Block U

Utes further prove they own Michigan athletics with romp over Wolverines

2009-12-10T05:04:49Z

More photos » by Steve Griffin - AP

about 22 hours ago: Utah guard Jace Tavita (2) passes around Michigan guard Darius Morris (4) during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Salt Lake City, Wednesday Dec 9, 2009. (AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune, Steve Griffin)

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Final - 12.9.2009	1	2	Total
Michigan Wolverines	27	25	52
Utah Utes	35	33	68

Complete Coverage >

Well I'll be damned. The Utes won and actually played a pretty decent game against a Big Ten power (okay, well former Big Ten power...if you go back twenty years). Now they just need to bottle this and bring it to the arena every single game to stop those damning losses to the likes of Idaho State Idaho, Seattle and Weber. If they do that, we'll have a pretty decent team on our hands. If they don't, well no one will care or remember wins like this.

But for tonight, it works. It works because this was an important game in an important two-week stretch for Utah basketball. Their next challenge will be the Oklahoma Sooners, who, like Michigan, have faded a bit since the start of the season.

Even though, this was a good effort all around. The Utes jumped to a comfortable halftime lead, let the Wolverines creep back into it and instead of wilting, put the game away late. Good teams do that. Teams that grow and progress do that. Utah has certainly progressed in that regard and hopefully it means good things down the road.

Of course, as I suspected, Michigan was not good. They shot only 33% from the field and generally, shooting like that won't nab you a win on the road. Utah, on the other hand, was far more consistent - shooting 50%.

Another good sign was the defense and the fact the Utes out rebounded the Wolverines 41-25. You're not going to lose many games if you're dominating the boards like that.

But, as I mentioned above, it's important for Utah to play this well the remainder of the season. Become a consistent team and maybe, just maybe, we'll be talking about tournament potential in February. Especially when wins over teams like Michigan and Illinois and Utah State and possibly Oklahoma (here's hoping) will be on their resume - certainly helping in the RPI department. But it will be all for not if they turn around and lose to Illinois State or Pepperdine.

Anyway, great win and something to build on for Boylen's Boys. Now let's hope they do it.

Yes, Virginia, there is a basketball game tonight

2009-12-09T20:49:07Z

More photos » by Tony Ding - AP

Michigan is slumpin', hopefully Utah doesn't turn out to be their slump buster!

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Next Game

Michigan Wolverines
@ Utah Utes

Wednesday, Dec 9, 2009, 7:00 PM MST
Jon M. Huntsman Center

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Okay, so I know the men's basketball team has not been very consistent or good this season. I know we're all still in football mode and the farthest thing from our minds right now is a basketball game. Yeah, it's like a million below outside and it's the mid-week. But there is a semi-decent opponent coming to town tonight and it would be nice to have at least a half-packed arena.

Tonight's opponent is Michigan. The Wolverines. You know, they made the dance last year and were supposed to do some good things in 2010. That doesn't seem likely (they're 4-3 with losses to Marquette, Alabama and Boston College - all unranked) - but it's still a good test for Boylen's team. To put it bluntly, they can't afford to lose this game if there is any hope of salvaging what has turned out to be a pretty horrific rebuilding year.

The good news is that the Wolverines enter the game on a shooting slump and with them traveling to Utah, they will face an uphill battle in this one. Of course, that's if the Utes don't shoot themselves in the foot, which is never a guarantee.

Regardless, this isn't the typical cupcake you see on Utah's home schedule in the month of December. So, brave the cold and get your asses to the Huntsman Center. Or not. I don't really care. But hey, maybe they'll win.

So, yeah, that whole expectations thing...

2009-12-09T07:45:11Z

More photos » by Colin E. Braley - AP

19 days ago: Utah wide receiver, Jereme Brooks (85) catches a 44-yard Jordan Wynn pass as he is defended by San Diego State defensive back, Kwincy Edwards (24) during the first quarter an NCAA college football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley)

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Okay, so yeah. There is this bowl game coming up. I don't think we're quite ready to get into the entire dynamics of it (gotta save some stuff for that week), but it's never too early to get a feel of what to expect.

Unfortunately, the last two times I've asked how you were feeling prior to a game, the Utes lost. So, please, cut it the hell out, okay? Good.

Seriously, though. I don't know what to expect in this game. Vegas has Utah as a 3-point dog, which isn't surprising considering their best victory is against a ho-hum Air Force team. But on the other hand, who has Cal beaten? Minnesota? Maryland? Arizona? They seem to be in the same boat as the Utes.

Except their most embarrassing loss came to Washington.

Which means they could be really good or really bad depending on what team shows up. The same isn't the case for Utah. I think they've been fairly consistent, right? There was just one really bad loss to a really good team. Their other two defeats came by a combined score of ten. Not bad at all. Especially for a rebuilding season.

But in every tough game they've played this season, they're 0-3. Not a good statistic, especially since Cal is better than Air Force. Cal is better than all of Utah's wins combined. But are they better than BYU? I don't know.

If they are, the Utes aren't going to win. If Cal is equal to BYU or slightly worse, I think they have a good chance of winning their ninth straight bowl game. Of course, that depends on who shows up...

Do you think they'll win?

Poll

So, what happens?

The Andy Ludwig Bowl - oh he's so dead

2009-12-07T05:44:00Z

Remember Mr. Ludwig? I do. He was Utah's offensive coordinator from 2005 to 2008. Then he bolted for Kansas State and now, in a weird twist, finds himself coaching a struggling Cal offense (who'd guess we'd ever see the words struggling offense and Ludwig lumped together again...).

lol, i'z in your stadium killin' yer offenses!

How bad is Cal's offense? Well they only managed ten points against Washington. Sure, the Huskies are improved over last year - but that ten was the second fewest they've allowed all season. The only team to do worse than Cal? Washington State. And they're like the Gil of college football.

This is Gil, BTW. If you don't know who he is, well that's the point.

That doesn't mean Cal can't score. It's just that they're extremely inconsistent. This is a team that put up 52 on Maryland and then managed only six points total in a two-week stretch against Oregon and SC. So, what should we expect from them this go around? Well...who knows.

Can Ludwig take advantage of the fact he's familiar with the coaches and players? Maybe. He never did coach Jordan Wynn, though. That's got to be a plus.

So, basically, this game might come down to whose offense is the least inept. If that turns out to be the case, do you bet on Ludwig to screw it all up or his offensive disciples here at Utah? That, my friends, will be the ultimate question heading into the Ludwig Bowl.

Stay tuned.

Utes to face Cal in Poinsettia; Boise State and TCU to the Fiesta

2009-12-06T23:18:01Z

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

Utah's 2009 bowl opponent...it's Golden.

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The Utes are Golden! Well their bowl game is in the Golden State anyway against the Golden Bears of Cal.

It appears the Utes will indeed be playing in the San Diego Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl (say that three times fast). Utah last played in the Poinsettia Bowl back in 2007 - a victory over Navy. I actually like this match up because the Utes haven't played Cal since 2003 and it offers up a good opportunity to play a decent, though stagnating, Pac-Ten opponent.

The other big news, of course, is the fact TCU will be playing Boise State in the Fiesta. It's a sham. However, I can't think of a better deserving team than the Frogs after hearing Gary Patterson endorse the current bowl system. You reap what you sow, as they say.

Bowl season is here! It's like crack...but healthy!

Oregon State a near-lock for the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl

2009-12-06T20:16:11Z

If Utah is going to Vegas, they won't be playing a California school. It appears Oregon State is now a near-lock for that bowl game.

This might change things a bit. MAACO Bowl officials are still very interested in scheduling the Cougars because they can nearly guarantee a near-capacity crowd. The only problem had been Arizona - who beat BYU in last year's Las Vegas Bowl. Bowl officials did not, and neither did the Cougars, want a rematch of last year's game.

That doesn't appear to be happening this year. So, don't be surprised if it's the Cougars in Vegas playing Oregon State and Utah in San Diego playing either Cal or SC.

We'll see, though!

So, SC & Florida lose...

2009-12-06T00:59:38Z

The Trojans fell to Arizona at home tonight. That means they are a candidate for the Vegas Bowl. However, I would not be surprised if BYU gets another Vegas Bowl bid because they're a lock to draw a sellout. Since Arizona appears to not be going to the Vegas Bowl - though that could change - there would be no repeat of last year's game

If Arizona does go to Vegas, they'll play Utah. If they don't, the Utes might be sent to San Diego to take on either Cal, Oregon State or Stanford. Confused? Yeah, I am too!

Beyond the Utes - Florida just lost the SEC Championship to Alabama. That means the Tide are going to play Texas/Cincinnati/TCU for the title. The Longhorns just need to beat Nebraska tonight to lock up a national championship berth and TCU probably lost any case they had for a berth if Texas were to lose with Cincinnati's victory over the 15th ranked Pitt Panthers earlier today.

That means, if all goes according to plan, the Frogs may take on Florida in the Sugar Bowl. Or Boise State in the Fiesta.

Basically, it's all a cluster @#!% right now, guys.

Under any scenario, I think I'd want Utah to play Stanford. That would be a really good game.

Decade saw shift in athletics

2009-12-04T08:03:58Z

It's hard to believe ten years ago so many people were making a fuss of the whole Y2K nonsense. It's harder to believe we're already about to enter an entirely new decade. Yet when the clock rolls over to January 1st, 2010 - that's exactly what we'll do (and I know technically the next decade doesn't start until 2011, but really, who cares?).

The last decade has been pretty kind to Utah athletics. But for different reasons than the 90s - which saw unprecedented success on the hardwood. In the 00s, it was on the gridiron where Utah made its national impact, a reversal of the 90s.

So, what was it like on December 4th, 1999 for Utah athletics? Well life was going about its normal existence, even though many around the world were predicting Armageddon. Utah football had just finished their tenth regular season under head coach Ron McBride with a 20-17 win over BYU. They were also preparing for their bowl game against Fresno State (a week later, the Utes would beat the Bulldogs in a sloppy 17-16 contest).

The basketball team, a year and a half removed from playing for the national championship, was 4-3 and on the verge of winning eighteen of their next twenty. That team made the NCAA Tournament, beat St. Louis in the first round and then lost to the eventual champion Michigan State Spartans.

All in all, it wasn't a bad ending to a decade that saw the rise of Utah football and the dominance of Utah basketball. It was a decade where the football team finished with its best season to that point (1994, 10-2) and the basketball team played for the national title.

As we rolled into the 21st Century, the future did indeed look bright for both major sports. But as we now know, one would explode and the other would fizzle.

Which is a surprise, because the Utes football team floundered in 2000. They finished tied for the worst record since McBride's first season in 1990. The basketball team faired a bit better, making the NIT that season.

However, as the decade progressed, hoops would slowly deteriorate, even after their resurgence in 2005. Football, on the other hand, bottomed out in 2002 and then bolted onto the national stage under Urban Meyer. It marked the fastest rise of any Utah sport in the modern history and took a program that had been historically good, but far from great, and made them great.

Only three years into the new decade and the Utes had won ten games - something it took a century to do the first time. They had claimed an outright championship and finished ranked for only the third time in school history. The future was certainly looking up for Utah football and basketball, at this point, continued humming along - even if just barely.

By 2004, things were actually probably at its peak for the program. The Runnin' Utes had shown signs of softening their grip on the Mountain West, but were far from tanking and the football team was performing at its best. That was the season Utah did the unthinkable and went undefeated, busting the BCS and finishing ranked 4th in the nation. This was before the BCS eased up its rules and though their opponent in the Fiesta Bowl was hardly fantastic, it provided the program a defining moment that so few programs are allowed the experience. When your first real national coming out party is in the Fiesta Bowl - you know you've done good.

It's hard to imagine that four years prior it seemed like the football program was barely staying afloat. Sure, McBride had a good run and was fresh off a shared Mountain West title. But Utah had a penchant for under performing and it eventually caught up with him and the program.

Meyer changed that mentality here at Utah. Prior to him, there was a good portion of the fanbase who were content with 7-4 and 9-3 seasons - just as long as they ended with wins over BYU. Just beat the Cougars, finish above .500 and all will be well. McBride did that. He rarely did more.

Then Meyer rolls into town and overhauls how we think. We're not just beating BYU anymore. We're beating Texas A&M and Oregon and Cal. But beyond that, we're beating Colorado State and Air Force too. Those programs were McBride's kryptonite and it seemed every year they would stand between the Utes and either a shared conference championship or an outright title (as was the case in 1999, when the Utes barely lost to the Rams).

Meyer didn't lose to either during his two-year stint here. Of course, both programs were faltering by that time. But you've got to wonder what mental block they provided Utah in their quest for an outright title in 2003. It is, in fact, the Rams who offered up Meyer one of his biggest wins here. That isn't a coincidence.

Utah has only lost to the Rams and Falcons once each since Meyer left (2005 and 2007 respectively).

Of course, football very well could have slipped back to the pre-2003 days when he took off for Florida. But it didn't. Kyle Whittingham had a rough start, but eventually got Utah back onto the national stage in 2008 - four years after their first appearance. Last year, Utah did what no one thought possible - they bested the '04 Utes.

They didn't do it in style points, but they surely did it in every other aspect of the game. They won thirteen to '04's twelve. They did it with a harder schedule and the creme de la creme came when they knocked off Alabama - a far superior foe than Pitt - in the Sugar Bowl to finish the season ranked second nationally.

It was, unquestionably, the greatest season in Utah football history. And the kicker? The guy who delivered it still coaches the Utes. That's huge. It's huge because generally when a coach leads his team to the best season they've ever experienced, he's gone. We saw it in 2004 and there are going to be teams that see it this year.

It's Whittingham that has led the Utes for the last half-decade and he will lead Utah into the next decade poised to establish the program as a legitimate national champion contender.

Who would have thought that possible ten years ago? I mean, back in 1999 we just wanted to win enough games to claim a share of the title. Going undefeated was only something we hoped might possibly happen if McBride somehow found enough magic in his shoe dirt.

Now we're not pleased with a 9-3 season and a top-25 ranking. That's good, but we're so much better than that.

The football program surely has come a long way this decade. The same can't be said for basketball.

Basketball was supposed to have an unlimited horizon. It did, after all, see sustained success at the national level and was still being led by the man who guided the team to the best season in school history. The sky was the limit, even though things had stalled by 2000 and the prospects weren't nearly as good.

That was just growing pains, we told ourselves. The Utes would work out the kinks, find the good recruits and eventually develop into a program capable of deep tournament runs. But after 1998, they never came close.

Yet this was still Utah basketball and even though Rick Majerus looked like he was on the backside of his career, the program was contending and winning conference championships and making the NCAA Tournament. However, there were issues with the program. Majerus sat out all but one game of the 2001 season and then, in 2004, abruptly resigned after the first twenty games.

That resignation was met with mixed reaction because quietly many Ute fans had wondered if he had taken the program as far as he possibly could. Change was welcomed and after the 2004 season finished with another disappointing early exit, change is exactly what Utah got.

The Utes replaced the loud and opinionated Majerus with Ray Giacoletti - a person who was extremely reclusive and quiet. Fans who were used to the celebrity that was their former coach had a tough time embracing the more reserved Giacoletti.

Then he won and everyone couldn't get enough of the Guy in the Red Jacket. He guided the Utes to the Sweet Sixteen in his first season and everything was right in the world again. Utah football had just finished its best season ever and the Runnin' Utes were producing their best season since the '98 campaign. To top it off, Utah became the first school ever to have the #1 pick in both the NBA and NFL drafts in the same year.

Giacoletti looked every bit the coach Majerus was and he lacked the baggage. It seemed like the perfect fit - until Andrew Bogut left for the NBA. Nothing has been the same since for Utah basketball. They haven't even come close to sniffing the success they did in 2005, even though Giacoletti was replaced by Jim Boylen.

The program hit its lowest point in modern history in 2006 and though things looked up in 2007 and 2008, it's hard to shake the recent history that has plagued Utah basketball. Even an NCAA Tournament last year hasn't had much of an impact. The Utes currently sit at 3-4 this season.

What might be more surprising than Utah's rise in football has been their decline in basketball. Mostly because, prior to 2003, this was very much a basketball school. This was home to legends and the tenth-winningest program in America. They were coming off a decade run only surpassed by a couple schools and had everything seemingly going for them.

Then they hit the 21st Century Wall and have not been the same since. It's arguable that this has been the worst decade in Utah's modern basketball history - beating even that of the 80s.

For football, however, it's been the best decade. That isn't up for debate. But what is in store for both programs as we enter the next ten years?

Honestly, I don't think anyone can answer. We can't answer because I believe if Block U had been around in 1999 and I posed the same question, I doubt anyone predicts horrific basketball struggles and national prominence in football.

If, ten years ago, I had told you one program would finish the era ranked fourth and second, while the other made the post-season, but rarely did anything spectacular - you probably would think I was talking about the basketball team in the former and the football team in the latter. Hell, so would I. Because, in the 90s, that's almost exactly what our football teams and basketball teams did. Outside of 1994 for Utah football, they plodded along and rarely did anything spectacular. The basketball team, though, was churning out one great season after another. That isn't the case now.

I don't know what to expect over the next ten years. But I hope football continues to top itself every few seasons and basketball eventually lives up to its past glories.

WTF Weber State what?

2009-12-03T04:24:02Z

More photos » by Laura Rauch - AP

LOL we suck

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We've been punked, right? That's the only way I can explain losing to Weber State. Well, I guess maybe if we entered a time machine and blasted back to 1999 to face the Harold Arceneaux-led Wildcats. That would make sense. Hell, it might make even more sense than any explanation I can come up with about tonight's loss.

Rumor has it the recession is so bad, the Utah athletic department has actually sold the basketball team into the Russian drug trade and they were replaced by a bunch of homeless men hanging outside of the Gateway asking for some spare change.

Okay, that really didn't happen. But again, I'm trying to offer up some explanation.

The reality, though, is that we suck. S-U-C-K. Sure, that win over Illinois was nice and beating the Aggies is always fun, but that's like Halley's Comet, folks. It comes around once every 75-years. At this pace, that might be the next time we enjoy a really good Ute victory. So, hopefully you savored those wins because I'm not seeing many in the cards.

Sad.

The Hall saga from their point of view...and it's illustrated!

2009-12-02T07:06:57Z

Like it's just pure hell on earth at Ute games, don't you know? That's what you're expected to believe if you buy Max Hall's story about last year's game. Which, oddly enough, mirrors his retelling of the Arizona-Arizona State rivalry. How crazy is that?!?

But for the uninformed, I've taken the time to draw out exactly what happened that bloody and horrific November night. Now the truth really will be told...

Fin

Utes to Vegas to play loser of USC/Arizona game seems likely

2009-12-01T18:46:50Z

More reports out of the Mountain West offices today suggest Utah will play the loser of this weekend's Arizona/USC game.

So, unless the Wildcats go into Los Angeles and pull out a surprising win, it's looking like we're facing them in the MAACO Bowl.

We'll see how this develops, but I think I'd rather see Utah in the Poinsettia Bowl taking on the likes of Oregon State than playing an Arizona team who, even though they've done some things recently, still aren't a big name.

What're your thoughts?

Oh yeah, there was that whole Jamie Whittingham thing...

2009-11-30T21:43:04Z

Cause this is total class, folks.

Jamie Whittingham (far left) and daughter Kylie Whittingham watch as BYU Cougars and Utah Utes fans tangle after the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday (Deseret News)

Jamie Whittingham (left) is grabbed by an unidentified BYU Cougars fan during an altercation after the game against the Utah Utes at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Saturday. Whittingham is the wife of Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham (Deseret News)

All this talk about Hall's family being assaulted to a bloody pulp at last year's game and yet not much reported on the confirmed story about Jamie Whittingham getting an elbow to the mouth and then being told to shut up by the person delivering the elbow.

Ute fans and BYU fans certainly need to take it down a level. This stuff is unacceptable.

But to act like it's a one-sided affair ignores reality.

Holy War report card

2009-11-30T18:46:04Z

Why does it feel like I've been here before?

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Believe it or not, there was a game Saturday. I know! Who knew? But it happened and unfortunately, for the third time in four years, the Utes LOST.

Ugh.

What's worse is that the Utes didn't even play all that good. It was like 2007 all over again where the offense stagnated and yet, they had their chances there at the end. Just a slightly better effort at any point during the first three quarters would have probably been enough for a Utah victory. But they just couldn't deliver.

Painful. Especially when you realize this Holy War ended just the same as the last two BYU wins - miracle plays that will be played over and over again by the Cougar faithful until the Utes once again regain the upper hand in this series. Hopefully that happens next year.

Anyway, the grades are after the jump...

Offense: D - It was pathetic. The play calling was probably the worst I've seen of the Whittingham era and made Andy Ludwig look like freakin' Bill Walsh. What's worse is that Utah's freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn played just like a freshman. But you can't really get too down on him since it was only his fourth career start at Utah.

The worst part is that the Utes actually started off amazingly on offense. They picked apart the BYU secondary on their first two drives, moved the ball down field and then stalled. The first time came after Wynn got his bell rung and they inexplicably ran a reverse with Terrance Cain in there and lost 15-yards. That killed the drive and the Utes would have to settle for a field goal.

After another three and out by the BYU offense, they once again got the ball back and marched all the way down the field. But, as it has been all season, the red zone offense stunk up the joint and again they could only get three out of it.

That pretty much sums the game up for Utah. Had they scored a touchdown on either of those drives and I think the tone is set and everything changes in Utah's favor.

After that last field goal, Wynn really struggled and the play calling went to hell.

But this is the Holy War and rarely does one team dominate for an entire game. Down 20-6 in the fourth, the Utes had a furious rally that eventually tied the game up and pushed it into overtime. Yet the play calling was suspect throughout, especially when, down three and facing a first and five, Utah failed to gain a first down.

They punted and thanks to the defense, got a huge stop and managed just enough to get into field goal range to send the game into overtime. In overtime, the poor calls didn't stop and then the Utes opted for a field goal on 4th down and one even though rarely does kicking the field goal there result in a win. It didn't.

Am I the only one who thinks they should have just gone for it?

Defense: B-plus - The defense did everything they could to deliver Utah a win. It wasn't perfect, but they held the Cougars to only 20-points in regulation and once again took Hall out of the equation. In the fourth quarter, they got every stop possible and though Utah eventually finally capitalized on the offensive end, it was too little too late to win it in four quarters.

I am very happy with the defensive effort, though. I thought this was going to be the most questionable aspect of Utah's game heading into the rivalry and they played the best. I guess it was the inexperienced offense we all should have been worried about, eh?

Hopefully this defense carries over into the bowl game, because I'm not so sure the offense is capable of doing anything special.

Special Teams: C-plus - There were a lot of mistakes, but the Utes did well on the kickoffs and were kept in the game because of Joe Phillips' five field goals. He really was the MVP outside of the defense.

Coaches:

Aaron Roderick: D - His play calling was horrendous. Whittingham has a lot to decide this offseason and I don't think I'd be opposed to a shakeup on the offensive end. I liked Roderick prior to this game and one really poorly called game does not mean he's trash. But there has got to be some work done here or it won't matter how talented the Utes are next year - they will struggle against better teams.
Kalani Sitake: B+ - As I mentioned above, I thought the defense was great. They weren't perfect entirely, but when Utah leaned on them the most in that fourth quarter (especially on the Cougars' final two drives), they did everything and more to get a stop. You can't fault them for the overtime debacle, especially since we all knew the second Utah kicked the FG they were going to lose.
Kyle Whittingham: C - Whittingham wasn't bad, but this is the third Holy War he's lost on the final play. I don't know if it 's just a coincidence or what, but his teams just aren't getting it done in the clutch. Now that's not suggesting I blame Whittingham, but it would be nice to win a close one for a change.

Another painful chapter in this ever evolving Holy War saga. I really wish it would have ended differently, but it is what it is and hopefully the Utes bounce back in their bowl game and keep the streak alive. If they don't, I can't help but think this season will have been lost.

Poll

Grade the game...

Max Hall releases an apology

2009-11-30T03:49:55Z

I want to take the opportunity to clarify and apologize for a few of my remarks after the game yesterday.

Last year at RES my family was spit on, had beer dumped on them, and were physically assaulted on several occasions. They had to endure extremely vile comments personally attacking my wife, my mother, other family members, and our religion. They had to be escorted to their car by local police.

As a result of what happened to my family last year this rivalry became personal, and in the heat of the moment yesterday I made comments toward the entire university that were really directed specifically at those fans in RES. It was not intended to be directed at the entire organization and all of their fans and I apologize that it came out that way.

I have the utmost respect for Kyle Whittingham, his coaching staff, and the Utah football players. I apologize to them and other members of the university for my comments.

I'm also sorry if my comments took anything away from my teammates and coaches and our victory Saturday. The BYU-Utah game is a great rivalry, but no one should be treated the way my family was last year. I'm hoping that BYU and Utah fans can take steps to prevent future incidents at the game."

— BYU Quarterback Max Hall

Accept it?

I have a hard time with this apology because I still do not believe Hall's family was tormented like he says. If they were attacked the way he mentions, those fans should have been removed from the stadium. Yet I saw nothing in the press last year or anything remotely close to substantiated stories that back up Hall's current claim.

I accept it to the point I believe he got caught up in the heat of the moment. I do not accept his personal account of what happened last year and I do believe his true feelings about the University of Utah, its players and fans were on full display during his rant after Saturday's game.

Where do you want the Utes to go bowling?

2009-11-29T22:49:53Z

San Diego or Las Vegas seem to be the two options. Vegas is closest, but San Diego is San Diego.

What do you say?

Poll

Where do you want Utah to go bowling?

The Max Hall show

2009-11-29T08:19:17Z

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

Max Hall ends his career on a down note - even though his team won.

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I'm not sure this is how BYU wanted to celebrate their win over Utah. Certainly it has tarnished what many considered a very memorable game.

Max Hall, fresh off his struggles Saturday, dropped this whopper in the post-game press conference:

"I don’t like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them." "The whole university and their fans and the organization is classless. They threw beer on my family and stuff and did a bunch of nasty stuff. I don’t respect them.

Now I'm not one to get worked up over heated words. Lord knows I've said some stuff on here in the past that could be considered far worse than what Hall uttered Saturday night. Yet I can't help but think he voided his argument by acting like a sore-winner. This plays into what I said earlier in my rant about why I hate BYU because that statement proves how the Cougars continue to look down their noses at us.

It isn't justified. It isn't justified because I think they make things up. I do not believe Hall's family had beer thrown on them. And if we're going to believe that, we better not forget that Kyle Whittingham's wife now has a fat lip because of an overzealous BYU fan.

Even in the off chance someone tossed beer on Hall's family - what's worse? A smack across the face or a little suds on your jacket?

Beyond that, though, Hall's comments show a total lack of tact. Remember Utah's blowout win last year? How many players even came close to uttering what Hall did after Saturday's game? None.

But what irks me the most isn't necessarily that he said it - but that he said it after his career had ended at BYU. It's one thing to throw smack around before the big game and it's another to do it knowing you'll never again have to face the team you're slamming. To me, it shows how cowardly Hall really is and that might be the most damning thing about this whole episode.

That and Hall wasn't the reason BYU won. He went on to say we deserved to win and Utah didn't. Why? Because they're better than us? No. But that they're entitled to it. Well Hall wasn't entitled to that victory. He struggled for most of the game and nearly cost them a victory with his poor game management during the fourth quarter. Had it not been for BYU's defense and their ability to come up big on Utah's final drive of regulation (holding them to only a game-tying field goal) and the first series of OT (another field goal), I don't think the Cougars win.

Then Hall is left probably saying absolutely nothing. But instead of dishing out the credit and rallying his team around a very nice victory to end the regular season - he pops off about how much he hates Utah, the institution and its fans. And he has the audacity to suggest we're classless?

How does that make the other players feel? All the attention they could have received from the media is now not going to their win, but to their quarterback's remarks. Which, coming from a winning quarterback, seemed way out of line.

And people wonder why I don't like the Cougars?

Utes' comeback falls short

2009-11-29T02:06:21Z

Let me just say, BYU played a helluva an overtime. Utah had all the momentum and their players manned up, forced Utah to kick a field goal and then got the touchdown needed to win. It was another memorable big play that Ute fans will have to hear about for the next thirty years. It sucks, but what are you going to do?

That's just how it seems this rivalry goes now-a-days.

What a disappointing end to what has now become a fairly unsatisfying season.

Holy War Game Day Thread

2009-11-28T07:22:56Z

Let's finish the season strong with a huge win over the TEAM DOWN SOUTH!

Next Game

Utah Utes
@ BYU Cougars

Saturday, Nov 28, 2009, 3:00 PM MST

LaVell Edwards Stadium

TV: CBS College Sports HD

Radio: Kall 700

Weather:

42°F

Preview

Complete Coverage >

Let's hear what you think. Register for a free account here and leave your comments, predictions and other game day chatter below in the comment section. GO UTES! BEAT THE COUGARS!

Utes stun Illini at the buzzer

2009-11-28T05:43:58Z

More photos » by Laura Rauch - AP

Ya'll were PUNKED!

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THAT JUST HAPPENED!!!

Down huge at the half, Utah rallied to shock Illinois at the buzzer on Shawn Glover's game-winning shot. If you didn't know, the Illini were ranked 20th nationally!

Like, OMG!

NOW LET'S MAKE THIS THE BESTEST SPORTS WEEKEND EVER WITH A WIN OVER BYU!!!

Utah or BYU - who has more to lose?

2009-11-27T09:53:08Z

More photos » by Colin E. Braley - AP

Both Wynn and Wide will be back next year for Utah. How much does that factor into the must-win mentality of this game?

Browse more photos »

Saturday's Holy War won't be for a Mountain West title or BCS bid. Neither team has had a great season and both own lopsided losses to superior foes. Yet this game still means something. It might not feel as important as last year, but maybe in the bigger picture it is.

I say this because I do believe one team has far more to lose than the other. Which is rare in this rivalry because the stakes are generally high on both sides. Last season, BYU had an outside shot at the BCS with a victory over Utah and would have certainly tied for the conference championship had they won. That's something. It might not mean as much as 13-0 and a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama, but in the entire context of this rivalry, denying the Utes a chance at perfection would have provided them their biggest win in the Holy War since upending Utah in 1984 to continue their original - and only - Quest for Perfection.

But who has more to lose? The team that has produced a fairly good rebuilding year or the one who was supposed to have the season to end all seasons?

I think you know where this is going.

BYU entered 2009 expected to contend for the BCS. Outside of Oklahoma, all their tough games came at home. It was a schedule set up perfectly for at least a run at the Mountain West.

Then they stunned the Sooners. It was a huge victory that propelled BYU up the rankings and into the national championship picture. Premature as it was, the Cougars looked like the team destined to run the table and potentially had a strong case for a title shot.

Then two weeks later they got blown out, at home, by Florida State. It was a game the Cougars were never in and it unraveled any hopes of the BCS and their longshot national championship bid. Even with that loss, though, they still had a chance to claim a third Mountain West title in four years.

But, like in their game against the Seminoles, they were badly exposed by the TCU Horned Frogs. It was another ugly loss that dropped BYU from the conference title race and left them wondering what had actually happened to their once great season.

Sure, the Cougars bounced back and haven't lost since - but those games were against opponents they should have easily defeated. And, outside of New Mexico, they did. Like Utah, they took care of business in the easy games and lost the tough ones.

But their season was supposed to be more than that. Especially after they beat Oklahoma. Granted, the Sooners haven't turned out to be nearly as good as most thought prior to the season (they were ranked 3rd then and now they're fighting to stay above .500 at 6-5). But the win gave them the push needed to jump both Boise State and TCU. Which, theoretically, made them the front-runners to the BCS.

Obviously that didn't happen. For the second straight year, the Cougars saw their great season go up in smoke. And now they're left trying to salvage it. Losing to Utah surely undercuts any chance to make something out of what has happened this year.

On the other side of the rivalry we have Utah. The Utes are coming off their best season in school history and have put together a rather decent rebuilding year. Compared to the last time Utah had to rebuild after going undefeated (2005 when they went 7-5), things have gone fairly well. In fact, the Utes aren't worse than the preseason expectations.

Some might have hinted at the possibility of a repeat BCS performance and potential conference championship run. However, outside of their drubbing by TCU, Utah barely lost at Oregon (who's playing for the Pac Ten title next week) and won every other remaining game. Their season has almost mirrored that of BYU's - except this is what we expected. Especially when you realize the Utes made a quarterback change only a few weeks ago and now start a true freshman.

That true freshman will walk into LaVell Edwards Stadium tomorrow afternoon and try to lead Utah to an important win over their rival. But, with how things have gone this season, it isn't nearly the must-win that it is for that rival.

It's a must-win for BYU because a loss here would mean that Jordan Wynn, a player who last year was starting in high school, beat them. A freshman quarterback winning in a rivalry game could set the tone for the next three years. With how much the Cougars lose on offense after this season and how much talent Utah brings back, it isn't impossible to see a scenario where the Utes aren't just better than BYU in 2010 - but significantly better.

If that is the case and the Cougars can't win Saturday, they are looking at the position they found themselves in prior to 2006. That won't sit well with the Cougar faithful. Especially if Utah wins out and then puts together another memorable campaign next year.

For the Utes, though, a loss would not damn their program. It would sting, don't get me wrong, but they can regroup and finish the year with a respectable record in what has become a season of transition. They know next year BYU travels to Salt Lake and that Wynn will have far more experience running this offense. They also know the Cougars will be in a situation similar to Utah this year.

Now I don't know if that means BYU will want this more or that Utah will come in relaxed and loose. I don't know if it'll even make a difference. That isn't the point. What I do know is that after this year's rivalry game wraps up, the future will be extremely bright for Utah regardless of the outcome. For the Cougars, if they lose, there will be far more questions than answers.