DESPITE WIN OVER SONNERS, LONGHORNS LEFT OUT OF BIG 12 TITLE, CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PICTURE

As expected, Oklahoma jumped Texas despite the Longhons 45-35 win on a neutral field earlier this season. Texas’ only loss was a last second job to #7 Texas Tech. OU beat OK-State Saturday night while Texas failed to impress voters with a 49-9 thrashing of A&M on Thanksgiving evening.   We always say it, but we need a playoff and even though we also always say maybe this is the year where something gets done because of another injustice, were stuck with the system even if Obama wants to change it. I think he’s got these little things called the economy, bailouts, the war, the housing market, the credit crunch, health care, education….....and about 500,000 other issues before it trickles down to anything regarding sports.
For the record, the best explanation I heard from a voter for keeping one above the other in the OU-Texas debate was from Stewart Mandel of Si.com: Much like an instant replay review, I need “insurmountable evidence” to convince me to move one team (Oklahoma) above another (Texas). All I see are two extremely deserving teams with no discernible separation between them—except, of course, for that 10-point margin on the day they played each other.”The Horns should play for the Big 12 and National Title but CFB, like llife ain’t fair….....

DOES OREGON STATE LOSS AFFECT UTES BOWL DESTIANTION?

Doubtful but possible. With the Beavers loss to Oregon Saturday night that almost assuredly puts USC in the Rose Bowl and takes the Trojans out of a Fiesta Bowl berth. If OSU would have won, USC would have been the pick of the Fiesta Bowl, which has first pick of at-large teams this season. USC now has to beat UCLA and they go to the Rose. The pick for the Fiesta, which has the coveted #1 pick and a Big 12 tie-in will be down to Utah or Ohio State. Even with Utah being much closer on the map, Bucks fans will travel better even in this ecoonomy. Plus with the first pick of at-large teams, the Fiesta is unlikely to go with a lower profile program like Utah from a conference like the MWC. Here is how the BCS bowls shake out:
TITLE GAME: BCS #1 vs. BCS #2 (Florida vs. Oklahoma)-Assuming Florida beats Bama in SEC title game and OU beats Mizzou in Big 12 title game…..
ROSE: Big Ten #1 vs. Pac-10 #1 (Penn St. vs. USC)
FIESTA: Big 12 vs. At-Large #1 pick (Texas vs. Ohio State)-Bucks highest profile team left and make for big name, highly rated bowl with two large fan bases.
SUGAR: SEC vs. At-Large pick #2 (Alabama vs. Utah)-Bama loses to Florida in SEC title game, pick comes down to 10-2 Cincy of the Big East and 12-0 Utah.
ORANGE: ACC #1 vs. At-Large #3 pick. (Va-Tech-BC winner vs. Cincinnati, winner of Big East) Likely Va. Tech vs. Cincy in match-up of two dissapointing but automatic bid conferences. Boise State vs. Texas Tech would be more deserving according to the BCS standings but won’t happen.

THIS GUY IS RIGHT

I keep telling you that college football is a business. It is not about finding a true champion, being fair, matching up the best teams or in general doing what is best for the sport or what is most entertaining for its fans. It is however all about business and making money. Stewart Mandel of SI.com has it right when he says non-BCS conferences need to settle down: “That the mid-majors are getting greedy. The media crusade has begun to get one of the BCS bowls to invite 12-0 Boise State (in addition to 12-0 Utah). Give me a break. While it’s nice that Utah, Boise State and Hawaii have gotten to play on the big stage in recent years, the reality is, their inclusion is not in the bowls’ best business interests. Those teams’ games have drawn three of the six lowest TV ratings in BCS history. And even if Boise took every one of its season-ticket holders to, say, the Fiesta Bowl, they still wouldn’t broach Ohio State’s traveling horde.

AK GETS SOME NATIONAL LOVE

Kind of a weird time to go back and re-hash the AK-Sloan relationship on a national level but that is exactly what SI.com and Andrei and Masha Kirilenko did recently. Things seem to be going well with AK relishing the 6th man role and all the trade talk has been tabled largely due to #47’s insanely big pay check, but when have the Masha’s ever not complained loudly? 

ONE MWC COACHING VACANCY IS FILLED

Missouri Offensive Coordinator Dave Christensen, who had ties to the University of Washington and was expected to be a strong candidate for that job, bolted for another UW, the University of Wyoming to take over for Joe Glenn. I bet his family is estatic, if estactic means they want to kill themselves. The three finalists for the UW post were Christensen, Nebraska wide receivers coach Ted Gilmore, a former Wyoming WR and coach, and former Louisville, Michigan State and Utah State head coach John L. Smith.

SEATTLE TIMES TALKS ABOUT WHITT TO WASHINGTON

According to the Seattle Times, Washington likes Kyle Whittingham but as we’ve said many times, it is very likely he stays at Utah due to his ties in the area: “Also, ...A source said that UW has inquired about talking with Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. And one source said that Utah’s Kyle Wittingham may also be in the picture, though the general thought on him is that he would be hard to pry away right now.”

THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE SCREAMING FOR A TRADE TO PUT THE JAZZ OVER THE TOP

Remember the case of Devin Harris for Jason Kidd. Harris is becoming an All-Star point guard and he torched the Jazz for 34 in their 105-88 win on Saturday night for the Nets, who are on the upswing with some young talent and the desperate Dallas Mavericks have a great name-so-so play point who best days are wayyyy behind him. Harris is 25. Kidd is 36 going on 50. The Mavericks are toast and Harris has always given D-Will some trouble, healthy or not. Good thing the Jazz only see this guy twice a year and he’s out of the West, he’s just going to get better.

TEXT DUMPING: WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

Former tennis player and Wimbledon champ Boris Becker was dumped by his fiance via text and she sent it 5 times just to make sure he got the message . Sounds pretty brutal to dump anyone that way let alone a fiance. You’d think that unless you knew that the former German tennis star dumped his girlfriend via text just a year earlier. 

AN UPDATE

On the man and woman who didn’t know each other and had a girlfriend and husband respectively waiting for them at their seats as they had sex in a stall at a Minnesota-Iowa game a couple weeks back.  By the way, a pic of the woman, Lois Feldman 38,  is below.  This woman clearly is a tramp and has her hhusband hoodwinked: “Feldman, a married mother of three, has been the target of Internet jokes and prank telephone calls today. She was fired this morning from an assisted living center, where she had been an administrator. Feldman said her husband, Kelly, has been supportive. She said he faults himself for not going with her when she left her seat to use the restroom before halftime.FAULTS HIMSELF???? This woman has convinced this man that she is such a slut that she can’t even go to the bathroom alone if she’s had a couple glasses of ripple? Dude, get yourself a new woman and grab your pair back at the door.

BREAKING NEWS: THE REAL REASON KYLE KORVER INJURED HIS WRIST!

John and Hans have obtained exclusive video of the real reason Kyle Korver is out with a “strained wrist”....We’ve all been there Kyle, hope you break your “slump” soon…...

HITLER TALKS ABOUT MAX HALL AND HIS 6 TURNOVER GAME VS UTAH

VIDEO OF THE IDAHO COACH WHO GOT BEAT DOWN BY HIS OWN PLAYER

A few weeks ago we brought you the story of the Nampa, Idaho coach who got a beatdown by his own player. We found the video…..

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WHITT MENTIONED AGAIN AT WASHINGTON

Rivals.com mentioned Utah’s Kyle Whittingham again as a candidate to replace the departing Tyrone Willingham for the 0-11, soon to be 0-12 Dawgs:
“With reports that Missouri soon will sign Gary Pinkel to a lucrative extension, Washington may have to scratch a top target off its wish list. That would mean Washington may concentrate its focus on Kiffin, Montana’s Bobby Hauck, Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen, Boise State’s Chris Petersen, USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker and Fresno State’s Pat Hill. Another name to watch is Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, who would be a good fit on many fronts in Seattle.”

USU COACHING BUZZ

Another one of my people in low places told me that UCLA D-Coord DeWayne Walker had a great interview in Logan today and could emerge as the lead candidate. Walker was a coach at USU in 1993 and BYU in 1994, so he knows the area. he has other experience in college at USC, Cal and Oklahoma State and in the NFL with the Giants, Redskins and Patriots. Others who are in the mix include: Utah defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, San Jose State linebacker coach Kent Baer, USF wide receivers coach Mike “Chico” Canales and former USU, Louisville and Michigan State coach John L. Smith. 

COACHING BUZZ PART II

Rivals has some info regarding the coaching openings in the MWC at San Diego State, Wyoming and New Mexico in addition to the hottest coaching candidate in the conference, Troy Calhoun of Air Force.

HEALTH OF OREGON STATE RB COULD DECIDE ROSE BOWL BERTH

Oregon State RB Jacquizz Rogers is doubtful for the Civil War game this Saturday which will decide weather Oregon State gets into the BCS via the Rose Bowl. Reality is, the Beavers don’t deserve to go and USC does depsite the OSU win over USC. The Beavers have lost 3 games, already were blown out 45-14 vs. Penn State who is already in the Rose Bowl and other than the local angle of the Utes having beat a Rose Bowl team, USC getting in opens up a spot for a team who truly deserves an at large bid and the cash that goes with it.

NCAA FOOTBALL GAMES THAT MATTER THIS WEEKEND

Syracuse @ 16 Cincinnati (Big East Network, 10 AM)- Mike Gleason, John Congemi, Quint Kessenich (Will Air on SNY, MASN, Altitude): Cincy wins and gets Big East BCS bid, likely to play ACC winner in Orange Bowl.
Miami @ North Carolina State (Raycom, 10 AM)- Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood: Another game to try and shake out bad ACC race.
New Mexico State @ Utah State (Aggie Vision, 1pm)- Jeff Siembieda, Danny Knee (Will Air on FS Arizona): Brent Guy’s last game as HC…Will he pull out some crazy plays?
Auburn @ 1 Alabama (CBS, 1:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson: The Iron Bowl, Bama is set for SEC title game, but could they stumble at home against their rival? No.
4 Florida @ 20 Florida State (ABC, 1:30pm)- Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Paul Maguire, Stacey Dales: Could FSU at home and a tough defense be enough to stop the country’s hottest team and knock Urban out of National title contention?
Maryland @ 21 Boston College (ABC, 1:30pm)- Pam Ward, Ray Bentley: More ACC garabge to sift through to see who will play in Orange Bowl even though no ACC team deserves the pay day.
23 Oregon @ 17 Oregon State (Versus, 5pm)- Tim Neverett, Glenn Parker, Anne Marie Anderson: Oregon State wins The Civil War, they’re in the Rose Bowl, lose and USC is in. Jacquizz Rodgers is doubtful.
Notre Dame @ 5 USC (ESPN, 6pm)- Mike Patrick, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe: The Trojans can put Charlie Weis out of his ND misery with a big win.
3 Oklahoma @ 12 Oklahoma State (ABC, 6pm)- Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters: If the Sooners can break the Big 12 on the road jinx, Tech loses to OU on road, Texas loses to Tech on road, then the Sooners could be in National Title game. 

THIS IS BECOMING A SPORTS EPIDEMIC

We reported on a couple who were having sex in a bathroom during a Buffalo Bills game a couple weeks back, at least they were married and didn’t have people cheering them on in a handi-stall. At the Minnesota-Iowa game on Saturday a couple was busted for doing the horizontal mombo in a handi-stall and here’s the best part

“The man, 26 and from Linden, Iowa, and the woman 38 and from Carroll, Iowa, were cited for misdemeanor indecent conduct. He was released to his girlfriend and she to her husband, police said.I bet that worked out nicely…...

THIS IS A SEAHAWK CHEERLEADER SINCE WE HAVEN’T FEATURED THEM THIS YEAR.  THEY’LL BE PLAYING ON THANKSGIVING IN A TRIPLEHEADER OF DOG GAMES.  TITANS-LIONS? COWBOYS-SEAHAWKS? CARDINALS-EAGLES?  I RECOMMEND LOADING UP ON THE TURKEY AND GO INTO A FOOD COMA.  YOU WON’T MISS MUCH!  HAVE A SAFE AND FUN HOLIDAY WEEKEND!

NFL TOP 5…BOTTOM 5 (Record/Last wk’s ranking):
TOP 5: 
5) BUCS (8-3; NR):  TB back in despite having to rally from 17-0 deficit to blow out lowly Lions. 
4) STEELERS (8-3; #4):  Beat Bengals now have showdown Sun at NE.
3) TITANS (10-1; #1):  Vaunted Def let’s team down in blowout loss at home to Jets.   
2) JETS (8-3; #5):  It scares me to rank them this high, but a win over the previously unbeaten Titans on road after beating NE in their house leaves me no choice. 
1) GIANTS (10-1: #2):  I think we all knew this team was truly the best in the league.   
Dropped out: Panthers

BOTTOM 5:
5) SEAHAWKS (2-9; NR):  Amazed how far this team has fallen this year.
4) BENGALS (1-9-1; #5):  Wonder if Ocho Cinco will get suspended again this week. 
3) RAMS (2-9; #4):  Loses Bulger to concussion in 27-3 loss to Bears. 
2) CHIEFS (1-10; #2):  Commits 5 turnovers, gives up most points in teams history in loss to Bills (54) and has lost 19 of last 20 for worst stretch in franchise history.  Yep their bad. 
1) LIONS (0-11; #1):  Quest for 0-16 continues by blowing 17pt 1st qter lead in 38-20 loss.  Can’t wait for that exciting Turkey day match-up vs. the Titans.  Barf! 
Dropped out:  Raiders

MWC POWER POLL (Last Wk Ranking; Final records):
9) SDSU (#9; 2-10; 1-7):  Not only ended the year with a win but a blowout of UNLV but not enough to save Chuck Long’s job
8) WYO (#7; 4-8; 1-7):  The Joe Glenn era officially ends with his 4th straight losing season.  I’ll miss the MWC’s most colorful coach.  “Buck-up” Joe!
7) NM (#8; 4-8; 2-6):  Tough week for Lobo fans.  Lose their coach, told they don’t support their team and they may never be able to compete for a MWC title.  Get your season tickets now!
6) UNLV (#5; 5-7; 2-6):  Tough to figure this team out.  One week they can keep up with the big boys.  The next they lose to one of the worst teams in college football.
5) CSU (#6; 6-6; 4-4):  Beating Wyoming combined with a UNLV loss has this team bowling in Steve Fairchild’s first season.  Look out, the Rams could be a factor again in the future.
4) AF (#4; 8-4; 5-3):  Blown out by TCU was a difficult way to end year but they’ll still be bowling.     
3) BYU (#3; 10-2; 6-2):  Hall turnovers and a Defense that didn’t really improve the entire year kept them from a 3rd straight MWC title.
2) TCU (#2; 10-2; 7-1):  Blows out Air Force to finish 10-2.  Now the Gary Patterson watch is on.
1) UTAH (#1; 12-0; 8-0):  Brian Johnson almost perfect to complete perfect regular season.  Can they stay that way in their BCS bowl? 

TUESDAY GUEST LIST

Jazz F Paul Millsap at 9 AM, Boise writer Mike Prater on Hans enraging his entire home state and if Boise State will go bowling vs. TCU or BYU in the Pointsettia Bowl, 8 AM, who did the P1’s vote for as the Zone talent blunderhead of the week in Great Moments?

JAZZ GOOD NEWS: RONNIE BREWER’S SICK ALLEY-OOP DUNK

JAZZ THE BAD NEWS: A CRAZY LAST MUNUTE LEADS TO BULLS BUZZER BEATER

HANS HITS THE BIG TIME

The New York Times wrote a piece on the Holy War over the weekend and the featured quotes came from your friend and mine Hans Olsen…...

HANS HITS THE NOT SO BIG TIME

From the New York Times to the Idaho Statesman and in the porcess Hans angers his entire home state by dissing an Iderho broadcasting legend…....

SOMEBODY TAKES ANOTHER SHOT AT PREDICTING BOWLS

This time its ESPN national CFB blogger Graham Watson who says what weve been saying for weeks on the John and Hans Show, Utah to Sugar, BYU to Vegas, but could Boise get to the Pointsettia to play BYU or TCU somehow?

UNDEFEATED #17 BALL STATE GIVING STUDENTS FREE BOWL TIX

Just kidding apparently…...The Cardinals athletic depo sent out the e-mail by mistake which stated if students went to the exciting Western Michigan game on Saturday they would get va free bowl ticket no matter what bowl it was. They later said they accidently sent out the notice but still wanted support for the game….

STEELERS S TROY POLAMALU TO DO A REMAKE OF MEAN JOE COKE AD

Advertisers may be willing to pay less than the reported 3M per 30 seconds during the Super Bowl this season but Coke has a good idea, updating the old Mean Joe Greene commercial with Steelers S Troy Polamalu…....

 

 

THE COUNT HELPS YOU COUNT DOWN MAX HALL’S INTERCEPTIONS…...

It’s not easy and you might need a calculator to count them all, so we solicited the help from Sesame Street’s The Count…...

HANS AND THE THE FAMOUS ORANGE SWEATER PART II

Hans wears this TV altering orange pumpkin sweater every Thanksgiving week on NFL SportsBeat…..It’s the Great Pumkin Chalie Brown!!! He wore it again this past Sunday night 2008….

UTAH FANS RUSHING THE FIELD AFTER BYU WIN

I don’tknow why people have such an issue with rushing the field after a big win , but in the Utah-BYU postgame both Utes and Cougars fans alike complained often. It’s just a celebration with other fans….I have no issue with it….Have fun, its only sports….

LATEST BOWL RUMORS

My peeps in low places tell me that Utah is a heavy favorite to end up in the Sugar Bowl opposite the loser of the SEC Title game, either current #1 Alabama or Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators, who many think are the best team in CFB right now. The thinking is simple: The Rose is Penn State and either Oregon State or USC, the Fiesta is the odd team out in the Big 12 vs. either USC or Ohio State, the Sugar will take the SEC loser and the Big East champ or Utah and the Orange Bowl has last pick with an ACC team locked in to take on the last team picked of the BCS teams, which should be likely Big East champ Cincinnati. Utah is a more attractive options than Cincy out of the bad Big East. BYU has an interesting issue and could get some redemption after the Utah loss. Boise is undefeated and highly unlikely to get a BCS bid even though they sit at #9 in the nation. Only one non-BCS team is guranteed a spot if they are in the top 12 and Utah has it. Boise would usually go to the Humanitarian Bowl in their home town, but they would play a mediocre team and they want more. They are trying to work themselves into the Poinsettia Bowl. The Vegas Bowl is already locked into the 4 or 5 team in the Pac-10 which will be Arizona or Cal, so Boise can’t play BYU there. However, BYU can turn down Vegas and a mid-level Pac-10 team for the undefeated Broncos in one of the best match-ups of the bowl season. Why is the Poinsettia looking for a team you ask? The Pac-10 will not fill all seven of its bowl slots. That was assured when Stanford, which needed a victory to reach the six required for bowl eligibility, fell to rival California in the “Big Game.” That ensures three of the conference’s 10 teams (including Washington and Washington State) won’t be eligible. In addition, either Arizona State or UCLA - which each have four wins but play next week - won’t make it. In fact, both might not. The Sun Devils close at Arizona, while UCLA faces USC. That would leave the Hawaii and Poinsettia bowls, which are affiliated with the Pac-10, looking elsewhere to find teams.

LATEST BCS STANDINGS

COULD THE UTES PLAY IN THE BCS TITLE GAME?

Yes….But there’s a better chance that monkeys fly out of your butt…...
1. ALABAMA: Would have to lose badly at home to Auburn this weekend for Utes to have a chance to jump the Tide and a possible loss in SEC title game to Florida.
2. TEXAS: Would have to lose to unranked Texas A&M this weekend at home, probably will be jumped by Oklahoma regardless for chance in Big 12 and title game. Utes fans would like Texas to beat A&M and have OU lose to #12 OK-State next weekend and Texas losing to North Champ and #13 Missouri in Big 12 title game.
3. OKLAHOMA: Likely in BCS title game now despite loss to Texas. Will jump Horns with convincing win at #12 OK-State on road next weekend. Would get into title game with win in Big 12 title game over #12 Mizzou. Utes fans would want loss to OK-State next weekend.
4. FLORIDA: Loss at #20 Florida State is what Utes fans would need to jump Gators. Florida could lose in SEC title game to Alabama, that game is already set.
5. USC: The Trojans on paper may be better than Utah, but they shouldn’t be ahead of the Utes in the BCS. Utah has beaten BCS #14 TCU, #17 Oregon State, who USC lost to and #18 BYU. USC has beaten #10 Ohio State and #23 Oregon. They have played terrible teams such as Washington and Washington State and the Mtn. West beat the Pac-10 head to head this season. However, USC won’t lose to UCLA, which is what Utes fans need to jump the Trojans.
The most likely of the highly unlikley scenarios would be for Alabama to lose at home to Auburn and turn around and beat Florida in the SEC title game. Alabama and Florida would likely be behind Utah. After that, Oklahoma would have to lose to OK-State this Saturday to put Texas in the Big 12 title game vs. Missouri. Mizzou avenges a loss at Texas earlier this year and OU and Texas are behind the Utes with 2 losses each. USC won’t lose to UCLA, so that would leave a Utah-USC title game. Alabama could still be ahead of Utah as a one-loss SEC team under this secnario, but maybe the Utes could jump USC. Like I said, you have a better chance of monkeys flying out of your butt tonight in your sleep.

THE BCS IS CLEARLY BROKEN AGAIN

Texas, which beat Oklahoma, will be left holding the bag if the Sooners win on the road next week at OK-State and if OU beats Missouri in the Big 12 title game despite Texas beating the Sooners earlier this season in Dallas. With Oklahoma thoroughly thrashing unbeaten Texas Tech, the Sooners are poised to jump the Longhorns in the BCS standings. Yes, Texas beat Oklahoma, but the Sooners are benefiting from playing marquee teams late in the season. C’mon Obama, forget the war and the economy and fix this thing….....(Just kidding)....But it still needs a playoff…..

THE KNICKS ARE THE FRONT RUNNERS FOR LEBRON IN 2010 AFTER TRADES, BUT THE JAZZ WON TOO

Over the weekend, the Kincks traded guard Jamal Crawford to the Warriors and Zach Randolph to the Clippers for some filler players whose contracts run out beofre the 2010 free agent extravaganza which features LeBron, D-Wade, Dirk, Amare. Bosh, Nash and others. While it now looks as if the Knicks will have enough dough to enitce LeBron and some others to Wall Street in two years, the Jazz won with this trade as well. You see Utah owns New York’s draft pick in 2009 or 2010. The Knicks will retain the pick in the 2009 draft if it falls between No. 1 and No. 22 in June, which is a lock given how bad New York will be this season after trading their best two players for expiring contracts,  but the pick is fully unprotected in 2010 or BLBJ….Before LeBron James. New York won’t want to pay a high pick anyway and is essentially giving the Jazz a high pick, almost certain to be in the top 5 given how New York won’t take on any contracts before now and then which will hinder the grand plan. The Knicks will give up the unprotected pick in June 2010 and sign NBA stars to deals in July. The Jazz get a possible star in the making out of the deal. Not bad for a pick Utah grabbed as part of the Tom Gugliotta deal they made with Phoenix in 2004  

QUICK MWC HOOK: LONG AND GLENN FIRED

Chuck Long was canned at San Diego State because he didn’t play Kurtis Gunther and Joe Glenn is out in Laramie after 6 seasons. With Rocky Long stepping down at New Mexico, that makes three MWC coaches gone already.

THE ZONE’S OWN KELLY KAYE AND WHIPPED CREAM…....

I had a great talk with Max about looking at his receivers before he guns it in there. Here is that interview below.

I had this interview with him before the season started, you can see how funny he is, a true joy to be around.

Where did this team go?

I have always liked Max, he is a straight forward pull no punches kid, and I would have loved to block for him. If I’m BYU I can’t wait to see him back on the field next year. The people that need to be looked at are the ones that decided to baby him. Max became an overnight sensation after the UCLA game, he was then treated like a king, he was not allowed to interview at certain times, he was rushed off of the practice field, he had body gaurds and surveillance, they should have just let him be a man, that’s what he wants. In my opinion he is a man, a total stud, a stud that was out game planned by Gary Anderson. I have never seen a defense in better position in my life, lineman in passing lanes, DB’s jumping routes, and a pick or a batted ball every other pass. I love Utah’s ability to out game plan the best, that is why I am so excited to see them go against a giant in the BCS.

RANDOM RIVALRY GAME OBSERVATIONS (Typed as game goes along):
PRE-GAME:
-Wandered the Ute Tailgate scene.  Lots of partying going on.  Lots of anti-BYU shirts and lots of trash talking.  A good college football pre-game atmosphere.  Very similar to what I have experienced at Michigan and Ohio State.  Just on a smaller scale.  Love big game atmospheres.
-Watched Pitta during pre-game warm-ups.  The knee is heavily wrapped with a brace it appears and he didn’t seem to be moving that well.  We’ll see if that changes come game-time.
-BYU lines up for the Haka and the entire Ute team moves over to the sideline to break it up.  Coaches from both sides hold the players back.  BYU doesn’t get to finish it.  Utah wins initial intimidation tactic.
-Kudos to Ute fans.  Most arrived into the stadium on-time.  Also see pockets of blue from those fans I assume who bought Ute season tickets before the season.

1ST QTER:
-3-3…Utah moves ball attacking edges and utilizing slant but BYU defense holds.  BYU gets there’s with a 70yd kick return by Collie.  Utah’s defense holds.  Good start for both teams.
-Utah goes right down field for TD.  Johnson has plenty of time to throw taking advantage of the typical soft BYU coverage.  Good play calling mixing up pass and runs and switching to a no-huddle mid drive.  Ute offense on their game thus far.  BYU defense struggling as has been the case most of the year.
-After Ute Def forces punt, Utah drives down the field again with underneath passes with most receiver’s wide open.  BYU safeties having an awful half with Fowler missing tackles and Tafuna being flagged for a PI on a deep ball.  Quarter ends with Utah having the ball at the BYU 11 up 10-3. 

2ND QTER:
-Asiata straight up the middle out of the wildcat for a 4yd TD to go up 17-10.  Utes dominating the time of possession in the 1st qter 11:20 to 3:40.  They are doing whatever they want against the porous BYU defense.  End of 1qter Johnson was 15-18 143yds 1td.  BYU has been trying to blitz but with absolutely no success.
-BYU marches down field with an impressive drive helped by a Ute mistake.  Misi sacks Hall on a 3rd down but Kruger jumped offside.  Hall pitches to Unga for a nice 24yd td run.  The run game is working for Cougars.  BYU needed that and they are back in the game as the defense contributes a three and out to give the offense the ball back. 
-McCain is having issues again in this game.  On the same drive he allows a 30yd completion to Reed and then commits a PI on Reed giving BYU a 1st and goal at the Ute 2.  McCain is matched up on Reed while Sean Smith is on Collie.
-Unga goes in for a 2yd TD out of the Wildcat formation to tie the game 17-17.  Momentum has swung to the Cougars with another impressive drive silencing the Ute fans.  Key plays include a Hall 20yd scramble to go along with the plays mentioned on McCain. 
-Utes come back driving ball down field with short passes.  Drive stalls when they go back to the run.  End result is another Sakoda FG.  That’s a small victory for BYU.  1:41 left which is plenty of time for BYU to counter.
-What a change of momentum and it’s all on Max Hall.  After a completion to Collie and Reed (both on McCain again) he throws a ball directly to Robert Johnson who drops the int.  On the next play he throws it right to Joe Dale and head butts Sylvester to pick up a personal foul penalty.  Utah takes over at the BYU 44 and three plays later Johnson hits Reed on a beautiful 32yd connection.  Again that’s all on Hall.  One of the dumber plays I have ever seen a QB make.  UTAH 27-17 at half.
-Overall an entertaining first half.  In some ways Utah leading is justified since they did seem to dominate most of the first half.  BYU though didn’t wilt when they went down early like they did against TCU.  They’ll get the ball to start the 2nd half so we’ll see if they can counter.

3RD QUARTER:
-For only the 2nd time tonight Hall was pressured by the blitz and hit while throwing ball.  He did get sacked in the first half which was negated by the Kruger offside penalty.  Overall BYU doing a decent job against the pressure but they did have to punt on their first possession.
-Johnson hits Brown for 15 and 16yds and then Ludwig calls for slow developing hand off that results in a 5yd loss on 1st down.  Utes end up punting. 
-Dennis Pitta has been found.  Just caught a 16yd pass on a 3rd and 10 to keep the drive going.  It’s his first touch of the game.  Same drive Hall continues to throw the ball right at Utah defenders.  Cole dropped what should have been a sure pick.  That hurts Utah because BYU goes to score led by the run game from the Utah 38yd line.  Hall finishes it off with an 11yd TD off QB draw. 
-Brown drops a ball on 3rd and 3 on a slant.  Another mistake to give BYU the ball.
-BYU moving the ball again.  Every time Utah blitzes Hall has time to burn them with a quick slant or out to Collie or Reed. 
-Hall throws his 2nd pick trying to go deep to Collie who was double teamed.  No need to take that chance down by just 3.  Johnson made a great catch.  Hall has been living dangerously all game and it’s catching up to him.  If they lose right now it will be on him.
-Utah comes out and runs three straight times and ends up punting.  They are killing BYU with the short passing game so why not throw?  Welcome to the wacky world of Andy Ludwig offensive play calling!
-Hall scrambles and fumbles while being tackled by Misi.  Utah ball at BYU 31.  Another awful play as Hall was clumsy with the ball.  BYU 3 turnovers…UTAH 0.  Cougars should feel lucky they are still only down by 3 but the Utes have a chance to put more points on the board.

4TH QUARTER:
-Utah goes back to pass game and low and behold four plays after the fumble they score as Howard misses an open field tackle on Casteel for a 7yd TD.  Johnson has been picking apart that BYU defense all game long.
-Just as I tell a fellow media member jokingly that it’s time for Hall to throw the ball right to a Ute defender, Hall throws it right into the hands of Kruger who dropped into coverage in a Ute 2-man coverage and stumbles to the 4yd line.  Asiata in the wildcat then finds a wide open Joppru for the TD.  Now Ludwig that was a good call.  On BYU’s side Hall is killing his team with turnovers.
-BYU 4th & 6 at Utah 49…Hall finds Pitta for 17.  Clutch play.  BYU though is taking too much time in this drive. 
-Unbelievable.  Hall throws 4th interception as Sean Smith steps in front of Collie.  Then a 5th late.  Yep.  This loss is on Hall.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
-It’s a quarterback’s game and Brian Johnson by far won this battle.  The senior was spectacular and he executed the game plan perfectly.  Spread the Cougars out.  Hit with outside runs and a short crisp passing game.  Give Andy Ludwig credit for not trying to outsmart himself.  Defensively the Utes struggled a bit with the run but definitely threw enough looks at Hall to confuse him to get the turnovers.  Now they’re BCS bound for the second time in four years.  Pretty impressive.

As for BYU, it all came down to turnovers and much of the blame rests on Hall.  Defensively it’s quite clear this team is mediocre due to the lack of athleticism.  When it’s all said and done 10-2 is a nice record but they definitely didn’t live up to their Quest for Perfection.  Now most likely it’s on to the Las Vegas Bowl for the 4th consecutive year as they hope to end the season with a win.

The picture above is the left over evidence that implicates LaVell Edwards for stealing Kevin’s Cliff Bar while he joined the guys for the broadcast last night of the Qwest Blue/Red Rivalry Classic.  It was sitting on the table when LaVell spotted it, picked it up and then preceded to open and eat it while Kevin frustratingly watched.  LaVell then preceded to eat and talk on the air at the same time telling the story of how is wife always got on him for doing the same thing during is radio show after games when he was coach.  Kevin is considering filing charges but in the meantime it might have been the final straw to sway his pick…

KEYS FOR UTAH (11-0; 7-0): 
-PRESSURE HALL WITH FRONT FOUR:  This is a no brainer.  TCU had tremendous success with their speed rush from their defensive front.  If Utah can do the same thing led by Kruger and Misi, BYU will have to go to max protect giving the secondary a much better chance to control Collie and Pitta.
-ANDY LUDWIG PLAY-CALLING:  If he puts together a plan that can get Brian Johnson into a rhythm early then they will win.  If it’s his typical herky-jerky no rhyme or reason game plan then it will go down to the wire once again.
-KEEP COLLIE OUT OF END ZONE:  Collie will get his particularly if Pitta is not healthy enough to be a major factor but if Utah can keep him out of the end zone like TCU accomplished their chances of winning rises.

KEYS FOR BYU (10-1; 6-1): 
-PROTECT HALL & THE BALL:  When Hall is pressured bad things happen from sacks to int’s to fumbles.  It’s on the O-line and backs to find a way to deal with Utah’s speed and various blitzes that will be thrown their way. 
-MAKE IN-GAME ADJUSTMENTS:  Something this team and the coaching staff have struggled with all season long.  Utah is going to throw a lot at them so they are going to have to react quicker to make the adjustments than what they have all season long. 
-MAKE A PLAY (or 2 or 3) DEFENSIVELY:  We’re talking big plays.  Game changer plays.  A 4th down or goal line stand.  A big fumble recovery or interception for a TD.  I know it’s not their style but they’ll need this to boost confidence and give their team a chance to win.

PREDICTION:  Utah has the speed that gives BYU fits.  They have the athletes that can get past BYU’s O-line and cause problems for their receivers downfield.  Offensively they have the ability to attack BYU’s biggest weakness, the edges.  And they have Louie Sakoda that’s money come crunch time.  The biggest reasons I hear BYU fans say they are going to win is that it’s a rivalry game so you can throw everything out the window (some truth).  Utah’s offense is inconsistent and could implode (more truth).  And that the TCU game they lost was just a case of walking into an hornets nest (1st qter yes, rest of game no).  BYU can win this game if they take what they learned from that TCU loss and apply it here.  Protect Hall, don’t panic staying with the game plan and hold onto the ball.  The trends this year though is they struggle in a hostile environment, and have problems adjusting on the fly.  When it’s all said and done I can’t get that TCU game out of my mind.  So BYU fans I’ll take the first quarter out of that game because of the craziness of the situation (TCU was up 14-0) meaning you lost by 11, 18-7.  Utah by 11 and are BCS Bound once again.  UTAH 31 BYU 20. 

Here are some pics from the Red-Blue Rivalry Classic alumni legends flag football game on Thursday night….....More pics and video to come…..........Click on pic to enlarge…