Ute Football by Lya Wodraska
Should Utah be favored more?
Just finished writing a column for tomorrow's paper about the MWC and how it seems to be the center of college football right now, gaining respect and attention and so forth. Then I noticed the Utes were only a 13 1/2-point favorite at San Jose State.
Is it me or does that number seem a little low? The Utes after all have won their last eight road games. Granted, it's the first road game for a lot of key players as Utes, starting with quarterback Terrance Cain, but I still am surprised the Utes aren't favored by more. What do you think?
Care to throw any predictions out there? There was a time, say, two years ago, when the Utes seemed to have trouble with these so-called "trap" games and there were upsets or closer than should have been games, but as coach Kyle Whittingham said this week, trap games don't exist unless you allow them to exist. The Utes haven't allowed any since getting shut out at UNLV in 2007. That loss, while extremely embarrassing at the time, seems to have played a big role in Utah's focus against their lesser opponents.
Speaking of Cain, he'll be turned loose a bit more this week as Utah continues to install more of the offense and defense. Cain said his opener was all right, but that he is never satisfied.
One thing he said he'd like to do this Saturday is throw down field more and taking his time instead of forcing the quick pass as much as he did against the Aggies.
Should Utah be favored more?
Just finished writing a column for tomorrow's paper about the MWC and how it seems to be the center of college football right now, gaining respect and attention and so forth. Then I noticed the Utes were only a 13 1/2-point favorite at San Jose State.
Is it me or does that number seem a little low? The Utes after all have won their last eight road games. Granted, it's the first road game for a lot of key players as Utes, starting with quarterback Terrance Cain, but I still am surprised the Utes aren't favored by more. What do you think?
Care to throw any predictions out there? There was a time, say, two years ago, when the Utes seemed to have trouble with these so-called "trap" games and there were upsets or closer than should have been games, but as coach Kyle Whittingham said this week, trap games don't exist unless you allow them to exist. The Utes haven't allowed any since getting shut out at UNLV in 2007. That loss, while extremely embarrassing at the time, seems to have played a big role in Utah's focus against their lesser opponents.
Speaking of Cain, he'll be turned loose a bit more this week as Utah continues to install more of the offense and defense. Cain said his opener was all right, but that he is never satisfied.
One thing he said he'd like to do this Saturday is throw down field more and taking his time instead of forcing the quick pass as much as he did against the Aggies.
