Welcome to Hooked On Golf College Football Blog. I’ve almost recovered from the biggest game, and greatest victory in the history of my University of Utah Football team. Two nights ago my BCS busting Utes CRUSHED Alabama 31-17 in the Sugar Bowl, despite being 10 point underdogs and getting almost NO respect or chance of winning by the talking heads in the national media. I’m proud of my Utes and proud to say I am a Utah Man.
Some highlights of the Sugar Bowl
I said the Utes “crushed” Alabama and that isn’t just a fan being a homer. Let’s look at the ways Utah dominated:
The Utah defense dominated Alabama’s offense
Alabama was supposed to destroy the Utah defense with its huge offensive linemen and amazing running game. ESPN said that if Utah held Alabama’s running back Coffee to under 150 yards they’d be doing well. The Utes not only held Coffee to under 150, they him to 36. The Utes held the entire Alabama offense to 31 yards rushing in 33 attempts. Yes 31 yards. It isn’t a typo. (Gets calculator out…) Hey that is an average of 1.06 yards per carry!
Alabama’s huge offensive line was supposed to have no problem pass protecting against Utah’s defense since they outweighed each player by an average of 40 pounds. Utah proved that size isn’t all that matters. Utah’s speed, determination and defensive scheme put them in ‘bama’s backfield almost as much as their own backs.
Utah sacked Alabama’s quarterback a record eight times. They knocked him down many more times.
Alabama’s offense entered Utah’s red zone once, following a turnover. Alabama wasn’t able to put on sustained drives from their own end of the field and get to Utah’s red zone otherwise.
Alabama converted 4-13 3rd downs, for 31%.
The Utah offense dominated Alabama’s #3 ranked defense
Utah steamrolled Alabama in the 1st quarter, racking up a 21-0 lead with a no-huddle offense. The ‘bama defense was in shock. Alabama had only given up 37 first quarter points in the 13 games they’d played before that.
Utah quarterback Brian Johnson carved up the Alabama defense like a Thanksgiving turkey. The Alabama D couldn’t keep up with the faster Utah receivers. The result was Brian Johnson winning the Sugar Bowl MVP and racking up 336 yards passing with three touchdowns.
Total yards
Utah: 353 (Alabama gave up an average of 263 for the season)
Alabama: 208
Turnovers
Utah won the turnover margin 3-1.
Coaching
Utah came into the Sugar Bowl more prepared. They came in more focused. They came in with a better scheme which they executed in impressive fashion.
The Utah offensive coaches knew they’d have a difficult time trying to run against Alabama, so they didn’t. They let the spread offense do it’s thing, using short passes as run plays.
Special teams
This is one category I’d say Alabama tied with Utah. Bama ran back kickoffs (of which there were many by Utah) well. They ran a punt back for a TD yes, but lost my consideration for winning the special teams battle with two missed field goals.
Physicality
If you payed attention to this game at all, you saw a ton of big hits, many of which were delivered by Utah’s defense. The Ute D pounded Alabama’s QB and running backs. A look in the eyes of ‘bama QB Wilson showed he was beat up.
There were a few stoppages of play due to player injury. All injury times out were for ‘bama players. The Utes just plain beat them up physically.
Scoreboard
31-17 Utah.
Why Utah should be considered for the national championship
- Utah is 13-0. Utah is the only team standing. There are NO other teams in the country who are undefeated.
- Utah has wins against four top 25 teams, including two in the top 10.
- Utah beat #4 ranked Alabama, a team ranked #1 for a large portion of this year
- Utah beat a tough Oregon State, who beat USC
- Of Utah’s 13 wins, six of those came against bowl teams.
For good measure…
- Utah has the longest winning streak in college football
- Utah has the longest bowl winning streak in college football
Related posts:
Travelling Golfer pays bet with mediaguru
I wish the Utes luck/Vasilopita
Utes to play Alabama in the Sugar Bowl
Utes crush byu
Utes edge TCU
HOGWire – Golf Industry News
I’m still on a high Tony…Agree on the NC consideration. Only way it can happen is the AP Poll.
The SEC bows to The Mighty Utes !
To pay our bet, I did a post about Utah’s Finest within moments of the whuppin’.
Thanks for kickin’ my butt !
Nice post. You honorably paid your bet. I’d like to paste some quotes here from our earlier conversation. (may do a blog too).
Traveling Golfer: “Most of the time, teams find out just how deep and talented an SEC team is on the first series … ”
~~Yes, I think the Utes found out just how talented and deep both teams were in say, the first three series…
Mediaguru: “I’m guessing my Utes will be 7-10 point underdogs.” ~~Wow I was right on.
Mediaguru: “Alabama my be surprised by the Utes.” ~~Yes, I think so.
Blissfully yours,
UTAH MAN (formerly known as mediaguru)