Story Created:
Nov 12, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 12, 2009
PK BLOG
Too bad his name isn’t James instead of Kyle. That way we could rip off James Worthy’s nickname.
Guess we’ll just have to go with Big Game Kyle. Beats the heck out of Coach Whitt, as Kyle Whittingham is known.
Since his first year as a head coach, when the Utes needed to beat BYU to avoid a losing season, Whittingham has found a way to pull out an improbable victory. No coach stumbles into a 4-0 bowl record.
In a season of stunning wins, none was bigger than Utah’s shocker over Alabama in the Sugar Bow last yearl. When Whittingham’s teams absolutely have to have it, they get it.
What makes the man so good in big games?
It’s got to be more than Xs and Os. Any coach – or for that matter, any person – can acquire football knowledge.
Former BYU coach Gary Crowton has an incredibly bright football mind, particularly on the offensive side, and yet it translated into three consecutive losing seasons. Clearly, it’s more than being a bookworm.
So what is it?
While the exact reason is impossible to pinpoint, Whittingham no doubt can get the best out of his players when it matters the most. The evidence is indisputable.
For me, it starts with trust. No matter what he says, the Utes believe in Whittingham. As he would say, each and every player buys in.
As well as any coach I’ve seen, Whittingham relates to his players. Two weeks shy of his 50th birthday, the old man somehow connects with the hip-hoppers.
He’s the common man’s coach, devoid of the celebrity that surrounds the position. A millionaire several times over, Whittingham rarely walks around with more than a few bucks in his pocket, practically bumming change to buy a soft drink. His players can see he has no guile.
Probably just as important as any characteristic, emotion also factors in to his success. While other head coaches don’t differentiate between games, Whittingham knows how to push the right buttons.
The more I think about it, the more I appreciate his decision to on-side kick when the Utes were crushing Wyoming two years ago. Although it was stupid to get fired up over Joe Glenn’s silly comments to a student group the week of the game, Whittingham showed his players a “take no crap” attitude.
There’s a reason the Utes often seem cocky during big games. When channeled appropriately, emotion is a valuable asset in football.
Who wouldn’t want to play for a coach who gets fired up for big games? Football isn’t surgery.
All of this brings us to Saturday’s game, otherwise known as the biggest game in Mountain West history.
Utah at TCU
It’s hard to believe the defending conference champions, who have lost one game in two years, could be a 20-point underdog. Do you think Florida, even after Tim Tebow graduates, would ever be such an underdog next year?
The only reason I can think of is Jordan Wynn. No way oddsmakers expect a freshman quarterback, making his first road start and playing in only his third game, to beat TCU.
But can the Utes make it a game? Yes.
For the aforementioned reasons, it’s hard to see the Utes losing by three touchdowns. Utah’s defense deserves more respect.
Channeling my own internal line, I initially picked TCU to win by 14 points. As long as the Utes can stay turnover free – which is a big if – I believe the game stays close.
TCU 27, Utah 13
BYU at New Mexico
Why waste the time?
The Lobos are three games away from making history as the first winless MWC team. In every sense, this program is a mess.
BYU 48, UNM 7
