SportsNation Blog Archives Utah Utes

Rank 'Em: Pac-12's best team?

August 28, 2012

Aug

The Trojans make their return from a two-year bowl ban with the focus on winning not only the Pac-12 title but a national championship. With the 19 returning starters from the 10-2 team of 2011, will USC dethrone Oregon as conference champion? Click on the team logos to set your rankings!

More conference rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | SEC

Player rankings: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC

More: SportsNation's top 25 | Your predictions | Rank Heisman hopefuls

Arizona

2011 overall: 4-8
2011 Pac-12: 2-7

Arizona State

2011 overall: 6-7
2011 Pac-12: 4-5

California

2011 overall: 7-6
2011 Pac-12: 4-5

Colorado

2011 overall: 3-10
2011 Pac-12: 2-7

Oregon

2011 overall: 12-2
2011 Pac-12: 8-1

Oregon State

2011 overall: 3-9
2011 Pac-12: 3-6

Stanford

2011 overall: 11-2
2011 Pac-12: 8-1

UCLA

2011 overall: 6-8
2011 Pac-12: 5-4

USC

2011 overall: 10-2
2011 Pac-12: 7-2

Utah

2011 overall: 8-5
2011 Pac-12: 4-5

Washington

2011 overall: 7-6
2011 Pac-12: 5-4

Washington State

2011 overall: 4-8
2011 Pac-12: 2-7

Your Rankings

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Which teams will win the weekend bowls?

December 30, 2011

Dec

Chick-fil-A Bowl

Virginia (8-4, 5-3 ACC)
No. 25 Auburn (7-5, 4-4 SEC)

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Cincinnati (9-3, 5-2 Big East)
Vanderbilt (6-6, 2-6 SEC)

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Illinois (6-6, 2-6 Big Ten)
UCLA (6-7, 5-4 Pac-12)

Hyundai Sun Bowl

Georgia Tech (8-4, 5-3 ACC)
Utah (7-5, 4-5 Pac-12)

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Texas A&M (6-6, 4-5 Big 12)
Northwestern (6-6, 3-5 Big Ten)

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Who is the little guy in Las Vegas?

December 22, 2010

Dec

Vote: Which team will win tonight's game? (ESPN/ESPN3, 8 p.m. ET)

Rank 'Em: Are Chris Petersne and Kyle Whittingham top-10 coaches?

Tonight's Las Vegas Bowl offers a showdown between the Mountain West and WAC. Or is it a showdown between the Mountain West and Pac-10? Then again, maybe it's a showdown between Mountain West past and Mountain West future. This is so confusing.

Boise State is leaving the WAC after this game to join the Mountain West. Utah is leaving the Mountain West after this game to join the Pac-10. And then there's TCU going to the Big East after next season. But whether tonight's game is a battle of mid-majors or Utah's first steps as a major, what does the future holds for the three highest-profile non-AQ programs?

Which new conference are you most excited to watch next year: Pac 12 or Big Ten?

I'm more excited to see the Big Ten, because I think Nebraska comes in at or near the top of that conference. I don't know that you can say the same about Utah and Colorado and the Pac-12. Full transcript

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Morning Cheat Sheet: Question No. 1

November 5, 2010

Nov

1. Are you picking TCU or Utah to win in Salt Lake City?

A non-AQ team in the top five is guaranteed to lose this weekend, and that might just be the best news college football's little guys have ever had. No. 3 TCU visits No. 5 Utah in a Mountain West showdown, and the winner is going to emerge with a very high-profile win to tout come title game selection. PollCenter.

"This will be a close, defensive battle into the 4th. The altitude and the depth of the Utah Defensive line will get to the TCU O-line, and force one or two turnovers. The TCU D will get tired from being on the field (coupled with the altitude), and Shaky will break one, and Wynn will hit a big pass, probably to Christopher. A 14-10 TCU lead, turns into a 24-14 defeat." -- SN commenter UteFanCotts

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Are you ready for some college football?

November 5, 2010

Nov

Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch

Game 1: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 3 TCU at No. 5 Utah

Is TCU's defense really that much better than Utah's defense?

Will Boise State be better off in the MWC than Utah in the Pac-10?

Vote on those and other questions about TCU at Utah!

Utah seems to be coming in under the radar.. do you give them any chance this weekend? Do they hop Boise with a W?

Jake: I give Utah a chance, playing at home. But I haven't seen any weaknesses yet in TCU. Frogs have handled all comers with ease. I believe TCU will win -- but if Utah does win I still question whether it would be enough to jump Boise. I don't know. Not a computer expert. Full transcript

Game 2: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 6 Alabama at No. 10 LSU

Is playing LSU on the road tougher than playing Auburn at home?

Which team would win if they swapped coaches?

Vote on those and other questions about Alabama at LSU!

What do you expect in the matchup between Patrick Peterson and Julio Jones? If my memory serves, Julio didn't have any catches on Peterson last year. Will scouts be watching this one closely?

It was a different mindset of Alabama last year. They were a brutally tough defense to move the ball on. They didn't have to score a lot of points. Their defense last year was talent laden, with some studs who are playing in the NFL right now. Last year, they didn't give up over 24 points in any game last year. They held 10 opponents to 15 points or less last year. They've held six opponents this year to 13 points or less. Nick Saban is a defensive guru. He's probably one of the best defensive strategists at any level. He's tried to reload that defensive side. They have to attack a little more. Jones is coming off that career game. Peterson is a shut down corner as well as a great return man. Alabama will attack a lot more, because their defense isn't what it was from a personnel standpoint. Full transcript

Game 3: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 18 Arkansas at No. 19 South Carolina

Which coach was a bigger flop in the NFL?

Which quarterback would you rather have against Alabama?

Vote on those and other questions about Arkansas at South Carolina!

Pat, love the column and your chats...People keep looking at the South Carolina-Florida clash on Nov 13 in the Swamp as the decider. My question to you is, doesn't Arkansas look like Carolina's worst nightmare right now with the way the Gamecocks have defended the pass lately?

Dave: Thank you. By my read of the situation, South Carolina can lose to Arkansas and still control its own destiny. At 4-3, if the Gamecocks beat Florida they win the East. Full transcript

Game 4: SportsNation's burning questions for No. 21 Baylor at No. 17 Oklahoma State

How many points will it take to win this game?

Is Robert Griffin III more exciting than Justin Blackmon?

Vote on those and other questions about Baylor at Oklahoma State!

Do you see Robert Griffin III having a big day passing like Taylor Martinez did against the OSU secondary?

I do, but Oklahoma State's going to put big points up, too. I didn't really get why everyone thought K-State and Oklahoma State were going to play a high-scoring game. I think I picked it like 34-17 OSU. This week could get out of hand, though. Make sure that scoreboard has room for triple digits. Full transcript

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Is Boise State becoming America's team?

August 24, 2010

Aug

Vote: Are you a fan of the blue turf? | Would Boise State win the Pac-10?

Rank 'Em: Which teams are the biggest threat to the BCS this season?

Chat: Non-AQ blogger Andrea Adelson talks Mountain West, WAC and more, 2 ET

A lot of college football fans will tell you their two favorite teams are their team and whoever plays their rival that Saturday. But it sure feels like Boise State is gaining ground on the latter part of that equation.

There are a lot of things working in Boise State's favor as it builds a nationwide network of fans. The Broncos play at least five games on ESPN or ESPN2 this season, all on weekday nights when college football fans are craving something to tide them over until Saturday. And since it's safe to say the BCS isn't America's most popular institution, it only makes sense to support the team whose diverse playbook has helped poke holes in the system's flaws. Plus, let's be honest, who doesn't love them some blue turf?

So as long as they aren't playing your team, is Boise State America's team?

Ivan, pretend that Boise State is any BCS conference this year...where do you rank them? Is it still third (AP), fifth (Coaches) or something else?

I understand your point. But Boise State has won two Fiesta Bowls in the last four years. They have 20-plus starters returning from an undefeated team. I don't think anyone need apologize for ranking the Broncos high. And if they lose, we'll be wrong and we'll all move on. Full transcript

How do you think Boise would do in the PAC-10? It's much easier to get up for 1 (max. 2) games per year, compared to having to show up every week (except against Wazzu).

Hard to say: Boise is a good team, and it is particularly good at preparing for big games. But as you say, playing a quality foe just about every week is something the Broncos have not done. I do think this year's Boise State team would finish in the top-third of the Pac-10, perhaps even win the conference. Full transcript

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Could BYU be the Notre Dame of the West?

August 19, 2010

Aug

Vote: What is the right move for BYU? | What about the original Notre Dame?

Rank 'Em: How will the Mountain West race unfold this season?

You thought we were done with conference reshuffling just because the regular season is right around the corner and fans are already staking out prime tailgating real estate? Think again. As Andy Katz reported yesterday, BYU is inching ever closer to ditching the Mountain West Conference in favor of football independence (and WAC dependence in the rest of its athletic offerings).

But is making a move to become the "Notre Dame of the West" really a wise plan? Do they only get NBC in Provo? As Brian Kelly starts his first season as coach of the Fighting Irish -- the fourth coach in 10 seasons at the school -- South Bend isn't exactly the center of the college football universe that perhaps it once was.

Meanwhile, even with Fresno State and Nevada coming aboard, SportsNation blogger laneguzman wonders if BYU's departure would lead TCU to make a move of its own.

"Why stay in the MWC without BYU and Utah? What good is a going undefeated and not being able to play for the nation championship? Why should your other sports suffer playing in the MWC when they could join a stronger conference. The Big 12 in baseball perhaps?" -- Check out laneguzman's blog

What are BYU's chances of having another 10+ win season with their tough schedule?

It's going to be tough. The schedule is absolutely brutal. Washington is going to be better; Air Force is going to be better; FSU is going to be better; Nevada is going to be better. That's just the first 4. There are high hopes at Utah St., too. And then BYU has to play at TCU and at Utah. This team is young and inexperienced without a QB at this point. So I think a 10-win season is going to be an absolute testament to Bronco Mendenhall if it happens. Full transcript

“
This is ridiculous. Some needs to put a stop to all this madness. College Football was great because of the passion and tradition. Lets just call college football NFL JR. Greed is ruining this sport. Sad. If BYU leaves the MWC they will get whats coming to them.
” -- davidpimp03

“
Ironically, the only thing that is saving the MWC from falling behind the Sunbelt and MAC to #11 is the addition of Boise St.(which it shunned too long). If BSU had stayed in the WAC...? Hawaii, BSU, Nevada and Fresno would definitely be better than what is left in the MWC now.
” -- bodhisamaya

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SportsNation Guide: College Gridiron

November 13, 2009

Nov

Vote: GameDay Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25

Vote on big topics: Charlie Weis' future | Auburn at Georgia

Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others

More wraps: Mark Schlabach | Pat Forde | Mel Kiper | Ivan Maisel | Bruce Feldman

Special guests: Brad Edwards | Boise State cornerback Kyle Wilson

It won't be an easy weekend for BCS Cinderellas, even though they're all playing at home. Cincinnati faces No. 25 West Virginia, TCU gets the pressure of GameDay and No. 16 Utah, and Boise State deals with a surprising 7-3 Idaho (and a visiting AD who doesn't like to fly on planes with Broncos markings).

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SportsNation Guide: College Gridiron

October 23, 2009

Oct

USC fans still have BCS hope, but know their team can't lose again. Boise State, Cincinnati and Iowa fans wonder what more their teams can do, besides pray for a loss by one of the top 3.

Now that Ohio State has two losses SportsNation thinks Ohio State is using Terrelle Pryor incorrectly. Fans, however, still think Sam Bradford is a first-round pick.

Florida State kicked off Week 8 with a needed win, and Alabama, Florida and Texas face opponents they shouldn't overlook.

Vote: "GameDay" Pick 'Em | Heisman Watch | SportsNation Top 25

Vote on big games: Tennessee at Alabama | Texas at Missouri

Blogger chat wraps: ACC | Big 12 | Big East | Big Ten | Pac-10 | SEC | Others

Other wraps: Brad Edwards | Bruce Feldman | Ivan Maisel | Pat Forde | Mark Schlabach

“
Mark Ingram is a good reason for [Alabama's] passing to be less of a factor. Wait until next year for any shot of a Vols upset.
” -- Beano Cook

“
I pick Florida to win this game, but to be seen as legitimately No. 1, the Gators should win convincingly, even more so than against Arkansas.
” -- IdahoanTyke

“
My ranking: 1. Iowa; 2. Florida; 3. Alabama; 4. Texas; 5. Virginia Tech; 6. TCU; 7. Boise State; 8. USC; 9. Oregon; 10. LSU.
” -- CheezusCrust

Fan blogger predictions for Week 8: nunyabiz81 | jodiemeeks23ppat54 | dfpsports | IdahoanTyke | codywin25 | gbirkem2 | utesfan2 | Sportsguru6

Atlantic Coast Conference
Georgia Tech: CharnLanta \| pieman12347 \| NC State: WolfPackFootballCB

Big 12
Missouri: Tomahawk27488 \| Nebraska: BrookBerringer18 \| Oklahoma: ESPN_RobertFlores

Big Ten
Michigan: nunyabiz81 \| Ohio State: tml721 \| Purdue: homey5860

Other conferences and blogs
BCS: theballguy \| Ionizer323 \| Boise State: reek650 \| Fresno State: TheSwingingFriar \| Hawaii: BalleR96734 \| Heisman: htown5567 \| New Mexico State: fusebox2010 \| Notre Dame: I am Ron Burgandy \| Irishbrandon1460 \| Karma God \| Officiating: espnb12s \| Playoffs: gbirkem2 \| ddarn7 \| Pac-12: Mase2w \| Rankings: kingjpk \| CheezusCrust \| oh_mitch_g \| TheVols2k7 \| Tulsa: mikeywhtsox1

Southeastern Conference
Alabama: theballguy \| RollFreakinTide37 \| MsDi26 \| Arkansas: Soldierboy75 \| cbrock28 \| Florida: cincybearcats2117 \| JoeRevs300 \| cbrock28 \| Kentucky: jodiemeeks23ppat54 \| South Carolina: 24seven247

Week 7 recaps
nunyabiz81 \| cardon032 \| IdahoanTyke \| underdog8924 \| centralmumps \| dfpsports \| nunyabiz81 \| afjumpman23

Comment »

Blog that kick: Week 3

September 18, 2009

Sep

Two topics dominated college football fan blogs this week: resurgence and the Tennessee-Florida jawing.

Just about everybody outside of Knoxville wants the Gators to shut up Lane Kiffin. Just about everybody in Ann Arbor now believes. Just about everybody in the ACC is now afraid of Miami again.

Here are the voices and predictions and reactions of all the college football fans who blogged on ESPN.com this week:

“
As a Vols fan, I have hope that the Big Orange can somehow win this game: hope and a prayer with a little luck sprinkled in.
” -- LANETRAIN09

“
The only song Tennessee will be singing is Brahms' Lullaby after the Florida defense knocks them out. Florida 70, Tennessee 14.
” -- JoeRevs300

Nebraska-Virginia Tech: "The Hokies have one of the best dual-threat QBs in the nation. ... The Huskers have the difficult task of playing Virginia Tech in Lane Stadium, arguably one of the best home-field advantages in all of college football. FINAL SCORE: Virginia Tech 31, Nebraska 21." -- uclabruin094

Texas Tech-Texas: "Texas 45, Texas Tech 28. Texas is more experienced, has Colt McCoy, and has home field to boot." -- txtechjmacattack

Utah-Oregon: "Oregon's high-flying offense has scored only 47 points the last two games. How will the defense hold up against this Utah offense? Utah 31-18." -- tjroundup

“
Two weeks ago I was reading posts from Michigan faithful, that made them sound worse than Buckeye fans. ... So to all the posters throughout the country that constantly took shots at Michigan, I guess my question is 'what's up now?'
” -- debakes10

“
The Miami Hurricanes are relevant again in college football and quite realistically in the BCS picture.
” -- SeAGoBLin15

“
For Notre Dame and Coach Weis the questions have turned into demands from 'are we there yet?' to 'you better get us there and soon.'
” -- NDIrishof84

Comment »

SportsNation Blog Archives Utah Utes

Arizona

Arizona State

California

Colorado

Oregon

Oregon State

Stanford

UCLA

USC

Utah

Washington

Washington State

Your Rankings

Chick-fil-A Bowl

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl

Hyundai Sun Bowl

Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Neil (Vegas)

Ivan Maisel

Jake (Honolulu, HI)

Pat Forde

Mike (Dallas, TX)

Mel Kiper

Dave (Virginia)

Pat Forde

James (Stillwater)

Big 12 blogger David Ubben

Brian (Greensboro)

Ivan Maisel

Jeremy (Corvallis)

Pac-10 blogger Ted Miller

Kevin (Provo)

College Football Nation blogger Andrea Adelson

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