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[Tony (admin)]

What’s your confidence level going into tomorrow’s game vs USC? I’d say I’m 50/50. I fear that our issues on defense may not be something that can be fixed, or improved quickly enough. I think the offense will be fine as long as we don’t turn it over. 

[dystopiamembrane]

I think our skill players will perform to their potential and our younger players will learn much from the experience. I look forward to the game.

[GameForAnyFuss]

Honestly expecting a loss. But I’m still mad eager to cheer the boys on and I hope they play a good game.

[SalUteopia]

More confident than the UCLA game, solely because it’s at RES. Doesn’t necessarily mean we win, but just that the chances are better than last week. Agree that O will be fine, but very nervous about the D, and I’ve completely given up on our STs.

[ryynoo]

Fairly low expectations. I think we are just missing a few pieces this year. I’m just going to enjoy it without stressing about it.

[tanute3]

Feeling strangely optimistic. I feel like the loss last week weirdly takes some of the pressure off of us, kind of playing with house money now that our sole objective is winning the Pac 12 and not the playoffs (like USC). I think we pull it off tomorrow.

[dystopiamembrane]

Raise your hand, if you, in your heart of hearts, thought we would make the CFP this season.

[2008 National Champ]

Could = yes. There was enough meat on the schedule this year that as long as traditional strengths didn’t completely disappear and the team got a few breaks along the way, it was definitely possible.

Would = no. I’ve always thought this was a 9-3 teams given the youth on D and the offense not looking improved over 2021.

[RedRocks]

If our defense gives up big plays like they did last week, we are in probably in trouble.

I think it is obvious that this team is not quite what people expected, but I think we have some great players and still have a chance to make things interesting. Hoping for a good game, win or lose.

[2008 National Champ]

I think the game comes down to whether or not Utah’s D is able to make Caleb Williams uncomfortable. If he has the same amount of time DTR did, Utah loses by at least 2 scores.

[Onlyu]

If we can run and control the ball we win. If we can’t and their offense is on the field a lot we lose.

[Tednab]

Well .. have we found a kicker yet .. is Thomas in shape yet AND committed .. Can Scalley fix the D , can it even be fixed … I think we play better, but lose a close one .

[Torg]

I think we found a kicker. A few weeks ago, she kicked the free great clips haircut field goal during a commercial break.

[Tony (admin)]

Did you hear me yelling, “sign her up!”?

[noneyadb]

How is there an “if we can run” at week 7?

[BoiseUTE]

I hope we can just convert any 4^th and shorts or any 4^th we go for. When we don’t convert them it is a huge momentum swing for the other team. I think it really hurt us in the Florida and UCLA games especially on there home fields. Might not be as big of impact on our field but for sure doesn’t help. At times I really wonder what the outcome might have been if we would have punted it away instead. Don’t get me wrong I love to go for the 4^th downs, but if they are not converted I think it really changes the game in favor of the other team.

[Tony (admin)]

Maybe convert 3rd first, then this won’t be a potential problem!

[DrahtUte]

After watching the Utes for the last 30+ years, it seems like our wins and losses are determined more by team psychology than anything else.

When expectations are high, we struggle. When expectations are low, we usually play really good assignment-sound football. 

The UCLA game reset the fan and media expectations to something much lower for this team. So I think they’ll now play an amazing game against USC and get the win. 

[ProudUte]

Tony, I am exactly where you are with this game.  I hope the crowd will be a difference-maker for us.

Go Utes!!!

[Charlie]

I am hoping our running game takes another step closer to last year, USC’s run defense creates an opportunity. The passing game needs to take another step in filling the hole left by Kuithe. Those with contain assignments for broken play QB runs need to improve a step. A few more kickoffs into the EZ would be nice. Each will help us win but the difference maker will be the turnover battle. If it swings in our favor we get this done at home, if it swings away from us one or more of those steps need to be a leap to get this done.

[D T]

For me the key to the game short of TOs will be TT & how effectively we run the ball.

[AlaskaSteveUteAlum]

I’m predicting a blowout win for the Utes, who will rebound after an embarrassing defensive and special teams performance against UCLA last week. USC is not as good as their ranking.