Reader comments: Utah Utes football: Bringing down the House
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Go Utes | 12:43 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Hey let me save all the zoobs the trouble "NI was a far better team than Michigan" Blah blah blah blah, I kept hearing today that of all the Non BCS teams, UTAH has the best wins, hrmm. I also saw BJ, not hall, get a sticker on ESPN. Somebody's #16 ranking isn't getting any respect! And deservedly so, earn your rank by beating quality oponents, not waltzing through the first 10 or whatever games until you run into the red brick wall in November! (by the way, UCLA or Wash is gonna be a loss!)
Magnus 11 | 12:58 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Nice work Utah! You are a good team and played very well! You beat a good Michigan team at the "Big House" making the MWC and the state of Utah very proud!
Sincerely
Magnus11
Sincerely
Magnus11
Bob 2 | 1:51 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Big win in the Big House! Much more impressive than a neutral site win over a 6-6 Michigan team that wasn't in the top 20 at the time. Utahs record against BCS opponents just gets better and better.
Comments continue below
Josh | 1:58 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I haven't seen Utah frustrate and confuse a defense like that since they played Pitt in the Fiesta Bowl.
rvalens2 | 3:03 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Loved it, loved it, loved it. It wasn't pretty in the second half but I'm not going to complain about a win at Michigan.
Go Utes | 12:43 a.m. | 3:45 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
You must not be a Utah fan, just another BYU hater. A true Utah fan would be excited about his team, excited about winning a game in the Big House, about the very real possibility of being ranked next week.
Instead, your entire post is nothing but a tired old rant about how much you hate BYU. It must be miserable spending so much time and energy hating all the time.
#16 and climbing...
Congrats to the Utes on a nice win!
I predicted the Utah win; I even predicted how Utah could blow the win if they player conservatiely, that is, not to lose, late in the game.
BlueCoug
Instead, your entire post is nothing but a tired old rant about how much you hate BYU. It must be miserable spending so much time and energy hating all the time.
#16 and climbing...
Congrats to the Utes on a nice win!
I predicted the Utah win; I even predicted how Utah could blow the win if they player conservatiely, that is, not to lose, late in the game.
BlueCoug
Good Job Utes | 4:25 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
As a BYU fan, I can say I'm glad that Utah won their game. It's good for the state and for our conference and even good for BYU. So appreciate the victory, Ute fans, and don't start comparing the Michigan and Northern Iowa teams. It's obvious Utah had a more impressive win. Just don't get too carried away about schedule strength. You still have Weber State coming up. It's just silly to make fun of BYU for playing a lower division school when you are playing Weber. Playing lesser teams is a "no win" situation. If you win, it's not a big deal. But if you lose, then it's awful. But if it makes you feel good that ESPN commented on Utah's win, good for you. I certainly wouldn't expect ESPN or anyone else to get hyped because BYU beat Northern Iowa. So don't get carried away thinking that all of a sudden BYU's ranking is not respected. Just enjoy beating Michigan.
Dicipline | 4:28 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Great win but boy do we need some dicipline. We should of blown out Mich but the darn penalties and turnovers almost cost us. I hope our wins are a whole lot more smoother in the weeks to come. GOOO UTES!!!
Good Job Utah | 4:47 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I'm happy for them. Go Utes... how old are you? 3?
Swissh | 5:00 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Way to go Utes! Awesome Kyle!
I'd love to see a great Aug / Sep for the MWC.
Wish you and the Y could've avoided the 2nd half turnovers that caused the games to be much closer than they should've been.
Be assured, both coaches will take those lessons into the next games!
I'd love to see a great Aug / Sep for the MWC.
Wish you and the Y could've avoided the 2nd half turnovers that caused the games to be much closer than they should've been.
Be assured, both coaches will take those lessons into the next games!
Swissh | 5:11 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Great job Utes! Awesome Kyle!
Here's hoping for a strong conference showing throughout the next month.
Only wish both Utah and BYU could've avoided the 2nd half turnovers that made both games much closer than they should have been. Oh well, something for the coaches to take into the next games.
Congrats!
Here's hoping for a strong conference showing throughout the next month.
Only wish both Utah and BYU could've avoided the 2nd half turnovers that made both games much closer than they should have been. Oh well, something for the coaches to take into the next games.
Congrats!
Dan | 5:57 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Outstanding game....If the MWC ever wants any respect in the nation (which believe me, it does NOT get) - it will come through winning against great schools in great conferences. Doesn't matter if it is BYU or Utah or Wyoming...we have to beat the best OUTSIDE the conference. And Utah did the job.
Best thing about being FROM Utah, but having attended Weber State...you can look at the UofU/BYU silliness OBJECTIVELY.
Best thing about being FROM Utah, but having attended Weber State...you can look at the UofU/BYU silliness OBJECTIVELY.
Utah wins! | 6:54 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Notice that the blog isn't filled up with the negativity that usually comes from Blue fans? I guess they are all at church repenting for having scheduled UNI as a season opener and then not having any top 25 team on the schedule (that will change in November though!)
Utah played bad in the second half and still won in the most storied stadium in college football history. Did you hear the crowd in the second half? Amazing! And Utah still won! With a few corrections, Utah could be crashing the BCS party again.
Go Utes!
Utah played bad in the second half and still won in the most storied stadium in college football history. Did you hear the crowd in the second half? Amazing! And Utah still won! With a few corrections, Utah could be crashing the BCS party again.
Go Utes!
Worried about the penalties | 6:55 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
because if this was a more experienced michigan team I think we would have lost this one. I think we have a big problem with this that needs to be corrected if we are to beat BYU this year because it's what did us in against them last year.
Neutral Fan | 6:56 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Utah beats Michigan in the Big House and BYU beats Bo Diddly Tech in Provo. A great start for one, and a start for the other. Go teams.
FLORIDA BYU FAN | 7:13 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
IM A BYU FAN- HOWEVER IF THE UTES CAN KEEP THEIR QB, RUNNING BACK AND RECIEVER-(ALL HURT LAST YEAR- HEALTHY THIS YEAR THEY ARE THE TEAM TO BEAT AND THE BEST OF THE TEAMS OUTSIDE THE BCS CONFERENCES!
I LOVE SEEING THE BIG NAME TEAMS GO DOWN- GOOD JOB UTES!!!
I LOVE SEEING THE BIG NAME TEAMS GO DOWN- GOOD JOB UTES!!!
Amazing! | 7:20 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Three Michigan touchdowns off Utah turnovers, deep in Utah territory. Fifteen penalties for well over 100 yards. It's great that Utah had enough to win in the Big House despite all of the mishaps. It could have been a much easier win, but hopefully it becomes a positive as Utah knows they need to work harder to get to the level they should be at.
Thank goodness for Louie and the defense!
Even though I love Utah and am not crazy about BYU, I think BYU has a really talented team as well this year. I anticipate the November game will be the biggest ever in the rival. So fans of both teams enjoy the season!
Thank goodness for Louie and the defense!
Even though I love Utah and am not crazy about BYU, I think BYU has a really talented team as well this year. I anticipate the November game will be the biggest ever in the rival. So fans of both teams enjoy the season!
Just another perspective... | 7:30 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I am a huge Ute fan and I think this was a great win for the team, but I still saw a lot of mistakes that have been a staple of the program under Coach Wittingham and I believe are directly related to the coaching. It would be nice to see them eliminate the slow starts (giving them a 0-7 and 6-10 leads), mistakes (over 120 yards in penalties and 3 tounovers), and allowing the other team back into the game with inconsistant down the stretch on offense and defense (BYU, Navy, etc.). I love Coach Wit, but a team ready to make a statement (like the Utes under Urban Meyer and Wit's win over Wyoming last year) would have had a comfortable win over a young and inexperienced Michigan team. This Ute team is talented enough that they could have done that!! Like I said, it was a great win, but lets not see if the season is a reoccurring sequence of the three things I named above.
tophero | 7:41 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
What's 16 mean? Enough respect generated from the right people . . . certainly not everybody's and certainly not yours. I agree that there is more to be earned . . . only one Saturday at a time. Go on earning your own and we'll all look forward to earning Ute/Cougar respect come November. Continued disrespectin' may just pay off for us anyway.
AZ Cougar | 7:41 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Watched all of the Utah game (and cheered them on for MWC sake), even as BYU's game began. (Isn't technology wonderful, having multiple TVs going!)
AWESOME win Utah!
EXCELLENT preparation and coaching, Coach Kyle & staff!
GREAT win for the MWC!
Oh, for the Utah fans bashing BYU's win versus UNI, take a look at how many of the ranked teams ahead of BYU played UNI type teams for their first games of the season, and the similar scores as THE BYU v. UNI GAME:
1. Georgia 41 v. Georgia So. 25
2. Ohio St. 43 v. Youngstown 0
4. Oklahoma 57 v. Chatanooga 2
7. LSU 41, Appalachian St. 13
10. Auburn 34 v. Lousiana-Monroe 0
11. Texas 52 v. Florida Atlantic 10
12. Texas Tech 49 v, Eastern Washington 24
14. Kansas 40 v. Florida International 10
15. Arizona State 30 v. Northern Arizona 13
16. BYU 41 v. UNI 17
GO COUGARS!!!
AWESOME win Utah!
EXCELLENT preparation and coaching, Coach Kyle & staff!
GREAT win for the MWC!
Oh, for the Utah fans bashing BYU's win versus UNI, take a look at how many of the ranked teams ahead of BYU played UNI type teams for their first games of the season, and the similar scores as THE BYU v. UNI GAME:
1. Georgia 41 v. Georgia So. 25
2. Ohio St. 43 v. Youngstown 0
4. Oklahoma 57 v. Chatanooga 2
7. LSU 41, Appalachian St. 13
10. Auburn 34 v. Lousiana-Monroe 0
11. Texas 52 v. Florida Atlantic 10
12. Texas Tech 49 v, Eastern Washington 24
14. Kansas 40 v. Florida International 10
15. Arizona State 30 v. Northern Arizona 13
16. BYU 41 v. UNI 17
GO COUGARS!!!
sob | 7:42 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
great to beat a name team but the name of the game is execution, execution, execution. utes thrive when they are down, so think of the lack of execution as the same as a loss and that will help. also would like to see them win against a big team while piling up yards at the end, not giving them up to run out the clock. could be a great year if the penalties go away
To Go Utes | 7:46 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Stop making us all look like morons.
The Utes just had a great win and all you do is come on the board and talk about BYU?
Stop playing the little brother role.
Utah just had a great win. That first half was incredible. If they can play like that they will be unstoppable.
BYU did fine. Turnovers were costly and made the game close for a while but the same thing happened with Utah.
I'm hoping both can go into the rivalry undefeated!
The Utes just had a great win and all you do is come on the board and talk about BYU?
Stop playing the little brother role.
Utah just had a great win. That first half was incredible. If they can play like that they will be unstoppable.
BYU did fine. Turnovers were costly and made the game close for a while but the same thing happened with Utah.
I'm hoping both can go into the rivalry undefeated!
93 Cougar | 7:47 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
You should change your name from 'Go Utes' to Cougar Hater.
Enjoy the win.
Talk up your team.
Don't be little brother.
Enjoy the win.
Talk up your team.
Don't be little brother.
Reality | 8:09 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Nice first half. 3 points in the second half? Not quite a complete game was it?
Michigan made some nice adjustments or the Ute Coaches made some bad calls. Either way, the Utes almost choked in the second half. A win is a win. Let's see what kind of season Michigan has before you start patting yourselves too hard on the back. All in all, it was a nice warm up before Weber State.
Michigan made some nice adjustments or the Ute Coaches made some bad calls. Either way, the Utes almost choked in the second half. A win is a win. Let's see what kind of season Michigan has before you start patting yourselves too hard on the back. All in all, it was a nice warm up before Weber State.
scootot715 | 8:20 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
good win thank you for making the conference look better.
football fan | 8:23 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I don't care who you are; Cougar hater, Utah basher, it would be a great boost for the MWC, for the state of Utah and for both programs if they can get to the last game of the year both undefeated. It would also bring out the rivalry, I mean unrealistic hatred between the fans. It is shameful how the fans act, but the game, disregarding the fans, would be GREAT!
Cougar Fan in Idaho | 8:23 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Great win!!! Congrats to Coach Whittingham and the team. Really fun to see locals do well.
rfrmac | 8:24 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Great Win! But Utah should have had at least 14 more points. Almost single handed, Brian Johnson almost cost us the game. A senior should know better than to do some of the things he did or didn't do. Then let's look at the discipline. The lack of it continues. Way to many penalties again this year. Steve Smith's continual lack of sportsmanship, continues again this year.
If you really watched the game like I did, while it is a great win, we have a long ways to go to be the team this team should be. If it wasn't for the kicking game we would have lost the game. We had plenty of chances to be great and we didn't 3 points in the second half? Grounding of the ball penalties. While the first half was a good half for us, we could have put them away and we did not. I am happy for the win but this was not a strong Michigan team. We where better than them by a good margin but almost let it slip away.
If you really watched the game like I did, while it is a great win, we have a long ways to go to be the team this team should be. If it wasn't for the kicking game we would have lost the game. We had plenty of chances to be great and we didn't 3 points in the second half? Grounding of the ball penalties. While the first half was a good half for us, we could have put them away and we did not. I am happy for the win but this was not a strong Michigan team. We where better than them by a good margin but almost let it slip away.
Cougar Fan Clearfield | 8:33 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Nice game Utah. Congratulations. Coach Whit you did us proud down in Provo. Thank you from the Conference.
Ute Fans? | 8:37 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Funny how you Utah fans always have to mention BYU. BYU must really be something else for you to look up to them to the point that you mention them most of the time. Pretty funny.
Go Blue! | 8:47 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Yes, Utah played really hard but we’re the better team. We just made a few mistakes and gave this one away. And Utah got some help from the zebras. A two point win? If we had to play you again next week we’d win by 14.
Greg | 8:47 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Way to get the win! I am also worried about the penalties and why didn't this article really even address that issue?????
Congrats Utah | 8:52 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Congrats to the UofU for their big win over Michigan. Utah looked impressive on both sides of the ball and didn't get rattled either by some early adversity or the Michigan crowd. I love seeing non-BCS teams beat the BCS schools...just further exposes more of the myth surrounding the "big" schools.
Utah should definitely be ranked this week, and these kinds of wins are great for the MWC.
As a BYU fan, I don't read many of the articles on the UofU team, but I was really surprised to see so many of the initial comments on here. Why post a comment about BYU on an article about Utah's big win over Michigan? Especially if you're a Utah fan? Just be happy with your team's big win.
Utah should definitely be ranked this week, and these kinds of wins are great for the MWC.
As a BYU fan, I don't read many of the articles on the UofU team, but I was really surprised to see so many of the initial comments on here. Why post a comment about BYU on an article about Utah's big win over Michigan? Especially if you're a Utah fan? Just be happy with your team's big win.
re: go utes | 8:53 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Quality opponent? Michigan? THAT was a quality opponent according to you??! I don't think so. They are rebuilding this year and it's obvious they were struggling to put drives together. They'll get better as the year goes on but that first game they just didn't have it together. I won't be surprised if Michigan ends with a losing record this year.
Anonymous | 8:55 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Sorry but I’m not impressed. Beating a weak team by only two points is nothing to crow about, even if it was on the road at a "storied" location.
Last year Appalachian St beat a much better Michigan team by 2 points. Yesterday u guys beat a much WORSE Michigan team by only two points. So I guess we can conclude u are not as good as last year’s Appalachian St team.
Last year Appalachian St beat a much better Michigan team by 2 points. Yesterday u guys beat a much WORSE Michigan team by only two points. So I guess we can conclude u are not as good as last year’s Appalachian St team.
Re: Go Utes | 8:58 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Hall and Pitta both got stickers also, better go look again.
re: Go utes 12:43 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Happy Birthday to you! I see that you must be about 10 years old today.
Ute | 9:02 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I'm not fond of Cougars either, but some of my fellow Utes need to reel in their tongues. Don't forget we had a total offensive collapse in the 2nd half and an upcoming game against D2 Weber State.
Instead of bashing BYU, why don't you make an insightful comment like... Asiata looked good, he and Mack should give Utah one of the best backfields in the MWC. Or, why did Utah elect to throw the ball on 2nd and 3 when they were trying to run out the clock with only a few minutes left in the game.
Instead of bashing BYU, why don't you make an insightful comment like... Asiata looked good, he and Mack should give Utah one of the best backfields in the MWC. Or, why did Utah elect to throw the ball on 2nd and 3 when they were trying to run out the clock with only a few minutes left in the game.
Cougar fan | 9:08 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Loved the win. I'm surprised at how quickly Utah fans are to knock BYU. Anybody remember UCLA...and THEN UNLV?... I, for one, hope they don't have a let down like that (and that's coming from a cougar fan) but I would be very weary of counting your eggs before they hatch. Hope the Utes have a great season.
Neutral Fan | 9:09 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Being from SEC country, let me just say that right now Michigan is not very good at all. They were not playing what we'd call quality ball. They would have been an easier game for LSU yesterday than Appalachian St. was.
If I had to compare UNI and Michigan, I'd say that UNI most likely would have beat Michigan yesterday too.
Not trying to bad mouth anyone, just calling it like I see it.
If I had to compare UNI and Michigan, I'd say that UNI most likely would have beat Michigan yesterday too.
Not trying to bad mouth anyone, just calling it like I see it.
Ute Fans | 9:09 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Ute fans- first as a coug I will not take away from the good win in Michigan. Congrats, and it is your weekend for the spotlight.
However, if we are going to do a weekly game to game match up and put down the team playing the lesser opponent, remember Utah still has Oregon St. (who may be lucky to win a game in Pac-10 this year), Utah St., and Weber St. left on the schedule; not much to be proud about.
Additionally - is the win against Michigan at the end of the season just as impressive if Michigan is lucky enough to win four games all year?
Let's wait until Nov. 25th and see what happens for the comparisons of who is the better team. Hopefully at that time both teams will be 10-0 and top 10 ranked teams.
Again congrats to the Utes (that is hard to swallow).
However, if we are going to do a weekly game to game match up and put down the team playing the lesser opponent, remember Utah still has Oregon St. (who may be lucky to win a game in Pac-10 this year), Utah St., and Weber St. left on the schedule; not much to be proud about.
Additionally - is the win against Michigan at the end of the season just as impressive if Michigan is lucky enough to win four games all year?
Let's wait until Nov. 25th and see what happens for the comparisons of who is the better team. Hopefully at that time both teams will be 10-0 and top 10 ranked teams.
Again congrats to the Utes (that is hard to swallow).
Re: Bob 2 | 9:11 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
When App St. wins in the big house to a top 5 ranked team, the Big House looses it luster. Additionally, you may have just beaten a team that will be lucky to make it to 6-6 this year. Stop the bragging, you just beat this year's last year's Notre Dame.
Go Utes and Cougs | 9:17 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
It makes this rivalry so much funner to root for both teams until November 22nd. I am a Cougar fan but also want to see the Utes succeed big time. I was stoked to see the Utes win one in Michigan! This rivalry would suck if both teams were not quality programs. I just don't get fans of either team who just want to rip on the other or see them do poorly. With both teams in the top 25 this week this season is set up to be very exciting. Any Cougar fan who don't hope the Utes get in and stay in the top 25 until November 22nd are not real fans. Or at least not intelligent fans.
Calling it what it is | 9:23 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
The Utah win was a great signature win that will be talked about for a long time.
The BYU win was a win and that's all. BYU get's it's chance for a couple statement wins the next couple of weeks.
When Utah plays Weber State the best the Utes can hope for is simply a win. There really is no other upside to scheduling these teams. Whether you win by 24 or 44 it is just a win as expected. Both teams schedulede D-2 teams so neither should rip the other.
The BYU win was a win and that's all. BYU get's it's chance for a couple statement wins the next couple of weeks.
When Utah plays Weber State the best the Utes can hope for is simply a win. There really is no other upside to scheduling these teams. Whether you win by 24 or 44 it is just a win as expected. Both teams schedulede D-2 teams so neither should rip the other.
Bottom Line | 9:23 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
As a BYU fan this was great exposure for the MWC. I saw a blurb on ESPN last night already talking about the upcoming rivalry game. If both teams make it undefeated to the game, which is anything but a foregone conclusion, this game would bring more exposure than a non-bcs conference has ever had. The TV network would even get play as people around the country would be scrambling to find out if they have the MTN.
Anonymous | 9:27 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I'm most interested to see if Whittingham makes adjustments and comes out with a more disciplined team... but that last series worried me. Whoever had the final say on those play calls had little faith in their players to be able to move the ball. Those running out the clock plays are the ugliest farces I've ever seen. Hand it off to Asiata and Mack four times at leasst... but why not get a touchdown? Playing not to lose again... Ugly play-calling.
Go Utes.
Go Utes.
Utes - Great Win! | 9:28 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
I sat in Cougar stadium listending to updates of the Utes win. I was as excited as any Ute fan to hear that the Utes beat Michigan. The Mountain West needs these quality wins. Too bad San Diego State layed an egg against Cal Poly or whoever they played. Congratulations to Kyle and the crew. Keep it up all season long and we'll enjoy the slug-fest at the end of the season.
Congrats to Utes | 9:29 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Great victory, way to show the nation that all the Non BCS schools can play with the big boys! Your defense looks very solid. Oh, by the way to Herbie and Corso, where's all that speed you talked about on the Michigan defense? ESPN College kick off staff had no doubt that the speed on Michigan's team would destroy Utah Offense.....still waiting.
Cats | 9:33 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
As a COUGAR FAN and a BYU season ticket holder, I would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to the Utes! You did a great job!
This is great for the State of Utah and great for the Mountain West Conference.
Good for you! GO UTES!
This is great for the State of Utah and great for the Mountain West Conference.
Good for you! GO UTES!
Reality | 9:42 a.m. Aug. 31, 2008
Reality is that the Cougars are still going to be the BCS BUSTERS!
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