Your Utes at the Bye

Ahh, it's nice to take break. Especially when things are hunky-dorey and we're humming right along. Would it be nice to have the week off for the Utes right after TCU and before Notre Dame? Sure would, but it is hard to complain. In fact it is hard to complain about anything regarding the Utes right now. About the only thing I can think of is our terrible schedule. But even that is fixed by the gauntlet the Utes have to run at the end of the year.....(Question, could @SDSU be a scarier and tougher game than the Holy War?)

So during this period of peace and rest, let's review the season and look forward as well.

The start of the season has gone better than I think anyone could have hoped. The first game the Utes looked shaky, but pulled out the win. And the Utes have been getting better ever since. Culminating with dominant performance over an awful San Jose State team in which the Utes dominated in every facet. Also, consider the fact the turnover plagued and penalty ridden Fightin' Whittinghams had zero turnovers and only one penalty for five yards. The job the coaching staff had done is fantastic. And yes, I know the schedule was against patsies, but the a great team did what great teams are supposed to do against patsies. (Consider Nebraska, Oklahoma, Mississippi, etc who are or were considered potential solid teams who struggled or lost to bad teams.)

The three most satisfying aspects of the season are the Defense, the QB situation and Shaky's bounce-back.

First, coming in all the questions for the Utes were about the Defense. Everyone knew they would have a great offense. But the defense has been dominant. The only potential weakness is against the pass, but you can't run on the Utes. Not bad for a line-backer corps as young as they are.

Second, having a back-up QB that could be the starter and is content with his role is like a warm blanket and hot chocolate on a cold snowy day. How great was it to lose Wynn for two games only to have Cain come in and not miss a step. Man I love this team.

Third, Shaky Smithson had a disastrous day against Pitt. Two fumbles that both led to Pitt scores. Then in the next two games, no fumbles and two kick returns for TD's. That's what I am talking about.

Looking forward now to the rest of the season, the schedule is a breeze more or less until the Air Force game on Oct 30th. The only game worth worrying about is @Iowa State. The Utes should win, but you never know. Though I am comforted by the fact that this is the first game off the bye and Whittingham knows how to prepare a team, especially with extra time.

But once Oct 3oth hits the Utes should be undefeated and then its @Air Force, home with TCU, @ Notre Dame, @ a much improved San Diego State team, home to the lowly Cougs (hate to call you lowly, but...). That is a heck of a stretch and if the Utes come through that unscathed, you're looking at a top 3 ranking and possibly a trip to the title game. My prediction, unfortunately, is that Utah loses one of those games either AF or TCU.

Regardless, an 11-1 season and a bowl win (to make it 10 in a row) is a great way to head into the PAC-12, a National Championship would be even better.

GO UTES!