§ I
watched the Pac12 1 hour replay of the USC game and saw a lot to like and still
a lot to shake my head at, but Utah is not nearly as talented of a team,
although much better than Cal. So, here is everything I know, which may not be
much, about the last game of the season. This isn’t really a rivalry game, even
with a history of over 50 games (all of which were played before I was born),
even though the road team has won the first two Pac12 matchups, but it is the
obvious regional end-of-year pairing when everyone else has clear-cut,
long-standing, true rivals. If both
teams had pulled off the upset last week, this game could have had a bowl berth
on the line; instead, it and means nothing but a tiny bit of 10th
place pride. Both teams sit a 4-7, 1-7 in conference play, but Utah has played
a much more difficult schedule, and remember, this team upset Stanford in Rice
Eccles Stadium where they are especially tough.
Both teams and sets of fan bases think they should win this game.
§ Line: The Buffs are bad enough still
that odds makers are still listing Utah as a two touchdown favorite at home,
with the spread reaching as high as 16.5.
§ Injuries: True frosh WR Devin Ross
suffered a concussion against USC and is questionable.
§ LB
Addison Gillam tweaked his back late in the USC game but is expected to play
Saturday.
§ LB
Brady Daigh suffered a “lower leg injury” but will likely play.
§ LB
Woodson Greer will not play due to lingering effects from a stinger.
§ There
are a few other players who don’t get on the field much with concussions.
§ Other Roster Notes: Connor Wood, Wil
Oliver and Nate Bonsu were named first team Pac12 All-Academic. Nelson Spruce,
Stephane Nembot, Darragh O’Neill and walk-on DB Richard Yates named to second
team, with Brad Cotner, DD Goodson, Tyler Henington, Daniel Munyer, Tyler
McCulloch, Jordan Murphy, Christian Powell, and Jordan Webb named honorable mention.
§ Sr.
Josh Ford is petitioning for a 6th year of eligibility after missing
all of this season and parts of others.
§ It
is still unclear if this was the handiwork of disgruntled fans, but the houses
of two CU football coaches have been TP’d in the last week, first with Coach MacInytre’s
house getting hit pretty badly this last weekend, followed up by Jim Jeffcoat’s
house was a few nights later. There are
rumors of a feud between the Monarch Varsity Girls and boys Basketball teams (Jay
MacIntyre plays for the boys, Jeffcoat’s daughter for the girls), but it is all
speculation at this juncture.
When the Buffs have the ball:
§ The
Buff offensive line will face a very tough test this week. The Utes are 2nd in the country
with 36 sacks as the defensive line gets pressure on the QB with DE Trevor
Riley racking up 8.5 and Jacoby Hale 6.5.
§ However,
even with a good pass rush, they have still given up almost 300 yards a game
through the air.
§ Last
week was the first time in a while that Sefo did not make a ton of progress,
and in fact started pressing instead of remaining poised, but he was facing an
excellent defense. He should be able to
have a better day this week, although he may have to move around a lot to do so.
§ I
wonder if they don’t let Sefo run a little and keep the ball on the zone option
a little more since it is the last game and injury is not as big of a worry. Some QB draws and his scrambling can help
counter the pass rush. He will probably
utilize some screen passes as well.
§ CB
Keith McGill will likely draw P-Rich in coverage and it could be a long day for
him as I expect Richardson to have a big game in what is almost for sure his
last game in black and gold (unless he gets drafted by Pittsburgh). They need to make sure he gets involved early
(no first half catches last week) as it opens things up for everyone else. Stat notes: P-Rich is one TD from tying both
the single season (11-Derek McCoy) and career (22-Scotty McKnight) TD catch
marks, 8 receptions from single season record of 78 (DJ Hackett), and only 190 yards from first on all-time
Buff receiving record of 2548 yards by Michael Westbrook.
§ Nelson
Spruce could also have another big day.
He has really developed into a great receiver who runs great routes, has
great hands (his TD catch against USC was really nice), and although is not a
“burner”, he has deceptive speed and has worked on his spin move after the
catch and getting downfield.
§ It
will really help Sefo and the entire offense if they can not only get P-Rich
involved early, but spread the ball around to others like DD Goodson (usually a
one-play wonder), Devin Ross (Sefo and he just missed on a deep ball last week)
or TE Kyle Slavin, who nobody pays attention to in coverage (see TD vs. Cal and
I would actually love to see that play or a variation of the pass out of zone
read again).
§ The
Buff would love to control the clock but the running backs could find it
difficult against a stout run defense.
It appears the team will continue, even into next season, using a
three-headed (don’t think I can quite say) “monster” of battering Christian
Powell, speedy Michael Adkins, and experienced, solid, you know what you get
Tony Jones. If they can find a little
success here, it will really open up the passing game.
When the Utes have the ball:
§ Utah
is down to its backup former walk-on QB and this is probably the Buffs’ biggest
advantage, although Adam Schulz has played fairly well. The defensive line needs to get some pressure
on Schulz who is just not as talented as Travis Wilson (second QB in two years
to have to hang up the cleats for good).
However, since it is the last game of the season, MacIntyre expects
Schulz to run some more this week because they don’t have to worry as much about
injury going forward.
§ The
Ute o-line has been vulnerable with LT Poutasi giving up 7.5 sacks by
himself. Look for Chidera to attack him. Jimmie Gilbert and Juda Parker both have been
making some plays lately and can take advantage of doubles on Chidera in
preparing to be the starters next season.
§ WR
Dres Anderson is a big playmaker and is only 90 yards short of a 1000 yard
season. Utah will certainly try to get
him there if they are close. They also
have WR Sean Fitzgerald (5 TDs), and TE Jake Murphy can make slow safeties pay.
§ RB
Kelvin York and Bubba Poole are both decent as well, though not huge threats.
§ Since
Utah plays a more traditional offense and runs the ball a decent amount, and
because Greer is out, senior LBs Derrick Webb and Paul Vigo will get to play a
lot in their last shot at winning a Pac12 game in a Buff uniform.
§ This
is also Parker Orms’ last game so expect him to really leave it all on the
field, but his overzealousness could easily lead to injury, whiff tackle or an
ejection (thought he’d have a couple by now).
Jered Bell has had a penchant for making a big play this year, but also
misses some big tackles. If these
safeties and Tedric Thompson can limit the mistakes and big plays, the defense
will be alright.
§ The
Buffs may not play as much nickel in this game, but I always am watching number
4 Chidobe Awuzie when he is on the field.
Special Teams:
§ The Buffs have found a way to make every
mistake in the special teams blunder playbook, so I wonder what I have overlooked
that they could still do poorly in a new creative way and what they will pull
off. If one team loses this area badly,
they will probably also lose the game.
Overall,
§ I
want to be able to pick the Buffs here, but it is difficult to do at this
point. Both teams are pretty bad in many
areas, but Utah has generally looked better more often and longer into their
losses. The game will come down to who
makes the least mistakes and takes advantage of the other team’s miscue. This will be especially crucial in the five
minute window before and after halftime, where the Buffs have been horrible and
lost many games, having been outscored 105-33 in the last 6:39 of the second
quarter and 48-20 in the first five of the third. I expect a low-scoring game,
but the road team wins again! Buffs 27 Utes 17
§ If
you need some more since it’s the last
game of the year:
Stuart’s
TIPS: http://www.cuatthegame.com/2013/colorado-at-utah-a-preview/
Rumblin’
Preview: http://www.cuatthegame.com/2013/colorado-at-utah-a-preview/
Plati’s
CU Game Notes: http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/utah13/cunotes.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=600
Utah Game
Notes: http://www.cubuffs.com/fls/600/gameday/utah13/utahnotes.pdf
PS I am
in the Pacific Takes Pac12 Fantasy
Championship against “Huskier”!
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