TCU - 55
Utah - 28
That settles that.
The answer to the question who is the best MWC team this year is undoubtedly TCU. This after TCU's dismantling of Utah 55 - 28 in Fort Worth.
I can hear it now, Monday at the press conference, Kyle Whittingham will address the media saying, "Congrats to TCU. You have to give them credit, they are a great team."
He's going to be right. Sure, it's a bit of coach speak, it's true.
TCU is just that beeping good.
The Horned Frogs came right out of the gate and gave it to Utah in a way that a team hasn't given it to the Utes for a long time. In fact the last time the Utes allowed 50 points in a game was 1996 in a 51 - 10 loss to Rice. Last time they gave up 55 or more, 1990, when SDSU beat them 66 - 14.
And while I'm all for giving TCU credit, the Utes were out played, and out coached in this game.
The defense struggled from the get go, allowing TCU to run the ball almost at will on the Ute defense. TCU racked up 342 rushing yards on the night (not to mention the 549 total yards given up). Both of the first two tackles were given up after Ute safety’s whiffed on tackles (first Robert Johnson, then Joe Dale).
While the defense was struggling the offense gave them little to no help.
TCU held the Utes to just 284 total yards, and only 65 yards on the ground. Eddie Wide was unable to get loose at any time during the game. The TCU defense seemed to be in the backfield the moment the ball was for much of the night, giving Wynn, Wide and everybody else back there no chance to succeed.
Wynn however was impressive. While he was pressured for most of the night, he really didn't seem to get shaken, or lose composure. Sure he made mistakes (the pick 6 for one). But anyone would under the defensive pressure. Wynn showed poise and the ability to step out and away from the rush at times.
The team as a whole did not share the poise of Wynn, as the Utes were penalized for 110 yards.
The bottom line is that the Utes are not on par with the Horned Frogs on any level. Offensively, defensively, special teams, or coaching, at least for tonight and this season.
So while the Utes will fly back tonight licking there wounds (and there are many), the loss is not as bad as it looks. The Utes were not suppose to win this game. If you believed differently, you were fooled. Now it boils down to getting ready for their final home game next Saturday against SDSU, and then the rivalry game against BYU
