Fourth Down and 18

Message put on the Deseret News comment board in regards to an article:

You are spot on with your analysis of the Utah losses to BYU over the past several years.  I have attended most of them and seen first hand what you are talking about.  What amazes me is that Kyle Whittingham has been involved in everyone of them and Bronco has not.  Kyle should be keenly aware of what is required to "close the deal".  Yet, he stated in the Tribune today that no one play decides a game.  Are you kidding?  Of course one play can decide a game!  As long as Kyle continues with this assessment he will continue to lose the close ones.  I am a Utah season ticket holder and I want Kyle to succeed in every way.  May I suggest one simple thing?  In fourth down situations with the game on the line when a defensive stop will win it all, spend a time out and get the players on the same page and review coverages and assignments.  Make sure the players understand the situation and what their assignments are.  There is no sense saving your time outs when the opposing team beats you in a fourth down situation.

I completely agree.  Spending a time out to help ensure a broken play for BYU on a 4th and 18 is critical.  Guess how many time outs we had left last year at the end of the game when we lost on that last play? 

 

Whit is like Jerry Sloan in this regard.  He saves his time outs as if they'll pay him interest in a savings bank.  Note to both of them:  Time outs are like options, they can have huge payoffs, but THEY EXPIRE at the end of the half. 

 

One other note.  How long has it been since two MWC teams have been in the top 25 this close to the end of the season?  The WAC has two.  And if Hawaii can hang on and beat Washington, they'll be in the BCS for sure.

 

If that happens, the WAC will get back to back years of BCS money.  It has been 3 years since the MWC sent Utah to the Fiesta Bowl.

 

This is why I hate BYU winning the Conference all the time.  They are not very good at beating teams outside of the conference, so what good is it to win the conference championship when you can't go out and represent the MWC to the other big boys.

 

The MWC needs to come up with a special trophy award for the team that wins the most NON-CONFERENCE games so that there is more motivation to go out and defeat those other teams.  The award should include regular season and bowl games.

 

Lastly, look at some of the teams in the Top 25.  Some have 8-4 records, so the Utes should not get down on themselves for their 8-4 record.  They have improved over last year and I think they will continue to get better.

 

Go Utes

 

-Tijs

Re: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

All,

 

Here are some interesting stats I looked up.  According to these stats, Utah has a slight edge due to special teams and our D. 

 

Keep in mind, these stats cover the entire season.  What is interesting is that the season advantage is slightly in Utah's favor, but as Nevin's stats pointed out, our recent stats show a larger advantage, because our improvement is accelerating.  Case in point: below you will see that Utah's season average of points allowed per game is 13.6.  Compare that with the current, 3 game average of 4.33 per game.  (and I don't think you can claim that is due to lesser caliber teams - except for CSU.  But even they scored more points on us than Wyoming.)

 

Scoreless or TD-less games for the opponent this season:

BYU: 0

Utah: 3

Scoreless Quarters

Defense (Opponent didn't score):

BYU:  17

Utah: 21

Offense:

BYU: 3

Utah: 11

Total Points scored this season:  

Utes:                                296                                      BYU: 309                

Average Points Per Game: 27                                               : 31 

Average Points Per Quarter: 6.7                                            :7.7    

Difference:  BYU scores 1 point per quarter and 4 points per game more than the Utes.

Points Allowed:

Utes:                                 150                                    BYU: 188

Average Points Per Game:  13.6                                          : 18.8   

Average Points Per Quarter: 3.4                                           : 4.7

Difference:  BYU allows 1.3 points per quarter and 5.2 points per game more than the Utes.

Advantage: Utah

GO UTES!

Tijs

 

 

On 11/19/07, Tijs Limburg <tijis311@gmail.com> wrote:

It is nice to see BYU in the top 25 this morning at 23.  It gives our conference some recognition... but it also bolsters our chances of beating them.  The Top 25 this year have had trouble with unranked teams.

 

Funny, BYU fans were all mocking us ealier in the season for the fact that we play well against ranked teams and choke against pathetically unranked teams like UNLV.

 

BYU is now ranked.  They should be afraid.

 
 

On 11/19/07, Bruce Gundersen <bruceg@chpdc.com > wrote:

In fact, the two non-conference wins were against teams who were in the top ten to start the year.

 

From: Tijs Limburg [mailto:tijis311@gmail.com ]
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2007 9:10 AM
To: Nevin Limburg
Cc: garth.limburg@slcgov.com ; beaner230112@yahoo.com; bruceg@chpdc.com; dmx311@gmail.com; dnacurtis@yahoo.com; mikecu@schiffnutrition.com; klcbrazil@cascadeaccess.com
Subject: Re: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

 

I think it should be added that the Utes beat 2 of 3 nonconference teams, BYU did not. 

 

Utah also has won 4 on the road.  BYU has only won 3. 

 

With Utah's record in Provo recently, and the ability to win on the road, this will be a great game.  I hope it is Utah by 16, but Utah by a TD will suffice for me.

 

Tijs

 

On 11/18/07, Nevin Limburg <nevinlimburg@hotmail.com> wrote:

Well, things turned to the "dark" Crimson red side after the weekend scores.  See the attached excel spreadsheet (makes it professional and authentic).  The Utes have a +16 point spread advantage going into the big game.  enjoy!
 
Nevin

'We should be too big to take offense, and too noble to give it.'

Abraham Lincoln

 

Nevin Limburg, CEcD
Business Development Manager
Economic Development / Redevelopment Agency
West Valley City, Utah
Office:  801-963-3322

cell: 801-232-0542

 

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Tijs Limburg
Chairman and CTO of DMX - Digital Media eXceleron, Inc.
Get eXcited!
www.dmxed.com

Blogs:
http://phystrings.blogspot.com/
http://getoutofthedark.blogspot.com/

The "Don't Tread on Me" Flag: The First Navy Jack is enjoying renewed popularity these days thanks to an order from the Secretary of the Navy that directs all U.S. Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack for the duration of the War on Terrorism.

--
Tijs Limburg
Chairman and CTO of DMX - Digital Media eXceleron, Inc.
Get eXcited!
www.dmxed.com

Blogs:
http://phystrings.blogspot.com/
http://getoutofthedark.blogspot.com/

The "Don't Tread on Me" Flag: The First Navy Jack is enjoying renewed popularity these days thanks to an order from the Secretary of the Navy that directs all U.S. Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack for the duration of the War on Terrorism.

Fwd: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

Great point.  Go Utes!

 

Garth

Subject: Re: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

 

It is nice to see BYU in the top 25 this morning at 23.  It gives our conference some recognition... but it also bolsters our chances of beating them.  The Top 25 this year have had trouble with unranked teams.

 

Funny, BYU fans were all mocking us ealier in the season for the fact that we play well against ranked teams and choke against pathetically unranked teams like UNLV.

 

BYU is now ranked.  They should be afraid.

Tijs
 

 

Fwd: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

In fact, the two non-conference wins were against teams who were in the top ten to start the year.

Bruce

Fwd: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

Let's not forget, too, in the last three games, the Ute defence has held SDS, Wyo, and NM to a total of 13 points, an avg. of 4.33/game.  Wow!  So, should I predict 20.33 to 4.33, Utah, to get my 16 pt spread?  Or should we make it 26.33 - 10.33?  Take your pick.
 
Nevin

Fwd: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

How about we return the favor from last year and score on a Utah hook-and-lateral like Boise St did.  Of course when we do it this time there will be almost no time left on the clock in the 4th and it will be tied.  That will erase that stupid Beck to Harline cloud that BYU has been haning over our heads the last year.  KSL Radio was so stupid this morning to start jabs on Utah.  The sports announcer was saying how cool it was that again it's rivalry week and that it will be a very good matchup since both teams are on 7 game winning streaks.  Then he said, "But despite the outcome this weekend BYU will always have this up on Utah..." and they proceeded to play a soundbite from the last play of last years game.  So even if Utah beats BYU this week down in Provo, BYU will always be better than Utah because of that play?  Whatever!  I can't wait to see our defense take the field on Saturday and crush Max Hall.  He thought Wyoming was tough just wait until he sees the defense of Kyle Whittingham and the Utes!

Fwd: Rivalry Week---my final point comparisons of common components

I think it should be added that the Utes beat 2 of 3 nonconference teams, BYU did not.

Utah also has won 4 on the road. BYU has only won 3.

With Utah's record in Provo recently, and the ability to win on the road, this will be a great game. I hope it is Utah by 16, but Utah by a TD will suffice for me.

Tijs

Well, things turned to the "dark" Crimson red side after the weekend scores. See the attached excel spreadsheet (makes it professional and authentic). The Utes have a +16 point spread advantage going into the big game. enjoy!

Nevin

'We should be too big to take offense, and too noble to give it.'

Abraham Lincoln

Nevin Limburg,

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