Last night I re-watched the Colorado game and the day prior the Oregon Pac-12 championship game. I noticed something similar in both games that had not completely registered with me before.
Colorado did a nice job for 2-1/2 quarters in two aspects of defense. They covered the Utah receivers fairly well, and they stacked the box or used creative blitzes with LBs and/or safeties.
That accomplished two defensive objectives. Firstly, because receivers were covered, Tyler Huntley tuck it and run to avoid an interception. This also led to a few broken plays. On a few of those, he gained a handful of yards. But it also led to sacks (one in particular when Darrin Paulo missed a guy). The second was that the Utah offensive line was not able to open holes for Moss to exploit. Moss likes to be patient then bust through a hole. Instead, he was stuffed more times than I can count in the first half of the game, or gained just a few yards.
Utah’s talent level, higher level of execution later in the game, the use of the fly sweep, and receivers finding lanes changed that late in the game, particularly as Colorado tired. It helped momentum that Utah got a TD on a punt.
Oregon did the same thing only they have much more talent and were able to pressure Utah for longer. In that game, Utah’s D-line met its match likely for the first time this season. I say that because Utah made it into the red zone some seven times in the USC game, but netted only 23 points. Arguably, Utah was burned on only three big pass plays that led to TDs for USC. Then late in the Oregon game, as Huntley began to push some rushed passes, the resultant interceptions killed all momentum the Utes had from the middle portion of the game.
In past years, we have all noted a significant November slide with Utah. I believe that was becuase other coaches figured out how to minimize Utah’s offensive strenghts, making those teams more one dimensional. And Utah was limited on offense to fully adjust. To a limited degree, I believe that is what occurred in the last two games. Andy Ludwig has been better at adjusting to this discovery by other defenses. The fly sweep with Brant Kuithe and the mid-field outlet pass to Zach Moss are prime examples.
About a week prior to the Pac-12 championship game this year, an analyst from the Duck fanbase did a really interesting video breakdown of Utah’s offensive. The weaknesses I just mentioned, and I may not be remembering his work completely, revealed something similar. I remember thinking at the time that I sure hope Utah’s coaching staff saw that work, and have made adjustments accordingly. They may have but whatever they did, they did not close the gap.
I’m really proud of this team and while the championship game defeat was a super downer, I believe this team has digested that loss. I believe they are motivated to beat Texas. The other day, I read that the team has seen where they need to tighten up their game and they have done that. I trust that is true.
Texas has its own issues while I see in them a very talented team still searching for an identify. Their recent coaching changes present issues as they work towards evolved/more effective play and for Utah it creates more unknowns. Utah is known; Texas well be prepared.
My thinking is that team cohesivenss and determination will allow Utah to win this game. Who knows, maybe Utah walks away with this game, but I don’t think Texas is going to fold for what essentially is a home game.
Utah needed a break in my opinion. They had four games in a row (no bye) and by the end of week three in that run, they were feeling it. Now that they are refreshed, and learning from the recent loss and thinking about last years second half bowl game debacle, I fully expect Utah to be ready to play on New Year’s Eve.
.
Loading ...
