Utah Utes

[gofightingducks]

I went to the Utes practice today and they look really good. Although they lost a lot of talent from last season's undefeated team it looks like they have the talent to replace those players. The defense was fast and the QB's were really accurate and the WR's fast with good hands and they are running a hurry up no huddle offense similar to the Ducks this season. The Ducks can not look ahead to Cal when they play the Utes because they are looking really good.

[ducksrock]

Yeah, but this year, the Utes are actually playing a Big Boy Team...early on...Oregon is the only formidable opponent that they meet all season...Other than Michigan last year (at the Big House) and OSU (a 3 point victory) they had a patsy schedule last year too...
We would look gr8 and flirt with perfect seasons, if we played Linfield and WOU quality teams week in and week out...
I spose we will find out how good the Ute's are come their visit to Autzen this year....
Overlook em...definitely NOT...Worry about this game...NO FREAKIN WAY...

[GoDucksIn09]

What would you call the win against Alabama?? Not a quality win. I worry about the Utes.. but only after we play Boise State.. and Purdue.

[monster]

I was watching the MTN network's preseason show the other night. While the commentators didn't go so far as to guarantee a Utah win against the Ducks, they said something like, "As for the game against Oregon, they lost a lot of starters last year ..." as if to say, don't worry too much about it. Of course, they went on to talk about a BYU upset of Oklahoma.

[gofightingducks]

Utah beat some good teams last year. Alabama, Oregon State, BYU and TCU. TCU prevented Boise State from going undefeated which the Ducks couldn't do so I wouldn't overlook Utah. Remember Utah has went undefeated twice this decade and won two BCS games (more than Oregon) and they beat Oregon the last time they played. I am sure the coaches won't overlook Utah and will have a good game plan but I just wanted to remind fans that it probably won't be an easy game for the Ducks.

[ducksrock]

Well, its why we play the games....But, there could very easily be two mid-majors with their "perfect seasons" go up in smoke, in 2009 pre-season, non-conference games, both at the hands of the Ducks.

Play quality teams week in and week out, injuries mount, and losses occur....Then, come back and talk about BCS appearances and win/loss records...Play USC and Cal every year...Play, Oklahoma, Michigan and schedule Tennessee and Georgia...Its what every major conference does...

The reason why these teams are "mid-majors" is plain and simple...They dont play in a quality league...Not saying they cant win, its just that when the do win, many times their stellar records are bolstered by the lower quality level of their opponents.

I am not bad mouthing these schools, but, lets face it...it is much easier to have winning records, year after year, with the opponents that they do/dont face on a yearly basis...

That being said, I applaude the Utah's and Boise State's of the world for scheduling a quality pre-season team...Tis a gutsy move to schedule pre-season games that one could very easily lose...

Its all alot of fun. Personally, I love watching it all play out....THAT, is what college fb should be all about...at least from a fan's perspective.

[gofightingducks]

I agree that if Utah, Boise State, BYU, etc. played in the PAC-10, SEC, Big 12 etc. they wouldn't go undefeated in would probably be a 3-4 loss team every year because of the reasons you stated, injuries, quality conference opponents almost every week, faster, stronger players, etc.

[akili1133]

This is not the same Utah team as last year. I actually think Oregon will roll them this year.

[ducksrock]

This is not the same Utah team as last year. I actually think Oregon will roll them this year.

I hope Oregon rolls em this year......lol....