Estimated read time: 8-9 minutes
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The Utah Utes have eluded another would be defeat at the hands of the New Mexico Lobos to keep their hopes alive for a conference title and BCS berth. The Utes should feel grateful to still be unbeaten but the road gets much tougher as they welcome the TCU Horned Frogs into Rice-Eccles Stadium on a short week for both teams.
This is only the second time the Utes have ever been 9-0, the other of course being the magical year of 2004 when the Utes stayed unbeaten and beat Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl. Utah is 4-0 in games where both teams were ranked.
We also learned that even though the Utes lost the turnover battle, they continue to win games because of field position. There are two players to thank for this. The number one hero has to be Louie Sakoda, again. He continues to pin teams deep in their own zone making the game difficult. At New Mexico, Sakoda pinned the Lobos at the one yard line late in the game. This makes play calling very difficult and puts pressure on the offense to make a play. The other player that the Utes should thank is Ben Vroman. Vroman is also part of an extremely reliable kicking game for Utah. He kicks off and never gives the opponent a chance to return the ball.
He routinely kicks the ball deep to where there is no return, or simple kicks it out of the end zone. These plays do much more than give the opponent the ball at the twenty yard line; they never get a chance to gain any momentum or advantage off the kickoffs. These are two very vital players that will play vital roles against TCU.
What questions remain about Utah?
The Utah football team has to feel very good about themselves after continually making mistakes and still being undefeated, but this is the game where it will catch up with them if they are not careful. The Utes are only +1 on the year in the turnover margin. They have 16 giveaways and 17 takeaways. As Head Coach Kyle Whittingham calls it, "we are flirting with disaster." That is true. At this point they are fortunate as good teams always are, but this week could be the first time that it will bite them.
TCU has a defense that is ranked 2nd in the country and one that Coach Whittingham calls "SEC fast." This defense puts pressure on from every angle and puts opposing teams in bad situations.
One question that remains is if Utah can take care of the ball.
| \#8 Utah | \#12 TCU | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing Offense | |||
| Rushing Offense | |||
| Total Offense | |||
| Scoring Offense | |||
| Rush Defense | |||
| Pass Defense | |||
| Total Defense | |||
| Scoring Defense | |||
| Special Teams |
What can Utah expect from TCU?
Utah can expect one of the better teams in the country. They can expect a team that comes in having lost one game to the now 6th ranked team in the country in Oklahoma. TCU, as discussed earlier, has SEC speed which can not be overlooked. Speed makes up for what a team may lack and Coach Whittingham says that this defense "has no weakness." Jerry Hughes is one of the special players in this league and is also as Whittingham put it: "a game changer."
Offensively they are also fast, but more important than that is Andy Dalton is playing with some poise. He is much improved and has great command of the offense. He is coming off of a very efficient game in which he threw for 151 yards and three touchdowns. He can also run the ball.
Offensively on paper they look a lot like Utah. TCU likes to run the ball with anybody other than the lineman. Eight players had positive yardage against UNLV last week. When they throw the ball, they spread the ball around that way as well as nine players caught a pass.
What can we expect from Utah vs. TCU?
The game will have championship game intensity. Both teams have much at stake as a conference title is on the line, not to mention a possible berth into the BCS.
Both teams are unbeaten in conference play and whoever wins this game will be in the so called "driver's seat" for the title. This game will also have a championship atmosphere. We knew this game was coming where the Utes would unveil their new black uniforms, and the Utes have asked the crowd to join in the fun and wear black to the game. Ute fans are into it, the teams are into it, and there is a lot on the line. Every game has implications, but this one seems to have more than it ever has.
The Utes will not just be able to survive this game as they did against New Mexico. Someone will have to win it. The offense needs to make plays and keep the TCU defense on the field early. The Utes have had success against TCU in the past as it is a better match up of speed vs. speed.
The Utes also have something that the Horned Frogs do not, and that is two big powerful running backs. Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata could play a huge role in this game as they grind out four- yards per carry and move the chains.
The most notable stat for Utah has to be turnovers though. TCU is too good and will take advantage of a turnover. They are not going to give the ball back like other teams in the conference would. If the Utes win the turnover battle, they will be in this game.
Miscellaneous:
- Other than Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech, the TCU @ Utah game features the two highest ranked teams this week in College Football.
- The Utes lead the series with the Horned frogs 4-1 and have never lost to TCU at Rice-Eccles Stadium (2-0).
- Aiona Key has blocked a kick in the last three games.
Conclusion
This is a game that has everything on the line. For one team, they will gain a higher ranking and still have a chance at a BCS bowl berth, not to mention a conference championship. For the other, everything is lost. There are few times when there is so much riding on one game, but here are the Utes and the Horned Frogs with the chance of a lifetime. The atmosphere with the "blackout" at Rice-Eccles Stadium will provide the backdrop, two fierce defenses taking the will out of the opponent, and one of the teams looking for a small window of opportunity to take advantage of.
TCU has the hotter team, but Utah is at home where they are very hard to beat. TCU has the 2nd ranked defense in the country, but Utah hasn't lost to TCU at home. This is a game where something has to give and it will happen in the national spotlight.
This is a game where one mistake could make the difference between a championship season and a season lost in what could have been.
