that the Utes can dash BYU's chances of winning another MWC title...

Strange, ???

but, interesting...!!!

The blackout is starting to make sense now.
Chip | 11:37 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
The weather, watch the weather. Late 1960's Ranked and undefeated ASU come into Utah, snowed the day before, cold temperatures, I was at that game. ASU fumbled alot in 1st half, Utah held on to win. I'm a strong BYU fan but I'll be rooting for Utah Thursday !
MWC.... | 11:38 a.m. Nov. 5, 2008
I watched the BYU/TCU Game and all the BYU fans after the loss could say is Utah is going to get killed. The worst loss in the year and all they could say is Utah is going to get killed. Championships is about Defense one that BYU doesn't have and both Utah and Tcu both have. Wether Utah gets killed or not doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is go MWC. We all could use the money. Hopefully Utah can get new turf without the ugly soccer lines on it.
re: Hey Cougs | 12:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
"You're" (note, it's a contraction, not a possessive) so worried about BYU's depleted secondary that you've forgotten about the blitz-happy secondary U will be facing tomorrow night. U should be worried about how Brian can survive TCU's pressure or both teams will be playing their November 22nd matchup with one loss.
I sure hope... | 12:00 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
... Coach Ludwig brings his a-game! I know the Utes have the talent on offense to win, but whether Ludwig puts them in situations to display that talent remains to be seen.

Re the predictions from all the new TCU fans from Utah County, to have any credibility, your comparisons have to take more into account than just BYU losing to TCU by a huge margin and Utah barely beating UNM last week. TCU has not been the juggernaut all year - they've laid a few eggs too (their CSU game, for example). By the same token, Utah has not always shown as poorly as they did last week. We blew out Wyoming thanks to our D and special teams play. We doubled up UNLV, tripled CSU, and quintupled USU. We're averaging over 36 points a game - not really the sign of a feeble offense.

This has all the makings of a real barn-burner - I just wish I didn't have to work late that night, or I'd be there for the blackout. Looks like my co-workers will get to listen with me on the internet.

GO UTES!!
BYU Defense | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
If there is one thing I know about Mendenhall, he will have the Cougar defense ready to smash the ute offense. The blackout will be the outer darkness for the utes and the Cougars white will stand for purity and living right. Ahmen.
Not necessarily | 12:25 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
"If the 1st place MWC team goes to a BCS Bowl, the 2nd place MWC team will play at the Las Vegas Bowl."

The Las Vegas Bowl gets the 1st pick of available MWC teams. If TCU plays in a BCS bowl, the Las Vegas Bowl could pick BYU, Utah or Air Force. Since BYU has played in 3 straight Las Vegas Bowls, the bowl could invite a very good Utah team for a change of pace.
Much Ado About Nothing | 12:49 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Utah and BYU are mediocre teams that want so badly to be great, but are not. As an article stated yesterday, the Utes have only played a ranked team when they themselves were ranked 5 times -- in the school's history.

I think it's great to be excited about this game, great to banter about who's better, Utah or BYU. But please, not delusions of grandeur. The MWC has no elite teams. I'm excited for the BCS possibilities, but I will be hoping that the MWC doesn't embarrass itself too (which will most likely happen). Maybe the MWC BCS team will get lucky and draw the Big East champion.
byu-haters | 1:10 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
These chumps are just upset because they got toasted on national tv.

Utah always shows up to big games and struggles to lower opponents. Last week they struggled, this week they blow them out of the water like the ucla game. GO UTES!
Can't wait | 1:50 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
"These chumps are just upset because they got toasted on national tv."

Keep thinking that way.

It's going to be so much fun watching the "chumps," as you call them, upset the mighty Utes in RES.

Utah fans seem way more focused on how BYU did against TCU, than how the Utes are going to do against the Frogs. Better hope that your team is more focused than you are or it could be an ugly night for Utah fans.
Byu-Whiners | 1:54 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
This is an article about TCU & Utah not about your third place team. Your whining and jealousy are getting really old!!!
Anonymous | 1:54 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
I think this is going to be in the ball park of 17-13. I am a die hard ute fan, but this game could go either way. Home field is a huge advantage. I think both teams are pretty much the same as last year and neither team lost much to graduation from last year. the fact that TCU had to travel back home last Saturday night and then to SLC today eliminates a day of practice for them . Also, if the weather delays their flight, it can make for a long day of travel. I think in athletes of this caliber, the elevation doesn't come into play until the fourth quarter. It takes longer for the body to recover. However, the Utah offense needs to put together 4-5 minute drives in the second half to take advantage of it. TCU leads the nation in penalities and penalty yards, and if they commit those penalties at times that extend Utah's drivesor stop their own, then that will be the difference. The same goes for Utah. Nothing wrong with penalties except for timing.
RE Not Racism | 2:08 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
"Mommy...He started it! I wasn't doing anything..he just called me a name! Waaaa Booo hoooo"



Thanks for the laugh TDS fans!
Mommy... | 2:31 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
is proud of her little one and hoping that some day he'll grow up and understand.

Obviously, that day may be a long time in coming.
Anonymous | 2:41 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Utes are people! Show some respect.
Anonymous | 3:43 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
@ umm, nice try (2:51 pm)
What it sounds like you are saying is that you really aren't responsible for your own behavior, i.e. "the real blame lies with Utah"

Just couldn't help yourself could you?
most likely will be a loss | 4:33 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Hey yewt fans you know those close games your sorry little team had against Michigan, Oregon St, AFA, and New Mexico? Weak teams every one of them. Your little team is most likely going to lose because TCU is WAY better than any of those teams. This is your 1st real test this season.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Black Clothes | 5:43 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
are perfect! They'll already be in mourning clothes by the end of the game! Great choice utes!
wYo8 | 6:25 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
anything to dis little brother is fair game.
Chris | 7:32 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
I love the criticism about the New Mexico win and being "exposed". To be exposed you would have to claim to be something you are not, which the Utes have not done this year. I am more pleased with a 3 point win over New Mexico than a ONE point prayer over the huskies... Which yes, are currently THE WORST TEAM in the nation right now. Enjoy your humble pie cougars, num num NUM!
Tomorrow!! | 7:58 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
Anything can happen on this one. Two great teams going head to head. I expect it to be a battle to the end as long as BJ doesn't turn the ball over, and doesn't hesitate like he did until the last two minutes against OSU. Don't ya just love college football season? Man am I excited to be there tomorrow to watch it all play out.

Ten bucks says that if Utah wins, the fans from Utah County still keep running their mouths.

Go Utes!
re: Chris & Michigan | 7:59 p.m. Nov. 5, 2008
How about that skin-of-your-teeth 2-point win over the worst Michigan team in 5 decades? Now that's something you can be proud of.

It's so interesting how Utah fans have deluded themselves into believing that Utah's Michigan win is SOOOOOO much more impression than BYU's Washington win.

Please explain why a win over the 96th worst team in Sagarin's ratings is so much more impressive than a win over the 121st worst team.

Enjoy your over-inflated opinion of yourselves for another 24-hours.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

previousnext

Latest comments

Cougars beat Utes, 26-23

Utah rushed the field after no less than 3 games last year, so get real. BYU...

So do any of the Dems want to talk about how Clinton had bin Laden in HIS...

I'm a Ute fan who attended the game today with my son. We were treated badly...

Cougars beat Utes, 26-23

I read Hall's comments on ESPN and don't blame him. Maybe he should have been...

Cougars beat Utes, 26-23

Just beat the Yoots. Since he is a senior, there is nothing you can do...

Shooting leads Jazz past Blazers

This is a good win congrats of course! Maynor could be factor as long as he...

Cougars beat Utes, 26-23

Quite your freakin whining about Max Hall. He plays the game we don't. He has...

Cougars beat Utes, 26-23

I was at this game and I am not a fan of any team. BYU and Utah do not...

BYU football: 5 keys to victory

Hey, where's my comment to all the yewt whiners?!?!?!?! It said "BYU wins...

Woods, wife unavailable for interview

If this was anyone other than Tiger, they wouldn't allow him to deny...

Advertisements