Story Created:
Nov 19, 2009
Story Updated:
Nov 19, 2009
PK BLOG
With two games left, BYU and Utah each are 8-2 with virtually no chance of winning the coveted Mountain West championship.
Good seasons for both? Only one of them? Neither?
Let’s start with the Utes.
Since Kyle Whittingham’s stated primary goal is a conference championship, then there’s no way to consider this season a success. But reality is, as we saw last week, the Utes never had a chance to repeat.
Recognizing that TCU was too good, the gauge used to evaluate Utah’s season has changed from the original goal. Based on a different perspective, the Utes are still in line for a great season.
In order to get there, they need to finish on a three-game winning streak. Without question, an 11-2 season – particularly on the heels of last season’s 13-0 – would be a smashing success.
The Utes need to close strong to validate their record after 10 games. As it stands, they only have beaten one team – a lackluster win in overtime against Air Force – that is above .500.
Assuming the best for them the rest of the season, the Utes would have beaten only three teams with winning records. A loss against BYU next week could mean Utah gets stuck with a .500 team Pac-10 team in the Poinsettia Bowl. Under that scenario, the Utes would finish with only one win against a plus .500 team.
There’s no way I could define Utah’s season a success with only one win against a team that finished with a winning record. (With two games left, including TCU this week, 5-5 Wyoming theoretically can finish above .500).
To summarize, 11-2 is great and 10-3 is decent, although nine of those wins potentially could come against losing teams.
With a senior quarterback, as history has proven, BYU is all about conference championships. Not this year.
Much like for Utah, it’s hard for me to consider an 11-2 team unsuccessful. Even though Max Hall will have won only one Mountain West championship in his three years as a starter, his career has got to be considered successful if he wins 11, 10 and 11 games, respectively.
So what if the Cougars lose one of their final three games? 10-3 isn’t good enough, especially if the loss is to Utah.
Because of TCU’s greatness, BYU gets off the hook for a conference championship this season. But with an embarrassing loss at home to FloridaState already on the books, the Cougars need to win their three remaining games. Even by their high standards, anything less is a disappointment.
San DiegoState at Utah
Just when we’re ready to pump up the Aztecs, they choked away a win against Wyoming last week at home. A closer look at their season reveals these are the same old Aztecs, whose four wins have come against teams with a 10-30 record.
With this in mind, the Utes ought to cruise on their final home game. With the rivalry showdown looming next week, it’s important for freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn to play well against a defense that TCU and BYU shredded.
While Wynn may not throw for 300 yards, he’ll be good enough. The other key is to remain healthy.
Utah 34, SDSU 17
Air Force at BYU
A tale of two teams, the Falcons have a great defense and a suspect offense. Against quality teams, Air Force struggles to score, as we saw four weeks ago at Rice-Eccles Stadium. But its defense, which hasn’t allowed more than 20 points all season, is legitimate.
Outside of the Gary Crowton era, the Cougars have handled Air Force over the years. I don’t see this game as an exception.
The key is for BYU’s linebackers, who haven’t played all that well as a group this season, to make the correct reads. I don’t see the Falcons being able to pass the ball at all against the defense.
The predicted inclement weather should hurt the Falcons, who could end up slipping all over the horrendous turf. BYU really needs to show well in this game.
BYU 27, Air Force 12
