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Since joining the Pac-12, the Utes have struggled to win on the road. The offense has had trouble communicating, and the defense fares no better. It’s pretty hard to tell your teammates the play when there are 100,000 screaming fans less than 100 yards away.
So with that as a backdrop it’s easy to see why Utah’s game this weekend poses a major problem: Michigan’s stadium is the largest in college football. The Big House seats over 109,000 people and is considered one of the toughest places to play in college football.
However, I still believe Utah will come out of Michigan stadium with an unblemished record and keep their push for a bowl game moving forward.
The Utes have beat Michigan at home before. Everyone remembers that great 2008 season where the team went undefeated and steamrollered Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. That season kicked off with a victory against the then-24th ranked Wolverines at the Big House.
Obviously, the 2014 Utah team is completely different than that legendary 2008 squad. For starters, the Utes no longer have the school’s all-time leader in wins under center Brian Johnson. They also don’t have the same power run game as they had back when now Minnesota Vikings’ running back Matt Asiata was pounding defensive lines for touchdowns.
That said, the team still has plenty of weapons they can unleash against Michigan. Utah’s wide receivers have done a terrific job this year of making big plays, while the offensive line has done a good job protecting Travis Wilson. With the protection, Wilson himself has limited turnovers and is controlling the offense better than ever before during his time at the U.
Michigan, on the other hand, has not had the season start they had hoped for. Wolverine teams begin each season with national championship aspirations. In recent years, however, Michigan hasn’t lived up to the hype created by teams of old.
Two Saturdays ago, Notre Dame blew out the Wolverines 31-0. It was the first time the Wolverines had been shut out since 1984. It is a loss that will affect Michigan for the remainder of the season.
The Wolverines struggled against a Miami (Ohio) team they should have sleepwalked through. The Utes are much better, much faster, much more powerful than Miami, and if Michigan struggled against the Red Hawks, they are going to get the same and more when they play Utah on Saturday.
Now, I could be wrong. Michigan always has one of the top recruiting classes in the nation, and their athletes could come out and really take it to the Utes, sending college football a message.
However, Michigan just doesn’t look to be in too good of shape heading into the matchup with Utah. The Utes have done their preparation for this game, and head coach Kyle Whittingham won’t let his team slip in one of the biggest early tests of the season.
So be prepared for a smash-mouth football game. It’s going to be a game where both teams will have to figure out a way to out-work the other. In the end, though, the Utes will repeat what they did in 2008 — go into the Big House and steal a game from the Wolverines.
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@ISmithAtTheU
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Utah is off to a good start, but that tends to go up in flames rather early.
I believe the Utes could beat Michigan this weekend. I think fans have been pleasantly surprised by what they’ve seen from Utah so far. However, there are a few factors that make me hesitant to predict that the Utes will leave the “Big House” with a win.
Since joining the Pac-12, Utah has begun to disappoint early in the season. For example, remember last season when the Utes lost in overtime at home to Oregon State, a program that was just upset by an FCS school? How about two years ago when the Utes suffered embarrassment against Utah State and was punished by Arizona State two weeks after?
My point? Utah was in position to win nearly every game I just mentioned, yet it failed to do so.
Now, Brady Hoke and company have been eyeballing this game for a couple of weeks now. The Wolverines are still bitter from suffering an embarrassing shutout loss, 31-0, at the hands of rival Notre Dame. They won last weekend over Miami of Ohio, as expected, but rest assured, they are not satisfied. Michigan is chomping at the bit to keep the Utes from rising to the top. With their season already ruined, they want nothing more than to wreck Utah’s hot-out-of-the-gate start.
Michigan’s rushing attack is something to be reckoned with, which spells trouble for the Utes. Utah’s pass rush will get caught coming full steam, only to look behind them and see sophomore running backs Derrick Green or De’Veon Smith running through the Utes’ secondary. Keep in mind, they did allow an FCS running back to rush for 133 yards.
That is not good, especially since Utah has the tradition of having a strong defense against running teams. Yes, they did well against Fresno State, but let’s be real — Fresno didn’t run the football. Green is over 300 yards rushing on the year and will most likely add at least another 100 this weekend.
Things don’t get much better when you look at the matchup for Utah’s secondary. Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner could have a field day.
Utah’s corners have not looked good in the first couple of games. It is obvious by how they continually switch up the lineup that the Utes’ coaching staff have not found a firm secondary they can rely on. With the loss of Reginald Porter to an injury this season, the Utes have had to move wide receivers and senior safety Eric Rowe around to compensate for the lack of depth and talent.
If the Utes are going to try to stop the run, expect some throwing lanes to open for Gardner, and if star wideout Devin Funchess returns from his knee injury, you better believe Utah is in trouble.
Even with the blowout against Notre Dame, Michigan’s average points scored by opponents is only 18.3. Compared to what has been scored in their two games, the Wolverines are about to be tested. Utah must be able to protect Wilson, but this pass rush will surely get in a couple of sacks and some more hits.
I believe any team can beat anyone on any given day, but this Saturday will not be Utah’s day if recent history has anything to say about it. Sure, it’s possible, but I don’t see it happening.
[email protected]
@brandonbarlow64
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