VIDEO RECAP: Utes 25 Wolverines 23….........

Click on the pics to enlarge em’.............

THE GOOD:
-Utah going to the Big House in front of 108,000 plus, making mistakes, overcoming their mistakes, letting Michigan back in the game but making the plays necessary to close the game out to take the win.  Past Whittingham teams would have lost that game.
-Utah Defense.  They are good, really good.  They’re fast, loaded with playmakers including Paul Kruger, Koa Misi, Nai Fotu.  They are good enough to carry this team to a BCS Bowl.
-Brian Johnson’s first half had to be a big boost of confidence to the team and Ute fans.  The arm was strong and accurate and he was in complete control of the offense.
-Matt Asiata barreling over defenders and a ref.
-Louie Sakoda continues to support my belief he’s the best player on this team and I typically don’t like kickers.
-BYU’s first half was exactly how everyone expected them to start against an FCS team.
-Max Hall picked up where he left off just absolutely shredding that defense.
-Dennis Pitta is an absolute stud who will be playing football on Sunday’s.
-Harvey Unga is a major weapon running the football and catching it out of the backfield.  If he can stay healthy he should have another monster season.
-UNI QB Pat Grace will have nightmares about Coleby Clawson.  Clawson knocked him out of the game twice with two vicious hits one causing a 4th quarter fumble to help clinch the game.
-Justin Sorensen’s leg.  I don’t see too many teams getting a chance to return kicks this season.

THE BAD:
-Utah’s second half.  We’ve seen this before.  Utah gets a lead and Andy Ludwig’s play calling gets erratic and the offense goes stagnant. 
-I think we all knew Michigan was down but I’m not sure any of us thought they would be that bad.  It amazes me a school that is traditionally a national power can’t find a decent QB to run the spread.
-Max Hall took two big hits, one resulting in a fumble recovered for a touchdown.  He’s a tough kid but these have to stop.  It’s a matter of percentages because eventually he won’t be able to get up and there goes your season.
-While BYU’s defense was solid, it did give up a couple of big plays including a 69yd run on a QB option and the long TD pass off a trick play.  If UNI QB Pat Grace can break one what can the more athletic Jake Locker do to this defense next week at Washington?
-Fui Vakapuna suspended for the game because he missed practices for not getting an academic assignment done until Friday to be eligible.  Inexcusable.
-O’Neil Chambers…don’t fair catch a punt inside the five yard line.
-Washington.  I watched the 4th quarter and either they are really bad or Oregon is just really good.  All I know is I wasn’t impressed and BYU should win.
-Utah State.  It’s going to be another long year for the Aggies falling at UNLV.

THE UGLY:
-Utah’s 15 penalties (many of which untimely), three turnovers with an extra point and punt blocked.  If you would have told me these stats before the game I would have told you Michigan would have won easily.  If this continues though, Utah will lose somewhere down the line.
-BYU’s third quarter was flat out awful.  When you’re on a “Quest of Perfection” and a projected BCS busting team you should not be going into the 4th quarter with a 10-point lead against an FCS team. 
-San Diego State.  How does one lose to a team called Cal Poly San Luis Obispo?
-Hans’ eating.  John warned me about this and it’s even worse than I could imagine.  It’s like a pig after they dump some scraps in the pen.  It could be one of the most disgusting things I’ve ever witnessed.  If you don’t believe me just come out to the Wingers Provo Towne Center for BYU home games. 

UTAH KEYS VS. MICHIGAN:
-Win the turnover battle…Michigan has very good athletes at their skill positions but they are young and could put the ball on the turf.  Utah has to capitalize and hold onto the ball themselves.
-Stop the run…The Rich Rodriguez spread highlights the run so the Utes have to be strong particularly inside.  Don’t be surprised if Michigan even direct snaps to their RB’s on occasion.
-Confuse the QB…Pressure, pressure and more pressure needs to be applied to
-PREDICTION: MICHIGAN 17 UTAH 14…If you believe what you hear out of Michigan the Utes should roll.  I just think Michigan will be better than advertised but I will not be shocked if Utah wins.

BYU KEYS VS. N. IOWA:
-Pummel them early…Don’t let this team gain confidence and think they can pull off another App State.
-Stop Corey Lewis…He’s their number one playmaker and if you believe David Nixon he’s the best RB they’ll play all year.
-Look sharp and put on a show…When you’re ranked and the hot pick for the BCS don’t give the voters any ammo to bring you down.
-PREDICTION:  BYU 45 N. IOWA 10…

SEASON PREDICTIONS:
BYU (11-1; 7-1): Unlike past seasons the one loss comes in conference against either TCU or Utah.
UTAH (10-2; 7-1): I see a close loss to Michigan and a stumble to either NM or BYU in the MWC.
BYU OFF MVP: Max Hall
BYU DEF MVP: Jan Jorgensen
UTAH OFF MVP: Brian Johnson
UTAH DEF MVP: Robert Johnson

BOWL PREDICTION:
BYU: Even though they have the one loss BYU gets into a BCS game barely.
UTAH:  Share of conference title gets them to the Vegas Bowl.

Go behind enemy lines as Michigan’s new head man Rich Rodriguez sizes up Utah….........

Rich Rodriguez talks about season-opener

We were going to ask the question “Who is better looking”, but that sounded gay and neither is good looking. So we ask you, the sweet-clean P1: Who is less hideous Gunther or Hans?

Text “GUNTHER” to 55874 to vote for the former Utes center. Text “HANS” to 55874 to vote for the former BYU lineman and current John and Hans co-host Hans Olsen.

Does it make you feel weird that were having kind of a beastly beauty contest? Us too…....but text anyway. Thanks!

MWC POWER POLL (Last yr’s final ranking; Upcoming opponent):
9)  CSU (#7; @Colorado):  Let the rebuilding begin with new coach Steve Fairchild. 
8)  SDSU (#6; @Cal Poly):  Chuck Long is definitely on the hot seat.
7)  UNLV (#9; vs. Utah St):  So is Mike Sanford.
6)  AF (#3; vs. S. Utah):  Many of last years weapons have graduated.
5)  WYO (#8; vs. Ohio):  Everybody now…B-DOUBLE-E-DOUBLE-R-U-N, BEER RUN!
4)  TCU (#5; @NM):  Always good defensively, just need to keep Aaron Brown healthy.
3)  NM (#4; vs. TCU):  QB (Porterie) & RB (Ferguson) return but replacing 4 of 5 on O-line.
2)  UTAH (#2; @Mich):  If you’re going to beat the Wolverines on the road, this would be the time.
1)  BYU (#1; vs. N. Iowa):  If you’re BCS worthy, then you blow this team out.

2008 Regular Season Wins - BYU

Over                     9½ (-115)

Under                   9½ (-115)

How many Passing Yards will Max Hall (BYU) have in the 2008 Season?

Over/Under     3500

How many Passing TD’s will Max Hall (BYU) have in the 2008 Season?

Over/Under     25

Odds to win 2009 BCS National Championship

USC                   7/2

Ohio State               4/1

Georgia                 5/1

Florida                 11/2

Oklahoma               6/1

Missouri                 14/1

West Virginia           15/1

LSU                     20/1

Texas                   20/1

Clemson               22/1

Virginia Tech           30/1

Tennessee             30/1

Wisconsin               30/1

Auburn                 35/1

Texas Tech             40/1

Florida State             50/1

Illinois                   50/1

Penn State             50/1

Michigan               50/1

Alabama               55/1

UCLA                   55/1

Miami Florida           60/1

South Carolina           60/1

Arizona State           60/1

Kansas                 65/1

Notre Dame             65/1

California               75/1

Rutgers                 75/1

South Florida           75/1

Nebraska               80/1

Cincinnati               100/1

Boise State             100/1

Boston College         100/1

Georgia Tech           100/1

Iowa                     100/1

Kentucky               100/1

Louisville               100/1

Maryland               100/1

Michigan State         100/1

North Carolina           100/1

North Carolina State     100/1

Oregon                 100/1

Oregon State           100/1

Texas A&M             100/1

Wake Forest           100/1

Virginia                 100/1

Washington             100/1

Arizona                 125/1

Kansas State           125/1

Oklahoma State         125/1

Arkansas               150/1

Field (Any Other Team)  25/1

Odds to win the 2008 Heisman Trophy

Tim Tebow (FL)                  7/2

Chris Wells (Ohio St.)          6/1

Chase Daniel (Missouri)          6/1

Knowshon Moreno (UGA)        8/1

Michael Crabtree (TTech)        10/1

Pat White (WVU)                10/1

Sam Bradford (Okl)              14/1

DeMarco Murray (Okla)          15/1

Matthew Stafford (UGA)          15/1

Graham Harrell (TTech)          16/1

Percy Harvin (FL)                20/1

LeSean McCoy (Pitt)            22/1

Cullen Harper (Clem)            25/1

P.J. Hill (Wisc)                  25/1

Joe McKnight (USC)            25/1

Colt McCoy (Tex)                28/1

Todd Boeckman (OhioSt.)      30/1

Todd Reesing (Kan)              30/1

Javon Ringer (Mich St.)          35/1

Rudy Carpenter (ASU)          35/1

Noel Devine (WVU)              30/1

Juice Williams (ILL)              40/1

John Parker Wilson (Ala)        40/1

Mark Sanchez (USC)            40/1

James Davis (Clem)            50/1

Matt Grothe (USF)              50/1

Ian Johnson (Boise St.)          50/1

Kellen Lewis (Ind)                50/1

C.J. Spiller (Clem)              50/1

Jake Locker (Wash)            50/1

Jeremy Maclin (Missouri)        50/1

Tyrod Taylor (V. Tech)          60/1

Arian Foster (Tenn)              60/1

James Laurinaitis (Ohio St.)      60/1

Curtis Painter (Purdue)          60/1

Stephen McGee (Tex A&M)      60/1

Max Hall (BYU)                  65/1

Dan LeFevour (C. Mich)          70/1

Zac Robinson (Ok. State)        75/1

Willie Tuitama (Arz)              75/1

Eric Berry (Tenn)                80/1

Jimmy Clausen (ND)            80/1

Armanti Edwards (App. State)    100/1

Jeremiah Johnson (Ore)          100/1

Terrelle Pryor (Ohio St.)          100/1

Field                           8/1

This is the best squad the Y has seen in years, very few weak spots in this group.


OFFENSE

XR ....................... Michael Reed 2nd Spencer Hafoka (Reed will be the back bone of this recieving core)                   

HR ....................... Bryce Mahuika 2nd Spencer Hafoka (Bryce will strugle with health, he plays so hard his body can’t handle it)

ZR .........................Austin Collie 2nd O’Neill Chambers or Luke Ashworth (Austin and Bryce are in the same boat as far as I’m concerned. I see Collie hurt this year)

TE .........................Dennis Pitta 2nd Andrew George (This will be a consistant group, they will produce every game)

LT ..........................Matt Reynolds 2nd R.J. Willing (Matt is young, but could end up one of the best to play the spot of left tackle for the Y)

LG .........................Ray Feinga 2nd Terence Brown (Number one NFL prospect on the team)

C ...........................Dallas Reynolds 2nd Garrett Reden (Dallas has found his calling in life at the center spot. A perfect move for the middle)

RG .........................Travis Bright 2nd Jason Speredon (ANIMAL! Strong like a gorilla, solid spot to run behind)

RT ..........................David Oswald 2nd Nick Alletto

QB .........................Max Hall 2nd Brenden Gaskins (Will have another eye opening year for critics across the country to evaluate)

RB ..........................Fui Vakapuna 2nd Wayne Latu (I hope he is back, he could be the X factor. I like Latu, he will get some reps this year and will impress)

HB ..........................Harvey Unga 2nd J.J. DiLuigi (Good switch over, but J.J. has some proving to do.)

  DEFENSE

RE ..........................Jan Jorgensen 2nd Matt Putnam or Bernard Afutiti (A guy I would take over any D end in the country, not just for his play, but for who he is.)

NT ...........................Russell Tialavea 2nd Mosese Foketi (Good for three plays and done, we will see if he can sustain hard play through the whole game)

LE ...........................Brett Denney or Ian Dulan (Ian will start after first series, and will regain that spot for game two)

SLB .........................David Nixon 2nd Daniel Sorensen (Bryan Kehl’esk a ton of hopes are left on his shoulders, and I think he is gonna dominate)

MLB .........................Matt Bauman 2nd Iona Pritchard (I hope he can keep up with the rest of the group)

BLB .........................Shawn Doman or Matt Ah You (Matt will be the starter over the long hall if he can stay healthy. He has a nose for the ball like a dog has for crotch)

WLB ........................Vic So’oto or Coleby Clawson (Big test comming soon, weak spot in my opinion)

FC ...........................Brandon Howarrd 2nd G Pittman (I have liked this kid thru camp, and will watch with great anticipation)

BC ...........................Scott Johnson 2nd Brandon Bradley (Same feel for him as I have for Brandon)

KAT .........................David Tafuna 2nd Shiloah Te’o (Hardest hitter on the team bar none)

FS ...........................Kellen Fowler 2nd Andrew Rich (Smartest player on the team bar none)

SPECIAL TEAMS

K .............................Mitch Payne or Justin Sorensen ( I don’t care what happens here, but they better not lose the game)

P .............................C.J. Santiago 2nd Justin Sorensen

DS ...........................Chris Muehlmann 2nd John Pace

KR ...........................O’Neill Chambers 2nd Reed White

PR ...........................O’Neill Chambers 2nd Reed White